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Updated: The importance of physical therapy

When an injury or accident occurs, physical therapy is not the first kind of treatment that comes to mind for some people. However, it should be one form of treatment that everyone is familiar with.

Seeing a physical therapy Omaha NE clinic is a great way to relieve pain, heal and prevent injuries. Our team wants to share some history about this industry and some of the most common reasons for physical therapy!

The history of physical therapy

The use of the first forms of physical therapy can be dated back to 435 B.C. During this time, Hippocrate, a physician, started to use some form of physical therapy along with massage and hydrotherapy techniques to treat his patients. 

The physical therapy we see and use today is traced back to Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish Gymnastics.” He founded a Sweden institute that helped athletes receive massages, manipulations and exercise. After the success of this institute, physical therapists were officially registered. 

Physical therapy made its way to the United States during the late 19th century. During this time, the U.S. saw a polio epidemic. This epidemic affected some of the U.S. population, including the President of the United States. It increased the demand for more research to be conducted for muscle recovery. 

This movement started a catalyst for more research in physical therapy and began to flourish the movement of physical therapy in the U.S. In the late 1940s, the American Physical Therapy Association was created. Now, it represents around 76,000 members in the United States.

What is physical therapy? 

Physical therapy is a non-invasive form of treatment that licensed professionals use to restore, develop and maintain a body part's movement and physical function. 

This type of treatment is commonly used to treat patients with an injury, disability or disease. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve a patient's health and life. There are different types of physical therapy to choose from like:

  • Orthopedic 

  • Geriatric

  • Neurological

  • Cardiopulmonary

  • Pediatric

The most common reasons for physical therapy

Relieving chronic pain

The U.S. Pain Foundation estimates that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. This kind of pain is different from acute pain in that it can last up to three to six months or even more. Chronic pain causes painful symptoms that interfere with your daily life. One treatment available for chronic pain is physical therapy. This kind of treatment will help relieve your chronic pain, increase your range of motion and mobility.

Injury recovery

Injuries occur when you least expect them. You can get injured from working out, playing with your kids or getting in a car accident. Whatever the injury is, you should know that physical therapy is one kind of treatment to help heal injuries. Physical therapy uses exercise techniques that are designed to reduce your pain, increase function and avoid surgery. Also, through these exercises, you are helping strengthen your muscles to prevent injuries.

Alternative treatments to surgery 

Getting surgery on an injury or due to disease has its risks. It may cause blood clots, bleeding problems or other complications. If you are looking for a non-invasive procedure, try physical therapy. This form of therapy does not require you to go under the knife to get treatment. It uses manual techniques and exercises to help recover the functionality and mobility back into your body. Physical therapy can help you avoid surgery for meniscal tears, arthritic knees and rotator cuff tears. 

Choose the best physical therapy in Omaha, NE!

At Wisniewski Chiropractic, we offer physical therapy services that help preserve, enhance and restore the movement and physical function of our patient’s bodies! Schedule your appointment to start your healing journey!