Your Philadelphia Physiotherapists Explain Who Can Benefit and How It Helps
When you hear that a friend or a loved one is going through physical therapy, the topmost reasons that come to mind are post-surgery rehabilitation or functional restoration after a traumatic injury. However, physical therapy has a fairly broad range of benefits and applications. In addition to reducing joint or muscle stiffness and swelling, relieving pain, and restoring your function and mobility, physiotherapy is also known to reduce stress and help you sleep better.
A physiotherapist will usually create an individualized plan that is based on your medical history, current health conditions and overall recovery and restoration goals. This therapy can be a combination of:
- Therapeutic exercises for building strength, endurance and joint mobility
- Functional training
- Electrotherapy interventions
- Active release therapy or manual therapy techniques
- Home programs
When is Physical Therapy Beneficial?
It is common for physiotherapy to be used in treating several orthopedic conditions such as tennis elbow, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other aches and pains related to the hip, knee, back, shoulder, neck, and fingers. However, physical therapy also plays a significant role in improving the quality of life of patients suffering from:
- Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis which are accompanied by chronic pain and inflammation. Here, it improves function and mobility and helps regain some of the lost strength.
- Neurological Diseases: In cases such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, ALS and others, physical therapy prevents further deterioration of the heart, lungs, and other organs.
- Heart and Lung Diseases: Through strengthening, conditioning and breathing exercises, physical therapy offers cardiac rehabilitation for heart-related conditions and also helps in clearing accumulated fluid in the lungs.
- Diabetes Management: Physical therapy not only helps in controlling sugar levels to manage diabetes, but also assists patients suffering from diabetic foot conditions in addressing numbness, tingling and pain.
- Other Health Conditions: Specialized physical therapy treatments are available for conditions such as bowel or urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, and lymphedema. They are also helpful in certain women’s health needs, including, during pregnancy and post-partum care.
- Development Disorders: Children suffering from developmental delays, muscle coordination or limb deficiencies may also be recommended to try some forms of physical therapy.
If your primary care provider in Greater Philadelphia Area has suggested physical therapy for an existing ailment or traumatic injury, reach out to Medical Rehabilitation Centers of Pennsylvania (MRCP). Our qualified therapists are equipped with the latest techniques in physical therapy and will work with you closely to prepare your customized plans. Our treatment programs begin with comprehensive evaluations to determine the root cause of your problem.
To book an appointment at MRCP, contact us at the location of your choice, or fill up our online form and we will get back to you soon.