October is National Physical Therapy Month. Physical therapists take this month to encourage patients to choose physical therapy for treatment of chronic pain. Therapy involves steering away from addictive opioids and going toward a more holistic approach that involves movement. Many believe that physical therapy is only needed after an injury, but physical therapy can help improve overall flexibility, endurance, strength, posture, and balance. All benefits contribute to a more healthy and mobile life.
A few common chronic conditions that physical therapy is very helpful for are osteoporosis and arthritis. These conditions cause a lot of chronic pain. Using medicines such as opioids only work to help temporarily mask the pain. The CDC highly recommends physical therapy combined with the lowest effective drug dose to help with pain in both the short term and long term. When in pain, many believe that lying in bed and resting would be a good way to find relief, but moving is actually more helpful.
Physical therapy can be beneficial for conditions and diseases that we wouldn’t even think of. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy can be very beneficial for patients with Alzheimer’s. Physical activity and exercise can help improve brain function and memory while also delaying the decline in ability to perform daily tasks. Physical therapists also may use specialized techniques for Alzheimer’s patients to better comprehend the exercises. They can use sight, sound, touch cues, mirroring, and hand-over-hand guidance.
Another condition that physical therapy can help improve is incontinence. Strengthening pelvic-floor muscles can help the patient to gain control over their body and delay the need to use briefs for as long as possible. Some physical therapy treatments for incontinence include Kegel exercises, biofeedback to observe how the muscles in the area react to stimulation, and even electrical stimulation.
Physical therapy is a great first option for any condition. It is a way to help heal your body without needing heavy amounts of medications or pharmaceutical therapies. If you believe you or your loved one would benefit from physical therapy, WellPath Partners’ friendly resource partners are available to assist you in finding the best option.
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By: Leila Lagandaon
Placement Coordinator at WellPath Partners
B.S. in Health Science, California State University, Long Beach
