If you are recovering from a serious injury or surgery, you might benefit from seeing an experienced physical therapist who can help you retrain your muscles, relieve pain, and recover quickly. Many patients wait for a recommendation from their doctor before scheduling an appointment with a physical therapist, but anyone who is struggling through his recovery or experiencing difficult movements could benefit from physical therapy. Sometimes physical therapy can even prevent the need for future surgeries.

Pain Elimination

For those wary of unnecessary medications, physical therapy is a natural and healthy way to relieve chronic pain. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy can effectively soothe pain in any area of the body, including common complaints such as lower back aches and joint pain. Physical therapy has been used as an alternative pain management method to supplement or replace medications for the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Musculoskeletal pain

Improved Lifestyle

Old injuries and surgeries shouldn’t haunt you longer than necessary. Restricted and painful movements do not need to be a permanent part of your daily life. If your daily life is compromised because of stiff, painful, or uncooperative muscles and joints, let a physical therapist help locate your problem areas and devise a plan to improve movement and quality of life.

Prevention

Athletes can use preventative physical therapy to help guard against common sports injuries that may occur during a game or practice session. The American Physical Therapy Association reports that physical therapy can lower your sports injury risk by 41 percent, when compared to athletes who only warm up before games.

Elderly Patients

As the body ages, it becomes susceptible to poor balance, falls, and broken bones. Preventative physical therapy can help your loved ones avoid these common problems as the years pass. Physical therapy for the elderly will improve strength, balance, and flexibility, enabling them to continue living an independent lifestyle even as the years take their toll.

The physical therapy department at Plantation General is here to help you reclaim your life after an injury or surgical procedure. If you have any questions or need a referral, please call our free Consult-a-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362.

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