Physical therapy is an effective type of treatment for many different types of injuries, ailments, and illnesses. As a non-invasive approach to care, physical therapy is ideal for patients who hope to avoid major surgeries or medications. Physical therapy incorporates a series of exercises and stretches that are designed to help your body heal naturally and recover faster.
But if you’ve never received physical therapy before, you’re bound to have a lot of questions. Since this approach to care is so hands-on (compared to other types of treatment), many potential patients may be concerned about how safe this really is. Does physical therapy hurt and can it make my condition even worse?
Here, we’re taking a closer look at physical therapy and answering some of the most common questions. These questions include what this type of care actually is, who can benefit from receiving physical therapy, and perhaps most importantly, is physical therapy safe? For almost all cases, yes, physical therapy is very safe.
What is Physical Therapy?
According to the renowned American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), physical therapy is a specialized type of treatment that involves the evaluation, assessment, and the treatment of patients who are suffering from an injury, illness, or recovering from an accident. Physical therapy is ideal for treating a wide range of health issues.
When visiting a physical therapy office, your physical therapist will be a licensed healthcare provider. They will work closely with you via a hands-on treatment plan that incorporates various exercises and stretches designed specifically for your healthcare needs. Over time and with dedication to the program, these exercises can help your body heal naturally and boost your overall fitness and wellness.
Who Could Benefit from Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy has become so popular in recent years in part because it can be effective for so many different types of patients. While we may often usually just picture physical therapists helping patients recovering from major injuries or accidents, like a car accident, that’s just one segment of their patients. From minor injuries to major ones, physical therapy is a proven and effective approach to holistic care that treats the mind and body.
If you think you could benefit from receiving physical therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care physician for more information. They may even be able to provide you with a referral to an experienced and trusted nearby physical therapist.
For anyone experiencing one of the following injuries, ailments, or illnesses, then physical therapy could be effective for you?
- Chronic neck or back pain.
- Cardiac rehabilitation.
- Arthritis.
- Recovering from a car accident.
- Recovering from a sports-related injury.
- Work-related injuries.
- Muscle sprains and strains.
- Cancer recovery.
- Problems with balance or mobility.
- Pre and post-surgical care.
- Knee and ankle injuries.
Is Physical Therapy Safe?
Some patients may be hesitant to engage with physical therapy due to the safety concerns. After all, compared to other types of treatment (like medication for example), physical therapy is a much more hands-on type of care. It’s natural for first-time patients to be concerned that the hands-on exercises and stretches could actually do more harm than good. However, according to data, this is rarely the case for physical therapy patients.
When working with an experienced, licensed physical therapist, physical therapy is one of the safest types of treatments—no matter your age or fitness level. A physical therapy routine is adaptable and tailored to fit your specific healthcare needs, which is one reason why it’s ideal for so many different types of patients. The practice of physical therapy works with your entire body to heal naturally so you can maintain good mobility and a high level of activity for all the years to come. This is why the practice of physical therapy is one of the most effective types of care for almost any type of patient.
Does Physical Therapy Hurt?
Just because physical therapy is an overall safe approach to care, this doesn’t mean that there won’t be a little discomfort along the way. Another major question that first-time patients tend to have is whether or not physical therapy will hurt. This is a tricky question to answer as it depends on your fitness level, age, type of injury or illness, and even genetics. But for most patients, physical therapy is not extremely painful—but it may be uncomfortable at times.
Physical therapy is based on a series of exercises and stretches that work with your body to help you recover from injuries and ailments. Along the way, then it’s natural for there to be a little bit of pain and discomfort as you’re stressing your body to work through the injury. So yes, physical therapy can be painful at times. But when you’re working with an experienced and professional physical therapist, they’ll do everything they can to minimize the pain and discomfort that their patients experience during the sessions. You should always be as open and honest with your physical therapist as possible to let them know when something hurts and which exercises in particular are causing pain. Your physical therapist can then make adjustments as needed to ensure that your care is as safe, painless, and effective as possible.
Conclusion – Is Physical Therapy Safe?
No matter your age or fitness level, physical therapy can prove to be an incredibly effective type of treatment. Receiving physical therapy from a licensed physical therapist can help your body heal naturally so you recover even faster.
Physical therapy can also provide quick relief from pain, improve your joint mobility, and even boost your athletic performance. As a non-invasive and holistic approach to healthcare, physical therapy is certainly safe. Just ask the millions of individuals who have undertaken this type of treatment. Physical therapy can help you avoid surgery and medication and get you back to the lifestyle you love.
