Most people are aware of physical therapy as an aftercare treatment method. After surgery, doctors usually recommend physical therapy to help manage and ease discomfort or pain.
However, physical therapy isn’t limited to rehabilitation — it’s also preventative. It can address minor conditions before they worsen and prevent some conditions from developing altogether. Your physical therapy program will be designed with your condition and needs in mind.
How Does Physical Therapy Help in Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation is a treatment program that helps you regain your physical abilities. Licensed health professionals will use various treatment methods to guide you toward recovery. Ideally, you should be able to return to your daily life without needing help from others.
Physical therapy is an essential component of rehabilitation. Your condition will determine what kind of physical therapy you will receive. For example, if you’ve sustained a sports injury, you will need orthopedic physical therapy. Spinal problems can be addressed by neurological physical therapy. Other factors, such as age, will also determine the type of physical therapy you require.
Your doctor and physical therapist will assess your condition. This assessment will help them determine the correct type of physical therapy you will need. Once therapy begins, you will have to coordinate and follow up with your providers to make changes to your treatment plan as needed. Therapy techniques may include:
- Medication management
- Massage
- Flexibility exercises
- Strength training
- Assistive devices, such as walking canes or crutches
Benefits of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy has a wide range of benefits. Here are some benefits linked to physical therapy.
Prevention
Physical therapy is commonly performed post-surgery. However, there are times when physicians recommend it as a preemptive treatment. Some patients suffer from mild conditions that physical therapy alone can resolve. It can also prevent your condition from worsening if you cannot or do not want to undergo surgery.
Recovery
Many doctors recommend physical therapy as a part of your recovery program. Physical therapy has been proven to increase recovery speed. Thus, it can shorten the time you spend in rehabilitation. Through exercise and other methods, you can regain your strength and mobility. It also helps restore you to health faster than rest alone can.
Alleviating Pain
Another proven benefit of getting physical therapy is that it helps ease aches and pains. This benefit applies to both before and after surgery physical therapy. Therapy can also ease stiffness in your joints. The improved flexibility from therapy can also strengthen the muscles around a damaged joint, which can decrease strain and help prevent further injury or deterioration in the joint.
Staying Active
Physical therapy is also a recommended treatment method if you’ve sustained an injury while playing sports or at work. Therapists can recommend programs and exercises that help you maintain your strength and mobility. That way, you can quickly get back into playing sports or working.
Physical Therapy in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, and Royal Oak, MI
If you are looking for physical therapy services in Michigan, look no further than Ahlgren Spine. Our team at Ahlgren Spine are experts in both physical therapy and rehabilitation programs. You can expect the best therapeutic care from us.
You may contact us at (248) 215-8080, or request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you!
