5 Benefits of Physical Therapy

As movement experts, physical therapists and physical therapy assistants help maximize a patient’s quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. Working with people of all ages and abilities in a variety of settings, they help patients rehabilitate from devastating injuries, manage chronic conditions, avoid surgery and prescription drugs, and create healthy habits. Here are 5 benefits of physical therapy:

1. It maximizes movement. Physical therapists can identify, diagnose, and treat movement problems. Pain-free movement is crucial for a high quality of life, an ability to earn a living, and personal independence.

2. It offers individualized care. Physical therapists design treatment plans for each patient’s personal needs, challenges, and goals. Physical therapy improves mobility, manages pain and other chronic conditions, aids in injury recovery, and prevents future injury and chronic disease. At Morrison Community Hospital, two Doctors of Physical Therapy, Rebecca Palarz and Logan Frame, have joined Pedro (Peter) Becerra, also a DPT, to provide inpatient and outpatient care. Although direct-access insurance plans differ, you don’t need a physician’s referral to make an appointment with a PT for an evaluation.

3. Patients participate in their own recovery. PTs and PTAs empower patients to be active participants in their care. They also collaborate with other health professionals to ensure patients receive the best care possible.

4. Opioids can be avoided. The CDC is urging health care providers to reduce the use of opioids, when appropriate, in favor of safe alternatives like physical therapy for many types of chronic pain. Opioids can contribute to depression, addiction, and overdose, in addition to withdrawal symptoms when stopping use.

5. Surgery can be avoided. For some conditions, including meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disk disease, treatment by a physical therapist is as effective as surgery.

For more information, or to make an appointment for an evaluation, contact the Physical Therapy Department at Morrison Community Hospital at 815-772-5548.

Morrison Community Hospital

303 North Jackson Street

Morrison, IL 61270

Phone: 815-772-5548

www.morrisonhospital.com