Did you know that physical therapy can be beneficial in treating many medical conditions? From injuries and post-surgery rehabilitation to chronic pain relief, physical therapy helps improve the body’s mobility and reduce ongoing discomfort. With physical therapy Lawrenceville, you can often reduce the severity and duration of medical conditions, allowing for a quicker return to everyday activities.
This therapy entails different exercises and treatments targeting the musculoskeletal system. Your doctor can help determine if physical therapy is right for your condition. Before you settle for physical therapy, your doctor will perform the following to determine the ideal type and intensity of physical therapy:
- Checking your range of motion, strength, and endurance: To determine the best course of action and exercise plan, your physical therapist will assess how far, fast, and with what amount of force you can move your joints.
- Checking your balance and coordination: Your physical therapist may use tests to check your posture, stability, reflexes, and gait (the way you walk). These assessments help determine the best course of physical therapy. X-rays can help confirm your physical therapist’s diagnosis.
- Checking your posture: Your physical therapist will observe how you stand, sit, and walk to determine if any of these activities needs to be corrected or improved.
- Observing your gait: Your physical therapist may analyze the way you walk to identify any pain, weakness, instability, or other issues.
Here are some of the common medical conditions that can be treated with physical therapy:
Osteoarthritis
This degenerative joint disease is characterized by joint pain and stiffness. Physical therapy can help improve the range of motion, reduce inflammation, strengthen muscle support around the joints, and relieve osteoarthritis pain.
Sports Injuries
Physical therapy exercises can work to restore flexibility in the affected area, increase strength and build stability to reduce your risk of re-injury.
Fibromyalgia
Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. Physical therapists use massage techniques, stretching exercises, heat therapy, and other forms of manual therapy to reduce muscle tension, relieve pain and improve the overall range of motion.
Back Pain
Whether it is from a herniated disc, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, or other musculoskeletal cause, physical therapists can help manage back pain with exercises that strengthen the core muscles and improve posture.
Stroke
Physical therapy helps stroke survivors regain their ability to perform everyday activities. Physical therapists can address mobility, balance, coordination, and range of motion issues depending on a person’s needs.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Physical therapy exercises are often the first line of defense in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. These exercises help strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles while stretching out tight muscles contributing to the condition.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Physical therapy can help COPD patients improve their overall lung function and muscle strength and reduce shortness of breath. Therapists will use breathing exercises and aerobic workouts to teach the patient how to take deeper breaths and increase endurance.
If you think physical therapy might be an option for treating your condition, talk to your doctor at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C.
