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Many types of pain and inflammation can be reduced with the help of a
physical therapist, including low back pain, which affects up to 80 percent of
Americans during their lifetime. Physical therapy that mobilizes the spine along
with specific exercises can help alleviate the pain and can have long-lasting
effects.
If you are at risk of heart disease, the American Heart Association
encourages seeing a physical therapist for the initial treatment of pain
resulting from tendinitis/bursitis, degenerative joint problems
(osteoarthritis), and inflammatory joint problems (rheumatoid arthritis), rather
than prescription pain medication.
| Physical therapists are a great alternative to medication
and surgery for musculoskeletal pain. Research shows individuals who
receive active physical therapy experience greater improvement in function
and decreased pain intensity. No matter what part of your body hurts, a
physical therapist can help you alleviate or manage pain without costly
medication or other invasive methods. |
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Because physical therapists are experts in knowing how the body works, they
are able to design personalized treatment plans to reduce the risk of injury
whether in everyday activities or sports.
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For example, women perform athletic tasks in a more upright position, putting
added stress on parts of the knee such as the ACL, resulting in less controlled
rotation of the joint. While men use their hamstring muscles more often, women
rely more on their quadriceps, which puts the knee at constant risk. To combat
these natural tendencies, your physical therapist may develop a treatment
program to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination, as well as to
counteract incorrect existing patterns of movement that may be damaging to
joints. Physical Therapists Can Help You Avoid Painful,
Invasive and Expensive Surgery
Research shows that physical therapy combined with comprehensive medical
management is just as effective at relieving the pain and stiffness of moderate
to severe osteoarthritis of the knee as arthroscopic surgery.
In addition, a combination of manual physical therapy and supervised exercise
can delay or prevent the need for surgery. Water walking, swimming and
flexibility exercises can help you avoid surgery. Pursuing an exercise program
designed by a physical therapist can be one of the best protections from injury
and surgery.
Explore the many ways in which a physical therapist can help you improve your
mobility.
One study found that Physical Therapy helped 92 percent of patients with low
back pain.
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