For a large portion of musculoskeletal conditions, physical therapy is the preferred treatment method for a number of reasons. Simply put, when comparing all the potential benefits and drawbacks, other treatment methods often fail to measure up to physical therapy. And while we’re not saying physical therapy is always the perfect solution for your pain, it’s oftentimes the optimal route when considering all your options. In today’s blog, we explain why physical therapy is often preferred over other common treatment methods.
Why PT Is Better Than….
Obviously we’re speaking in generalities here and your best bet is always to get an individualized diagnosis and care plan from someone who can evaluate you in person, but for a number of basic musculoskeletal issues, physical therapy is often the recommended form of treatment. So here’s a look at why.
- Physical Therapy Is Better Than Painkillers – Painkillers can play a helpful role in pain management, but they fail to treat the underlying cause of pain. Instead, they work to mask pain, which means it’s little more than a temporary fix. On the other hand, physical therapy works to strengthen key structures and address the source of pain, working to provide a long-term fix. Painkillers can absolutely be used alongside physical therapy to make movement and exercise less uncomfortable, but painkillers alone will never do as much good as painkillers and physical therapy or stand-alone PT.
- Physical Therapy Is Better Than Surgery – Surgery should be viewed as the final line of treatment for your ailment. It may seem like an enticing option, but even a minimally invasive operation is a big trauma on your body. Most surgeons won’t even consider surgery unless you’ve tried at least six weeks of conservative options like physical therapy. Surgery brings with it its own challenges and risks, and if they can be avoided by diving head first into a targeted physical therapy routine, that is often the best route.
- Physical Therapy Is Better Than Hot/Cold Therapy – Heat or ice can play a great role in helping to control fluid movement to an area after an injury, but the benefits of the technique begin to fade after a few days of treatment. Afterwards, you’re going to need to take on more physical tasks in order to increase blood flow or decrease swelling, and that’s exactly what physical therapy can do. Heat and ice can help in the short-term, but again, for long-term relief, consider a more active option like physical therapy.
- Physical Therapy Is Better Than Nothing – This may sound obvious, but many people choose to do nothing for their pain condition, and that often serves to make their issue worse. Gritting your teeth and going on with your day as if nothing is wrong isn’t going to do anything to make your pain condition better, whereas physical therapy can and will. Don’t sit back and hope your pain will go away when simple active solutions can help you achieve that goal.
So if you are one of the many Americans dealing with a pain condition, please consider reaching out to a physical therapist to see if a physical therapy routine could help alleviate your pain. We’ve done it for countless patients in the past, and we can do the same for you. For more information, or to set up your first session, give the team at OrthoRehab Specialists a call today.