National Physical Therapy Month

This October, Island Sports Physical Therapy urges you to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month! This month’s goal is to spread awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy and how it can help those suffering from chronic pain avoid taking medications or getting extensive surgeries. People who suffer from injuries or chronic pain often consider medications and surgery as the best options, but physical therapy can often be more effective in treating their pain. National Physical Therapy month is recognized as a way to inform more people about the many benefits of opting for physical therapy as opposed to other unnecessary treatment options. Additionally, this month celebrates the hard work that physical therapists do for those in pain all across the nation. 

In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, we want to highlight some of the benefits that can result from physical therapy. Many of these benefits can only be obtained through physical therapy, as opposed to other options. Among the many benefits of physical therapy are: 

• Avoiding surgery: Although surgery is often unavoidable, physical therapy can, in some cases, help you avoid surgery. Physical therapy helps to eliminate pain, prevent further injury, assist in healing, and improve your overall physical health. Physical therapy can also heal injured tissues, preventing you from going under the knife. Even if you have surgery, physical therapy can help you recover and become active again.

• Natural pain relief: Physical therapy is a natural alternative to pain relief, unlike many opioids or pain-relieving medications that can become addicting. People who experience pain also take anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers because it is believed to be the least intrusive approach. However, physical therapists can help you locate the source and cause of your pain. Physical therapists can show you several exercises that can help you mobilize your joints and muscles.

• Preventing future injury: Physical therapists assess your weaknesses during each session. By doing this, physical therapists can create an exercise plan that’s tailored to your needs. As they analyze your weaknesses, a physical therapist can predict how likely you will be prone to injury and where the injury is likely to occur. 

• Improved athletic performance: Physical therapy can improve your performance while playing sports. Aside from providing pain relief for athletes, physical therapy can increase your muscle strength and endurance. Physical therapy can also improve mobility, balance, flexibility, and circulation in the body. 

With all of the benefits associated with Physical Therapy, it is no surprise that there is an entire month dedicated to the craft. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we will be celebrating physical therapy this month and beyond, and we hope that you will too!