Health -
Physiotherapy
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy is treatment that helps you improve how your body performs physical movements. It can be part of a generalized pain management plan or a specific treatment for an injury or health condition. It’s common to need physical therapy after many types of surgery, too. You might also need physical therapy to help prevent injuries before they happen.
What does physical therapy treat?
- Sports injuries.
- Neck pain.
- Back pain.
- Knee pain.
- Hip pain.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Rotator cuff tears.
- Knee ligament injuries (like ACL tears).
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- Concussions.
- Strokes
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Cerebral palsy.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Muscular dystrophy.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Cystic fibrosis.
What are the types of physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a combination of hands-on techniques (a therapist moving part of your body) and exercises or movements you perform with a physical therapist’s supervision. Physical therapy can include:
- Stretching.
- Strength training (with or without weights or exercise equipment).
- Massage.
- Heat or cold therapy.
- Hydrotherapy.
What are the benefits of physical therapy?
Physical therapy can work on any system in your body that controls your movement, including your:
- Musculoskeletal system.
- Nervous system.
- Cardiopulmonary system.
- Integumentary system.
Physical therapy can strengthen parts of your body throughout any of these systems, including your:
- Muscles.
- Bones.
- Joints.
- Heart.
- Brain (including your nerves and the ways they deliver messages to other parts of your body).
- Skin and how you touch and feel objects.
What are the risks of physical therapy?
Physical therapy is very safe and effective. Like with any physical activity, you’ll have a small injury risk — including aggravating an existing injury. Talk to your physical therapist about how to do all your exercises and movements safely — especially if you’re planning on doing physical therapy at home
Is physical therapy worth it?
It might not be easy (especially at first), but physical therapy is definitely worth it. You might feel stressed, tired or exhausted after a physical therapy session. These feelings are valid and normal. Your physical therapist will help you set realistic goals and expectations.
