Do I Need Physical Therapy? 7 Signs It May Be Time
Experiencing aches, stiffness, or changes in mobility? Thinking they are “just part of getting older”? Not only does it not have to be, but it does not need to be the expectation. Physical therapy (PT) can help you stay independent and keep doing the activities you love. Whether that’s spending time chasing around grandkids/nieces/nephews/your own kids, hiking, biking, golfing, or any other physical activity you enjoy doing. Learn more about: Do I need Physical Therapy – 7 signs it may be time.
Sign 1: Pain is interfering with everyday activities
Does getting dressed look like sitting down now to put on pants or socks because it’s easier to balance that way? Maybe that’s a signal to look closer at balance, which is something physical therapists are able to help with. Is walking constrained to sidewalks or roads instead of outdoor areas because the ground is too uneven or bumpy? Again, maybe that’s a signal to look closer at balance. Or it could be due to strength or coordination. Does getting in/out of a car look more like an arm workout where you are yanking on the car frame to pull yourself out? Maybe that’s a signal about strength or the lack thereof that would benefit from a closer look. Don’t worry! All these activity modifications mentioned above are addressable with physical therapy. Physical therapy isn’t just about waiting for an injury to happen or to just treating an injury. No, PT is about helping you keep your independence and keep doing the activities you love, with those you love.
Sign 2: You’re having trouble with balance
Do holiday gatherings look like grabbing furniture as you head towards that delicious assortment of food? Do you avoid stairs or activities that involve stairs because you worry about falling or how people would see you as you go up/downstairs in public? Balance isn’t about waiting for a fall to occur to start working on it. If you do wait, you’ll be behind the eight ball. PT can help! PT is about helping you enjoy activities on your terms.
Sign 3: You’ve noticed a decline in strength
Does your favorite chair’s armrest look brand new, or does it look worn down from constantly being pushed on to stand up or sit down into said chair? Do you scavenge the grocery store parking lot so you don’t have far to walk in, and then even worse carry groceries/push a loaded cart to your car? Maybe that’s a signal of a decline in your strength. PT can help you get and stay strong so that those armrests look brand new not only the day you got the chair, but also so the parking lot is no longer a dangerous trek.
Sign 4: You’re becoming less active because of pain or stiffness
Do you turn down activities, exercises, or events because in the past they caused pain? Where you’d rather deal with the pain of missing out than the pain of participating. Let PT help get you stronger so that you can create more memories with the people you love, doing the things you love.
Sign 5: You’re recovering from surgery or an injury
Sometimes life happens no matter how much we prep for it. If you find yourself recovering from a surgery or an injury, research has demonstrated that PT leads to shorter hospital stays for a surgical procedure, faster recovery, and decreases the chances of re-injury. PT is about getting your independence back faster, even after situations that are sometimes out of our control.
Sign 6: You’ve had a fall – or are worried about falling
This is a telltale sign to seek out PT. PT will assess to get a better picture of why the fall or the fear is there in the first place. Is it due to strength reasons? Balance? Walking mechanics? Environment? Based on the underlying reason for the fall will guide how PT treatment is done. PT is about helping to keep you upright so you can have the final say on participating in an activity, not fear determining it for you.
Sign 7: You’re having trouble doing things you want to do
Has gardening turned from a hobby to a worry of how many plants you can get done before your back/knees/etc. act up? Did you drop out of walking with friends or family because you had a hard time keeping up? Has golfing turned into spending the next day on the couch because your body didn’t agree with 18 holes? These are all addressable with proper PT treatment to determine whether the trouble is arising due to posture/body mechanics, strength, mobility, or stability.
What happens when you see a physical therapist?
It’s an individual process for the person sitting in the room in front of the PT. There are some overarching themes, though, like receiving an evaluation – talk with a PT (very scary) and perform measurements to see where you are, goal setting, exercises that are tailored to your needs, and manual work as appropriate and needed. As time passes, reassessments will occur to track progress and make necessary changes as needed.
In closing: Please don’t wait until you’re severely limited.
Discussing persistent pain(s), balance concerns, or mobility changes with a physical therapist can bring about profound changes. One last time, PT is not solely about treating an injury. It’s about helping you keep your independence and keep doing the activities you love, with those you love. Want assistance with that? Here at Freedom Physical Therapy, we are happy to help! As always, enjoy more Freedom! Feel free to come visit us at one of our Freedom Physical Therapy locations – Mukwonago, Fox Point, Grafton, and Brookfield. Schedule your appointment today!