Common Conditions Treated by Physical Therapists In Denver, CO
Denver physical therapy clinics provide treatment to anyone of any age at any stage of life needing injury rehabilitation and pain restoration. Whether someone wants pain relief and an increased range of motion from sports injuries, chronic pain, or even post-operative care, physical therapists can create a tailored regimen.
The sooner trained professionals get started on an accurate diagnosis at the proper time, the better the potential for quality of life and fewer problems later down the road. However, not every clinic possesses every treatment option based on location in Denver. Therefore, learning about conditions treated before visiting a physical therapist lets you know whether they have what you need.
This article will inform you of popular injuries seen over time at a physical therapy clinic in Denver, Lone Tree, and Evergreen.
Common Conditions Treated at Physical Therapy Clinics in Denver, Lone Tree, and Evergreen, CO
There are many injuries that are treated at the physical therapy clinic. These include:
Back Injuries
Back injuries are common from extended time in poor posture or injury and muscle strain. Physical therapy assists with back injuries through exercise to stabilize musculature of the back and increase range of motion and decrease tension.
Knee Pain
Knee injuries are commonplace whether due to sports, a fall, or overuse. The physical therapy treatment for knee pain usually involves therapeutic exercises to improve range of motion, stability, and strength. You may also benefit from dry needling and e-stim for pain relief and increased circulation.
In addition, if your knee pain is related to post-surgical intervention, therapists can assist with proper rehabilitation to reduce pain and promote proper healing.
Hip Pain
Hip pain usually occurs from a multitude of conditions, including bursitis and arthritis. Physical therapy is effective in restoring hip range of motion and strengthening adjacent supportive muscles.
Ankle and Foot Pain
Ankle and foot pain can occur due to sprains, plantar fasciitis, fractures, and other conditions that limit one's ability to walk. Physical therapy improves balance and strengthens the ankle and foot.
Sports Injuries
It doesn't matter if you work your body to the bones or just enjoy a leisurely game of weekend basketball; sports injuries are inevitable and occur due to overuse or human error. But one thing is for sure: you do not have to be a professional sports player to get a sports injury. The mere fact that you are in motion makes you susceptible to a sports injury.
Physical therapists in Denver, Lone Tree, and Evergreen treat the following common injuries: sprains, strains, ACL tears, and tendonitis. The goal of physical therapy is to rebuild strength and flexibility and avoid re-injury through an extensive regimen of exercises and rehabilitation.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition in which stiff and painful joints restrict movement or make it difficult to move an affected joint. Physical therapy helps these populations through range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. For instance, many persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis would benefit from such classes to reduce pain and improve use.
Common Chronic Pain Conditions
If you're in pain longer than 3 months, it is chronic pain. Chronic pain involves pain lasting months if not years; common chronic pain conditions include fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Physical therapy aids chronic pain conditions through low-impact exercises, manual therapy techniques, modalities, and relaxing techniques.
Balance Disorders
Balance disorders present as dizziness and an ongoing fear of falling. Those who are assessed and diagnosed down this route often have the option of vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), which includes a series of exercises related to balance and stability.
Pelvic Floor Disorders
Pelvic floor disorders result in incontinence (leaking urine) and pelvic pain or pressure in the pelvic region. This occurs when pelvic floor muscles are too weak to maintain pelvic organs in the appropriate position.
Work-Related Injuries
Ever had a 9-5 office position where you sit at a desk for eight hours, or do you load and unload cargo on ships in a warehouse? A work-related injury is just as probable as overuse or injury from insufficient movement. These injuries include back strains, carpal tunnel, and repetitive strain injuries. Physical therapists can teach you about proper positioning and rehabilitative movements to prevent injury in the future.
Geriatric conditions
Older adults require physical therapy for geriatric conditions, whether due to degeneration in joints or muscles or a fall injury. Osteoporosis (brittle bones), arthritis, and balance issues are common among this demographic. Physical therapy helps ensure an accurate range of motion and strength restoration as safely as possible for the elderly.
Car Accident Injuries
There's a variety of injuries sustained in a car accident, from whiplash injuries to fractures to muscle tears. Physical therapy is aimed at pain relief, range of motion, and restorative treatment to allow a return to everyday life.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
TMJ disorders result in jaw pain, which can lead to headaches and difficulty chewing. Physical therapy employs various exercises to facilitate musculature relaxation and strengthening toward improved function and pain reduction.
Concussion
A type of head injury, concussion results in memory problems, confusion, and difficulty with coordination. Physical therapy helps to evaluate the state after injury and implements exercises for reintegration of function and stabilization of affected areas.
Pediatric Conditions
Children who are delayed with milestones, have deficiencies or have complications with coordination need physical therapy. A children's physical therapist concentrates on the child to help them obtain gross motor skills and capabilities for functioning in everyday life.
Postural Problems
Postural problems create a lifetime of neck, back, and shoulder pain. Physical therapy can teach someone the alignment techniques as well as the strengthening exercises needed to support those efforts.
What to Expect During Physical Therapy Treatment
Physical therapy provides pain relief as therapists teach clients proper postural techniques and exercises that support and safeguard proper postural positioning.
Anticipate an assessment upon arrival at the physical therapy office. Questions will be asked regarding your past, current pain, and anticipated future developments. After the assessment, a course of treatment will be established for you, including exercises and perhaps additional modalities like manual therapy, dry needling, etc.
Your therapist will figure out what you need in that one-hour slot. You might be started on passive range of motion stretching until you can do it on your own. However, if you're making progress, the therapist might also re-assess the exercise regimen to accommodate any changes.
Wrapping Things Up,
Whether you're in discomfort or experiencing limited mobility, a trip to a Denver physical therapy clinic will get you back on your feet—and keep you active—in no time. The quicker you make an appointment, the quicker you'll sidestep more extensive issues later on and enhance your quality of life.