How many times a day are you noticing popping or cracking in your joints? Do you carry over-the-counter pain medications around with you in your bag in case of a headache? Do you have pillows behind you at your work desk because your back bothers you? Chances are, you have a chronic pain problem that is demanding the special touch of physical therapy!
Physical therapy is an extremely beneficial kind of treatment that offers solutions to many of the most common types of pain. The problem? Most people don’t realize the benefits of physical therapy, or even know that the pain they’re experiencing can be alleviated by seeing a physical therapist!
Ask yourself these questions. If you’re experiencing any of these common symptoms, it might be time to see a physical therapist and learn the best ways to relieve your aches and pains.
It’s time to be real with yourself…
1. Are you experiencing back pain?
One of the most common complaints American adults have is back pain. Too many people struggle with it and aren’t doing anything about it because they think it’s just a part of aging that they have to put up with!
There’s been an increase in the number of people dealing with back pain as well, which can be blamed on all sorts of different factors, from rising obesity rates to working in jobs that don’t allow for much upright movement. Many of us lead very sedentary lives that don’t force us to get up and move as often as we should, which can result in debilitating back pain. The good news?
Physical therapy can help to ease the cause of your back pain and to relieve tension in your back, thereby reducing the amount of pain you feel!
2. Are you experiencing neck pain?
Neck pain can be hard to live with and treat, but make sure you don’t attempt to do it on your own.
It’s common for neck pain to develop after sports-related injuries or auto accidents, but also as a result of bad posture — including the posture you have while you’re asleep! Seeing an experienced physical therapist who can help you find the source of your neck pain could be your ticket to a pain-free life.
3. Do chronic headaches plague you daily?
If you find yourself having to take frequent breaks during the week to lie down because of debilitating headaches or migraine pain, you’re not alone. This is a common condition, but definitely not normal. Headaches are yet another complaint that can be addressed with physical therapy treatment. Chronic headaches can be a sign of tension in the neck and back. Working with a licensed physical therapist on targeted stretching and massage therapy can help reduce the amount and severity of the headaches you experience.
4. Are you having joint pain?
The chances of developing joint pain can increase as a person ages. One common reason joint pain can develop is from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The best way to deal with joint pain is to see a physical therapist. Your joints aren’t something that you can ignore if they’re causing you pain, and in most cases, attempting to rely on another part of your body to reduce pain (for example, putting more weight on one leg than the other when you walk) will only lead you to experience even more pain in other areas.
5. Are you having difficulty moving around?
People who receive sports-related injuries are often liable to have a limited range of motion, which is especially true following surgical repair of muscle tendons and/or tissue.
Stroke victims often find themselves unable to walk with the same gait or speed that they used to, and even after their pain is gone, they might still struggle to move.
There are multiple reasons why someone might experience limited mobility or become unable to move as well as they could in the past. Physical therapy can help people with movement restrictions to retrain their bodies for normal, everyday movement.
Are you ready to kick your pain out the door for good?
There are hundreds of conditions and injuries that can be relieved with a good physical therapy treatment plan!
Whether you have lasting pain from a car accident, work-related incident, or a sports injury, it may be time to consult with a physical therapist about the best ways to go about managing your pain. Contact Magnolia Physical Therapy to set up a consultation and get back to living a pain-free life.