Everyone on the planet by now knows that physical therapy exists. We all have that relative who at
Thanksgiving Dinner tells everyone about his sciatica and how great his PT is going! People just love
their Physical Therapist and for good reason. Here’s the facts though: not everyone knows exactly
what we do or more specifically when to utilize us. For some reason, physical therapy is just
something that seems to happen to people. That’s where this article comes in handy! We aim to
intentionally awaken the collective awareness in the world of just how useful, efficient, and
amazing we are as a profession. The best way to push PT to the top of our community members’
minds is to educate- so here it goes… here are 5 occasions where PT is the RIGHT CHOICE for
everyone!
1. During the early (acute) stages of pain or injury
Did you know that Physical Therapists are the front-line, primary care clinicians for the U.S.
Military? That’s correct, The United States Army trusts Physical therapists (DPTS) as the first line
of treatment for our men and women in uniform when they are in pain or injured in training or in
battle. So why isn’t PT your first response when pain or injury strikes?
Many people are unaware that physical therapy can be the first line of treatment for common
injuries like muscle strains (e.g., hamstring or calf strain), ankle sprains, recent onset of tendonitis
(e.g., tennis elbow or Achilles tendonitis), and acute and sharp back spasms, as well as for
radiating pain. Even that sudden knee or shoulder pain that slows you down and won’t seem to go
away can be addressed by a PT first. Choosing PT first for any of these conditions is not only proven
safe and effective but can also save you both time and money by avoiding unnecessary medical
visits, interventions, and even surgery, while helping you get on the road to recover faster and
prevent future injury.
Getting PT first, rather than seeing a medical doctor for your acute condition can promote quicker
healing by improving circulation, tissue protection, provide safeguard against complications such
as muscle weakness or joint stiffness following the onset of pain. PTs provide education on proper
body mechanics to prevent re-injury, flare-ups, and help you function around the injury.
At ProMet Physical Therapy, we create personalized plans that focus on reducing pain,
inflammation, early mobilization/ immobilization, depending on the issue, while beginning to
restore or at least preserve function from day one. Should you need further or immediate medical
attention, we have an upper echelon network of trusted and esteemed medical doctors who we are
always ready to refer you to, fast.
2. Managing Chronic Conditions
For individuals dealing with long-term, ongoing issues like joint arthritis, tendinosis, severe and
debilitating chronic low back or neck pain, outpatient orthopedic physical therapy offers muchneeded relief and can provide long-term management strategies built to improve quality of life.
Chronic condition management with physical therapy focuses on improving mobility, maintaining
and solidifying optimal range of motion in severely painful and awfully creaky knees, shoulders, and
spines. Strengthening the muscles around problematic areas to support and protect them,
educating patients on effects of poor posture, movement, and daily habits that can minimize pain
and flare-ups.
With consistent and often sub-maximal effort therapy, patients report a reduction in pain, improved
function, and a better quality of life. At ProMet, our team understands that chronic conditions
require patience, persistence, and a comprehensive approach that evolves with your needs.
3. Pre-hab: Preparing Your Body Before Surgery
Pre-habilitation, or Pre-hab, involves engaging in physical therapy before a major surgery (like a
joint replacement, ACL reconstruction or rotator cuff repair). We can’t fix the tissue, but we can
help your body prepare for the surgery ahead, by strengthening muscles affected by and
surrounding the area of trauma, improving range of motion, addressing any muscle imbalances or
weaknesses ahead of time, and learning how to keep moving, which can significantly improve your
outcome afterward.
Benefits of Pre-hab include:
• Faster post-op recovery: Research shows that patients who undergo pre-hab often
experience shorter recovery times and regain function more quickly after surgery.
• Surgery prevention: By utilizing physical therapy before surgery, we have helped countless
individuals avoid it altogether.
Regardless, proper prehab prepares your body for what’s ahead, ensuring that you’re in the best
possible shape to recover efficiently.
4. Following Surgery
Post-surgical recovery is one of the most well-known uses of outpatient physical therapy. After
undergoing surgery for a labral repair, total hip replacement, or cervical/lumbar fusion, your body
needs expert guidance to protect the surgically repaired tissue and begin to regain full function.
Post-surgical physical therapy focuses on restoring movement, mobility, strength, and stability in a
controlled, safe manner, under professional guidance, reducing scar tissue formation and avoiding
joint stiffness, a killer side-effect of poor post-surgical rehabilitation.
One of the greatest joys of our profession is contributing to the post-surgical patient’s transition
from day one, and the satisfaction of seeing them through to full functional recovery and beyond.
Our Doctors of PT also know and work directly with your surgical team to ensure a seamless
recovery process.
5. Recovery After Training or an Athletic Event
Athletes at all levels often push their bodies to the limit. Whether it’s after a long race, an intense
Crossfit training session, ju-jitsu match or a day on the baseball diamond, physical therapy can and
should play a critical role in your recovery.
Post-event recovery therapy will accelerate and restore muscle function by increasing blood flow
and reducing soreness and can even prevent the onset of overuse injuries by identifying muscle
imbalances, biomechanical faults, and any kinks in the athlete’s proverbial armor.
Safeguard your athletic performance and ensure success through progressive movement
assessments, receive hands-on flexibility, soft tissue techniques, compression therapy, red-light
sauna, cupping, electric stimulation, one-one-one and group training sessions and experience the
ultimate personalized recovery experience. We have been creating specialized recovery programs
tailored to athletes for the last 18 years. Just ask the dozens of local athletic programs why they
choose ProMet PT over the last 18 years to ensure that their athletes stay on the field, reduce risk of
injury, and perform at elite levels.
Choose PT First & Take the First Step
At ProMet Physical Therapy, we provide individualized care that gets to the source of your problem,
regardless of the stage of your journey you may be—whether you’re experiencing an acute injury,
managing a chronic condition, healing after or avoiding surgery, or looking to optimize your athletic
performance, our expert team creates customized plans to address your unique needs and achieve
lasting results.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take control of your recovery and make the RIGHT
CHOICE- Choose Physical Therapy, Chose ProMet!
Ready to Book Your Appointment Now?
