October is our favorite month of the year because it is National Physical Therapy Month! This month-long celebration is here to recognize the impact physical therapists make in restoring and improving motion in people’s lives. Physical therapists are evidence-based health care professionals who offer cost-effective treatments that improve mobility and relieve pain, reduce the need for surgery and prescription drugs, and allow patients to participate in a recovery plan designed for their specific needs.
Here is a bit more insight into what these dedicated professionals can do for you,
♦ Reduce or Eliminate Pain: If you are experiencing pain, physical therapy can help you treat the cause and not just the symptoms of your pain. Physical therapists work one-on-one with patients to achieve long-term solutions without the use of expensive prescriptions or tests, saving them both time and money.
♦ Prevent or Postpone Surgery: While surgery can be the best course of treatment for certain diagnoses, there is increasing evidence demonstrating that conservative treatments like physical therapy can be equally effective and cheaper for many conditions. One study showed that physical therapy can lower patient treatment costs by 72 percent! It has also been proven to remove or reduce the need for surgery in many cases. In the event that surgery is needed, a pre-op visit can help make recovery easier and safer.
♦ Pre-Natal/Post-Partum Care: Physical therapists can offer relief for expecting mothers experiencing pain and discomfort in the back, hips, and legs through treatment and exercise. After delivery, physical therapy is effective in treating back and pelvic pain while helping new moms strengthen and restore their bodies in preparation for motherhood.
♦ Prevent Sports Injuries: Physical therapists work with athletes on many levels to prevent injury while promoting improved performance. By evaluating body movements and muscle strength, physical therapists can help you solve what body mechanics need to be corrected and create an injury recovery program for you to ensure a safe return to your sport with a competitive edge.
♦ Improve your balance and prevent falls: According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury and death for Americans over 65. Fall prevention programs offered by physical therapists are designed to increase independence with functional activities, functional mobility, and safety awareness while decreasing fall risk.
♦ Rehabilitation from COVID-19: Even patients that weren’t hospitalized can experience multiple symptoms that may last several weeks or even months. Our therapists will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to develop an individualized treatment plan to overcome your impairments and restore your strength.
♦ Reach Overall Health Goals: Physical therapy can help those that have had trouble with mobility or are looking to improve strength and overall health. Physical therapists can tailor programs to each patient’s ability levels in order to improve confidence and independence while reducing the risk of future injury.
Physical therapists work collaboratively with their patients to empower them to reach their individual goals, meet their needs, and overcome their challenges. In many cases, patients develop a lifelong relationship with their physical therapist to maintain optimum health and movement abilities throughout their lifespan. To make life easier, should you or anyone that you know need physical therapy services, contact us today to have a physical therapist come to your home and make October your healthiest month yet!
MedRisk (2021). Statistics Spotlight: Physical Therapy Reduces Costs [Online]. Available from: https://www.medrisknet.com/statistics-spotlight-physical-therapy-reduces-costs/ [Accessed 7 October 2021].
