Get Your Body Healthy This 2022: Benefits of Physical Therapy
Our overall physical health declines as we age, but do you know that our mood has also a direct impact on our physical health? Studies found out that people with active, healthy lifestyles tend to live a happier and longer life. They can also gain muscles and lose weight easily. While engaging in physical activities may seem pretty simple, living an active lifestyle can be quite challenging, especially when you are doing it all by yourself.
If you want to get a healthy body this year, start by visiting a trusted physical therapist near you. We have rounded up several ways that physical therapy can help boost your overall health and wellbeing.
Eliminate or Reduce Pain
Therapeutic exercises and manual therapy techniques (joint and soft tissue mobilization), as well as physiotherapy techniques (acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy in Ajax), do not only help restore joint and muscle functions but also prevent persistent pain.
Avoid Injuries
Not only physical therapy promotes quick recovery but also helps avoid injury altogether. A licensed physical therapist will teach you a few home exercises and proper stretching techniques to prevent injuries while engaging in physical activities. If you are recovering from surgery, a physical therapist can also assist you in regaining your strength, while minimizing your risk of falling and injuries during your recovery.
Manage Diabetes and Heart Disease
Physical therapy also helps in treating health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. After a thorough assessment of your current condition, the physical therapist will create an exercise program specific to the patient’s needs.
Improve Mobility and Balance
Physical therapy can also be used as preventive care after a traumatic accident. It helps seriously injured senior patients to move around without the need for walking assistance devices, such as walkers or canes while preventing falls, which can result in fractured bones and other painful injuries.
Reduce Chronic Pain
If you are suffering from chronic pain caused by an injury or disease (arthritis or fibromyalgia), a physical therapist can create a treatment plan designed to minimize musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapy uses exercise and stretching techniques without the need for pain medications.
Supports Recovery from Stroke
Stroke patients lost some degree of movement and function. However, physical therapy supports recovery by strengthening weakened body parts and improving balance and gait. Physical therapists can guide stroke patients in moving around so they can slowly regain their independence and reduce the burden of care for bathing, dressing, toileting, and other daily activities.
Boost Mood and Improve Mental Health
Engaging in physical therapy and regular exercise have a significant impact on our mental state and mood, the National Institute of Health reported. Improved mental health helps reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and mental instability. Additionally, people with a better mood are less likely to suffer pain and inflammation.
Avoid Surgery
Since physical therapy helps prevent pain and supports faster recovery from an injury, the need for surgery may no longer be necessary. However, if surgery is imperative, patients can still benefit from physical therapy before undergoing the procedure. Pre-surgery physical therapy can help prepare your body for surgery, allowing you to recover faster.
If you want to improve your health, mobility, and quality of life, there are a number of reliable physical therapy centres across Canada, such as Westwood Physiotherapy and Wellness and Fairway Chiropractic in Kitchener. Feel free to talk to a licensed physical therapist and discuss your health needs. They can offer a variety of safe and effective stretching and exercise techniques and treatments that can help improve your overall health and wellbeing and reduce your risk of injuries.
