Physical therapy primarily treats various orthopedic conditions, such as sports injuries or other musculoskeletal conditions, according to Stanford Medicine. It may be indicated in a wide range of cases, from addressing a high schooler’s sports-related injury to helping a patient manage motor and sensory symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Furthermore, physical therapy can treat both acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is sudden and usually accompanies an injury while chronic pain lasts for at least three months.
Regardless of the type or origin of pain a patient experiences, physical therapy is a rehabilitative treatment option that might encourage healing and mobility and potentially prevent more serious injuries down the line.
Together with the help of physical therapists, these patients work toward the goals of relieving pain, as well as developing, maintaining, and restoring maximum movement and functional ability.