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Physical Therapy to the Rescue

Physical therapy helps restore mobility and function after an injury, disease, or disability interrupts life as you know it. Better mobility equals less pain, restored health, and a better quality of life—every physical therapist’s main goals for their clients. Some of the earliest treatments date back to 460 B.C., when Hippocrates promoted massage and manual therapy for pain relief. Some historians reference the “Father of Swedish Gymnastics,” or Per Henrik Ling, as the originator of physiotherapy when he founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in 1813. Ling introduced massage therapy, manual manipulation, and exercises to train a better body and restore bodies in need. During World War I, in the United States, therapists known as reconstruction aides or nurses helped rebuild injured soldiers and recondition polio patients. 

No matter how far back physical therapy originated, the benefits are clear. Physical therapy has become a staple in the United States, with new trends emerging often. The potential to transform patient care has never been better. Let’s look at how physical therapy can help you live a better life, how to find the right physical therapist, and what to expect on your journey. 

Let’s note a few distinct industry differences before we dive in. There are several types of physical therapy, including neurological, geriatric, pediatric, cardiopulmonary, and occupational. Occupational therapy is often confused with physical therapy, and although some of the protocols are the same, they have different approaches designed to address different issues. 

Occupational therapists help patients gain or regain the ability to perform everyday activities on their own. Physical therapists improve a patient’s ability to move and manage pain. Both professions require hands-on work. If you have motor disabilities and need help with taking a shower or getting dressed, an occupational therapist fits your needs. If you sprained your ankle and need to regain mobility, for example, a physical therapist works best. For this article, we’ll focus on physical therapy for people of all ages and genders with a wide range of health concerns. 

Let’s start with pelvic floor therapy. Both men and women house a group of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue which support the pelvis. The pelvic floor muscles join at the pubic bone in front and connect to the tail bone in back, providing a base support. When the pelvic floor weakens, problems occur. Dysfunction such as pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, pain during sex, constipation or bowel dysfunction (remember that proper gut function requires pelvic floor strength, flexibility, and coordination), endometriosis, and even hip pain can occur. A pelvic floor that’s too tight or too weak often struggles with proper function. 

The National Institutes of Health identify the primary causes of pelvic floor dysfunction in women as pregnancy, obesity, and menopause. “Factors include overweight or obesity, chronic constipation or chronic straining to have a bowel movement, heavy lifting, and chronic coughing from smoking or health problems. The pelvic floor muscles can weaken as women age and during menopause.” In addition, some women inherit a predisposition for fragile connective tissue. The good news is that physical therapists help retrain muscles, strengthening or relaxing depending on the diagnosis. Lifestyle changes help, too, and your therapist will arm you with exercises accordingly. Yoga, Pilates, and deep breathing can also be pieces of a pelvic floor retraining program. 

Pelvic floor physical therapy helps pregnant women tackle low back pain, pelvic pain, and sacroiliitis joint pain (that’s where the lower spine and the pelvis meet). Physical therapy for prenatal and postpartum recovery often help a woman’s body heal from bowel and bladder irregularities after delivery or from pelvic prolapse. Scars after giving birth can be painful, and hands-on treatment is a blessing. Endometriosis (when tissue grows outside of the uterus), uterine fibroids, and interstitial cystitis (painful bladder with urinary urgency/frequency) are also common, and therapy directly targets the pelvic floor to improve pain. 

The pelvic floor in men braces the bladder, bowel, urethra, and rectum. Men can experience urinary challenges or erectile dysfunction. Substantial sports training or high-impact sports can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, as well. This is a serious challenge that impacts quality of life, but simple changes and treatment usually help. Just as with women, a physical therapist often treats men with pelvic stretches like lying squats and adductor stretches (feet together while sitting in a butterfly stretch). Reverse Kegels also work for men. Add deep breathing and great music for a successful journey to wellness. 

Physical therapy is a great assist for treating sports injuries in both men and women. It’s not easy to rebuild strength and mobility after an injury, and it’s vital to rebuild properly. Physical therapists are trained to help athletes manage pain, regain strength and range of motion, and prevent future injuries. Exercises, stretches, and specialized techniques all help to heal. They often incorporate ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, massage, joint mobilization, and hands-on techniques to restore blood flow to tissues, fascia, and ligaments. Traction helps to separate disc space in the lower back or neck, which decreases pressure on spinal nerves, or to separate joints like knees, hips, and shoulders. When muscles and tissues function as they should, pain subsides and range of motion increases.

One of the most popular reasons for physical therapy is for rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery or treatment. Common orthopedic surgeries include ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction in the knee, knee replacement or arthroscopy, shoulder replacement or arthroscopy, hip replacement, ankle repair, and spinal surgeries. One popular orthopedic surgery for arthritis is joint fusion. After surgeons remove damaged cartilage, the bones that make up the joint are welded together for joint stability in the spine, fingers, ankles, and feet. Physical therapy helps improve the ability to bend and straighten the joint after surgery, necessary for actions as simple as walking or getting out of a chair. 

Many of us have personal experience with joint replacement. When the damaged joint is replaced, the journey back to a healthy lifestyle doesn’t happen by itself! Physical therapy is a must to restore joint mobility and strength, all while reducing inflammation and keeping blood flow at a maximum. A professional wants you to heal properly and operate at the same level as before surgery. Physical therapy checks all the boxes, helping joint replacement patients recover faster, heal correctly, minimize pain with less medication, and prevent more damage. 

What do you look for when seeking a professional physical therapist? If you also have medical concerns, it’s perfectly fine to visit your trusted physician first, but you don’t need a doctor’s referral or diagnosis to make an appointment with a physical therapist. When searching for a physical therapist who is best for you, check for required licenses and certifications. In the United States, practicing physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) from an accredited institution. They must also pass a state licensure exam to practice in any particular state. Some physical therapists offer special skills and have additional training, so you’ll want to find one who is experienced in treating your condition.

A good physical therapist will evaluate your movement, posture, strength, range of motion, flexibility, joint mobility, and alignment at the start of therapy. Ask questions at your first appointment. Here are some to start with: What kinds of physical therapy are typically provided for my condition and how will therapy personally help me? How many times a week should I attend sessions in order to get the best results? How long is each visit? Will you accept my health insurance? 

Pay attention to your trainer’s demeanor and willingness to listen. Do they seem trustworthy and make you feel comfortable? Ask for testimonials from previous clients. When you’re in the clinic, pay attention to your surroundings. Is the clinic clean and well-equipped? Does the room have a relaxed and healing vibe?

Physical therapy is normally an ongoing dialogue with landmark changes occurring along the way. You should expect to be an active participant in your rehabilitation. Make sure your physical therapist provides detailed instructions for home exercises. These could include videos, handouts, or websites that demonstrate how to execute proper body form while performing the recommended exercises or stretches. 

Live life in full motion! Engage a physical therapist to keep you moving forward with less chronic pain, better movement, and more balance. 

Sources for this article included: healthpartners.com, webmd.com, and nichd.nih.gov.