The Five Most Important Benefits of Physical Therapy

Whether you’re recuperating from surgery, dealing with chronic pain or working to regain mobility after an injury, physical therapy (PT) is likely to play an important role in your recovery. World Physical Therapy Day, observed every year on September 8, focuses awareness on the critical role of physical therapists and chronic pain therapies in keeping people healthy and fit.

According to sports medicine specialists with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, PT offers proven strategies to help you feel and function better. Indeed, they say that PT is “essential to restoring mobility, function and quality of life.”

One of the Oldest Medical Specialties

Also known as physiotherapy, PT has been practiced for nearly 2,500 years, so the science behind it isn’t exactly new. The first documented account of PT comes from Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, who originated the concept of manual manipulation and water therapy for pain treatment in 460 B.C.—practices that are still being used to this day.

Over the centuries, physical therapy has progressed from a simple massage to a complex portfolio of therapies with a wide range of specialized applications, according to Alex Mafdali, M.D., a primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care. 

“When you’re injured or in pain, your body tends to move differently,” says Dr. Mafdali, who is married to a physical therapist. “Physical therapy retrains your brain, muscles and joints to move the right way again so you can get back to normal activities safely and with less discomfort.”

The goals of physical therapy vary depending on the patient’s specific needs, Dr. Mafdali says. “Common intended outcomes include pain relief; increased range of motion, endurance and strength; independence; stress reduction; and a higher quality of life for the patient.”

PT Helps a Range of Conditions and Diseases

Dr. Mafdali says physical therapists are “professionally trained to help patients recover from injuries, joint replacement surgery and manage arthritic or osteoporotic disorders.” He points to a wide variety of conditions that can benefit from PT. They include, among others:

• Back pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease, 
• Bursitis
• Muscular strains
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Balance disorders
• Asthma
• Fibromyalgia
• Wounds
• Burns
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Relieving Chronic Pain with PT

According to Michael Swartzon, M.D., a primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, chronic pain one of the leading reasons people seek PT. 

“Chronic pain is linked to a variety of medical diseases and orthopedic problems, including cancer, diabetes, low back pain and osteoarthritis,” Dr. Swartzon says. “PT is an excellent, non-surgical, non-pharmacological treatment option that can be used to help relieve pain and possibly eliminate the need for more invasive treatment in some cases.”

The field of PT also has benefitted from a number of technological advancements, Dr. Swartzon notes. “We used to use ice or cryotherapy for everyone. Now we have newer technologies such as lasers, ultrasounds, dry-needling, shockwave and blood flow restriction treatments that provide a more proactive approach that have improved PT’s therapeutic effectiveness,” he says.

PT Offers Multiple Benefits for Patients

Based on his years of experience treating amateur and professional athletes alike, Dr. Swartzon highlights five major benefits of physical therapy:

1.     PT Can Prevent the Need for Invasive Surgery. In many cases, PT can help patients recover from musculoskeletal injuries or degenerative conditions without surgical intervention. If surgery is still necessary, pre-surgical therapy improves strength and outcomes.

2.     PT Can Provide Pain Relief Without Medications. Physical therapists use targeted exercises, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and joint mobilization to treat pain at its source—not just mask it. For many patients, this can reduce or even eliminate the need for opioids or long-term pain medications.

3.     PT Reduces Risk from Osteoporosis. Physical therapy is essential for those with osteoporosis. PT helps restore flexibility, strength and balance, which are especially important for staying independent and active.

4.     PT Helps With Injury Recovery. Following a fracture or soft tissue injury, early mobilization with PT helps patients regain strength, coordination and confidence. It’s critical for rapid recovery and return to work or sport.

5.     PT Improves Balance and Prevents Falls. For older adults or those with age associated weakness or balance disorders, PT offers customized exercises that improve stability, reduce fall risk and promote confidence. This is such an important aspect of PT that it is the theme of this year’s World Physical Therapy Day: “Healthy Aging, with a Focus on Preventing Falls and Frailty.”

“PT isn’t just for post-op recovery—it’s a proactive, noninvasive way to improve your quality of life at any age,” Dr. Swartzon says. “Whether you’re an athlete, a senior or someone recovering from injury, PT can be a powerful tool for long-term health and mobility.”

Click here to learn more about the services and specialists available at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.

Alex Mafdali, M.D., a primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.

Michael Swartzon, M.D., a primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care