The benefits of physical therapy

 Are you living with an injury or illness that makes it painful to move your body and enjoy life to the fullest? If so, there's a good chance physical therapy (PT) could help you.

PT is a treatment for people with movement problems caused by a wide range of conditions. It can improve mobility, reduce pain and help maximize a person's ability to perform daily activities. During your physical therapy, we simulate real-life conditions to ensure you regain the skills needed to return to your daily activities.

PT may help people who have:

• Sports- and work-related injuries.
• Back and neck problems.
• Sprains, strains and other orthopedic-related problems.
• Arthritis.
• Neurological problems, including certain stroke-related disabilities, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
• Chronic pain.

What's involved?

PT involves prescribed exercises and special movements of the joints and muscles. It also can involve the use of canes, walkers, crutches or other medical equipment. Hands-on therapy techniques can also be part of PT, which might take place in a hospital, an outpatient clinic or other settings.

A physical therapist can tailor a treatment plan for you. He or she also may consult with doctors, surgeons and other health care team members.

Many benefits

The benefits of PT depend on the specific problem and goals. For instance, it can help people:

• Rely less on pain medication.
• Avoid surgery. For instance, people with joint problems often try PT first before considering whether to have joint replacement surgery.
• Recover from an injury or illness. PT is often part of a rehabilitation program prescribed after an injury or surgery. And PT can often help stroke survivors regain some of their lost abilities.
• Return to sports, work, or your active lifestyle sooner after injury or surgery.

Sources: American Physical Therapy Association; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics