The curative concepts involved in physical therapy have been around since 500 BC but it’s important to note that the rapid advancements within our healthcare sector have been able to significantly enhance the efficacy of modernised physiotherapy programs. As such, this curative medical discipline has transformed into the foremost remedial option for Canadians during the past 15 years.
1. Substantial Reduction in Pains and Aches
Each year, approximately 40% of Canadians will develop a musculoskeletal condition that persists for more than 10 weeks and many of these individuals instinctively turn towards prescription medications and pharmaceutical drugs to find reprieve. However, this merely masks the issue and actually puts you at greater risk of exacerbating the injury or disorder in question, which is exactly where physiotherapy comes into play.
By utilising a vast array of personalised exercises, muscular manipulations, and joint mobilisation techniques, today’s best-rated physical therapists can unlock your body’s restorative capabilities, which effectively mollifies inflammation and nerve-related pain. As a matter of fact, seven out of every 10 physical therapy patients are able to experience “considerable improvements with regard to chronic pain, range of motion, and musculoskeletal aches” in as little as two weeks.
2. Avoid Surgeries and Invasive Procedures
In most cases, musculoskeletal surgeries are performed to aid the body’s natural healing process by mending and strengthening various tendons, ligaments, and muscles but it’s worth mentioning that fact that targeted physical therapy can improve healing times by more than 50%.
In addition to the myriad of exercises, stretches, and reflexologies in your program, your specialist will also utilise ultrasound devices, electrical stimulation, and other non-invasive apparatus to regenerate your muscular fibres and alleviate the development of scar tissue.
3. Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility
One of the founding principles of physiotherapy revolves around the prevention of mechanical injuries through tailored physical isometrics, which is an integral part of any type of physical therapy regimen. Your therapist will help you perform specific manoeuvres and vestibular techniques to augment the elasticity and tractability of your joints, tendons, and ligaments, which will naturally reduce the risk of sustaining injuries, strains, and stress fractures during your day-to-day activities.
4. Indirect Exercise and Weight Management
According to a recent study, only about 15% of Canadians meet the recommended amount of exercise each week, which is particularly problematic when taking into account the fact that your physical fitness levels are directly correlated to the likelihood of developing musculoskeletal disorders. In this regard, physiotherapy provides an accessible alternative to overstraining yourself in the gym or hiring a personal trainer.
You’ll be able to engage in low-impact aquatic therapies, non-weight-bearing treadmill routines, and directed traction training to reduce the pressure on your joints without sacrificing the calorie-burning advantages of habitual exercise. These strategies will allow you to increase your heart rate, shed fatty adipose tissue, and improve your muscular strength while simultaneously boosting the inherent fortitude of your entire musculoskeletal system.
The typical outpatient physical therapy course is generally less than 10 sessions and many of your local specialists can tailor schedules to account for your lifestyle. Be sure to visit a local therapist as soon as possible. The results are near-immediate and you’ll be able to re-establish a healthy lifestyle without spending a fortune along the way.
