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OrthoRehab - Edina Physical Therapists

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If you break a bone in your arm, assuming all goes to plan with your treatment, eventually your arm will fully heal and you’ll be back to feeling normal. Many injuries and health conditions can be completely treated, but there are some common conditions that, no matter what treatment you pursue, will never fully go away. But that doesn’t mean that treatment is useless. In fact, treatment is often vital if you are dealing with an irreversible condition for a number of different reasons. We explore the benefits of pursuing physical therapy if you have an irreversible health condition in today’s blog.

The Benefits Of PT For Irreversible Health Conditions

Before we get into the benefits of physical therapy, let’s explain what we mean when we say irreversible health conditions. These are health conditions that can be improved with the help of treatment, but the damage that has been done cannot be reversed, or the condition will never fully resolve. Two of the most common irreversible conditions that we see are arthritis and osteoporosis.

For example, if a joint has experienced some arthritic degeneration, physical therapy isn’t going to be able to regrow lost cartilage and have your knees feeling like you’re 18 years old again. However, PT can still be extremely beneficial if you have arthritis, and we’ll touch on those reasons below. The same can be said for osteoporosis sufferers. Physical therapy can’t speed up new bone growth, but it can make a world of difference in your life.

Physical therapy can be extremely beneficial if you’re dealing with an irreversible condition like arthritis or osteoporosis for a number of reasons, including:

  • Delayed Progression – By strengthening certain muscle groups and taking pressure off areas that have been affected by your condition, you can actually help to slow the progression of arthritis or osteoporosis. You may not be able to reverse your condition, but if you can slow or even stop the continued progression for an extended period, you’ll be able to continue doing all the activities you love for a longer period of time.
  • Control Symptoms – Physical therapy can also help to control some of the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis. Strengthening key muscle groups and stabilizing joints will help to avoid overstressing areas of your body that could be causing pain. The stronger your muscles are and the more stable your joints are, the fewer symptoms you’ll experience.
  • Improved Balance – A fall can be a major issue for older adults, especially if they suffer from osteoporosis, which can make their bones a little more susceptible to fracture. Physical therapy can help to improve your balance and decrease your likelihood of a potentially devastating fall.
  • Remain Independent – By controlling symptoms, delaying disease progression and improving your balance, physical therapy will also help patients who are dealing with an irreversible diagnosis remain independent for longer. Don’t let pain or discomfort keep you from pursuing the activities you enjoy. Jump into a PT routine and achieve these benefits that will help to keep you independent.
  • Improved Quality Of Life And Mental Health – Finally, all of the above benefits can help to greatly improve your quality of life if you’re facing an irreversible diagnosis. Being physically limited or dependent on others can severely affect your mental health and lead to a diminished quality of life. Physical therapy can help you maintain a high level of physical function, which also affects your mental well-being.

So while you may not be able to completely turn back the clock on your health, turning to physical therapy services can be extremely beneficial as you move forward with life despite your condition. For more information, or to set up an appointment with a member of our team, give us a call today at (612) 339-2041.

Dr. Andy Masis, PT
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