3 Common Myths About Physical Therapy

Myths About Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an indispensable part of your treatment when recovering from orthopedic surgery, healing an injury, or trying to reduce pain and increase mobility caused by a chronic joint condition like arthritis. It is rarely just a “suggestion,” a “good idea,” or “something you should maybe consider.”

A well-designed and customized physical therapy program can make all the difference between a speedy recovery and an injury that lingers far longer than it needs to. However, many myths about physical therapy – what it is, how it helps, and who provides it – still persist.

Here are three of the most common misconceptions about physical therapy that shouldn’t stand in the way of getting the life-changing benefits it can provide.

1. Physical therapy is just stretching exercises and massagesHardly. While stretching exercises and massages are certainly part of many physical therapy programs, PT involves a wide range of treatments specifically tailored to the nature and extent of your particular injuries or conditions. A PT regimen typically consists of various activities, motions, and exercises designed to work in concert to provide maximum benefits.Your sessions may involve any number of exercises and treatments, including:
   • Stabilization exercises
   • Therapeutic treatments
   • Conditioning exercises
   • Manual therapy
   • Massage therapy
   • Musculoskeletal evaluations
   • Electrical stimulation
   • Cold laser therapy
   • Ultrasound therapy
   • Kinesio taping
   • Graston therapy
   • Active release therapy
   • Neuromuscular therapy

   In addition to your sessions with the physical therapist, which may occur two or three times a week for several weeks or months, you may receive “homework” after each visit. This homework will consist of exercises and conditioning plans that you should do at home between visits and may continue after you complete your treatment.

2. Physical therapy is only for injuries or post-surgical recoveryPhysical therapy is certainly a key element of treating injuries and trauma and is crucial for recovery after orthopedic surgery. But the benefits of PT go beyond that. It can also be effective for other common issues like balance and vestibular problems, headaches, pelvic pain, chronic pain, and regular joint and muscle discomfort. Physical therapy not only aids in healing injuries but can also help prevent them. Athletes often use PT to enhance their performance and prevent future injuries.
3. It’s going to be painful“No pain, no gain” may be a familiar phrase in exercise, but it doesn’t apply to physical therapy. That doesn’t mean your PT will be easy or effortless, but physical therapists are trained to work within each patient’s pain threshold to ensure musculoskeletal improvements are safe and gradual. A good physical therapist will know when to replace painful movements or exercises with less painful, yet still effective, alternatives to improve your performance.