Physical Therapy And Its Benefits

Health & Medical Blog

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who work with people of all ages to help them improve their movement, manage pain, and prevent injury. The therapists evaluate a person's mobility, identify the cause of any problems, and develop a plan to address the issues. The plan may include hands-on therapy (massage, stretching, joint mobilization) or other treatments, such as exercise or education about proper body mechanics.

Here is a bit of information about physical therapy and its benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy?

The benefits of physical therapy are numerous. They include:

• Increased range of motion
• Improved muscle strength
• Improved coordination
• Reduced pain levels
• Reduction in inflammation
• Reduced risk of injury recurrence
• Improved balance and stability

For many patients, their quality of life improves dramatically after receiving physical therapy.

Therapeutic Treatments That Physical Therapists Use

Physical therapy can be used for many different conditions, such as back pain, knee pain, and more. Therapists use a variety of techniques, including exercises, manual therapy, and electrotherapy, to help patients recover from injury or disability.

Exercises

Exercises that physical therapists typically use include:

• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Balance and coordination exercises
• Range of motion exercises
• Aerobic exercise

Physical therapists strategically use exercise to improve mobility and strength while reducing discomfort.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a type of physical therapy that uses hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat patients. It is also known as manipulative therapy, manual medicine, or osteopathic medicine.

The most common types of manual therapy are massage, joint mobilization, and spinal manipulation. Manual therapists use their hands to diagnose and treat patients by applying pressure on the body's soft tissues. They may also use other tools such as heat packs or ice packs to help with pain relief.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy is a form of treatment that employs electric currents to stimulate the body's muscles and nerves. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain and muscle spasms.

Electrotherapy can be delivered in many different ways. The most common method applied by physical therapists is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which uses electrodes placed on the skin to treat muscle spasms and alleviate pain. Patients with nerve-related issues that affect mobility, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and tennis elbow, often see improvements with electrotherapy.

Physical therapy can be used for multiple uncomfortable conditions, including back and knee pain. To schedule therapy for your condition, contact a licensed physical therapist in your local area.

Share

25 April 2022