There are many out there and maybe some reading who do not know what a physical therapist does or even why one may need to see one. Even those who have been to PT may have varied opinions on exactly what it is a PT does. I often find my self explaining what I do and how I help people (even my own mother). So I felt it worth my time to write about the Top 3 Reasons one may wish or need to see a PT.

The #1 reason people tell me they come to PT is because of PAIN. Many answer that 1st question of why they came to PT with pain. Sharp, dull, aching, nagging, or some other descriptor is used to describe what they feel. For me though, it is the what a person is unable to do because of the pain that is more important (more on this later). Most people associate physical therapy with pain more than anything else. A common misconception is we only work with athletes or “old” people in pain. This is not true. We work with individuals of any age suffering with pain.

A 2nd reason people find their way to PT is the loss of ability mentioned above. When a person becomes unable to participate in (name the activity) they begin to seek ways to regain it. This question is typically one of the first few asked after meeting a new client. Learning about their goals and desires sets the stage for the rest of the encounter. This loss of function is and will remain a major goal to achieve for any person I work with.

Finally, the 3rd reason someone chooses PT is to prevent loss of function. Say what? Yes, taking pre-emptive steps to address small issues before they become bigger is a huge reason someone chooses PT. More times than I can count, people tell me they are looking for ways to MAINTAIN a certain level of function. They wish to continue with an active lifestyle and are willing to take steps to achieve this.

The most important thing to take away is…if you are having issues with mobility, pain, or the ability to be active in life as desired, then PHYSICAL THERAPY IS FOR YOU. Do not spend another day wondering what life would be like again without pain. Or what would life be like if you could do everything like you could 5 years ago…

This is possible and learning to how feel better is only 1 call away (717-440-6197). If you are still unsure if your problem can be helped, CLICK HERE to learn more about how PT can help.