More people are seeking physical therapy nowadays for a wide variety of reasons. Society as a whole has become more focused on preventive healthcare, and more aware of the advances in treatments offered by physical therapists like The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Center. An aging population has become more accustomed to living longer, more fulfilling lives. But still we find that some common misconceptions about physical therapy remain for people who we believe could greatly benefit from our expertise.
Let’s look at a few of the misconceptions and set the record straight.
Physical therapy is only for athletes and people who’ve just had surgery.
Sure, PT is crucial for athletes and for patients recovering from surgery. But many of our patients of all ages and fitness levels come to us with conditions like chronic pain, arthritis, neurological disorders, mobility issues, posture, and even pregnancy-related discomfort.
Physical therapy can be painful.
Although some exercises might cause discomfort at first, we’re trained to work within a patient's pain tolerance and slowly increase intensity. Our goal is always to alleviate pain, not make it worse.
My symptoms will return as soon as I stop physical therapy.
Although some chronic conditions require regular sessions, our goal is not only to address immediate symptoms, but also to prevent future problems and improve overall long-term function.
I can do the exercises at home without the help of a professional.
We do indeed provide home exercises to aid in a patient’s recovery, but the guidance of our experienced, qualified physical therapist ensures proper form and intensity to provide optimal results. A do-it-yourself approach to achieving what we’re trained to do can result in setbacks or even injuries.
If you have been letting misconceptions like these prevent you from receiving the care you deserve, talk to your healthcare provider and contact our team at The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Center to schedule a visit to our state-of-the-art facility. Where you go for PT makes all the difference!