Physical therapy is a common form of healthcare that is effective for treating a range of injuries and ailments. With a series of hands-on stretches and exercises, physical therapy can help patients recover from injuries and maintain an active, healthy body. But if you’ve never engaged in physical therapy, it’s natural to have a lot of questions, including: is physical therapy safe? In this blog, we answer this question and more.
At Total Physical Therapy, we understand that every journey toward recovery is unique. That’s why we develop personalized treatment plans for each one of our patients. We specialize in close, one-on-one care for patients experiencing musculoskeletal injuries. Our hands-on, evidence-based therapy techniques have been proven to enhance your wellness, boost your physical performance, and improve the overall quality of your life.
We carefully design our evidence-based treatment plans so you get as much one-on-one time with your doctor as possible. With open and honest communication, proven therapy techniques, and a complete healthcare staff dedicated to your recovery, Total Physical Therapy can get you back to the life you love—sooner than ever.
What is Physical Therapy?
Let’s start at the beginning: what exactly is physical therapy? According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), physical therapy is understood as a “specialized type of treatment of patients who are suffering from an injury, illness, or recovering from an accident.” This makes physical therapy an ideal method for treating many different injuries and health issues.
At its core, physical therapy is based on manual therapy that incorporates specific exercises and stretches designed for the patient’s recovery goals and needs. When engaging in a physical therapy program, the patient will work closely with a licensed physical therapist.
These specialists aid their patients through the stretches and exercises to ensure they’re done safely and effectively. Over time, and with dedication to the program, the patient can expect to experience pain relief, improved mobility, and overall better health and wellness. Some athletes even engage in regular physical therapy to boost their overall physical performance.
Is Physical Therapy Safe?
Beginning your first physical therapy program can be intimidating. Some patients may be hesitant to engage with physical therapy in the first place due to safety concerns. After all, compared to other types of care, physical therapy is a much more hands-on approach. It’s natural for new patients to be concerned that the manual exercises and some of the stretches could actually do more harm than good to your body, especially if some of them feel uncomfortable at first as your body adjusts and works to heal.
However, according to years of evidence and countless satisfied patients, it’s now safe to say that physical therapy is one of the safest paths toward recovery. When you’re working closely with an experienced, licensed physical therapist, physical therapy is one of the safest types of treatments—no matter your age, injury, or level of fitness. Since physical therapy is holistic and non-invasive, you don’t have to worry about potential side effects. Physical therapy is natural and works with your body to gradually heal and recover. It’s not an overnight fix, but it has been proven to be both safe and effective.
A physical therapy routine is adaptable and tailored specifically to fit your specific healthcare needs. This is just one reason why it’s ideal for so many different types of patients and injuries. A physical therapy program works with your entire body to heal naturally. This helps patients find relief from pain, maintain full mobility, and ensure a high level of activity for all the years to come.
Who Could Benefit from Physical Therapy?
If you’re recovering from a car accident, sports-related injury, or living with disease or ailment, physical therapy could be effective in helping to boost your recovery and enabling you to maintain better health over the years.
What types of patients could benefit from physical therapy? Just take a look:
- Car accident injuries: following a car accident, it’s common to experience mild-to-serious injuries such as whiplash, muscle sprains or strains, broken bones, and other injuries that limit your mobility. As part of the healing process, physical therapy can target your specific injury and get you back on your feet sooner than ever.
- Sports-related injuries: especially common in contact sports, injuries are bound to occur eventually for even the most well-conditioned athletes. Physical therapy can be used to effectively treat a wide range of sports-related injuries. Many common examples include tennis elbow, strains, concussions, knee injuries, and more. Many athletes prefer physical therapy as it can also speed up your recovery time. This is why most professional sports teams will hire physical therapists for their medical staff. Engaging in regular physical therapy can also help ward off future injuries. A Denver sports therapy specialist can help you get back in the game.
- Pediatric conditions: even young children can benefit from physical therapy. Children suffering from muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or development delays may all benefit from receiving regular physical therapy care.
- Musculoskeletal injuries: recovering from chronic back pain, a torn rotator cuff, or even a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problem can all be assisted by visiting a physical therapist. These specialists are trained to address a range of injuries and ailments that specifically affect the musculoskeletal system that can make daily activities seem almost impossible if left untreated.
- Cardiopulmonary conditions: many different medical conditions that affect your cardiopulmonary system can be treated by a physical therapist. For patients experiencing cystic fibrosis, post-myocardial infarction, or several other cardiopulmonary conditions, they may benefit from the assistance of a physical therapy program.
- Neurological conditions: the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system are intricately linked. This means that an issue affecting one part could impact the entirety of your body and health. Physical therapy can be beneficial for those recovering from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or for someone living with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
Conclusion – Is Physical Therapy Safe?
Regardless of your age or fitness level, physical therapy can be a very effective way to recover from an injury or ailment. Receiving physical therapy from a licensed physical therapist can help your body heal naturally so that you can experience a successful recovery. Physical therapy is an ideal form of treatment for anyone experiencing mobility issues, chronic pain, joint stiffness, or even those recovering from a surgery.
On top of that, physical therapy is viewed as one of the safest types of treatment. Compared to more invasive treatments, such as prescription medication or surgeries, physical therapy is non-invasive and works with the body to heal naturally.
Total Physical Therapy is a leader in Colorado for evidence-based physical therapy. With personalized care and a focus on one-on-one access with Denver’s top physical therapists, our entire office is dedicated to optimizing your recovery. If you’re experiencing a sports injury, require post-surgical treatment, or need relief from chronic pain or limited mobility, we’re here to help. Our services are also ideal for individuals of all ages recovering from accidents, such as a car accident. Our physical therapy services provide quick pain relief, improved mobility, and can even help you prevent future injuries. Our holistic approach to treatment is designed to improve your total health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your initial consultation. You can also review our list of healthcare services to see if our physical therapy practice can benefit your recovery goals. Together, let’s begin the journey of getting you back to total health.
