Living with Pain? Why PT Makes Sense

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

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Living with pain is not fun. Just ask any of the thousands of people who suffer through it every year. Whether it’s a result of arthritis, lack of flexibility, an overuse injury, a traumatic injury, tendonitis, bursitis or something else…there are treatments available. And if you haven’t yet tried Physical Therapy, consider discussing it with your doctor. Why?

Physical therapy specializes in the rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal system, which includes training in areas of physics, human anatomy, and kinesiology to name a few. Physical Therapists have a great understanding of how the body works and how to get you moving again. They know how to manage all four of the body's major systems – musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and integumentary (skin) – to restore and maximize mobility. Many times people are referred to physical therapy with a long prior medical history, which may include, but not limited to, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory issues, and cancer.

Pain can impair motion and normal mobility. It can also be related to or associated with weakness, muscle tension, and symptoms of numbness or tingling at times. Being able to be properly evaluated by a physical therapist is important in identifying the musculoskeletal relationship of your symptoms and potential paths of recovery through exercise, manual therapy, modality use, aquatics and/or massage therapy.
When you can control or alleviate your pain symptoms, this allows you to move freely again. When you can move, you can complete activities that you want to do. And when you are staying active in doing the activities you want to do, you have a much-improved quality of life.

If you feel that your pain is holding you back from pursuing your desired physical activities, which may include exercise for fitness or weight loss, please inquire on how physical therapy can help you. We have five west Michigan locations near Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo, making it convenient to where you work and live. Give one of our offices a call to see if physical therapy is right for you.