How Soon Should You Start Physical Therapy For An Injury?
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Fortunately, not every injury requires physical therapy. For those that do, however, early treatment can play a major role in the patient’s long-term health. At BHFS Medical in Lewisville, TX, our expert team of providers understands the importance of physical therapy for restoring your health, strength, and function after certain injuries. Keep reading to learn more about what kinds of injuries may require physical therapy, how PT works, and when you should begin PT for your injury.
Do I need physical therapy for my injury?
Without a doubt, the best way to determine whether or not you could benefit from physical therapy for an injury is to be evaluated by a knowledgeable and experienced provider. Based on a number of individual factors, your provider will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment or therapy for you. These may include:
- Type of injury
- Severity of injury
- When the injury occurred
- Patient’s overall health
Generally speaking, patients with the following injuries or ailments often benefit from physical therapy:
- Knee injury
- Sprained ankle
- Bone fracture
- Shoulder injury
- Neck injury
- Back/spinal cord injury
- Torn ligament or tendon
- Sports injury
- Pinched nerve
Physical therapy is also frequently used to help patients recover and rehabilitate after certain surgeries, including joint replacement.
When should I start physical therapy after an injury?
By starting proper physical therapy as soon as it is safe and possible after an injury occurs, patients can dramatically reduce their risk of further complications and, in some cases, even speed up their recovery period. Based on the nature and severity of your injury, our knowledgeable team will recommend a customized treatment schedule for you. If appropriate, physical therapy may begin as soon as a few days after the injury is sustained. For patients who delay physical therapy, their injuries and symptoms often become worse and may be more difficult and/or more expensive to treat. In fact, patients can experience permanent nerve damage, reduced range of motion, and other complications when physical therapy is delayed or declined.
What to expect during a physical therapy appointment
Because each patient and injury is unique, our team customizes every physical therapy treatment plan. Some of the tools and techniques most frequently used during physical therapy for an injury include:
- Ice and heat
- Massage
- Ultrasound technology
- Laser technology
Additionally, patients may be given certain exercises to perform at home between PT appointments.
How long does PT last for an injury?
Depending on your injury, your overall health, when PT is started, and other factors, your therapy course may last anywhere from a few weeks to well over a year. In many cases, patients who begin physical therapy as soon as possible after an injury enjoy a quicker recovery and shorter treatment course compared with patients who delay physical therapy.
Get back to your favorite activities sooner with physical therapy in North Dallas
At BHFS Medical, our caring team shares in patients’ desires to recover from an injury and resume their everyday routines as soon as possible. By starting physical therapy early after an injury, many patients are able to restore normal function and return to their normal lives sooner than expected. To learn more about the importance of physical therapy in the Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, and McKinney areas, call to schedule your consultation with one of our experienced providers today.