October is National Physical Therapy Month! It’s a time when our profession works to raise awareness of the many ways that physical therapy empowers health. From addressing chronic conditions like arthritis, to treating high-level athletes, physical therapists have the training, knowledge, and skills to help people of all ages and abilities find relief from pain to live full and active lives.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Improve Your Health
In musculoskeletal care, Physical Therapy First (or PT First) is a proven path to success, where physical therapy is the first stop on your care journey, not the last. A PT First approach means that you receive physical therapy shortly after your injury or pain begins.
To state the obvious, it is proven that people with active lifestyles tend to have longer lifespans. Becoming physically fit can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Here are 4 reasons you should consider working with a physical therapist to help you live an active life.
Physical therapists are highly trained medical professionals who provide evidence-based treatment that immediately addresses your symptoms (like pain or restricted mobility) and the underlying cause of your discomfort (such as an underlying nerve irritation).
Five Ways Physical Therapy Empowers Health
Overcome Barriers that Limit You
The ability to move comfortably impacts our lives in more ways than we might easily recognize. From increased risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease or type 2 diabetes, to added feelings of depression and anxiety, living an inactive lifestyle can have significant implications on your quality of living.
However, for many people, the concept of just getting more active isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. Most people don’t just randomly become inactive, it is a process that occurs for complex reasons. Pain, either because of an injury or accident presents a significant impact on many people. How many? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 20 percent of Americans are impacted by chronic pain. That’s about 50 million people!
Physical Therapy Removes Obstacles
Physical therapists are experts of the bones and muscles of the body, often referred to as the musculoskeletal system. The human body is a complex machine that must deal with complex postures, movements, and often stationary positions that can have a lasting effect on function. Physical therapists understand all these things and work to resolve the many impacts that your body faces. From mobility after surgery to pain and weakness to chronic progressive diseases such as arthritis, your physical therapist has the tools and knowledge to remove limitations and improve function.
Physical Therapists Open New Doors
Aging is a natural process, and some wear and tear on the body is inevitable. It is undeniable that you may not be able to move around the tennis court in your 60s as you did in your 20s. Your physical therapist can help you look for new opportunities for exercise and activities. As a member of your healthcare team, and rooted in your community, they can help you identify realistic goals for movement and direct you locally to resources to help you continue wellness beyond discharge from your physical therapy treatment plan. You have a lifetime partner in health when you enlist a physical therapist on your healthcare team!
Your Partner in Prevention
If you could prevent a foreseeable injury that causes pain and removes you from your active lifestyle, why wouldn’t you take action? While many injuries are the result of accidents, some common injuries are preventable. From recognizing ACL instability in young athletes to recognizing common workplace injuries based on job duties to screening seniors for fall risks, your physical therapist has the unique ability to impact the health and wellness of every member of your family.
Physical Therapy Offers Opportunities
Choosing to work with a physical therapist at the first sign of pain can actually lead to quicker healing. What other benefits are there? How about fewer healthcare costs, and a deeper understanding of how to prevent your pain or injury from returning? Physical therapists as uniquely qualified to offer you holistic healing that can reduce your reliance on pain medications, offer you ongoing support and education throughout your care, and partner with your other healthcare providers to deliver the services you need based on where you are in your recovery. On top of that, they will also give you tools to maintain your improved function beyond discharge. And, as your partner in health, should you need them again in the future, your physical therapist remains a healthcare advocate for you!
Choose Bay State Physical Therapy as Your Partner in Health
Working with a physical therapist can have lasting impacts on your health. Therefore, choosing a provider that can meet your changing needs is key. At Bay State Physical Therapy, our team works together with you to assess your pain, provides proven care and treatment to help you overcome limitations, and is your partner in health for years to come.
Our goals are to do more than help you recover; we are focused on giving you tools to achieve optimal health to live a life full of movement. Don’t allow pain to limit your life, take action today and choose Bay State Physical Therapy as your partner in health.
To learn more, call your nearest Bay State Physical Therapy location or complete the form below to request an appointment.
Resources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/chronic-pain-the-impact-on-the-50-million-americans-who-have-it
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/risks-of-physical-inactivity
- https://medlineplus.gov/healthrisksofaninactivelifestyle.html
