Dealing with a serious injury takes time, resilience, and most of all, patience. After an injury, the number one question that patients want to be answered is,” How long until I’m back to normal?” The answer to that question depends on the severity of the injury, but there are signs of recovery that you can look for on the road back to health. Right after an incident, it can be hard to adjust to the new limitations that injuries have made, but physical therapy can help remove those limitations so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible. PT can be a challenge, and it can be hard to tell if it is physical therapy working, or if your body is healing on its own. If you are dealing with an injury, keep an eye out for these signs that physical therapy is working for you.
Less Swelling
Whether you have sprained your ankle or twisted your knee, the injured area usually swells up not long after the initial injury and can stay swollen for some time afterward. When an injury occurs, your brain is signaled to increase the movement of fluid and white blood cells to the injured area. The sudden increase in size can compress the nerves, causing pain, and limiting movement to prevent further injury. Even though swelling is your body’s defense mechanism to keep you safe, once you notice swelling going down, it is a good sign that you are on the track to a successful recovery.
You Can Be More Active
After sustaining any level of body trauma, it is best to get off your feet for a while. Depending on the wound, it can be difficult to do some of the day-to-day activities that you used to complete without a second thought. Regardless of what was injured, being able to do more things with your body is a sure sign that PT is working for you. Keep track of how you are progressing from week to week.
Exercise Gets Easier
Physical therapy can be a workout. Strengthening your body can help reinforce and support different movements and body parts. During your time at PT, there is a good chance that part of your recovery process will involve some form of exercise. If PT is working for you, then you should notice exercise becoming easier as your body heals, and you train with your therapist.
Increased Range Of Motion
Regaining lost range of motion is one of the main benefits of physical therapy. While it can be dangerous to try and loosen up injured joints on your own, physical therapists know the proper stretches and techniques to get you back to maximum range.
Increase Confidence In Your Movements
After we get hurt, it can be hard to stay active. We might hesitate to make any bold movements or quick actions for fear of hurting our injury. If you notice that you have been feeling more confident in your movements, it could be a sign that physical therapy is working.
Where to Find PT Near Me In New Jersey
At Theradynamics we specialize in providing the best health care possible with the latest in medical technology. Our physical therapists take a clinical approach to help you regain function after injury so you can get back to the life you want to live! Our services are offered at Theradynamics in New Jersey, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. If you have questions about the benefits of physical therapy, or you would like to schedule an appointment, get in contact with us today!