At Free Body Physical Therapy, we believe that physical therapy allows patients to have the best quality of life by diminishing pain and helping them reclaim function. Several people can benefit from physical therapy. Contrary to popular opinion, physical therapy is not only helpful for treating injuries. Physical therapists are experts in providing impactful preventative care. Continue reading to learn more about preventative health assessments and how consulting with a physical therapist can help you avoid invasive treatments for your condition. 

What Is A Preventative Health Assessment?

When most people think of physical therapy, they view it as a rehabilitative measure that you need to deal with after an injury or surgery. However, physical therapy can be preventative. You likely see your family physician for routine checkups to prevent illness, so why not visit a physical therapy to avoid injury as well? A preventative health assessment can be used to diagnose an issue at hand before beginning a treatment regimen. Our team will assess your overall health to detect problems before they interfere with your quality of life during your appointment. Some of the factors that may be considered include:

  • Strength.
  • Mobility.
  • Balance and coordination. 
  • Lifestyle habits. 
  • Cardiovascular health.
  • Injury risk. 

At the end of your assessment, we will have a complete understanding of how your body is functioning and the steps necessary to improve your health. 

Benefits Of Preventative Physical Therapy 

Following your assessment, our physical therapists will discuss the results with you and provide you with personalized recommendations for exercises and actions you need to take to meet your individual health goals. As you continue your rehab, we’ll continue our assessments to ensure nothing regarding your treatment falls through the cracks. Here are some of the ways that physical therapy can benefit you, even if you are not currently injured:

  • Injury prevention – Our physical therapists can help you become proactive in your wellness by identifying imbalances and risk factors that may be predisposing you to injury or inhibit your physical performance. By addressing these factors, injuries can be prevented. Proactive strength training can also help facilitate your ability to perform daily activities and participate in athletic activities. 
  • Surgery preparation – Patients that participate in supervised exercises before surgery often recover at a faster rate. In addition to improving the success of your surgical outcome, pre-rehabilitation is a great time to build a relationship with your physical therapist. 
  • Promoting wellness – Physical therapists help promote fitness and general health through building strength, balance, and flexibility. We utilize a whole-patient approach to treat your condition and improve your functional capacity for everyday tasks. 
  • Improving athletic performance – Sports-specific training programs for athletes can help prevent injuries. Athletes can also enhance their performance since these programs often have a strong emphasis on sport-specific movements and accurate body mechanics. 
  • Ergonomics and posture assessment – Many of us frequently use electronic devices and are often unaware of our posture while using them. Looking down at your cell phone can put extra weight on your neck and head, which can contribute to a multitude of orthopedic problems. Our team can show you how to adjust your posture and implement these changes into your daily life. We can also show you how to set up your workspace correctly to avoid unwanted pain. 

Contact Us 

If you’re curious about trying preventative physical therapy, you should not hesitate to seek treatment. Here at Free Body Physical Therapy, our skilled and compassionate professionals are ready to help you heal from illness and injury and help you avoid injuries through preventative visits. Get started on your path to health and wellness today by scheduling a preventative health assessment! Contact us today!