A recent article featured in the NY Times emphasizes the broad benefits of physical therapy beyond just injury recovery. Traditionally, orthopedic physical therapy is recommended and prescribed by your physician in response to a specific physical injury or after a major surgery (total joint replacement, spine surgery, etc). In this popular model, PT is utilized and perceived as an AFTER injury intervention only to be done after a physician instructs one to. Fortunately, in the state of California, PTs also have the privilege to evaluate and treat patients with direct access meaning we have the ability to work with patients without requiring a direct referral from a physician for a period.

As Joe Uhan, a PT and former fellow of the Institute of Physical Art, aptly puts it in the article, “We’re sort of the swiss army knife of orthopedic health.” “We can push on bones like chiropractors can, but we can massage tissue like massage therapists can and we can exercise like a personal trainer can.” I’d also add that we have the clinical skillset to evaluate if your injury is immediately appropriate for physical therapy at that time and if we can help improve your situation. 

In addition to helping you heal from an acute injury prescribed by a physician, physical therapists are well-equipped to help you with preventative care (otherwise known as “Prehab”); helping to address any mobility, strength, chronic orthopedic issues, and helping you move better for the long haul. For example, strengthening or increasing mobility in other body regions that are not directly associated with the injury can help prevent future occurrences. Knee pain is a perfect example that often times gets caught in the middle. More often than not, when we sufficiently treat and strengthen the hip or ankle many knee issues tend to resolve. With a consistent strength or mobility program, many folks may see longer term improvements with their chronic injury and/or the ability to tolerate increased activity.

Whether your favorite activity is walking, biking, hiking, getting up/down the stairs, engaging in your regular gym or pilates workout, or performing at your given sport, Prehab can help establish a solid foundation for you to better tolerate the inevitable stresses that come with those activities. There is nothing more frustrating than spending countless hours trying to calm down your pain symptoms from a re-occurring injury that has flared up or trying to figure out exercises that have a positive effect on your injury. As PTs, we can help you identify those vulnerable regions of the body and can help you personalize a program that will optimize movement and efficiency in your activity or sport to prevent future injury and even boost performance. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, we can help you improve your running or cycling mechanics to shave seconds off your marathon or best training time. 

Another part I loved about this article is that it detailed how to get the most out of your PT session once you’ve identified a clinic of your choice. This could include coming up with a list of movements that are difficult or painful to perform and with what specific activities. It also may be helpful to bring a list of exercises/stretches that you have tried in the past that have worked/not worked to help your therapist develop a tailored prehab plan. And it’s important to share what resources are available to you during your rehab process; ex. gym with weights, swimming pool, yoga mat, foam roller, resistance bands etc. Lastly, it’s encouraged to practice open communication about your progress and setbacks during/after your sessions which helps your therapist adapt their treatment plan going forward to advocate for your future success.

The NY Times article also details the need to seek a physical therapist who can spend ample time with you and is actively working to adapt your treatment plan. At Beacon, we are fortunate in that we can provide you the individualized 1 on 1 care you deserve for a full hour. Additionally, our staff are all either certified in or training towards their certification in Functional Manual Therapy ™ through the Institute of Physical Art. We do help alleviate pain, but we do so by focusing on function, and being adaptive in our approach to fit your needs. 

We hope to see you in the new year and thank you for your continued support!

Article in NY Times: 

-Talya Minsberg. You Don’t Have to Be Injured to Benefit from Physical Therapy. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/well/move/physical-therapy-fitness.html. Published December 7, 2024.