5 Conditions You Didn’t Know Physical Therapy Can Treat

Most people know that you go to physical therapy when your neck, back, shoulder, or knee hurts. But what about issues that you don’t hear about every day? Physical therapy can benefit almost anyone, and there are many things that physical therapy can help with that you may not know about.

Balance. 

People who have weakness in the muscles of their hips, knees, or ankles can experience difficulty walking and balance-related issues. A physical therapist can work on these problems with exercises to strengthen these areas and improve balance. Better balance leads to less falls and more confidence.

Vertigo. 

Vertigo is the sensation that you, or the room you’re in, is spinning. This can be caused by rolling over in bed, headaches, or ear infections, and physical therapy can be helpful in getting rid of vertigo.

Jaw Pain/TMJ. 

People don’t necessarily think of their jaw as something that physical therapy can help, but for those affected by jaw pain, this can be an unhappy experience. Physical therapists can teach certain exercises and stretches to help reduce jaw pain, popping, and locking.

Headaches. 

Almost everyone has experienced a headache in their life. For those who live with chronic headaches, physical therapists can perform manual therapy or massage as well as teach exercises for the neck that help get rid of headaches.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

Physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction is not a well-known topic. The pelvic floor consists of muscles and tissues below the pelvis that support the core from below, also called the “saddle region.” When these muscles and tissues become tight or weak, physical therapists can evaluate and treat this area. You may also notice nagging back pain or hip pain that is related to these muscles.