What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy focuses on limitations in functional mobility. Physical Therapy can be beneficial for people across all lifestages, all activity levels, and all general health conditions.
Physical Therapy includes the evaluation, assessment and treatment of individuals who may be experiencing limitations in their mobility due to injury, illness, impairments, surgeries, etc. It is also for those who may be wanting to prevent injury, such as athletes, or those looking to maintain healthy muscle and bone function throughout life.
For example, a toddler who isn't reaching regular developmental milestones, a collegiate athlete who is looking to prevent surgery, a 30-year old wanting to correct bad posture, a 50-year old who just had surgery, and a 70-year old recovering from a stroke will all benefit from Physical Therapy.
Do I need Physical Therapy?
If you have an injury or illness that results in limited range of motion, a loss of function, pain or any other physical impairment, a physical therapist can help! A physical therapy evaluation may be helpful to improve function of a certain body part, no matter your age.
Physical therapists treat common problems such as:
- Neck and back pain
- Hip and knee pain
- Sports injuries
- Arthritis
- Stroke
- Vertigo and dizziness
- Posture training
- Balance training
- Lymphedema
- Parkinson's
- Post-surgery rehabilitation
- Sprains, fractures and breaks
- Chronic weakness
- Shoulder, arm and wrist pain
- Work injuries
Physical therapy can also help you prevent injury. After analyzing movements and body function, suggestions can be made to improve your movements or keep you moving heathily.
Your condition doesn't have to be considered serious or severe in order for you to benefit from physical therapy. If you're suffering from daily headaches, knots in your shoulders, knee pain, or other conditions that may seem smaller and less significant, you can experience relief through physical therapy.
Physical therapy aims to help restore movement and function, promote and further healing, and relieve pain while keeping you overall healthy and well. Because of its nature, physical therapy requires consistency and regularity. If you only take part in physical therapy occassionally or irregularly, you will not experience the full benefits of your treatment plan.
If you think you may benefit from physical therapy, talk to your doctor and ask for a referral. They can refer you to our practice, or you can visit us directly. Keep in mind Georgia only allows 8 visits without a doctor's referral, so you'll eventually be needing one if you're looking for long-term help.