5 REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY

Our physical therapists work with older adults, men, women, and children who are dealing with a variety of acute and chronic health issues at our clinic.

But we can assist with more than just pain! Our physical therapists have all completed advanced training in anatomy, human movement, and other areas. This means that a physical therapist can help you improve your function and quality of life in a variety of ways, as well as a variety of signs and symptoms other than “just” pain that we can alleviate and address at the source. Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

Ever wondered if physical therapy could help you? Keep reading to see our top signs that it may be time to consult with a physical therapist in your area.

1. YOU’RE FEELING OFF-BALANCE AND UNCOORDINATED.

How far your joints can move in all directions influences virtually every moment of the day. Arthritis or injury can hamper how far, and where, you can flex and extend your limbs and torso. From twisting your neck to see behind you when driving, to being able to move your knee freely, range of motion is crucial for both daily life and for fitness pursuits. Even if you’re fairly stiff now, doing more stretches each day will gradually reduce stiffness and increase flexibility.

2. YOU’RE EXPERIENCING DIZZY SPELLS.

When your calves start feeling a bit tight after a run, it’s obvious that more stretching is needed. But we sometimes forget the sheer interconnectedness of our bodies. If you’re experiencing lower back pain, for example, stretching your legs during physical therapy can be as important as stretching your back. In fact, your hips, upper thighs and your hamstrings can all play a big part in creating lower back pain relief. Likewise, improving your posture through stretching your torso can provide the kind of support you need to keep your spine from compressing, which helps you avoid shoulder and neck pain.

3. YOUR JOINTS FEEL WEAK, STIFF, OR UNSTABLE.

If you’re an athlete, you know that the more conditioning your joints, ligaments and muscles get, the greater your advantage in your sport. Bodybuilders can recover from their reps more quickly by stretching tightened muscles as a cool-down. Golfers can get a longer reach by increasing range of motion through the hips and shoulders. Swimmers can keep their strokes even by perfecting their balance through physical therapy stretching moves. In fact, there are few competitive sports for which stretching doesn’t offer an advantage.

4. YOU’VE SUSTAINED A SPORT OR WORK-RELATED INJURY.

There’s a certain amount of debate in the sports world about the degree to which pre- or post-workout stretching protects you from injury. But few people deny those stretches can contribute to injury prevention. A tense, shortened muscle is often an injury waiting to happen because it doesn’t work at peak performance. When you stretch, you’re also increasing your range of motion, while improving your balance. All of these factors can prevent you from making the types of moves that lead to injury, whether it’s coming down too hard on one foot, or twisting your back further than you should to compensate for lack of shoulder range.

5. YOU’VE RECEIVED A NEW HEALTH DIAGNOSIS OR EXPERIENCED A CHANGE IN EVERYDAY FUNCTION.

A physical therapist is licensed to treat a wide number of health conditions. So, if you recently received a new diagnosis, consider finding out if a physical therapist can be a helpful part of your medical team!

Conditions we treat at our physical therapy clinic include:

• Amputations
• Fibromyalgia
• Low back pain
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Musculoskeletal conditions like muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, and impingement syndrome
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Sciatica
• Neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
• Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
• Pediatric conditions including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and sensory processing disorders
• Debility and weakness following prolonged hospitalization or treatment for an illness such as cancer, the flu, or COVID-19
• Post-operative recovery from things like joint replacement and heart surgery

CALL A PHYSICAL THERAPIST TODAY FOR HELP

A physical therapist can work with you to provide efficient and effective relief from a range of concerns and health issues. Whether you have chronic pain or some other health concern, we invite you to contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment. It’d be our honor to join you on your journey toward better health and function!