Most of us – especially those over the age of 40 – have experienced minor aches, pains or movement issues without feeling the need to seek medical attention. These things tend to go away on their own, after all. More often then than not this is true; most of these minor aches and pains will go away on their own. There are some cases, though, where it’s smart to be proactive and seek out professional help before a minor problem becomes something worse or something chronic. Sometimes these little inconveniences can be a sign you should consult with a physical therapist.
We often think of physical therapy as something you do after suffering a major injury or when recovering from surgery, but it can also be a proactive way to deal with minor aches, pains and movements issues before they become more severe. With that in mind, here are 5 signs that you should reach out to a physical therapist.
1. Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
Depending on your age, health status, or lifestyle, minor aches and pains may be fairly common. This doesn’t have to indicate anything significant, but when those small pains don’t go away, they may suggest an underlying issue. Some pain is perfectly normal, like soreness after a workout, but pain that persists for more than a week or gets worse over time should not be ignored.
A skilled physical therapist can evaluate your situation to find the root cause of the pain, and develop a personalized solution to address the source of the pain. Don’t ignore pain that persists or worsens over time.
2. Limited Range of Motion
Sometimes pain can affect your ability to move some part of your body, making ordinary tasks difficult. Stiff or achy joints may make it hard to reach overhead, turn your head, or bend down. This type of pain can be especially challenging because your body may try to compensate for the limited range of motion by putting additional stress on other joints or body parts. This can, of course, lead to additional pain.
If you are experiencing a limited range of motion without any obvious or understandable cause, it’s time to contact a physical therapist. Your PT will not only help you pinpoint the exact cause of the limitation, but will also be able to provide with a treatment plan tailored to your exact needs and abilities.
3. Recurring Injuries or Instability
We all experience minor injuries at some point in our lives, but if you find you are repeatedly rolling the same ankle, injuring the same shoulder, or experiencing some recurring flare-up of pain in the same place, this is something that should not be ignored. Recurring injuries can indicate a muscle imbalance, weakness, or poor movement mechanics. Any of these situations can be addressed by a qualified physical therapist.
A physical therapist can identify the underlying cause of the pain, and help you develop the strength or flexibility needed to overcome it. Your therapist can help identify any problems with your posture or movement mechanics that can contribute to pain and injury, and they can help you correct those problems and avoid the recurring pain in the future.
4. Trouble with Everyday Activities
If you are experiencing pain that is relatively minor but is preventing you from performing normal everyday tasks, that pain needs to be addressed. If you find yourself having trouble walking up stairs, carrying groceries, sitting at a desk, or playing with your kids, it’s not always best to just wait for it to go away on its own. People are very good at adapting to different situations, and it’s easy to get used to something being a little bit different than it was. In this case, it’s possible to just come to terms with the idea that you just can’t do that thing the way you used to. This doesn’t have to be the case.
You don’t have to let little aches and pains affect your quality of life and make you change the way you do things. If you are having trouble with everyday activities, reach out for a professional evaluation from a physical therapist.
5. Recovery After Surgery or Illness
Most people realize physical therapy is a common way to recover after surgery or illness. Sometimes, though, the pain or discomfort may be minor, and physical therapy may seem unnecessary. It’s important to remember that PT isn’t just for pain management. It can help you build strength, flexibility and mobility. It can help restore or improve balance. Physical therapy is about understanding and optimizing your body’s performance. This is especially important after your body’s integrity has been compromised by surgery or illness.
Physical therapy is an important tool to have at your disposal, and like any tool it can be used for maintenance as well as repair. While it’s great to have physical therapy available after major life events like a serious accident or major surgery, it’s also great to have as a proactive way of caring for your body and preventing major injuries or chronic conditions before they happen.
If you are experiencing any of the situations above – persistent or worsening pain, pain that limits you range of motion or effects everyday activities, recurring pain, or pain following surgery or illness – contact a physical therapist as quickly as possible and address the small problems before they get bigger.
At Strive! Physical Therapy Centers, we have been diagnosing and treating all kinds of pain for more than 40 years. We can help you understand the source of your pain and develop a personalized plan to quickly and safely recover. Call us at 352.351.8883 or email us today to schedule a free consultation today.
