5 Warning Signs It’s Time to See a Physical Therapist
You Can Take Control of Your Disruptive Pain
Do you associate physical therapy with athletes in training or with individuals who are in recovery from a traumatic accident? While physical therapy is a great resource for the types of people described above, there are so many more conditions that physical therapy can treat that you may not be aware of. If any of the painful symptoms described in this article sound relatable, consider consulting with a physical therapist. At The Physical Therapy Zone, a knowledgeable and helpful physical therapist would be happy to meet with you, examine and identify your pain sources, and create a personalized treatment plan that promotes long-lasting pain relief.
Please be sure to call our office to find out how physical therapy can help you!
1. You’re experiencing recurring injuries.
If you’ve noticed that your recovery time from minor injuries seems abnormally long, or that your old injuries flare up consistently, you would likely benefit from physical therapy. The following are a few common injuries that can heal more properly and quickly with the help of a physical therapist.
Strains
A strain is a muscle or tendon that is torn or stretched too far. Your physical therapist may prescribe specific exercises to help your muscles heal without causing scar tissue to build up. To relieve pain and swelling, ice or heat therapy may be used.
Sprains
A sprain is a tearing or extreme stretching of a ligament. Physical therapy can help strengthen the joints and ligaments. A physical therapy program may also include electrical stimulation to promote healing.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are a type of pain that affects the front region of the lower leg. An increase in activity can cause pain in the muscles and tendons along this area of the leg. When working to improve shin splints, a physical therapist might use ice therapy. To prevent them from occurring in the future, physical therapy might include several types of exercises or new ways of performing athletics or daily activities.
Tennis or Golf Elbow
Describes pain tenderness, and inflammation caused by repetitive motions and overuse of certain areas of the body. A physical therapist can teach you exercises and healthy movement patterns that can ease painful symptoms and prevent this condition from reoccurring.
2. You deal with chronic back pain.
Did you know back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide? In fact, a vast majority of people (as many as 8 out of 10) will experience at least one episode of back pain at some point in their lifetime.
Cases of back pain differ in severity of symptoms and in the cause. Sometimes back pain occurs as a result of a pulled muscle or more serious issues such as a herniated or ruptured spinal disc. Abnormal curvature of the spine can cause pain throughout the back as well. Even minor car accidents can lead to debilitating back pain.
The good news is that physical therapy may provide relief to millions of people suffering from persistent back pain. A physical therapist can create a treatment plan for you that is tailored to your specific needs and targets the source of your back discomfort.
Your physical therapist can utilize several treatment options to help reduce or even eliminate your back pain. For example, your personalized treatment plan may include laser therapy, which decreases inflammation and promotes healing at a cellular level, manual therapy, or exercise therapy.
3. You’re living chronic headaches or severe migraines.
Headache pain can range from a mild annoyance to an extreme and debilitating disruption. Most people experience headaches on an occasional basis, but if you’re regularly struggling with headache pain, physical therapy can help.
Before your therapist creates your treatment plan, they will likely conduct an assessment to determine the precise types of headaches you’re experiencing. Whether you have generalized tension headaches, migraines, muscle-related headaches, or secondary headaches, relief is available in physical therapy.
A physical therapist may use massage in the shoulders and neck area to relieve tension throughout the upper body. Myofascial release and different types of joint mobilizations might also be used. Improved posture techniques can also help to minimize the frequency and intensity of headaches.
4. You have poor posture.
Did you know that poor posture can cause a variety of health problems, and potentially worsen some existing conditions? Poor posture has been proven to negatively affect the following health issues:
Arthritis
Poor posture can cause an individual to place more stress on their hips, knees, and ankles. This can occur when walking, standing, and sitting.
Fatigue
Standing or sitting in an incorrect position can negatively affect your energy levels.
Shoulder & Back Pain
Shoulders that are continually slumped forward can lead to an increase in both shoulder and back pain.
Circulation Problems
If you’re sitting slumped over in a chair for hours this may contribute to circulation problems throughout your body.
These are just a few of the issues that can arise from bad posture. Fortunately, you can work with a physical therapist to improve your posture and long-term health. This might include strengthening your core muscles, practicing breathing exercises, or altering the ergonomics of your workplace.
5. You experience joint pain and stiffness.
You might find that your joint pain and stiffness is most common in the morning when you first wake up. It may also happen after physical activity or as a result of a particular medical condition such as arthritis.
A physical therapist can help lessen the pain in your joints and improve stiffness that may be limiting your mobility.
One therapeutic modality commonly prescribed to patients with joint pain is manual therapy. This technique includes soft tissue mobilization to ease pain and stiffness and can increase your overall flexibility. Another treatment option you may encounter is ultrasound therapy, known for its ability to improve circulation, improve mobility in joints, and reduce pain and stiffness.
Contact The Physical Therapy Zone today to see a physical therapist!
If you’ve noticed any of these 5 signs have been causing you pain or frustration, contact The Physical Therapy Zone today to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed physical therapists.
Don’t wait to begin improving your physical health and overall quality of life. Contact our office so an experienced physical therapist can help get you started today.