A physical therapist’s role is to diagnose and treat problems related to your movement. You may think of a physical therapist as someone who can only help when you’re actively injured or recovering from surgery. A physical therapist, however, can play a key role in preventing injuries and maximizing your physical performance.
Read on to learn why you might consider a tune-up with Dr. Trakhtenberg this October — National Physical Therapy Month — even if you’re feeling pretty good.
1. You hit the gym hard
If you’re a regular gym rat, hitting Crossfit workouts or group fitness classes several times per week, you may benefit from preventive trips to the physical therapist. Dr. Trakhtenberg can help loosen up soft tissue and identify any alignment or strength weaknesses you may have, so you address any muscle imbalances before they cause injury. If you tend to be deskbound at times you’re not visiting the gym, a physical therapy visit be especially beneficial for you.
2. You want a better sports performance
Whether you’re a regular athlete or signing up for your first marathon or Ironman race, you’ll benefit from a consult with a physical therapist. Before you go into a heavy training season, a physical therapist can help you identify and address imbalances and weaknesses that could intensify when you start to increase your training load.
You learn what exercises are important for you to emphasize as you embark on training and what exercises will contribute to a successful season or race.
3. You want to look better
You may not have active pain, but you feel like something in your body is a little “off.” A physical therapist can help you with exercises and treatments that help you stand with better posture and carry yourself more confidently. Dr. Trakhtenberg can also help you devise an exercise program to achieve your physique goals.
4. You have a past injury
You may not actively be hurting now or experiencing dysfunction that you know of, but past injuries can affect your gait and function. If you have a history of a knee injury, are a few months (or years) out of surgery for a joint, or have experienced problems with your feet in the past — plantar fasciitis, for example — you’ll benefit from a physical therapy consult.
A physical therapist can identify adjustments you’ve made to your movement patterns as a result of the prior injury that could affect your future performance and function. Your physical therapist can also identify habitual movement patterns that could contribute to a re-injury at the same place.
5. You want to age gracefully
As you get older, little aches and pains start to creep up. A physical therapist can help you work through them — before these seemingly minor discomforts pile up into a dysfunctional injury. The minor aches, pains, and stiffness may also be warning signs of arthritis that can be managed conservatively with early physical therapy intervention.
Schedule a consult at Feel Good Physical Therapy in Brooklyn to maximize your performance and well-being. Call us today or book your visit using the online agent.