Is Physical Therapy Painful? 

Patients preparing to begin physical therapy frequently ask, “Does physical therapy hurt?” The simple answer is no. Physical therapy is not supposed to be unpleasant. It is normal to be reluctant, if not scared, about starting physical therapy. After all, a stranger will poke about in a portion of your body, already causing you agony and pain. Talking to a san antonio tx physical therapy specialist may help you better understand it and eliminate some of your anxieties. 

What is physical therapy? 

Physical therapy is a treatment that attempts to alleviate pain and improve quality of life. Physical therapy can help you whether you have an accident, a sickness, or work discomfort. Here are some things that physical therapy can help with: 

• Improve flexibility and mobility  
• Relieve pain
• Prevent or treat sports injuries
• Improve balance
• Rehabilitate after a stroke
• Prevent patients from requiring surgery
• Improve posture and workplace ergonomics
• Recover after you give birth

A physical therapist is a certified health practitioner who has received specialized training. Physical therapists will evaluate and analyze your condition before developing a treatment plan tailored to your unique diagnosis. 

Will physical therapy exacerbate your existing pain or discomfort?

One of the most prevalent concerns among physical therapy patients is that it may aggravate their discomfort. It is understandable. Who would want to go through that? 

However, with good communication with your physical therapist, no therapy should ever be unpleasant or painful. Every patient is unique, and everyone has a varied pain threshold, so communication is essential. Therapists are trained to pay great attention to you during your treatment and will do all possible to alleviate your discomfort.

Physical therapy reduces pain in the long run.

While many patients view physical therapy to be a painful procedure, with physical therapists humorously referred to as tormenting patients, the fact is that physical therapy’s goal is to relieve pain, not increase it.

You may feel discomfort while undergoing a customized treatment program to repair and strengthen your body. However, a successful PT plan should decrease discomfort and increase functioning with time.

You may confidently attend your therapy appointments. You and your physical therapist have the same goal: to put you on the road to improved health and a more satisfying life by relieving the pain you are now experiencing.

Soreness and discomfort are normal parts of the healing process.

One of the most important differences physical therapists make when dealing with post-therapy pain is discomfort and true pain. Because physical therapy must train your body to work, discomfort, and stiffness are to be expected.