Is Physical Therapy a Good Way to Prevent Injury?
Oftentimes we think of physical therapy as a reactive choice to being injured so that we can slowly help our body heal while also building back strength. However, understanding how physical therapy can actually prevent injury is an important aspect to the field itself.
With Spring right around the corner, many people tend to become more active than their winter activity levels which can lead to many injuries. Physical therapy is a great way to transition from winter to spring through multiple practices. Read more below about how physical therapy can help you prevent injury when you head out to enjoy the warmer spring weather.
1. Physical Therapy Can Help Detect Muscles Imbalances
With your physical therapist, you can find where your muscles have weakened and where others have simply maintained. Ensuring that you know how to recognize these things is of the utmost importance for preventing injury.
2. PT Can Strengthen Muscles After a Period of Inactivity in a Safe Way
When it comes to getting back in shape, making sure that you slowly integrate yourself back into an active lifestyle is integral for preventing injury. With physical therapy, you can do this in a targeted, healthy and most important, safe way. It helps you strengthen muscles that have since been “dormant,” allowing you to slowly get back in the hang of things.
3. Assess Posture With Physical Therapy
Did you know that bad posture leads to a lot of injury? We think it goes without saying that it could lead to back injuries but it can affect other areas of the body as well. Ensuring that you have good posture starts with having a strong core and with that strong core you can accomplish better form when exercising, thus preventing injury from practicing bad form.
4. Prepare for Pre/Post Surgery with Physical Therapy
Before and after a surgery, your body is already in a vulnerable position. With physical therapy, you can prevent a domino effect of injury, as one weakened body part can lead to over compensation in others which can cause quite the strain. Physical therapy can help you prevent this from happening, allowing you to get back to doing the things you love.
5. Improve Gait and Balance with Physical Therapy
As you build your posture, it’s easy to build your balance, as this goes back into building to strengthen your core. This is one of the many benefits to working with physical therapists, as often what you’re doing in physical therapy tends to improve multiple facts of your body. Having improved balance along with your improved posture is one of the most important ways to prevent injury.
<h4>Find a Physical Therapist</h4>Are you looking to run a 5k this spring? Interested in participating in anything physical activity that the Spring has to offer? Consider working with a physical therapist to help prepare your body for the extra physical efforts you’ll be putting in.
If you’re looking for a physical therapist, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Staats Physical Therapy and schedule an appointment today!