Physical Therapy Misconceptions

February 18, 2022

If you need to rehabilitate an injury or recover from surgery, you expect physical therapy to be in your treatment mix. And you might have some very specific ideas about how that part of recovery is going to go. This article explores what physical therapy is and isn’t as well as all the ways it can be used for pain management and more.

Find out what misconceptions you have about physical therapy, and also about what you can say, “I told you so.”

3 Ways Physical Therapy Gets Put in a Box

Enduring pre-conceived notions about physical therapy can create roadblocks for people whose quality of life could greatly benefit from it. Take a look at the following misconceptions you might share about treatment.

MISCONCEPTION #1
Chronic pain can only be corrected by surgery
If you’re living with chronic pain, you may think it can only be improved with surgery. The good news is you have other options. While, yes, surgery is required sometimes, chronic pain can be helped with non-invasive procedures and physical therapy. A Beacon specialist will work with you to determine how physical therapy can play a role in your individual care plan.

MISCONCEPTION #2
Physical therapy is painful but starts working immediately
It is accurate that physical therapy focuses on areas where there is already pain, so it can seem like it causes pain. However, the truth is that you’re working through the pain of an injury, but it should not exacerbate existing pain or cause new pain. Immediately let your physical therapist know if those things are happening. And you’ll have plenty of time to let them know because recovery does not happen overnight. The length of time you’ll need physical therapy depends on your unique situation and how much you adhere to your prescribed program.

MISCONCEPTION #3
Surgery and injuries are the only reasons for physical therapy
Anyone experiencing a broad array of musculoskeletal problems (e.g. arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, herniated disc, etc.) can benefit from seeing a physical therapist. Even without an injury, a physical therapist can teach you strategies and proper movement patterns to help minimize injury risk.

What to Expect from Physical Therapy

If you’re getting ready to embark on a physical therapy journey, it may help to know what to anticipate for your treatment. To start, your physical therapist will assess your condition and customize a therapy program to fit your needs. It will aim to reduce or eliminate pain as well as restore your range of motion.

Physical therapy treatment typically includes strengthening exercises, stretches, and even massage. In addition to improving your strength and flexibility, your physical therapist will educate you on changes you can make in how you move doing relevant activities.

Ready to Address Chronic Pain?

If you’d like to know how physical therapy and how our specialists at Beacon can help you return to wellness, schedule an appointment today.