8 Conditions That Improve With Physical Therapy

Physical therapy has long been touted for its ability to help people with sports injuries – to both reduce pain and improve mobility. Sports injuries aren’t the only condition to benefit from physical therapy. The 250,000+ physical therapists (PTs) who work in America often collaborate to treat chronic disorders as well as common ailments like headaches.

Here at the International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, our team of physical therapists can help you manage painful conditions, improve your range of motion, and get back on your feet. 

Conditions that improve with physical therapy

Physical therapy is a non-invasive rehabilitative discipline aimed at improving your health and quality of life. Physical therapy isn't just one exercise or one type of stretch. It includes many different types of treatments, including stretching, specific exercises, massage, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). 

Because there are many different types of treatments that fall under the physical therapy discipline, physical therapy can be used to improve many different conditions, including:

1. Arthritis

If you have arthritis, physical therapy aims to improve your range of motion, preserve mobility, and strengthen your muscles that support your affected joint. The Arthritis Foundation often recommends physical therapy for conservative treatment of arthritis. 

2. Spinal conditions

Back pain is the leading cause of missed workdays in America, but thankfully, there are many non-drug options for managing back pain. Physical therapy can improve pain and discomfort associated with several different spinal conditions, including:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis 
• Scoliosis Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Sciatica

Physical therapy doesn’t have to be your only treatment. It can be incorporated into your pain management plan and complement other treatments too.

3. Muscle imbalances and tension

Physical therapy can restore muscle balance and strengthen your muscles. Your physical therapist may suggest strengthening your weak muscles through exercises with stretch bands, using weight machines, and/or using free weights.

4. Sports injuries

Physical therapy is most known for its use in sports medicine. It can benefit a wide variety of sports injuries, including sprains, strains, tennis elbow, hamstring pulls, and more. You don’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit from physical therapy. It can just as easily benefit weekend warriors and hobbyists alike.

5. Headaches

There are many headache triggers, including food and environmental triggers. Headaches can also be caused by stiff neck joints or irritated nerves in your neck. In some cases, physical therapy can reduce headaches by improving the flexibility of your neck joints and helping reduce pressure on irritated nerves.

6. Dizziness

Certain physical therapy exercises and treatments can even reduce dizziness. In the long run, treating dizziness can help prevent balance problems and falls.

7. Concussions

If you’ve sustained a concussion, physical therapy can help you heal from your injury. Taking the time to heal fully after a concussion reduces your risk of reinjuring yourself.

8. Neck pain

The trouble with neck pain is it doesn’t always stay isolated in your neck. Neck pain can cause headaches as well as pain in your arms or hands. Physical therapy may be included in your treatment plan for reducing neck pain.

Can physical therapy help you?

As experienced physical therapists, we want to help you move without pain. Whether you need physical therapy or any of our other services, give us a call, and explore your physical therapy options. Visit us online to request an appointment at one of our three convenient locations.