As a PT, I often hear people saying they really don’t know what physical therapy does, what kind of treatment or techniques a PT use and often even question why their doctor sent them for PT treatments.
To be honest, I think the physical therapy profession has been lackluster in promoting its benefits, at educating the population in regards to when seeking advice from a PT and at marketing themselves as movement specialists and as who should be the primary provider for musculoskeletal problem. For too long we have been considered an ancillary profession to the medical management of millions of patients, have been passive in being “fed” patients “by prescription only” by doctors, who many still have no clue what conditions we help with(once again, our profession fault’s).
So without diverging because I could go on and on about the above, the following could help you figure out if physical therapy is something you just consider. This list of questions is far from being exhaustive.
To be honest, I think the physical therapy profession has been lackluster in promoting its benefits, at educating the population in regards to when seeking advice from a PT and at marketing themselves as movement specialists and as who should be the primary provider for musculoskeletal problem. For too long we have been considered an ancillary profession to the medical management of millions of patients, have been passive in being “fed” patients “by prescription only” by doctors, who many still have no clue what conditions we help with(once again, our profession fault’s).
So without diverging because I could go on and on about the above, the following could help you figure out if physical therapy is something you just consider. This list of questions is far from being exhaustive.
- Do you suffer from low back pain? Sciatica? Shoulder, hip or knee pain?
- Maybe you just sprained your ankle and are unable to walk? Or injured a joint and are unable to move or use your limb without wincing?
- Is your frustration at an all time high from not being able to move without pain? And missing out on fun activities or sports?
- Were you involved in a car accident and feel like your body will never recover?
- Would you like to live without experiencing chronic migraines?
- Are you sick and tired of being prescribed pain medications that are not helping and are only giving you negative side effects?
- Would you like to avoid that surgery or want another opinion? or maybe you’re considering a surgery as your last option and still wishing there would be something out there that could help you without going through (yet another) surgery?
- Did you get another MRI prescribed by your doctor, had surgery and/or went through some physical therapy and you still feel your pain has not improved?
- Are injections not getting the job done?
- Are you being slowed down and not able to participate in the activities you love or have to do?
- Maybe you are not as mobile and active as you used to? Are you missing out on life?
- Have your pain and condition been affecting your social life and you re not sure what to do next?
- Are you tired of taking pain pills, receiving injections and your frequent trip to your physician?
- Do you feel like you have tried everything and have been left disappointed with the results?
If YOU can relate to any of the following, physical/physiotherapy is the help you’ve been looking for.
As for anything you value, I encourage you to do your research and find a therapist that will fit your need.
Claim your 20mn Free Phone Consultation & Download the free e-book that could help make that decision .
I liked what you said about you being able to help a patient when they are unable to move or use their limb without wincing. I had injured my shoulder a while back and it was probably the most intense pain I had experienced in a long time whenever I moved it. I didn’t know that physical therapy could have helped me, but I will definitely remember this if I experience similar injuries in the future.
Hi Gerty,
thanks for your comment
Yes Physio / physical therapy is the treatment of choice for all musculoskeletal injuries/ aches and pain. A PT will assess your limb/ joint and all other joints around to determine the source of the pain and more importantly , the source of dysfunction, what drives your pain.
I am glad your shoulder is feeling better.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any question or concern in the future.
I really appreciate your tip to try and get physical therapy if you are having some pain while you are walking. My wife told me that she has been having some pain while she is walking around work. I will be sure to tell her that she should try and get physical therapy to see if that helps!
Hi Mark. Yes, it’s important not to ignore limb and joint pain that lasts as they can develop into something chronic, which will likely change the way you move, your body will compensate and this is often results in some sort of limping. The earlier your wife address the problem, the easier it will be to treat and the sooner she will be out of pain.
I have a friend that is worried about her constant pelvic pain issues. She is thinking about physiotherapy but isn’t sure if this is what she needs. It might help her to know that if she is tired of using pain medications to hide the pain this is right for her.
Yes, physiotherapy can address pelvic pain. it is a multi discipline team approach but often, physiotherapy is the only solution. Your friend should look for a physiotherapist trained in pelvic health.
That’s good to know that physical therapy can help with lower back pain. My brother’s back has been hurting a lot recently. We’ll have to find a physical therapist near us he can go to.
I’m glad that you mention how physical therapy can help with low back pain as well as sprains and that it’s handled by experts that specialize in movement and musculature problems. When choosing a physical therapist, it would probably help to consider what problems you’re having and then research the local specialists. This could help you find one that is nearby and offers the back pain relief or other help you require so you can move easily and comfortably.
A friend of mine has told me he is feeling really stiff, and I wanted to look into physical therapy for him because of it. I really like that you say that it can actually help with lower back pain. It would be nice to know that he won’t have to worry about that later on.
Physical therapy should be the first line of action for back pain relief. 95% of back pain are mechanical / musculoskeletal in origin and physical therapy with a back pain expert PT can most of the time prevent surgeries, injections or chronic pain pill use.
I had no idea that a physical therapist could help with lower back pain. My father has had lower back pain ever since he became a truck driver as a young adult. I wanted to look into rehabilitation physiotherapy services. I’m glad to know that those services will be able to help my father.
Skyler,
Physical therapy is the top conservative(non invasive) treatment for more than 95% of all lower back pain. Most back pain are mechanical and the root cause of the pain needs to be assessed and treated to prevent recurrence.
This is what a physical therapist does.
My dad would like to try physical therapy because he heard that this may help eliminate his back pain. Well, it’s interesting to learn that this type of therapy is also beneficial in terms of addressing chronic migraines. Thank you for also stating here that this is advantageous too someone got into a car accident.
Yes, Physical therapy should be the first approach for all musculoskeletal conditions
I appreciate that this post pointed out that someone who has been experiencing joint pain can benefit from physical therapy. My mother shared that her wrists and knees have been aching. I will recommend her to seek a service from a mobile physical therapy service.
Yep, joint pain and movement disorder is what we do!
It’s good to know that physical therapy can help with lower back pain! My dad has been struggling with lower back pain for the past couple of years, and he was telling me last night about how he wants to find something that can help him with feeling better. I’ll make sure to pass this information along to him so that he can look into trying physical therapy!
It’s interesting that you mention that physical therapy can help people who suffer from lower back pain. I have had lower back pain ever since I hurt myself playing rugby last week, so I’m considering going to a physiotherapist soon. I’m going to search for a reputable physiotherapy provider in my area that I can use.