How Physical Therapy Can Assist You In Healing From Your Back Injury
If you injure your back — something nearly 80% of individuals will do at some point in their lives — you can feel helpless and unable to do many of the things you used to do. If your goal is to get back to work and fun quickly so you can continue your life as you're used to, then a chiropractor can help by recommending physical therapy.
A primary reason for seeing a chiropractor in the first place is back pain, so when you go to see your own chiropractor, you might be surprised to learn that they can recommend physical therapy in addition to the adjustments they can do to your body. If you want to be back to your normal self again, consider physical therapy. Here are some reasons why.
You won't be letting your muscles and joints be sedentary
Activity can greatly help you recover after a back injury. You have to move your body in order to help it heal and retain its normal range of motion, or get close to a normal range of motion again. Your physical therapist will assist you in this effort by introducing you to physical therapy activities that you can do both with them and at home, within reason.
Your muscles and joints will remain in gentle motion and your spine and other bones can be adjusted as you heal. This can help accelerate your healing process and make your spine stronger than ever. Being in motion also helps you feel more in control while you heal from your back injury, making physical therapy as good for your mental health as it is for your physical health.
You won't leave your back weak for further injury
Physical therapy isn't just for helping you feel stronger while you heal from injury, it's designed to reinforce your body so you can help prevent your body from experiencing the same injury or a similar one in the future. To keep more back pain and injury at bay, you have to do exercises that will stretch and strengthen your spine, and physical therapy can accomplish this goal easily.
You may undergo physical therapy sessions for as long as your chiropractor suggests, even if your back is fully healed. Continue getting adjustments after you have healed and no longer need physical therapy, and continue your physical therapy sessions even if you begin to feel better before your sessions have been completed. Your physical therapist will give you a list of sessions and stretches you can do at home while you heal from your back injury.
