Choose More Movement. Choose Better Health. Choose Physical Therapy.

Written By Brenda Williams, Newberry Hospital

October is National Physical Therapy Month

Painful achy joints? Chronic back pain? Painful shoulders? Sports injury? Stroke? Weakness that makes it difficult to get out of a chair or carry your groceries? Long-term illness that zapped your endurance? Choose Physical Therapy!

Physical Therapists (PTs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) are experts in movement and movement dysfunctions. Therapists are licensed healthcare providers who play a critical role in identifying underlying limitations that may result in future injury, loss of function, or pain with mobility.

Each body is an intricately woven network that includes a skeletal frame, soft tissues that bind the frame together and electrical circuits that spark muscle activity, allowing us to function in our environments. When there is disruption to any of the pieces, our bodies learn to compensate and problems develop. It is the role of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants to identify and address the factors contributing to the injury, or risk of injury. Therapists aim to educate, empower and improve function in every patient they encounter.

“I thought it would get better in time.” “I was given medicine, but it doesn’t really help.” “I had x-rays and an MRI but it didn’t find anything.” If this sounds familiar, you probably felt quite discouraged. Wondering, “if they can’t find anything, am I going to have to live like this forever?” “Maybe another doctor will see something they missed?” Maybe the answer is Physical Therapy! All too often, imaging yields little information and even when conditions are identified, such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease, most are not appropriate for surgery. The physician may prescribe medication to assist with the symptoms, but the greatest need is not a pill. Your body wants to heal itself, it just needs guidance. That is where therapy shines.

Therapists will assess and address the whole picture, as we recognize that most pain provoking conditions are the result of chronic imbalance. Humans are creatures of habit. We move in nearly the same patterns every day. We tend to favor one side over another, load and unload dishwashers and washing machines the same each time. We tend to carry children or pocketbooks on the same side, have preferred sleeping positions and favorite spots on the couch. We create our own imbalance without even knowing it! These habitual patterns lead to shortening of muscles on one side of the body, while the opposite side becomes stretched. When this happens from left to right and front to back, our joints, discs and bones begin to experience greater compression and strain, which creates a cascade of inflammation, pain and compensation.

Instead of allowing pain and imbalance to control your life and limit participation in the activities you love most, try physical therapy. Many insurance companies recognize the value of PT, encouraging their members to participate in physical therapy before costly visits tests and office visits. Direct Access, or self-referrals, are approved under the state of South Carolina’s governing body, which can be found in the state Practice Act. This recognizes that Physical Therapists can evaluate and treat patients for 30- days without requiring a physician referral. If your therapist has concerns that your symptoms are not appropriate for physical therapy or there may be another condition at play, they will direct you to see your physician. However, most mobility impairments will significantly benefit from skilled therapy and improve considerably within 30 days. If additional therapy is needed beyond 30-days, a signed referral from a physician will enable continuation of services without interruption in care.

What are you missing out on? Throwing a ball with your children, playing on the floor with your grandkids, hiking, fishing, working, taking care of your home or simply walking? Choose to take an active role in your recovery. Choose strength, mobility and peace of mind. Find value in caring for yourself so you can better care for those you love. Choose Physical Therapy- we are always eager to help!