Surprising Benefits of Physical Therapy (Even If You Aren’t Injured)

When people think of a physical therapist, they probably imagine a professional who provides treatment to those recovering from a recent injury. But, did you know that physical therapy can be beneficial for those who aren’t injured, too? The multitude of benefits may surprise you. So if you are considering physical therapy, don’t hesitate to contact a clinic near you to have your questions answered and schedule an exam.

Here are a couple of the many surprising benefits that physical therapy can yield for you, whether you are healing from a recent injury or just want to boost your health:

Enhanced Immune System

Physical therapy is one of the most ideal ways that you can enhance your immune system. This form of treatment increases circulation, allowing healing properties to make their way throughout the body. Additionally, physical therapy reduces inflammation, strengthens respiratory health, and improves the cardiovascular system. The immune system is responsible for healing, so receiving physical therapy will help you feel at your very best overall.

Promotes Better Balance

After an injury accident, you may feel like your balance is somewhat off, which may lead to falls and further physical injury. Physical therapy provides you with exercises, stretches, and other useful tips to improve your coordination and balance.

Outlet for Avoiding Surgery

Did you know that physical therapy can prevent someone from having to undergo surgery? For some people, the idea of an operation and anesthesia can be terrifying. And depending on the condition, surgery may not be the only method of treatment. Many patients find that physical therapy has enabled them to reach a place of health they have imagined, as if they had gone through surgery. Except now, they can avoid the post-surgical side effects and other potential complications.

To learn more about whether physical therapy in Bowie, MD is right for you, contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today.

If you strain your back or neck, your first initial instinct may be to pop some pain-killers or anti-inflammatory and rest if you can. However, symptoms related to the spine, neck, and back should not be taken lightly. Many people suffer needlessly because they are only blanketing the real issue, when a visit to their local chiropractor may be what ultimately resolves their aches and pains for good. 

Here are a few signs that it’s time to schedule an appointment with a reputable chiropractor near you:

Your range of motion is limited.

If you are unable to perform simple activities such as picking up a light basket of laundry, bending over to put on your shoes, or pulling a seatbelt across your lap, then it’s time to get an exam from a chiropractor. Your restricted motion may be spinal or muscle related, and there are numerous therapies available to get you back into living life like you normally would! 

You have recurring headaches.

Headaches and migraines can take a toll on a person’s body and mind. When your head hurts, it’s difficult to get much done, as it’s all you can think about. What many people may not realize is that these headaches could be stemming from a misalignment of the spinal column. So while medications may alleviate an aching head temporarily, the root cause of the problem is not being addressed, resulting in more recurrent headaches. 

You were recently in an accident.

If you were hurt recently in an accident, such as a car crash, bike collision, or slip and fall, then you may need to give your body some support in healing. Even minor accidents can cause significant physical injury, so it’s always best to air on the side of caution and have a chiropractor assess your musculoskeletal health. 

To learn more about how a chiropractor can assist with your healing and recovery, contact a chiropractor in Bowie, MD from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic as soon as you can. 

Whether you fell from a ladder, slipped at work, or were injured in a car accident, physical therapy may be beneficial for you and help speed up your recovery. Physical therapists are knowledgeable about the musculoskeletal system and the conditions that affect it. Through exercises, stretches, diet, and lifestyle changes, they can help alleviate your pain and condition your body to improve your physical health. If you have been injured in the following accident scenarios, talk to a trusted professional about the physical therapy services that they can offer you. They can evaluate your injury or condition and determine if you are a right candidate. 

As a healthcare professional who offers physical therapy in Bowie, MD services knows, such as one from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, everyone can benefit from going to physical therapy sessions. If you are experiencing ongoing pain, see if physical therapy is an option.

You have suffered an accident injury

An injury after a serious accident, whether it’s a car accident or workplace accident, can put your life on hold. While you are recovering, you cannot participate in many activities. Physical therapy sessions can help you recover faster and alleviate your pain. With guidance from a physical therapist, they can target areas of your body that have been affected. Low-impact exercises and stretches can help you gradually increase your strength and functionality again.  

You want to improve your flexibility and mobility

Limited mobility and flexibility is a big issue for many people. Experienced physical therapists have a strong understanding of movement and what treatment methods are best for increasing your range of motion. With a physical therapist’s help, you can become more flexible so that you can reduce any pain and enjoy your favorite activities. They can educate you about stretches you can do. 

You have pain from repetitive motion

For many people, their work-related tasks can put added stress on their body, causing severe pain. Repetitive motions like lifting, pushing and pulling can take a toll on vulnerable joints and muscles. An intensive physical therapy program provides patients relief for chronic pain. 

You want to prevent injury

Strengthening and conditioning your body through physical therapy is a great way to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Focusing on your weak areas allows you to stay in top condition so you are less prone to sustaining injuries. This is helpful for elderly individuals, athletes and anyone who wants to maintain their health. 

To learn more about how physical therapy can help you, schedule an appointment today.

What To Expect During Your First Physical Therapy Session

Physical therapy is beneficial for a wide range of conditions. It can help individuals regain their strength following an injury or surgery. It can also improve balance and coordination in individuals with temporary and permanent movement disorders. The first visit for a physical therapy Bowie in MD with a physical therapist determines subsequent treatment and includes multiple steps. 

Interview

During your first visit, your physical therapist will begin by asking you questions to get a sense of your overall health history, the limitations and discomfort you experience due to your condition, and what you hope to achieve through therapy.

Physical Evaluation

After interviewing you, the therapist may touch and move your body parts or ask you to perform movements or activities to determine how well your joints, muscles, and nerves function and assess your:

• Strength
• Coordination
• Flexibility
• Balance
• Range of motion
• Mobility
• Stamina

Treatment Plan

After a thorough evaluation, a physical therapist will propose a treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. Treatments often begin during the first visit and include various modalities. Sessions will usually start with an application of heat to stimulate blood flow and send oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas. Heat increases flexibility in preparation for other treatments that follow.

After applying heat, the therapist may use manual massage techniques to decrease muscle pain and tension and improve circulation. The therapist might also repeatedly move your joints in various directions to help improve your mobility.

Ultrasound is helpful in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. A topical gel on the skin over the affected site helps deliver ultrasound waves to the muscles via a wand to improve blood circulation and promote healing. Light therapy and electrical stimulation can help reduce pain and inflammation and encourage injury healing.

Treatment sessions may also include supervised exercises that you can perform with progressive degrees of intensity as your condition heals or improves. Your sessions will end with an application of ice to control inflammation resulting from therapeutic activities.

Home Exercises

During an initial physical therapy visit to our clinic Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, your therapist may recommend exercises using special equipment available at the physical therapy site. The therapist will also review home-based exercises you can perform independently between sessions. Discussing the importance of these exercises is a crucial part of your initial visit and will help ensure that you continue to improve and progress between sessions with a therapist.

If an injury or medical condition leaves you unable to enjoy life, schedule an evaluation and initial session with a knowledgeable physical therapist to start on the road toward feeling better.

You may require physical therapy to help you recover from an injury or medical condition that causes pain or limits your mobility. Your therapist will periodically assess your abilities to determine if your therapy is helping you achieve the goals you set during your first visit. 

Typical physical therapy in Bowie, MD goals may include:

• Pain relief
• Better range of motion
• Better balance
• Greater endurance
• More strength

Your therapists may apply one of the following methods to evaluate your progress during physical therapy.

Ask for Your Feedback

One of the most significant ways your therapist can determine if you are progressing in your therapy is to rate your pain level. Before you start your treatment plan, your therapist will ask you to describe your pain’s intensity by assigning it a number on a predetermined scale. As your therapy progresses, your therapist will periodically ask you to rate your current pain level and compare it to the baseline measurement you provided at your first session.

Take Objective Measurements

Your therapist can evaluate your strength, endurance, and range of motion objectively by using various tests. For example, at the start of therapy for a shoulder injury, you may not have been able to lift your arm higher than your rib cage. If you can raise your arm above your head after several weeks of treatment, your therapist can objectively determine that you are improving without asking you.

Therapists also use various kinds of equipment to measure strength, including isokinetic dynamometers that measure muscle strength in the hips, elbows, shoulders, or knees or hand held dynamometers that a patient can squeeze to indicate grip strength.

Observe You While You Are Performing Dynamic Activities

The ability to perform various activities without pain or compensating for a deficiency in strength, flexibility, or balance are additional signs that a physical therapist will look for when assessing your overall progress. Your therapist may ask you to demonstrate your ability to perform various dynamic activities, including walking, bending, or squatting, which demonstrate the degree to which you can support your body weight and maintain balance while shifting your center of gravity. 

The goals for your therapy are established before it begins. Your therapist will determine the best approach to your treatment based upon an initial assessment. Still, a routine evaluation of your progress is necessary to determine if an adjustment to the initial approach will be beneficial or if you have attained your therapy’s maximum benefit.

Contact our experienced physical therapist  at at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for your physical therapy in Bowie, MD, we will evaluate your condition and recommend a treatment plan to help you achieve your goals.