Did you know that September 8 is designated as World Physical Therapy Day? The purpose of this celebration is to acknowledge the contributions made by physical therapists and assistants and raise awareness about the significance of physical therapy in assisting people to lead better lives.
Physical therapy benefits individuals of any age suffering from medical ailments, diseases, or injuries that restrict their normal capacity to move and operate. Individuals may be able to return to their previous level of functioning with the assistance of a specialised physical therapy programme. Are you curious to know why physical therapy is important? In honour of World Physical Therapy Day, here are 10 reasons why physical therapy treatment is important.
Significance of Physical Therapy
The treatment of orthopaedic conditions often includes physical treatment sessions. It is frequently one of the initial actions that are taken to treat an injury. The benefits of physical therapy are many and must be addressed one by one to understand its importance.
1. Helping Reduce or Remove Pain
It is possible to relieve pain and improve muscle and joint function with the use of therapeutic exercises and muscle relaxation techniques as well as treatments such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation. These kinds of treatments can also stop the discomfort from coming back.
2. Keeping You from Undergoing Surgery
If you are able to get rid of the pain or recover from an injury with the aid of physical therapy, you may not require surgery. You may benefit from pre-operative physical therapy treatment even if surgery is necessary to treat your condition. In many instances, you will recuperate more quickly following surgery if you are already in better physical form and stronger before you go for it. Another benefit of postponing surgical intervention is a reduction in overall medical expenses.
3. Helps Boost Mobility
It doesn’t matter how old you are; if you’re experiencing problems standing or moving about, physical therapy can help. Exercises that focus on stretching and strengthening help recover your ability to move freely. Cane, crutches, or any other assistive device can be used by physical therapists for the effective treatment and they can also be evaluated for orthotic prescriptions. Through the creation of a personalised care plan, a person may practise and modify any activity that holds significance in their life in order to achieve the highest possible level of performance while minimising risk.
4. Recovery After a Stroke
Following a stroke, it is not uncommon for patients to have a loss of function and mobility of some kind. The benefits of physical therapy include improved walking and balance as well as the strengthening of the weakest portions of the body. A stroke patient’s ability to move can be improved by a physical therapist, allowing the patient to become more independent around the house and reducing the burden of care they require for activities such as toileting, bathing, dressing, and other daily activities.
5. Recovery from a Sports Injury
Physical therapists are aware of the ways in which specific sports might raise the patient’s likelihood of experiencing certain ailments. They are able to develop for you proper exercise regimens for rehabilitation or prevention, which will ensure a secure return to your sport.
6. Improving Body’s Balance
If you are at high risk for falling, your therapists will give you exercises that securely and thoroughly test your balance in order to simulate the kinds of scenarios you would encounter in real life. Exercises designed to enhance coordination and assistance gadgets that can make walking more secure are both provided in physical therapy.
Physical therapists can conduct particular exercises that can quickly restore appropriate vestibular functioning and minimise or eliminate sensations of dizziness or vertigo when a malfunction in the vestibular system causes a problem with a patient’s balance.
7. Helping Control Diabetes and Cardiovascular Issues
Exercising regularly as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy for diabetes can assist in more efficiently controlling blood sugar levels. In addition, those who have diabetes are more likely to have issues with the feeling in their feet and legs. These patients may benefit from having their physical therapists assist in the provision of education on appropriate foot care in order to prevent more complications down the line.
8. Managing Ageing Problems
As people get older, they increase their risk of developing osteoporosis and arthritis and the possibility of requiring a joint replacement. Physical therapists are trained professionals who assist patients in recovering after joint replacement surgery and in the conservative management of arthritic or osteoporotic disorders.
9. Helping Treat Lung and Heart Diseases
Patients who have had a heart attack or surgery performed may be eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. However, if your everyday functioning has been impacted, you may also be eligible for physical therapy. Patients who suffer from pulmonary conditions may benefit from strengthening, conditioning, and breathing exercises during physical therapy. These activities can also assist patients in expelling fluid from their lungs.
10. Managing Women’s Health
Women have unique health challenges, such as pregnancy and the care they require after giving birth. In physical therapy, professionals are trained to provide specialised care for a wide range of concerns about women’s health. In addition, physical therapy can offer specialist treatment for conditions like breast cancer, pelvic pain, constipation, and fibromyalgia, among many others.
Conclusion
You should trust your therapist since they will tailor the physical therapy programme to your specific requirements and objectives. The goal of the physical treatment is to either get the patient back to optimal performance or teach them to function with new limitations to improve quality of life. Once the patient completes their physical therapy treatment, they will often be given in-home exercises to continue their growth. After finishing their physical therapy sessions, patients should make it a point to stay active to preserve their post-treatment state.
This World Physical Therapy Day, let’s consider and spread awareness about the various benefits physical therapy has in store for us.
