Physical therapy is an incredibly useful tool for reducing pain, increasing range of motion, healing injuries, and relieving chronic conditions. But while it's meant to make you feel better, physical therapy treatments and exercises can have some side effects. During treatment for your injury or condition, your physical therapist may need to move your body (or ask you to move it) in a way that causes some pain, either during or after the session. As you progress through your treatment plan, you may experience more pain as you work harder.
Your therapist can recommend pain relief options and help you determine how much pain is normal. If your back hurts after physical therapy, it may be due to the strain of treatment, as your back is connected to most other parts of the body. If the pain has increased rather than eased, talk to your therapist. Swelling can be the body's response to challenging movements or efforts, so you may notice some swelling in the areas of the body that were treated during the session. Talk to your therapist about ways to address it (such as alternating hot and cold compresses).
Feeling pain can cause anxiety, as can anticipating pain. A qualified physical therapist will talk to you about your treatment openly and patiently, so that you understand what is going to happen and have a clear idea of why they ask you to perform various movements and exercises, which can ease your feelings of anxiety. Stay active between appointments by doing the exercises assigned by the physical therapist, as well as other gentle movements such as stretching and walking. If you move your body regularly, physical therapy won't surprise you and then you'll feel less pain and fatigue. As mentioned earlier, some pain and tenderness are typical after physical therapy.
But if you're normally a little sore and this time you're in agony, be sure to tell your physical therapist and contact your doctor if necessary. Physical therapy can cause some expected side effects such as fatigue, tenderness, and even muscle pain. While it's normal to experience these sensations during treatment sessions which involve mobilizing and strengthening the affected area, they can cause a little more discomfort than usual after each session. Worsening of pre-existing conditions is also possible if physical therapy isn't successful in restoring or improving normal body functions such as strength, mobility, and flexibility. When the patient is consistent with physical therapy and follows recommended guidelines, exercises, and other techniques it can help prevent the problem from progressively worsening or recurring. A physical therapy session can also include using an exercise bike or treadmill, strength exercises with weights or bands, or exercising in a pool to reduce the impact.
This is the same type of beneficial discomfort you may experience after a good workout or new physical activity. While pediatric physical therapists can treat most conditions related to children's movement problems, some specialize in sports physical therapy also called sports physical therapy. With successful physical therapy patients typically have greater independence less pain and fewer challenges with sports exercise and daily activities. A professional physical therapist, also called a physical therapist will evaluate your condition your symptoms your balance your range of motion or your ability to perform activities of daily living. In these cases a physical therapist will develop a plan for you to do it at home on a regular basis to minimize office visits. Be sure to talk openly with your physical therapist about any pain you're experiencing or any questions you have about proper exercise or home care techniques. Physical therapy uses a variety of movements exercises and stretches depending on the part of the body and the condition being treated.
One of the great advantages of physical therapy is the presence of numerous approaches and treatments to address a wide range of ailments. You may feel pain during physical therapy and this is usually a sign that your body isn't ready for that level of movement yet. Helping your body heal from an injury or cope with a chronic illness is a daunting task so keep in mind that some side effects are normal but you should always ask your physical therapist any questions. Starting physical therapy as soon as it's safe to do so often increases the chance of a successful recovery. Your physical therapist can help you evaluate the pain you're feeling and find solutions to help you heal.
