For some time now, and even more so since the emergence of the pandemic in our lives, we have spent many hours sitting in front of the computer. We no longer just sit in front of the screen to check the news or write an email. Not only do we do the shopping or plan our next trip, but we now work sitting in front of the computer. Working from home is here to stay, and unfortunately, this new trend does not only bring advantages.
In my case, as an online Spanish teacher, my desk chair and my computer have become my best friends. The preparation of the classes and the classes themselves mean hours and hours of sitting, and I have noticed that my cervicals are not very happy lately. Have you noticed it too? What do your lumbar vertebrae say?
In addition to remote working, the pandemic has pushed many sedentary people into the streets, eager to exercise and take up running to feel better. The result: unexpected injuries that remind us of the importance of good recovery. If you can relate to this, perhaps it's time to consider a visit to a physiotherapist. Here are 4 reasons to go to physical therapy for an injury.
1. It’s much more than massages.
The first thing to be clear about is that a physiotherapist is a health professional, in other words, a person who has been trained at a university to work as a health professional. Their work is recognised and authorised within the health system, and therefore we can trust them in the same way that we trust the work of a dermatologist or a dentist. In fact, physiotherapists not only practise their profession in the consulting room, but many of them are involved in research with the aim of finding the origin of certain injuries, improving existing treatments, etc.
As I said before, a visit to a physiotherapist does not only include massages, which is what most people think of when they think of physiotherapy. They also work with equipment (electrotherapy), hot and cold devices, and exercise routines that will help the patient's rehabilitation.
2. It takes care of your digestive system
We are increasingly aware of the amount of drugs we take, given the evolution of medicine and pharmacology. In this respect, the ideal scenario would be to treat directly the source of the problem, and not just palliate the pain through pills (generally painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs). As a result, our digestive system suffers from the consumption of pills. When our daily life is affected by a chronic injury, our doctor may recommend both medication and physiotherapy. The combination of both treatments will help us to feel better, always trusting the diagnosis of the professionals.
As well as helping us to reduce the use of medication, physiotherapy can directly help us to combat digestive problems such as constipation or gastric reflux by massaging the abdominal area and also by guiding the patient with appropriate dietary guidelines and informing them of any possible emotional factors involved.
3. You receive advice on your physical training.
Within physiotherapy there are several branches, and among them we find sports physiotherapy. If you are a professional sportsperson or if sport is simply part of your daily life, this branch may be of special interest to you. These professionals are responsible for treating and recovering the patients from different injuries, and more importantly, advising them so that they can avoid a relapse.
Patients who seek an improvement in their quality of life through sport physiotherapy include professional sportsmen and women, people suffering from degenerative diseases such as arthritis, those who have suffered an injury as a result of trauma, or those suffering from orthopaedic problems. The physiotherapist will be able to advise them so that they can return to training gradually and safely.
4. It helps to improve your quality of life in old age
If we are talking about our elders, or about ourselves when we reach a certain age, health and, above all, autonomy are factors that greatly concern us. Nowadays, we can find in many centres professionals who are specialised in the care of the elderly. Certain exercises, massages and stretches contribute to improving the quality of life of older adults, improving their elasticity and mobility.
In general terms, we know that physiotherapy is not only important during recovery, but also as a preventive factor. This is crucial when we talk about the elderly, as we can prevent accidents and falls by making the patients more agile and autonomous. An active life is not only synonymous with physical health, but it also helps to protect our mental health. We now know that physical health has a direct influence on a patient's mood.
As you can see, physiotherapy goes far beyond a simple massage session. We can benefit from this wonderful discipline to rehabilitate from a stroke, after undergoing surgery, or simply to improve our quality of life if we suffer, for example, from constant contractures caused by poor posture.
And one more fact: if you live in Spain and your children (or yourself) are thinking that physiotherapy could be a good professional career, you can find out where they could study physiotherapy in Spain in this article. Health professionals are increasingly in demand in the labour market, and this field is becoming more and more sought after by patients.
I hope that after reading these 4 reasons to go to physical therapy for an injury, you may know a bit more about the benefits of consulting a professional physiotherapist. Please remember that, in any case, the best course of action is always to ask your doctor in order to make the best decision, and if you have any doubts or questions related to this topic, leave us a message and we'll be happy to help you. See you next time!
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