Everybody knows that a physical therapist can help if you sprain your ankle or while you’re recovering after a surgical procedure, but we do much more than that. There are a number of other conditions or individuals who could benefit from a physical therapy routine, but they may not be aware that we can treat them or their ailments. In today’s blog, we look at five conditions that you may not have known that a physical therapist can help treat.
Surprising Conditions Physical Therapists Treat
If you’re dealing with one of more of the following conditions, you may be surprised when your primary care physician refers you to a physical therapy clinic for treatment.
- Headaches – Chronic or frequent headaches can be triggered by a number of different physical or psychological issues, and while your general practitioner can help provide you with medications to calm symptoms, it’s often a physical therapist that helps to find a long-term solution. We study your posture, your lifestyle stressors and your family history to better understand what’s causing these headaches and the best ways to manage them. You’d be amazed at how simple posture modifications or physical therapy exercises can help to relieve tension headaches and migraines.
- Pregnancy and Postpartum Issues – Your body undergoes a lot of physical changes as it prepares for and after childbirth, and oftentimes your body doesn’t just bounce back perfectly on its own. Our team of physical therapists can help make your pregnancy more comfortable and your post-op recovery easier. From hip flexor issues to restrengthening overstretched ligaments, we have a specific group of physical therapists that are certified in helping pre- and postpartum mothers regain strength and confidence in their bodies.
- Balance Issues – If you are finding it harder to keep your balance or believe that you could be at risk for a fall, consider syncing up with a physical therapist. With carefully controlled exercises, we can help target specific structures in the hips, ankles and feet to improve your balance and allow you to remain independent for years to come. Or for athletes who want to take their game to the next level, our balance training program can be the difference between falling down and staying on your feet at the pivotal point in the game!
- Jaw Dysfunction – If you are experiencing pain, discomfort or a decreased range of motion in your jaw, a physical therapist can help. We’re certified in temporomandibular joint dysfunction and understand all the forces at play when you bite, chew or speak. We use our mouth all the time throughout the day, so don’t live in constant pain when help is readily available at a physical therapist clinic near you.
- Walking Abnormalities – Finally, if you have a hitch in your step or walk with a limp, a physical therapist can help to correct the problem and get you back to walking with a normal gait. It may not seem like a big deal, but an abnormal gait will put excess stress on other areas of your body, like your knees and hips. This can lead to faster joint deterioration and the need for a joint replacement operation. If you have found that a physical issue is causing you to limp, connect with a physical therapist to help fix your gait.
If you are dealing with any of the above conditions, reach out to OrthoRehab Specialists to see what we can do for you.