Did you know that the demand for physical therapy has been on the rise for the past few years?
More and more people are realizing how this type of treatment can help them live life to the fullest. Whether or not you can benefit from physical therapy depends on what kind of struggles you’re dealing with.
Are you unsure of what to do? Keep reading to learn about the five signs that you need to schedule a physical therapy appointment as soon as possible.
1. You Have Regular Bouts of Pain
Did you know that as many as one in five adults experience chronic pain?
This type of constant pain can make it difficult if not impossible to live an active and fulfilling life. Whether you enjoy playing football, golf, or something else, you owe it to yourself to seek the proper kind of care. One possible solution is to consult with a physical therapist.
They’ll take the time to consider your situation and recommend the best treatment plan. From exercises to preventative strategies like stretching, physical therapy can allow you to do what you love again.
The pain could be constant or it could only crop up when you try to move in a certain way. The good news is that there’s a high chance that physical therapy can help with either of these situations and more.
Depending on the nature of your pain, they may also recommend other solutions, such as a prescription to help with pain relief in the early stages of your treatment.
2. You’re Experiencing Numbness
Aside from pain solutions, physical therapy can also go a long way toward solving numbness. Numbness may not be as uncomfortable as outright pain, but it’s often a sign of an underlying issue. For instance, numbness could mean that there are issues with nerves in the affected area.
Another possibility is a lack of proper blood flow. Either way, you can count on a physical therapist to administer tests. Once they find out what’s going on, they’ll recommend the best solution.
It’s important to keep in mind that physical therapy can end up lasting months, a year, or longer. The reason for this is that the issues physical therapists deal with are often some of the most difficult and pervasive in the medical industry. If anyone has ever said that there’s no hope for a certain condition, a physical therapist might be able to offer you some hope if you dedicate yourself to the recommended treatment plan.
Over time, it’s possible to reduce the numbness in your arm, for instance. You could even eliminate it altogether so that the issue is a thing of the past.
3. You’ve Injured Yourself
Whether you’re at home, at work, playing sports, or doing something else, there are many ways you can injure yourself. Some injuries are more major than others but that’s a call that you should let a qualified physical therapist make. If you assume that the injury is nothing major, then it could get worse over time and cause a chain reaction of other health issues.
Delaying treatment can also reduce your chances of a full injury recovery. Instead of this, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. The last thing you’d want is to add months or years to your physical therapy treatment. The sooner you seek treatment, the better chances you’ll have in general.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that the injury won’t require a long and intensive treatment regimen. This all depends on the severity of the injury, but you still owe it to yourself to schedule an appointment soon after an accident occurs.
4. Pain Medication Doesn’t Help
If you’ve already seen a general practitioner or another type of doctor, they may have prescribed pain medication and called it a day. Depending on the issue, this medication could have had little to no effect.
Don’t worry, however, because that doesn’t mean you’ve run out of options. Most physical therapists do their best to avoid medications when they are unnecessary. With their holistic treatment, you could find the relief you’re looking for without the need for a prescription.
5. You Have Reduced Mobility
Yet another reason to see a physical therapist is if you notice that your mobility isn’t what it used to be. There are many ways in which one’s mobility can be affected by an injury or some other issue. For example, you may not have the option of stretching out one arm to its fullest extent.
Another possible issue could relate to the movement of one or both legs. If your gait is lopsided, for instance, then this could cause more issues in the long run. From foot pain to back pain, one problem can end up leading to another.
Instead of trying to power through these problems, a physical therapist can ensure that you have the absolute best chances of a full recovery. Even if it’s not possible to get 100% of your mobility back, a medical professional can offer you coping strategies that can reduce the chances of further issues.
Are You Ready to Schedule a Physical Therapy Appointment?
Now that you’ve learned about the five signs that you need to schedule a physical therapy appointment, you can start down the road of recovery. By regaining mobility, flexibility, and more, you can stay safe as you live an active and pain-free life.
New York City Wellness is here to provide you with a wide range of physical therapy solutions and beyond. From cupping and sports medicine to joint mobilization and more, you can always count on our experts to give exceptional care.
Feel free to fill out a form to request an appointment at our Midtown or Downtown office in New York City.
