Most people can get through physical therapy without suffering. However, starting physical therapy Brooklyn NY can be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. That can cause physical therapy patients to feel frustrated, and believe the treatment is unnecessary or harmful.
Unfortunately, there are reasons physical therapy may cause discomfort, especially in the beginning. Anyone who needs this kind of treatment should discuss this ahead of time with the referring physician, and always tell the person performing the physical therapy of any pain that occurs during or after treatment. The patient’s initial expectations will make it easier if the treatment doesn’t always feel like it’s helping.
Why Does It Hurt?
There are a wide variety of reasons people need physical therapy. It could be because of an injury, or surgery. Individuals who have suffered a stroke may need to learn how to perform actions they performed all their lives before the stroke.
Whatever the reason for the referral, physical therapy will use muscles that are not used very often. Patients will also be required to use muscle groups they are completely unfamiliar with. While most physical therapy Brooklyn NY is completed without causing pain, patients may feel awkward and uncomfortable because they are stretching muscles which rarely get used and getting away from their normal comfort zone.
How each individual reacts to treatment depends on a great number of factors. Some people have more experience with different activities, or have a certain body type. Expectations may even give patients more tolerance for discomfort, because they can see the goals they are working toward.
Is Physical Therapy Still Beneficial If It’s Uncomfortable?
Patients don’t get a recommendation for physical therapy Brooklyn NY without a good reason. The process is a commitment, with sessions lasting up to two hours at a time, multiple times a week, for at least a month or two. The benefits of physical therapy will still be present even if the road to get there is rough.
Even if there is initial pain, physical therapy will ultimately help to ease or eliminate chronic pain. It also helps patients to improve their mobility, even helping some patients learn to walk again. Using muscles in unusual ways can make individuals more comfortable with their bodies and capable of trying new activities.
As they become more comfortable with their bodies, patients who have completed the process can avoid future injuries. They may experience better balance, leading to greater confidence in day-to-day life. Extra benefits include better control over breathing, resulting in overall greater comfort and fewer issues with the heart and lungs. It is important to remember the lessons learned in physical therapy sessions.
