Why Choose Physical Therapy? 4 Reasons Patients Should See a Physical Therapist

Those in the Clear Lake, Texas, area know the effects that chronic pain or just general wear and tear can have on the body. In many cases, physical therapy is used as a treatment for patients that wish to reduce pain and increase their mobility. At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we know that physical therapy can be an excellent treatment method for many patients, so we’ve laid out some signs that can help you determine if it’s time for physical therapy from a Clear Lake specialist:

 

  1. Medication has not Worked

Prescription medication designed to reduce pain may be one of the first courses of action your physician recommends. However, medication does not work in every situation. If medication is not working, it may be time for physical therapy. In fact, physical therapy may be the first recommended treatment option for some cases, as there may be patients who are averse to or unable to take pain medication. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association showed that 59.5% of participants refused pain medication due to concerns about side effects and negative reactions (1). If medication has not worked, or you would rather not take a prescription medicine, your physician may recommend physical therapy.

 

  1. Pain Lingers After Activity

In some cases, it’s normal to experience slight lingering pain after completing an activity, especially one that is physically strenuous. Oftentimes, rest and hot/cold therapy helps reduce this pain within a day or two. However, if lingering pain seems to be constant, it may be time to speak to a physician about physical therapy. A medical study conducted between 1994 to 1997 over the effectiveness of physical therapy reported a more than 50% improvement in study participants following physical therapy (2). While physical therapy results vary from patient to patient, it can be determined that, overall, physical therapy is an effective treatment method for those with chronic, lingering pain.

 

  1. You Have a Strained Muscle

Sharp, sudden pain can be an indicator that a muscle strain has occurred. When a muscle strain occurs, physical therapy is often a recommended treatment method. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, physical therapy for strained muscles is typically utilized as the pain and swelling subside (3). Speak with a physician to determine the severity of your muscle strain, and whether physical therapy may be able to help increase the muscle’s range of motion.

 

  1. You Have Recently Been Injured

Those who have recently suffered an injury may benefit from physical therapy as a treatment method. According to South University’s Physical Therapy Assisting program, physical therapy can help rebuild strength and movement following an injury (4). Treatment following an injury is crucial to avoid permanent damage and restore full mobility, so it is important to speak to a physician about the possibility of using physical therapy as a treatment method.

 

For many patients in Clear Lake, Texas, physical therapy can provide a variety of benefits. Houston Physicians’ Hospital offers physical therapy from industry leaders to provide patients with effective pain relief. Give us a call at (281) 557-5620 or visit us at https://www.houstonphysicianshospital.com/physical-therapy/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525861005006869
  2. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dee_Hartmann/publication/285865657_The_perceived_effectiveness_of_physical_therapy_treatment_on_women_complaining_of_chronic_vulvar_pain_and_diagnosed_with_either_vulvar_vestibulitis_syndrome_or_dysesthetic_vulvodynia/links/585802c208ae64cb3d47d6b3/The-perceived-effectiveness-of-physical-therapy-treatment-on-women-complaining-of-chronic-vulvar-pain-and-diagnosed-with-either-vulvar-vestibulitis-syndrome-or-dysesthetic-vulvodynia.pdf
  3. https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/Citation/1999/07000/Muscle_Strain_Injury__Diagnosis_and_Treatment.6.aspx
  4. http://source.southuniversity.edu/physical-therapy-crucial-to-sports-injury-recovery-59068.aspx

Use This Article to Show Your Spine Some Love

Our spine bears quite a bit of wear and tear throughout our life. It helps us move, supports our weight, and helps us stretch and bend. Over time, the spine can become achy if it’s not properly taken care of. At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we know that no one wants to deal with a stiff, sore spine, so we’ve listed some ways to show your back some love and prevent pain:

 

  • Be Mindful of Posture

How you hold your body while you move (dynamic posture) and while stationary (static posture) is the single most important aspect you can zero-in on to help prevent spine pain. Poor standing posture is a known cause of pain within the back [1]. Proper posture is key to prevent an aching feeling within the muscles that support the spine. Improving posture often requires re-training the body to sit and stand in positions that place the muscles and ligaments under the lowest amount of stress.

For patients who must sit for long periods of time, such as office workers, being mindful of posture is especially important. To help ensure proper posture:

  • Change your position every 30 minutes.
  • Adjust your chair and desk height so your elbows are on the desk and your shoulders are relaxed.
  • Distribute your weight uniformly on both of the hips.
  • Sit up with your back straight.
  • Keep your feet flat on the floor.

 

  • Reach a Healthy Weight

Weight loss in overweight individuals has many benefits, including assuaging back pain. Overweight people tend to be at a greater risk for joint pain, back pain, and muscle strain, when compared to non-overweight individuals [2]. Excess weight places extra burden on the spine, which may cause pain, misalignment of vertebrae, or even osteoarthritis. Overall, excessive weight induces abnormal joint loads, resulting in changes in the composition, properties, and structure of the articular cartilage [3]. Weight loss dramatically reduces the compressive forces through the load-bearing joints. As a result, it reduces joint pain and improves physical function [3].

 

  • Drink Plenty of Water

While it may sound cliché, drinking plenty of water is extremely important to maintain the fluidity and elasticity of joints. There is a particularly strong relationship between inadequate water intake and intervertebral disc pain. The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers and protect our back from the damage of daily wear and tear. Enclosed in each disc is a jelly-like substance, which is mainly made of water and collagen fibers. A dehydrated disc loses this jelly-like substance and is not capable of supporting the back. This leads to inflammation, soreness, pain, or even herniated discs. In simple words, the cushioning ability of your spine is greatly dependent on your water intake. Additionally, staying hydrated is especially important for those suffering from any form of arthritis. According to a study, intake of water with increased concentration of molecular hydrogen reduced oxidative stress and caused a significant improvement in the disease activity [4].

 

While these tips can help prevent back pain, it’s important to seek a medical professional if intense stiffness, soreness, or pain occur along your spine. For the leading spine specialists in the Clear Lake, Texas, area, give Houston Physicians’ Hospital a call at (281) 557-5620 or visit us at https://www.houstonphysicianshospital.com/spine-solutions-center/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30562374

[2] http://www.fitwize4kids.com/fp/marketing/1_Research/Statistics_Trends/AOA_FactSheets.pdf

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3623013/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5095341/