Physical therapy is typically viewed as a treatment that helps people recover from traumatic events, surgeries, and sports injuries. However, physical therapy can also help treat a wide range of problems in people of all ages. A physical therapist can help improve your daily life and increase your body’s range of motion. 

If you’re still unsure whether physical therapy is a proper solution to your problems, here are five signs that indicate you may need the help of a physical therapy specialist. 

1. You’re experiencing sharp pain  
If you experience pain in your back, neck, or joints that stems from sitting in an office chair, training in the gym, or doing other daily tasks, you should consider reaching out to a PT specialist. A physical therapist will determine the proper cause of your problem and help alleviate the soreness and discomfort. They can also provide you with a movement plan aimed at promoting your strength and healing.  

2. You’re about to have surgery  
Considering undergoing surgery anytime soon? There’s no reason to wait until the surgery to benefit from physical therapy treatment. Undergoing physical therapy before surgery can help prepare you for the treatment you’re about to be given. Physical therapy is a popular solution for those hoping to avoid surgical treatment altogether. Pre-habilitation is appreciated for increasing the chances of positive surgical outcomes, shortening the hospitalization period, and reducing the risk of postoperative side effects. It will help prepare your body for invasive treatment and shorten the recovery time.  

3. You have past injuries or experience frequent injuries
Do you still experience pain or discomfort from a past injury? Or maybe you struggle with frequent injuries and now consider quitting participating in your favorite kind of sport? Or you’ve suffered a fall and want to ensure it won’t happen again? A physical therapy specialist can work with you to prevent these injuries in the first place and help determine what’s hampering you from healing properly. Physical therapists are professionally trained to identify the cause of your injury by taking a whole-body approach to injury evaluation and treatment. 

4. You’re pregnant or just had a baby  
Pregnancy causes lots of changes in your body including increased workload from any physical activity and sudden weight gain. A physical therapy specialist can help you during your pregnancy by guiding you through healthy exercises and functional movement. After your delivery, physical therapy can help in retraining your body. Restore strength, enhance function, and stay active throughout your pregnancy to be able to properly care for your newborn baby and return to everyday tasks.   

5. You have to change the way you go about your daily life 
Do you experience general discomfort during your daily activities? Do you work from home and experience neck or back pains? A physical therapist is equipped to help set up a proper ergonomic workstation that will stimulate correct posture and alleviate soreness and discomfort. A physical therapy specialist can create a treatment plan to help you overcome any obstacles that hold you back from your favorite activities. 

The bottom line 
Consider reaching a physical therapy specialist if you experience spinal pain caused by daily activities or suffer from pains due to an old or new injury. Physical therapy can also be beneficial for people who are about to have surgery. And it can also help you avoid the surgery altogether by reversing certain conditions or stopping them from progressing. Undergoing physical therapy treatment can help prepare your body for the demanding event of delivering a baby, and physical exercises during pregnancy can help in recovery after delivery.