Physical Therapy Catonsville, MD

Treating Pain With Physical Therapy

Whether you need help recovering from a major surgery or have chronic aches and pains that won’t go away, you may benefit from our Catonsville, MD physical therapy crew. Physical therapy plans are specifically designed with a patient’s needs in mind, ranging from minor pains to resolving severe injuries. Understanding what a physical therapist does is the first step in determining if PT is right for you. We have a team of specialists who can help with your needs, like Dr. Zach Woods who started with us in 2017.Contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today to schedule your appointment.

How Physical Therapy Can Help You

Getting physical therapy can offer several benefits for those needing treatment for injuries and ailments. Physical therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment for people of all ages. This form of therapy provides a vast range of benefits for those in the recovery process following an injury or surgery or experiencing pain and physical limitations. The benefits of physical therapy are extensive, allowing people to achieve optimal recovery. Daily life can be debilitating when facing physical pain, and among recommended treatments, physical therapy may play an imperative role in the process.

Understanding Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a form of treatment focusing on a specific type of treatment that helps to reduce pain and improve the body’s functioning. In most typical situations, this form of treatment may be recommended when a person is experiencing pain or recovering from an injury. Physical therapists receive extensive and specialized training before they receive their licenses, allowing them to care for patients. At your first appointment, a physical therapist will work closely with you to understand your medical conditions and the impact it has had on your body. Typically they will conduct a diagnostic examination that assesses range of motion, muscle tone, and learn more about how the patient’s condition or injury has impacted their lives daily. A physical therapist can treat a range of medical conditions, including recovery after surgery, recovery from physical injuries, back pain, neck pain, soft tissue injuries, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Parkinson’s, ankle and foot injuries, and more.

Referrals for Treatment

Often, prospective patients can seek physical therapy without a referral from their primary care provider. However, it’s essential to be aware that for prolonged treatment from a physical therapist, it may be necessary to receive approval from a physician. In addition, prospective patients should always gain an understanding of the cost associated with treatments and determine whether their insurance will offer any coverage for physical therapy sessions. This allows patients to have a clear understanding of the affordability of services. Despite this, remember that diligent physical therapy treatments can be incredibly effective in treating common medical conditions, which can be well worth the cost. 

At-Home Exercises

Most of the time, a physical therapist will teach their patients exercises to complete at home. There is a range of recommended exercises, and to achieve optimal recovery and shorten recovery times, patients should follow the instructions provided by their physical therapist. These exercises can help to reduce pain, strengthen the impacted areas, improve muscle tone, and even reduce the risk of injuries in the future. 

A physical therapist may ask their patients to conduct several types of exercises outside of physical therapy sessions. While there is a range, some of the most widely prescribed may include techniques aimed at correcting posture, stretching targeted areas, strength training, body extensions, and resistance band exercises.

Reasons to See a Physical Therapist

There’s a misconception that physical therapy is only for helping patients recover from a significant injury or to help elderly patients regain some mobility. Of course, these situations often call for help from a physical therapist. However, seeking physical therapy can help in many cases, including the following:

• Reduce chronic pain. For example, assisting patients in dealing with arthritis or frequent headaches
• Reduce general pain. For example, neck, back, and shoulder pain, something that’s very common in office workers
• Reduce the need for pills. Can reduce the reliance on prescription painkillers, either prescribed by a physician or over-the-counter
• Help with ailments. Help patients recover from certain diseases or ailments

Another way PT can help is by prompting a patient to lead a healthier lifestyle. Our team understands many factors that can affect your physical health. With that in mind, it’s our goal to give our patients the necessary tools and knowledge to improve their condition immediately and prevent further injury. This process can include helping you make changes to your diet and lifestyle and giving you take-home exercises—alongside regular on-site physical therapy sessions.

Beginning the Process

Before your first Catonsville physical therapy session, it’s crucial to ensure you qualify for our treatment. Upon visiting our office, a physical therapist will perform an assessment. This assessment may include reviewing your family’s medical history and determining what kind of help you require. Once our team decides you’re a good fit for our physical therapy, they’ll create a customized treatment plan.

Getting the Most Out of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be an exciting but scary experience for many. Whether you’re going for a specific injury or to improve your overall health, there are certain things to do to improve your sessions. Perhaps the most important is being honest. Be honest when your physical therapist asks if you smoke or how active you are. A physical therapist’s goal is to meet you where you’re at. We’re proud to help patients of all types, including different ages, lifestyles, and needs. With us, you’ll get help from a non-judgmental team eager to help you improve your mobility and health. 

Areas of the Body Physical Therapy Can Address

There are many areas of the body that physical therapy can help with. The common areas of the body that many people think of when they think of physical therapy are bones and muscles. These are also some of the most common areas that physical therapy treats. Physical therapy has seen many people impacted positively through restorative exercises and treatments to bring back function and lessen pain in their bodies. Some of the other treatable areas include:

• Neck Pain

Many people suffer from neck pain through injuries from sports, poor posture, and other injuries. Physical therapy has seen many people have their pain reduced and function return to their necks.  

• Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common complaints from people across America. Back pain can come from poor posture, sports injuries, and a lot of other sources. Getting treatment for this pain is important to restore one’s function and form to their body.

• Osteoporosis

As people age into their elder years, osteoporosis breaks down their bones more and more. Physical therapy works to strengthen those bones and to combat further weakening from diseases like osteoporosis.  

• Headaches

Headaches sometimes have a source from back pain or neck pain which physical therapy helps to relieve stress and pain from. 

• Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel generally occurs in people who spend a great deal of time working on computers. It affects the hands and wrists and can cause decreased usage and mobility. Physical therapy can help restore function to this area.

• Range of Motion Problems

Range of motion could be an injury or decrease in function in fingers, hands, legs, arms, etc. Physical therapy can strengthen these bones and muscles and also help to stretch them out more for optimal usage.

• Vertigo

The improvement of balance that physical therapy offers to patients has helped many people with their vertigo and can help you too. 

• Sprains and Strains

Spraining an ankle or a knee can be painful and difficult to recover from. That is where Catonsville physical therapy can make all the difference in helping someone recover from these types of injuries. 

• Huntington’s Disease

Some symptoms of Huntington’s disease like involuntary movements of limbs can be helped by physical therapy. Our clinic can fill you in more on the details.

Catonsville Physical Therapy Infographic

Catonsville Physical Therapy Statistics

According to a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science, researchers found that physical therapy was effective at reducing pain in people with a variety of conditions, including low back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain, in some people up to 80 percent.

Catonsville Physical Therapy FAQ

If you or a loved one need help following surgery or recovering from an injury, contact our office now. Physical therapy can be beneficial for patients struggling in a myriad of different ways. Some experience healing from physical therapy for chronic pain, while others recover from severe injury. Whatever the case, patients can increase mobility and function through regular physical therapy treatment.

What injuries merit help with physical therapy?

Following surgery, physical therapy can allow patients to recover quicker, and more efficiently than without. A traumatic event such as a car accident can greatly damage a patient’s body. Physical therapy can help those patients learn to walk normally again and regain functionality and mobility in their injured bodies. 

Do patients need to seek physical therapy soon after an injury or accident or can they wait a while and still see similar results?

The best time to seek physical therapy treatment is immediately following an accident, injury, or surgery. If patients wait too long, recovery time may decrease, if at all. Some injuries if left without treatment never fully recover. If patients desire full mobility and functionality, they must start physical therapy as soon as possible. If patients are worried about the pain, they should talk with their physical therapist and other doctors about their concerns. While pain and discomfort may be present during physical therapy, doctors can help alleviate the symptoms. The body must experience discomfort and pain to properly heal and recover sometimes. Although unpleasant at times, the recovery process of physical therapy is crucial for those seeking healing. 

What other ailments can physical therapy help with?

Patients suffering from headaches, carpal tunnel, vertigo, osteoporosis, and Huntington’s disease may experience relief from physical therapy. Physical therapy treatment targets the patient’s pain, seeking to treat the source of the problem. This targeted approach can restore mobility and functionality while relieving pressure and pain. For these reasons, many patients who experience painful ailments find physical therapy beneficial for their quality of life. Whether patients struggle with severe injuries or minor ailments, physical therapy can improve the overall health and happiness of patients. 

What are specific treatments patients can expect within physical therapy?

When it comes to techniques, individual physical therapists may differ. However, universal physical therapy treatments may include strength training, targeted stretching of problem areas, the use of resistance bands, body extensions, and posture-correcting tools. Physical therapists desire to work with their patients to formulate a plan that will work best for them. If a patient is not seeing the results they wish they would, or are interested in a new technique or targeted approach, they should consult their physical therapist. Physical therapists should encourage and empower their patients to advocate for themselves, as they strive to heal, recover, and become a healthier version of themselves. If you or a loved one need increased functionality, mobility, or recovery following an accident, contact a physical therapist patients can trust.

How often and for how long will patients need to see a physical therapist?

The amount of time and frequency with which patients will be required to undergo treatment from a physical therapist will depend upon many factors. Physical therapists will consider the type of injury, the patient’s recovery efforts, and their response to treatment when determining treatment timeframes. To gain a more detailed analysis of timeframes, discussing the specifics of your condition with a physical therapist is best. 

Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, Catonsville Physical Therapy

6406 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228

Contact Our Catonsville Physical Therapy Specialist Today

Our physical therapists are ready to provide you with great care for all of your Catonsville physical therapy needs. We are proud to help our patients get mobility and function back into their bodies and to make them feel comfortable and whole again. Waiting too long to recover from an injury or skipping steps is a common way to never fully heal from an injury. 

Seeking Catonsville physical therapy from professionals like those available from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab and Chiropractic can play a significant role in managing pain and recovery, which is why it may be beneficial to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. When you are ready, reach out to one of our many locations in the Baltimore area to start your healing journey.