Pain can often be prevented through an annual physical therapy visit.
Have you ever considered scheduling an annual checkup with your physical therapist? Did you even know that was possible?
Receiving an annual checkup with a physical therapist is not only possible, but it can be a proactive way to enhance your overall health and wellness. Even if you aren’t experiencing pain, it’s a good idea to see a physical therapist on a regular basis as a preventative measure — prehabilitation can be just as vital as rehabilitation.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), prehabilitation, which is intended to prevent injuries before they occur, can keep your body stronger for a longer period of time, leading to a better overall quality of life. Prehab can be applied to people of all ages, fitness levels, and limitations, including athletes, patients awaiting orthopedic surgery, and even those who are fighting cancer.
Why should you get an annual physical therapy exam?
As we age, many people think an increasing level of pain is inevitable, and that may be true for some. However, physical therapy can treat far more symptoms than patients are generally aware of, allowing for a more active, pain-free life.
Even if you’re not experiencing pain, you may have underlying medical issues that can be detected and addressed earlier if you visit a physical therapist on an annual basis. If you’re currently in pain, a yearly visit can help you find out whether or not those aches and pains you regularly experience are treatable.
Physical therapists have the education, experience, and skills necessary to perform a comprehensive screening that will help you monitor your health over time. CORA Physical Therapy offers a continuum of services, including rehabilitation, fitness, health and wellness, and perhaps the most important preventative service of all: assessment of your movement system.
What happens at a yearly examination?
At an annual examination, a CORA physical therapist will perform an in-depth evaluation of the health of your neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems by:
- Performing strength and balance testing
- Observing you as you perform functional activities
- Assessing your posture and biomechanics
- Determining whether you might be at risk for degenerative changes to your muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments
- Taking a preventative approach to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems
Your CORA therapist will also schedule a follow-up appointment to review your test results and discuss personal health concerns in order to create a personalized physical therapy program that works for you.
No Referral Necessary
Many people mistakenly believe they need a referral from a physician to receive treatment by a physical therapist. Most states now have some form of direct access, meaning that you can go directly to a physical therapist for some level of treatment without first seeking a referral from a physician. Direct access makes scheduling an annual visit with your physical therapist just as simple as booking an appointment to see your general practitioner once per year — no referral necessary!
An annual PT examination can provide something no other type of medical checkup can offer: a complete review of the movement system that will help patients take control of their own health. Schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained professional physical therapists, or locate a CORA Physical Therapy clinic near you to start the conversation.
