Why Physical Therapy

A physical therapist is a licensed medical professional with doctorate-level training to identify and treat common musculoskeletal (muscle, bone, tendon, ligament, nerve) pain. They can treat all joints of the body including the spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Physical therapy is a crucial medical service for the successful management of surgical and non-surgical injuries.

Physical therapy can help an individual avoid surgery and prescription medication for their injuries. Literature shows physical therapy can be just as effective as surgery for a variety of injuries. Studies have also shown physical therapy can help patients decrease the need for prescription medications and avoid dependency on medications such as opioids.

The opioid epidemic has plagued our nation and especially lower-income communities. Physical therapy has been shown to decrease the need for prescription medications and can prevent opioid addiction. New regulations have decreased the prevalence of opioid usage; however, it continues to be a serious problem in the United States with more than 70,000 people dying from overdose and 1.6 million people developing addiction in 2019.

Physical therapists are highly-skilled licensed medical professionals who can treat a variety of injuries and patient populations. Physical therapists can successfully treat a spectrum of patients from geriatric to highly athletic individuals.