Mobility is an important aspect of our daily lives. It helps us get around, participate in activities and interact with our surroundings. When mobility is impaired, it can lead to a decline in overall health and quality of life. You may have difficulty performing activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. You may also experience pain and fatigue.
Physical therapy can help improve mobility and reduce the effects of mobility impairments. Physical therapists are movement experts who can assess your needs and design a treatment plan to help you regain or maintain your mobility. Treatment may include exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Physical therapists may also use manual techniques to help reduce pain and improve mobility. They can also provide assistive devices, such as canes or walkers, to help you get around.
If you’re still undecided and unsure of going for physical therapy here’s a list of how physical therapy helps improve your mobility:
- Improves strength– When you have reduced mobility, chances are that you have also lost some muscle strength. This can lead to further decline in mobility and function. Physical therapy can help improve muscle strength through exercises and other treatments.
- Increases flexibility- stiffness and reduced range of motion can be common with reduced mobility. Physical therapy can help improve flexibility through stretching and other treatments.
- Improves balance– Poor balance can lead to falls and a further decline in mobility. Physical therapy can help improve balance through exercises and other treatments. Your balance will improve as your strength and flexibility improve.
- Reduces pain– Pain is often a barrier to mobility. Physical therapy can help reduce pain with exercises, manual techniques, and other treatments. When you are in less pain, you are more likely to be active and have better mobility.
- Improves endurance– Fatigue can be a major problem with reduced mobility. Physical therapy can help improve endurance through exercises and other treatments. Aside from physical therapy, making sure to get enough rest and eat a healthy diet can also help improve endurance.
- Improves function– When you have better mobility, you will be able to do more things and participate in activities that you enjoy. Physical therapy can help improve your overall function through exercises and other treatments.
Physical therapy can help you regain or maintain your mobility and improve your overall health and quality of life. Talk to your doctor about referring you to a physical therapist.
What to expect when you go to physical therapy?
Your physical therapist will start by asking about your medical history and symptoms. They will then do a physical examination. This may include tests of your strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. Based on the results of the examination, your physical therapist will develop a treatment plan specifically for you. Treatment may include exercises, manual techniques, assistive devices, and education. Your physical therapist will teach you how to do the exercises and take care of your condition. They will also provide support and encouragement along the way.
Going to physical therapy takes time and effort, but it can be very beneficial. Make sure you ask about their physical therapy merchant services so that you can focus on your physical therapy and not worry about the cost. You can also look into physical therapy financing options to make physical therapy more affordable.