Does Physical Therapy Actually Help?
Suffering from chronic pain in North Jersey? You may be considering physical therapy, but are hesitant to commit to scheduling that appointment. Maybe you’re unsure if it will help your condition or you’re doubtful about how much physical therapy can actually help. Many new patients have come to Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy with the same concerns. We understand your time is valuable and you want to see real results.
The good news is that physical therapy is proven to be effective in helping the body build back strength, flexibility and balance, so that you can not only find relief from the pain you’re experiencing, but you can prevent future injuries from occurring. At Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, we work hard to make physical therapy easy and accessible, with five convenient North Jersey locations in Oakland, Wayne, Fair Lawn, Closter, and Clifton, NJ. Appointments can be scheduled conveniently during weekend and evening hours, so you don’t have to miss work to access care.
What can I expect in my physical therapy visits?
Unlike other types of appointments, your physical therapy sessions will be active and physical, providing a place for you to improve your mobility, strength and flexibility while working to reduce your pain. In each session, you’ll learn how to perform daily tasks as well as exercise movements effectively, to retrain your body. Many times patients will compensate for an injury or chronic pain condition (often without realizing it) and even an acute condition can cause a ripple effect of physical changes that require correction.
Your physical therapy will begin with an initial assessment where your physical therapist will evaluate your movement, pain levels and range of motion. This will help them develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific goals and body condition. Part of this plan will include recommendations for at-home exercises, which are an important part of achieving good progress. During subsequent sessions, new exercises will be added as you progress and your therapist will guide you through the movements. Drawing from their deep knowledge of physiology, your physical therapist will watch your movements and guide you on the proper way to execute each exercise so you retrain your body to move in healthier ways.
In addition to exercise, our physical therapists are trained to offer many other manual therapies, such as joint mobilization and soft tissue massage. Combined these help to both reduce pain and improve circulation. Not only will these therapies help to reduce pain but they are also designed to improve stability, helping to reduce falls and future injuries. This can be especially helpful for patients recovering from surgery or neurological conditions.
What types of conditions does physical therapy address?
One of the most amazing qualities of physical therapy is just how versatile a treatment it is. While some people might just think of physical therapy as a post surgery or post-accident requirement, it’s actually beneficial to many more conditions.
Managing Musculoskeletal Conditions: From chronic back pain and arthritis to sports injuries and post-surgical rehabilitation, physical therapy helps the body heal properly. Physical therapy is often combined with other therapies like chiropractic, as a complement to treatments that address imbalances in the body.
Neurological Conditions: Physical therapists are trained to help people who have experienced acute incidents like a stroke or traumatic brain injury as well as chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Chronic Pain Conditions: By working to strengthen and improve mobility in and around an area of chronic pain, physical therapy can help patients find pain relief whether they are suffering from conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic back pain.
Balance Issues: Physical therapy can help reduce the instances and severity of vertigo and dizziness and help patients keep from falling, which can create additional injuries and diminish long-term outcomes. Through balance, strength and flexibility exercises, patients can become stronger and more resilient against falls.
In addition to these conditions, physical therapists can also help with recovery from heart conditions, assisting through cancer treatments, as well as addressing pediatric and geriatric conditions, along with work-related injuries, making physical therapy one of the most versatile practices that pairs well with both conventional and alternative forms of healing.
Who would be a good candidate for physical therapy?
If you experience chronic pain that interferes with your daily life, such as arthritis, persistent back or neck pain, fibromyalgia, or tendinitis, you may benefit from physical therapy. Because physical therapy is non-invasive and drug-free, it is safe and without the side effects associated with invasive options. By committing to regular physical therapy sessions, you can have the opportunity to regain function, enhance strength, and address pain at its source. Physical therapy will provide expert insight into the underlying causes of your pain, whether that’s overuse, poor posture, or lingering injuries. A personalized therapy plan of exercises and manual techniques can help you reclaim your quality of life.
Does physical therapy actually help with pain?
There has been extensive research and clinical evidence that shows physical therapy to be effective in improving a wide range of conditions. It’s particularly effective for patients with chronic pain and the majority of patients experience significant improvement in pain relief, mobility, and function. Most patients can expect to see results within a few months of consistent treatment.
Physical therapy helps with chronic pain through exercises and manual therapy techniques that are customized to each patient’s physical needs. At Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, our physical therapists also go beyond these areas to provide lifestyle education to help patients identify areas for adjustment such as diet, physical activity, and work style.
How Physical Therapy Helps Common Chronic Pain Conditions
Physical therapy helps with chronic pain by addressing its root causes and improving the body’s overall function to support healing. Targeted exercises help strengthen weak muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance joint mobility. This reduces the strain on painful areas and in turn, helps minimize pain. Combined with manual therapies, such as soft tissue mobilization and joint manipulation, physical therapy helps alleviate tension, improve circulation, and restores proper alignment to the body. Our physical therapists also incorporate hot, cold, and electrical stimulation to help block pain signals and promote the body’s natural healing process.
When combined with chiropractic care, the benefits of physical therapy can be even greater. Our chiropractic therapy focuses on balancing spinal alignment and nervous system function. Once the body is in balance, physical therapy can help strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve movement patterns which have been impacted by these imbalances. Together, these therapies create a comprehensive approach, addressing structural imbalances and providing the tools for long-term pain management and mobility.
How Physical Therapy Can Help You
At Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, our holistic approach allows patients to regain control over their chronic pain and lead a more active, fulfilling life. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, are healing from a new injury, or have a condition that could benefit from physical therapy, don’t wait to reach out. You may be amazed at what a profound change physical therapy can have on your life. Make today the day you start to reclaim your life! Schedule an appointment today!
