When someone gets injured, the timeline associated with it might look something like: injury, diagnosis, treatment, done. Once it’s fixed, the cycle is complete and life can go on as usual – but in a lot of cases, there’s one very important element missing from that series, and that is finishing the injury. 

It might sound a little silly when we say, “finish the injury!” But all too often, people try to return to the regular program without taking into account that their body can’t always maintain that scheduled normal. Finishing the injury out should end with physical therapy and a gradual return to normal activities; anything else could result in a re-injury or improper healing!

The Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy presents a lot of opportunity for growth and knowledge regarding your body, how it moves, and your personal limits. Besides being an integral step in the healing process, some other benefits of PT include:

• Improved Mobility and Balance

When PT exercises are completed correctly, you aren’t only re-strengthening to recover from an injury or procedure – you’re becoming stronger period. The exercises and bodily awareness that comes with physical therapy helps to improve overall mobility and a heightened sense of balance, which in turn can contribute to further injury prevention and pain relief. 

• Surgery and Prescription Drug Avoidance

Physical therapy isn’t always an after activity. It can be utilized as a front-line offense as a non-invasive treatment plan – especially as miiSpine utilizes surgery as a last resort, physical therapy is a very powerful tool in the toolbox! It's a pain management method and condition treatment all in one!

• Chronic Pain Management

A trained physical therapist can help mitigate chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or osteoporosis with exercises designed to target problem areas and loosen up joints by increasing mobility. Studies on those with chronic pain have reported that physical therapy has reduced the need for drugs related to chronic pain, and even if certain pain management drugs are used in tandem with PT, it can still improve quality of life!

• Fall and Injury Prevention

As a culmination of many of the previous benefits, fall and injury prevention comes with the increase in balance, mobility, strength, and bodily awareness – this can decrease the chance for re-injury as well as new injuries.

Is Physical Therapy Right for Every Injury?

Not every injury is prescribed physical therapy by the overseeing physician, especially if the institution doesn’t have an affiliated physical therapy branch. Many doctors have to take into account the fact that they don’t know if the patient has insurance to cover expenses or if the patient is interested in completing the cycle. This leads to the mention of physical therapy, or the suggestion, but many people perceive it as optional and choose not to pursue it.

When it comes to musculoskeletal injuries, especially spinal injuries, the impact that they have on critical systems and functions of the body leave very little room for error. The injuries and procedures that we specialize in here at miiSpine are so movement-centered that some require physical therapy to help the body relearn how to function, but almost all would benefit from physical therapy. This makes PT medically-necessary in most cases, and that gives you the added benefit of it being covered by most insurers!

Where Can I Find Physical Therapy?

miiSpine has recently partnered with ProRehab to bring a physical therapy branch to our patients! For back, neck, and hip pain that originates from conditions of the spine, physical therapy at miiSpine is a convenient, specialized option with plans that are curated specifically to you and your spinal pain. 

The therapist at our new clinic has been treating PT patients with manual therapy for over 20 years. He’ll  work alongside you to establish a relationship and uniquely-tailored treatment plan, focusing on pain outcomes, treatment goals, and intervention needs by applying his advanced training in treating:

• Complex Pain Conditions
• Chronic Pain
• Vestibular Rehab (treatment of vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders)
• Concussions
• Orthopedic Injuries

We want to integrate experienced rehabilitation techniques for care beyond the procedures we currently offer, and physical therapy is one great way to do that. Visit our website or give us a call to discuss potential miiSpine PT options!

If you are experiencing back or neck pain and are concerned that you may be suffering from a herniated disc or some other medical condition, you may benefit from finding an innovative spine physician. Dr. Venu Vemuri at miiSpine is an award-winning doctor focused on providing a comprehensive treatment approach towards all types of back conditions and pain. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call the Louisville, Kentucky miiSpine office today at (502) 242-6370.