If you have pain, stiffness, or balance issues, or if you are recovering from an injury or surgery, you may be searching for help. Baton Rouge physical therapists provide a variety of therapies that help the musculoskeletal system. If you have never been to a physical therapist before, you may be wondering how one can help. There are numerous benefits of physical therapy, and it can help people feel and function better. However, not all physical therapists are the same, so there are some things to look for when finding the right one for your needs.
Why Having a Physical Therapist can be Beneficial
Some people reach for the medicine bottle when dealing with pain. However, pain medication just covers up symptoms and does not actually fix the problem. Physical therapy, on the other hand, finds the cause of the problem and works with the body to improve the issue.
People see top physical therapists near Baton Rouge, LA for a wide variety of things. Some of these include back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, muscle pains, pelvic floor dysfunction, shoulder injuries, balance issues, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Physical therapists use various treatment methods, which may include physical manipulation, exercises, massage, and stretching, over a series of sessions to improve the issue and prevent additional injuries.
Some of the benefits of physical therapy include:
- Chronic and acute pain management
- Increased range of motion
- Injury prevention
- Reduced dependence on pain medication
- Improved post-surgery recovery
- Injury recovery
- Better athletic performance
- Fall prevention
- Increased independence
- Better quality of life
- Improved balance and movement
How To Determine You Have Found the PT for You
When looking for the best physical therapists in Baton Rouge, there are a few things to be aware of. First of all, some have certain specialties, which means they have received knowledge and skills beyond what is taught in traditional PT school. If you are looking for something specific, like sports, pediatric, or pelvic floor PT, search for a therapist that has specialized in that area.
Another way to determine if you have found the right PT is if the therapist was thorough during the initial visit and uses a variety of therapies to help with your issue. During the initial visit, the physical therapist will ask you many questions about your complaint and what your goals are. The PT will also answer any questions you have, so do not be afraid to ask away.
After the initial intake, the physical therapist will then perform an exam that will test various things such as muscle movement, nerve function, reflexes, and balance. Upon completion, the PT will recommend the best treatment plan to reach full function.
You will also know that you have found the right physical therapist if he or she does not promise quick results. The goal of physical therapy is to fix the root of the problem, which may have been there for a long time. This means that a series of sessions will be necessary to not only heal the issue, but also get you out of pain and prevent future issues from occurring.
