In Pain? See a PT first.
By Dr. Joshua Grahlman, Founder + Athlete Mechanic, Clutch Physical Therapy
Feeling Pain? Consider Physical Therapy for Pain Management
No one wants to be in pain. So, when it happens, most people seek medical help to feel better. But heading to the family doctor or even an orthopedic specialist might not be the best solution. It all depends on the illnesses or condition you’re dealing with, of course. But generally, medical professionals begin with the simplest solution at first – just to see if an “easy” form of pain management works in place of a more serious one.
One of the simplest and most effective forms of pain management for conditions like arthritis, dizziness, osteoporosis or even living with MS (Multiple Sclerosis)? Physical therapy.
Physical therapists (especially the ones with the distinction of “DPT” after their names) are considered to be the experts on treating musculoskeletal conditions by the medical industry. They study every single muscle and tendon in the body and have in-depth knowledge of how the body moves. Not only are they best suited to relieve musculoskeletal pain, but they can also diagnose and treat the root cause so the pain doesn’t reoccur.
Still ready to see a doc first? Consider this.
Most doctors are so pressed for time that they are only able to spend a few minutes with patients pertaining to their acute needs. Many specialists have waiting lists of days or even weeks for an appointment. And once you finally see the doctor, most will prescribe physical therapy for musculoskeletal conditions anyway. This is because they, too, consider PTs to be the experts in that realm.
So, by going directly to PT from the get-go, you’ll end up saving money and time. And the sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll feel better no matter what the musculoskeletal conditions you experience are.
It doesn’t matter if you’re suffering from severe headaches or diabetes and need help with balance. Physical therapy is ideal for people of all ages – young athletes with rotator cuff injuries, workplace injuries , someone that needs a geriatric exercise routine. Whatever your medical condition, physical therapy is likely going to help. The best part about physical therapy is that it can be used with other treatment options, meaning that you won’t do just one type of pain management.
Where to Find Physical Therapy for Pain Management
At a quality PT clinic, you should be treated as whole person and receive individualized attention. An initial evaluation should last 45-60 minutes and account for your entire personal and athletic history. Should you need imaging to confirm a diagnosis or need a consult with a specialist, your PT can make a recommendation and often get you in to see that doctor sooner than you could on your own. Top-notch PTs have close professional relationships with doctors and specialists and can consult with them regarding your plan of care.
Hopefully you’ll stay injury and pain free. But should discomfort or a limitation in your daily activity arise, seek out an expert who can provide the hands-on care to get you back to doing what you love as soon as possible. See a PT first.
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You can find Dr. Josh Grahlman and Clutch Physical Therapy through the BetterPT clinic location tool website and BetterPT mobile app. These options also give you access to hundreds of quality physical therapy clinics in your area. Whether you’re looking to have traditional in-person physical therapy or want to try out telehealth via the BetterTelehealth platform, the choices are the same. It’s up to you when it comes to choosing the best option for yourself, but listen to advice. The more you pay attention to your medical professionals, the more likely you are to succeed in physical therapy treatment and pain management.
Don’t wait for an injury to get worse. Book a physical therapy appointment today and get BETTER faster!
