You’re getting dressed in the morning, something you’ve done every day of your waking life, and all of the sudden it hurts to:
- Put on a shirt and get dressed while reaching behind your back.
- Lift a cup to drink
- Put on a seatbelt or hold the steering wheel when driving
- Getting in and out of a car
- Pain trying to fall asleep or waking up from pain
- Walk up or down steps
There are options available; some short term with short term results, or those that take longer but have lasting results and improved quality of life.
Who is Physical Therapy Right for?
People have pain or get injured for many varying reasons aside from a traumatic event. In Physical Therapy we treat anyone and everyone from all aspects of life. We are able to treat the young adolescent who was injured playing outside to a high level athlete, and as well someone with degenerative changes related to aging with a joint replacement.
Reason for Strengthening as Treatment for Injuries and Degenerative Pain
One of the prevailing reasons or factors lending to those life disrupting things is a deficit in strength regarding the supporting structures where having pain occurs. Research has shown a significant increase in degenerative pain due to lack of strengthening and stability in aging populations as people are living longer with better quality of life.
One of the best methods to reduce joint pain or instability, which in turn leads to pain or other symptoms of discomfort, is strengthening.
The role of Physical Therapy is huge as we focus on increasing strength around joints that may not have the cartilage (cushion) it once had to prevent pain with lasting results. PT will teach to stabilize and improve incorrect movement patterns and dyskinesia causing pain. Physical Therapy helps to stabilize and improve the alignment needed throughout the body for pain reduction throughout the day in a controlled environment.
If the alignment in your car is bad, the tires wear. If you replace the tires without fixing the mechanical issue (Lack of strength and stability) you will inevitably end up having to continue to replace the tires. Fix the alignment (Strength) and the problem now has a long term solution and the tires last a lot longer!
By: Noble Smith, PTA
To schedule an evaluation give our office a call at, 703-450-4300!
CLICK HERE to learn more about physical therapy!
