Do I Need Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy may be helpful after an injury due to a car accident or from playing sports. People often need physical therapy for pain or loss of mobility due to repetitive motion or strain from doing certain types of jobs. In some cases, an old injury may flair up and you may need physical therapy to get pain and movement back under control. 

You could also need physical therapy for any of the following reasons:

• A heart condition (e.g., COPD)
  
• Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and other hand conditions
  
• Back pain, rotator cuff tears
  
• Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, balance disorders, multiple sclerosis
  
• Concussion and other sports-related injuries

It’s also common to need physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence, and for burns and wound care.

How physical therapy can help you

Physical therapists are specially trained to diagnose your condition and provide a prognosis (outlook) as well as a treatment plan. The physical therapist takes into consideration your health history and condition before introducing a variety of therapies to help you heal and recover.

Types of physical therapy techniques may include:

• Gait training (for walking strength and stability)
• Functional activities
• Neuromuscular rehab (balance and posture training)
• Vestibular rehabilitation (balance training)
• Manual therapy 
• Manual/mechanical traction
• Passive range of motion and stretching pain modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation)
• Iontophoresis

All physical therapy programs also include a home exercise program to support the work you do with your physical therapist and an ongoing regimen for post-physical therapy.

Here are some ways physical therapy can help you:

• Avoid need for opioid medication for pain
• Avoid need for surgery
• Improve movement and functionality
• Help you recover from trauma or injury
• Help you recover from stroke
• Keep you from falling down
• Improve your balance
• Better manage age-related medical issues 

Find a physical therapist near you

You do not need a referral for physical therapy. If you think you might need physical therapy, get in touch today for a consultation.