There's a lot of confusion out there about physical therapists and what they do. To help clear some things up, we've compiled a list of little-known facts about physical therapists to help you better understand their profession and how they can help you. Read on to learn more!

1. There Are Many Kinds of Therapy

When most people think of physical therapy, they think of rehabilitation therapy. While rehabilitation therapy is a form of physical therapy, there are many different injuries and body parts that physical therapists treat. According to The Good Body, there are over 230,000 physical therapists in the United States, all with different specialties. Wound care, lymphedema management, and post-operative care are some of the specialties physical therapists can have. Not to mention there are also services for occupational therapy and pediatric physical therapy, which fall under the physical therapy umbrella.

2. Physical Therapy Helps Treat Vertigo

Many people around the world suffer from vertigo. If you have experienced vertigo, such as experiencing brief dizziness when standing up, you may think there's no way to treat it. Luckily, vertigo actually is treatable with physical therapy. This is because vertigo is caused by the vestibular system of the inner ear malfunctioning and can be corrected in sessions with physical therapists.

3. They Can Save You Money

If you're experiencing back, knee, hip, or another form of pain, you may think surgery is the best option. While surgery is needed in some cases such as ligament tears, many causes of pain can be treated with physical therapy. An example of this is a sprain that limits the range of motion. We all know having surgery isn't cheap, so if you can avoid it while still getting the relief you need, you'll save money.

4. They Offer Effective Treatment

As we mentioned above, physical therapy can be a great replacement option for surgery depending on your condition. What you may not realize is that physical therapy can not only be a replacement for surgery but it can also prevent the need for surgery in the future. This is because physical therapy is a workout that strengthens your muscles and makes conditions requiring surgery less likely to advance.

There are many conditions physical therapists can treat. Additionally, they provide huge benefits such as pain relief and saving you money. If you're in need of a physical therapist, reach out to us at Columbia Physical Therapy PC today!