When we suffer an injury or wake up with a new pain, we usually hope that we can keep going about our day as normal and that everything will get better with time. That may be the case for some very minor issues or sore muscles, but for more moderate or severe issues, time won’t heal all wounds. In fact, there are a number of very common injuries that typically will not heal correctly unless they are treated with physical therapy. In today’s blog, we explore some of the more common injuries that need physical therapy in order to heal.
Which Injuries Need PT To Heal?
Countless Americans suffer these five injuries every year, and if they try to push through the discomfort and ignore treatment, symptoms can linger or worsen. Here’s a look at five common injuries that should be addressed with physical therapy.
1. Sprained Ankles
Medical data suggests that roughly 25,000 people suffer an ankle sprain each day, and while they all don’t seek physical therapy for treatment, they may want to rethink their current treatment plan. You may be able to bear weight on the ankle or notice that symptoms are decreasing after a few days, but that doesn’t mean you should skip physical therapy. Left unaddressed, it’s likely that your ankle ligaments will not return to a preinjury level of stability. If they remain weak or unstable, you’ll be at a greater risk of suffering a future sprain or even a fracture. Restore stability and confidence in your ankles by committing to a PT plan.
2. Concussions
Physical therapy is also very helpful after a concussion. Your physical therapist can develop an activity routine to safely help you return to sports or work in the wake of a concussion. Research has shown that rest alone is not the best way to treat a concussion. Instead, short-term rest followed by controlled activity tends to yield faster recovery. Let us help you get back to normal activities after a concussion.
3. Labral Tears
The labrum in your hip and in your shoulder helps to stabilize the joint and protect it from stress, and if it tears, you can deal with a number of painful symptoms. You may be able to get by without physical therapy, but it’s not advised, because it’s all about making the strongest recovery possible. A PT will help to strengthen the area and restore flexibility and motion in the affected area.
4. Arthritis
While there is no cure for arthritis, you can certainly manage and treat the condition, and the best way to do that is with physical therapy. Connecting with a physical therapist will help to strengthen muscles and ligaments to take strain off the arthritic joint, retain and expand flexibility in the area and in turn slow continued progression of the disease. You may not be able to turn back the clock on your aging joints, but you can use physical therapy to lessen symptoms and prevent continued arthritic degeneration.
5. Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek out a physical therapist, and for good reason. Physical therapy is typically recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to address a variety of spinal issues, including but not limited to:
- Bulging discs
- Herniated discs
- Pinched spinal nerves
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal bone spurs
- Curvature disorders
- Spinal stenosis
If you want to put any of the following back conditions behind you, it’s wise to connect with a physical therapist.
So if you’re dealing with any of the issues listed above, or you just want to make the strongest recovery possible, reach out to a physical therapist near you. In the greater Twin Cities area, connect with the team at OrthoRehab Specialists at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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