Blog

Physical therapy is the therapeutic approach based on natural means (movement, light, water, electricity) which are used by the specialized health professional, a qualified Physiotherapist, for therapeutic purposes. It is applicable to patients of all medical specialties (Orthopedics, Neurology, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Pediatrics, Urology, etc.)

Most people have the impression that physical therapy is usually done after an accident, injury, surgery, or in the acute pain phase. However, the truth is that because it enhances movement and proper posture, it can also be used to improve our ability to enjoy the activities we like to do.

Below are the benefits of physical therapy that make it most often useful and necessary:

• Improvement of mobility, balance & strength

As is known, a large part of physical therapy is based on movement. Part of the physical therapist’s job is to find the “cause” and its effect on the human body. For example, knee pain may be the result of the need for muscle strengthening of the buttocks, while wrist pain and neck pain may be the result of excessive typing and writing. Physical therapy can help adapt physical movement to daily activities, as well as the correct way of training. It is important to understand why the body reacts in a certain way and to use the right method to address and correct this reaction.

• Avoiding Surgery

Surgery is often unavoidable. However, preoperative physical therapy can shorten recovery time and provide a better postoperative outcome. Some patients improve mobility and reduce pain enough during preoperative sessions that surgery may be avoided.

• Rehabilitation after surgery

Physical therapy after surgery begins immediately in the hospital, however, it is important to continue after returning home in order to achieve the best possible recovery. Returning to daily activities, muscle strengthening, improving posture, regaining independence, and improving circulation and range of motion are some of the main benefits of postoperative physical therapy.

• Injury prevention

Most people usually seek physical therapy after an injury. However, few know that physical therapy can also be used as a form of preventive care. Some may want to improve their motor skills to gain a competitive advantage (athletes) or some may want to improve their posture to better respond to their daily activities. In physical therapy, ways to properly manage the body and its movements, based on the level of each person’s activities, can be taught, helping to prevent injuries.

• Managing aging

Entering old age, there is a risk of losing a large part of the muscle mass and strength, making it more difficult to move and maintain good body balance. A major concern for seniors is managing joint pain, ligament pain, and osteoarthritis problems. Equally important is maintaining muscle strength and balance, as well as learning to make modifications and adjustments to their daily activities (such as getting up from a chair or going up and down stairs). Physical therapy can help seniors move better, with confidence, less pain, and reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

• Disease-disease control

As mentioned above, physical therapy is applicable to patients of all medical specialties. Many physical therapists are trained and specialize in helping people manage conditions related to their heart, respiratory system, and even in the treatment of pelvic pain and dysfunction. People with type 2 diabetes, for example, can benefit from physical therapy, as improving physical fitness through movement helps with weight loss. This reduces the need for medication and the risk of heart disease and stroke. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are made much more manageable by patients who do physical therapy. When we talk about physical therapy, the basic medicine is movement, however sometimes the worst medicine that can be prescribed after diagnosing an illness is “bed rest”.