Does Physical Therapy Hurt? And Other Things You Need To Know

Physical therapy is designed to help patients recover from injuries and surgery or to improve overall health as the body begins to wear down with age. Many people go into their first appointment with many questions. Not only do they worry that the treatment won’t work, but they are concerned that it might hurt. If you are thinking this before your initial examination, you’re not alone. Fortunately, physical therapists have been answering these questions for a long time. Here’s what you need to know.

Physical Therapy and Pain

While physical therapy often helps to reduce or ease pain (if not eliminate it altogether), the treatment should not cause pain. That said, it may cause discomfort as you begin your new exercises. Physical workouts and exercises are always challenging when you first begin, and they may cause soreness as you strengthen your body. If you work muscles and massage tissues that you have not used in a while, soreness is to be expected. Just know that eventually, it will go away.

Benefits of Treatment

Physical therapy comes with many more benefits other than reducing pain. It can help you recover from an injury or decrease the likelihood of an injury. As you age, mobility can become difficult, but physical therapy can loosen joints and muscles so that carrying out regular tasks is no problem. You may be able to participate in more activities after seeing your physical therapist for several months. Treatment can also replace the need for surgery or medication, as a physical therapist like one from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic can explain.

Timeline of Physical Therapy

The number of appointments you make really depends on your individual needs. Some people only need to see a physical therapist a few times to gather knowledge about what exercises they should be doing at home before they can continue treatment on their own. Others may go to appointments once or twice a week for several months or years until their problems subside. It is all about personal goals and where you want to end up with your physical health.

Finding a Physical Therapist

If you think physical therapy might be good for you, talk to your normal doctor about it. Physicians often have physical therapists in mind for recommendations. You can also seek out a professional without the referral of a doctor. Search for highly rated physical therapists in your area (many work at special clinics) and make an appointment to see what they can do for you.