Health Benefits Of Physical Therapy

Reduces Pain

When individuals are experiencing pain, especially chronic pain, their instincts might tell them they should rest, and moving might seem like an unbearable prospect. But studies have shown movement and exercise are often quite helpful for several types of chronic pain. Physical therapy won't help with all types of pain; for example, pain related to chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia is likely to be exacerbated by exercise because those conditions cause exercise intolerance. However, for conditions that don't cause exercise intolerance, physical therapy is often an essential part of managing pain. This kind of therapy has been successfully used to alleviate chronic headaches, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage to nerves or the surrounding tissues. Chronic pain patients often develop weakness because they aren't able to move as often as able-bodied individuals. One of the main goals of physical therapy is to help strengthen their bodies without causing increased fatigue and pain. Physical therapy for chronic pain can include massage, cold laser therapy, movement therapy, exercise, microcurrent stimulation, and manipulating the bones and joints.

Learn more about how physical therapy is beneficial to health now.