Published last week: Part 1

Myth: Physical therapy is just a speed bump on my way to surgery.

Fact: Conservative care options should be exhausted before resorting to surgery. Many conditions can be treated and managed with physical therapy and rehabilitation instead of surgery, including rotator cuff tears and degenerative disk disease, to meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis. In many cases, physical therapy is more effective, and results in fewer side effects. If you have questions about whether physical therapy and rehabilitation might be appropriate for you, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor! Most doctors have great relationships with a number of physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists because they recognize its power to change people’s lives and outcomes.

Myth: Physical therapy hurts.

Fact: Physical Therapists and rehabilitation specialists work with their patients so you can heal, and restore your movement and function. A good therapist works within your pain threshold and your comfort zone, to help you achieve less pain over time. Being strong, stable, flexible, and healthy is much more likely to decrease your pain throughout your lifetime. And of course physical therapy and rehabilitation is usually less painful than alternatives such as chronic pain or surgery.

Myth: I don’t need a physical therapist, I can do it myself.

Fact: Even doctors and physical therapists still seek the guidance, support, and knowledge of skilled physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists when developing an individualized plan of care. We only have one body – utilize the resources available to you to make sure you have the safest and most effective plan of care for your needs. A good physical therapist is usually happy to talk with you about how you can do as much of your care from home or the gym as possible, whenever appropriate for your health condition. Many patients get the best results by skilled guidance in the clinic  to teach them the skills the need, coupled with excellent compliance with at-home exercises and maintenance care. This approach is great for patients who are motivated to take an active role in their own healing (and keep costs down), as well as disciplined enough to stick with their plan of care.

Absolute Wellness Center offers chiropractic medicine, sports medicine, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, and massage in Eugene, OR. To learn more, give us a call at 541-484-5777.

Original source available on MoveForwardPT.com by the American Physical Therapy Association