When Should You See a Physical Therapist in Ashburn?

Sometimes, you wake up and feel sore and stiff, and you can’t tell why you feel that way. Other times, you've gotten into an accident and sustained an injury only to find the annoying complication settling in overnight. 

Either way, one of the worst things people tend to do when it comes to addressing issues in their bodies is nothing at all. They try to ignore the discomfort to see if they'll feel better. Yet the more time you let pass before physical therapy helps solve the issue, the more difficult it becomes to undo the pain and complications. Thus, shifting the mindset to involve a physical therapist in Ashburn sooner rather than later can prevent chronic pain and transform the range of motion and life.

This article will cover how to tell when you need physical therapy, common problems a physical therapist in Ashburn can help with, and how physical therapy can improve your feelings and movement.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

A physical therapist is a licensed professional trained in the evaluation and treatment of bodily restrictions, pain, and dysfunctional movement. Physical therapists employ hands-on treatment, therapeutic exercise, and patient education, in addition to heat, electricity, and ultrasound treatments to reduce pain, increase strength and flexibility, prevent injury, restore function after surgery or injury, and enhance balance and coordination.

Signs It’s Time to See a Physical Therapist in Ashburn

You don't have to be recovering from an operation or from a drastic injury to have the need for physical therapy. Here are several signs it's time to get an appointment: 

1. You Have Persistent Pain

If you have pain that doesn't go away after a few days or that comes and goes, it means something is not healing properly. Whether it's neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain, a physical therapist in Ashburn can get to the root of the problem and create a tailored treatment plan. 

2. You've Injured Yourself

Injury from sports, work, falls, or car accidents can strain, sprain, or cause joint issues. Consulting a physical therapist in Ashburn can help reduce recovery time and reduce the chances of having the same injury or a different one in the future. 

3. Your Balance or Mobility Is Off

If you're having trouble walking, using steps, or accomplishing daily tasks that you've had no problem doing before, reach out to a physical therapist to regain balance and improve flexibility and strength. 

4. You're Recovering From Surgery 

If you're recovering from surgery, you want to ensure that you are rehabilitating appropriately. Whether you've had a joint replacement, spinal surgery, or shoulder surgery, physical therapists help restore appropriate function safely and effectively over time. 

5. You Have A Chronic Condition

Chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or sciatica can benefit from the care of a physical therapist who can show you how to manage symptoms while still being active without further pain. 

6. You Want To Avoid Surgery or Pain Medications 

Sometimes, when pain or discomfort comes on suddenly, physical therapy at the onset can help prevent surgery later on down the line or dependency on pain medication for the rest of your life. It's a conservative approach that works well, oftentimes with non-invasive methods. 

7. You're An Athlete Or Work Out Frequently

If you are training for sports or need assistance getting your body acclimated from working out frequently, or if you took time off and need help getting back into things, a physical therapist can help assess your movements and strength training for proper adjustment and improvement.

Common Conditions Treated by Physical Therapists in Ashburn

Physical therapists in Ashburn can employ several treatment methods to address the following conditions:

• Low back and neck pain
• Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries
• Knee injuries (ACL, meniscus tears, patellofemoral pain)
• Sports injuries and muscle strains
• Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, tennis elbow)
• Postsurgical rehabilitation
• Balance and gait disorders
• Car accident injuries
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Chronic pain and fibromyalgia

What Happens in Physical Therapy?

For all new clients, every session of treatment with a physical therapist starts with a thorough evaluation. This is essential in determining what's wrong and how to proceed best.

This initial appointment consists of:

Medical History Review

Your physical therapist will ask a number of questions regarding current injuries, past injuries/surgeries, medications, daily routines, and pre-existing conditions. Some trends or red flags that need to be addressed can influence the time to recovery, so the more you share, the better. 

Symptom Discussion

You'll explain how, when, where your pain happened, what it feels like, movements that make it better or worse, and how it impacts your activities of daily living. This gives the therapist a more rounded view of your discomfort beyond just physical symptoms. 

Physical Assessment

Your physical therapist will assess your posture, balance, joints, soft tissue, and muscle strength and flexibility. They may note your range of motion in certain areas. They could also assess your gait and posture when sitting, standing, bending, or moving in ways to notice compensatory movements and deviations. 

Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

Your physical therapist will compile this information and relay what they think is going on with your body and how best to proceed with a plan of action. The customized treatment plan will outline goals (increased range of motion, decreased pain, etc.) to be achieved and modalities to achieve them.

What Treatment Sessions May Include:

Once the treatment program is established, sessions may include any combination of the following:

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy requires the physical therapist to use their hands to manipulate or mobilize soft tissue, muscles, and joints. Joint mobilizations, myofascial release, soft tissue massage, and stretching are also part of manual therapy.

These techniques help relieve muscle pain and tightness, increase blood flow and circulation, restore joint range of motion, and loosen scar tissue and adhesions.

Manual therapy is ideal for patients with severe stiffness or restricted motion and those who have sustained soft tissue injuries.

Therapeutic Exercise

Your physical therapist will create therapeutic exercises to strengthen weak muscles and improve joint stabilization. These may include low-impact aerobics, core stability exercises, flexibility exercises, and strengthening exercises. Your therapist may also use weights, resistance bands, and body weights to increase intensity.

All exercises should be done under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to ensure proper form and avoid further injury. As you progress in your treatment, you should increase resistance and difficulty.

Posture & Movement Retraining

Poor posture and improper movement can lead to poor form and re-injury later on. Thus, your physical therapist will show you how to move best during any action, such as sitting at your desk, on the ground with a child, or while running. They may use mirrors or video feedback to correct mechanics and allow less stressful movement.

Education for Self-Care and Injury Prevention

Part of the treatment plan is educated empowerment for the patient, so your physical therapist may also counsel you on:

• Desk, workstation, or home ergonomics
• Safe exercise conduct
• Home pain management 
• Proper warm-up and cool-down 
• Behavioral changes to avoid recurrence

Patients need to know how to continue healing best or stay healthy outside the clinic's walls.

Physical Therapy for Pain Management 

Depending on your medical history and the severity of your condition, your physical therapist may apply some techniques for pain management, such as:

• Heat therapy to decrease tension and encourage blood flow
• Cold therapy to reduce swelling and numb pain
• Electrical stimulation (TENS/EMS) to block pain signals and strengthen weakened muscles
• Ultrasound therapy to facilitate tissue healing
• Dry needling to relieve trigger points and deep muscle tension

These modalities supplement the more active therapy, like exercises, to make you more comfortable during treatment. 

Finding a Good Physical Therapist in Ashburn

Before commencing physical therapy in Ashburn, you need to look for a good clinic. You should look for a practice that has: 

• Licensed, experienced therapists
• One-on-one care or personalized programs
• Treatment for a variety of ailments
• Convenience of scheduling and insurance options

A great physical therapist in Ashburn will monitor your progress throughout treatment and discuss your progress after each meeting to redefine treatment plans as needed for the best outcomes.

Conclusion 

Noticing signs isn't enough; getting in to see a physical therapist in Ashburn sooner rather than later will only help with improved mobility and decreased pain before permanent damage occurs. Noticing trends soon enough can prevent problems later for long-term well-being.

Whether you're looking to get help from an accident, chronic pain, or just want to feel stronger and more mobile, everyday physical therapy is a great option.