To PT or not to PT, that is the question. Physical therapy is a field of medicine with wide-ranging benefits. Most people associate the practice with recovery after an accident or surgery, but there are a host of other reasons to make an appointment. If you’re wondering whether PT is right for you, the answer is probably yes.
Following a Sports Injury
Whether your favorite activity is contact football or a leisurely game of golf, sports injuries are incredibly common. Sprains, fractures, breaks, pulled muscles, and misalignment are just a few examples. When a sports injury happens, your first course of action should be to evaluate whether you need a trip to your primary doctor, urgent care, or the ER. For injuries that require medical care, your provider will probably tell you whether PT is a good course of action. See your primary provider if the injury came with sharp, sudden pain that gets worse with movement, significant swelling, or an inability to move the injured area.
If you’ve cared for a less severe injury at home, however, you may be wondering whether PT would do any good. We recommend the R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compress, elevate) method for most injuries initially. However, to fully recover your strength and range of motion, we suggest coming in for an evaluation.
For Everyday Sports Activities
Taking advantage of PT doesn’t have to include injury at all. We take a holistic approach to care, which means we evaluate the whole person when establishing a treatment plan. You may be surprised at what’s holding you back from an extra dash of speed while running, height or distance while jumping, or strength while swinging a bat, racquet, or club.
PT can improve agility and range of motion, which provides increased rotation, balance, and core strength for the activities you enjoy most. If you’re thinking of giving up your game due to physical restrictions or you want to take your game to the next level, come in for some guidance.
Post Surgery
Depending on the type of surgery, your doctor may suggest, or even mandate, physical therapy as part of your rehabilitation. It’s an essential part of the process. If your doctor recommends it, don’t delay the process.
Post Cancer Treatment or Other Long-term Illness
Your body works hard recovering from illnesses. A chronic condition or long-term recovery from respiratory, cardiovascular, immune, or lymphatic ailments can also affect your musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Whether it’s a result of surgery, being bedridden, or overall weakness, we can help you rebuild your strength.
Pre Workouts
As mentioned above, PTs are a great resource if you’re looking to elevate your game. But we’re also here if you need help getting started on an exercise program. We can take a comprehensive analysis of your current biomechanics and guide you towards exercise activities that are right for you. Sometimes the fear of injury or setbacks can keep you from benefiting from workouts. At Encore, we can provide a safe environment to get you started while taking into consideration any restrictions you may have. Get a plan and get going!
When Evaluating Overall Physical Wellness Goals
Modern lifestyles aren’t exactly kind on the body. We sit at computers, lounge in front of the television, spend time in cars commuting, sit more during meetings and Zoom calls, etc. Maybe you’ve recently had a baby, experience occasional pain when performing everyday activities, or just aren’t feeling you’re at your optimal level of fitness; come see us. We will evaluate your gait and watch for limitations in your range of motion. This type of movement assessment allows us to discover issues that may be holding you back.
Chronic Pain
You may think there’s nothing you can do about chronic conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, or neck pain, but physical therapy can help. 
Mixed Salad of Other Issues
Beyond the basic muscular and skeletal issues, physical therapy can help with a myriad of other ailments you may have never considered. Give us a call if you’d like more information on treating depression and anxiety, nicotine cessation, headaches, vertigo, lymphedema, chronic fatigue, and pelvic floor issues, to name a few. If in doubt, give us a shout.