Physical therapy is a combination of exercises, stretches and movements that’ll increase your strength, flexibility and mobility to help you move safely and more confidently.
Overview
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy is treatment that helps you improve how your body performs physical movements. It can be part of a generalized pain management plan or a specific treatment for an injury or health condition. It’s common to need physical therapy after many types of surgery, too. You might also need physical therapy to help prevent injuries before they happen.
You’ll work with a physical therapist — a healthcare provider who’ll make sure you’re safe during your therapy.
How long you’ll need physical therapy depends on which injuries or health conditions you have and which area of your body needs help moving better. Some people only need a few weeks of physical therapy to help with a short-term issue. Others need it for months or years to manage symptoms of a chronic (long-term) condition.
What does physical therapy treat?
Most people start physical therapy after a healthcare provider diagnoses an injury or condition. Examples include:
- Sports injuries
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinopathy (including tendinitis)
- Rotator cuff tears
- Knee ligament injuries (like ACL tears)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Concussions
- Strokes
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
You might need physical therapy to manage a chronic condition, including:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cystic fibrosis
What are the types of physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a combination of hands-on techniques (a therapist moving part of your body) and exercises or movements you perform with a physical therapist’s supervision. Physical therapy can include:
- Stretching.
- Strength training (with or without weights or exercise equipment).
- Massage.
- Heat or cold therapy.
- Hydrotherapy
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Physical therapy is usually an outpatient treatment, which means you aren’t staying in a hospital or healthcare facility while you do it. You might start therapy if you’re staying in the hospital after an injury or surgery then continue it after you go home.
Depending on where you live and which type of physical therapy you need, you might do your therapy at a specialized clinic, in the hospital or even in your own home. You might be able to do physical therapy with a virtual visit, either on a video call or over the phone (telehealth).
What are the benefits of physical therapy?
Physical therapy can work on any system in your body that controls your movement, including your:
- Musculoskeletal system
- Nervous system
- Cardiopulmonary system.
- Integumentary system
Physical therapy can strengthen parts of your body throughout any of these systems, including your:
- Muscles
- Bones
- Joints
- Heart
- Lungs
- Brain (including your nerves and the ways they deliver messages to other parts of your body).
- Skin and how you touch and feel objects.
What are the risks of physical therapy?
Physical therapy is very safe and effective. Like with any physical activity, you’ll have a small injury risk – including aggravating an existing injury. Talk to your physical therapist about how to do all your exercises and movements safely – especially if you’re planning on doing physical therapy at home or without supervision between appointments.
Is physical therapy worth it?
It might not be easy (especially at first), but physical therapy is definitely worth it. You might feel stressed, tired or exhausted after a physical therapy session. These feelings are valid and normal. Your physical therapist will help you set realistic goals and expectations.
Your strength, flexibility and mobility will improve over time. You might feel like physical therapy isn’t working right away. But stick with it.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Visit a healthcare provider if you notice new or worsening symptoms. Tell your physical therapist if any part of your physical therapy seems too hard or too easy. They can adjust your treatment plan as you make progress.
