“I Didn’t Know PT Could Treat That!”

October is National Physical Therapy Month, so what better time to talk about the conditions that our therapists treat that you may not be aware of.

Here at Functional Advantage we see patients for a variety of different reasons. Some issues people don’t even know physical therapy could help with. I’m sure you are aware of the common conditions such as low back pain, knee pain or shoulder pain, but did you know that our therapists can treat conditions like Vertigo, TMJ, Headaches, and MORE! Here is a list of conditions that many of our patients are surprised to hear we can successfully treat:

Balance

People who have weakness in the muscles of their hips, knees, or ankles can experience difficulty walking and balance-related issues. We commonly hear from patients that their “legs are wobbly”, or that “they thought falling was a normal part of aging” but these statements are not normal and we can help keep you safe. 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.

Headaches

Almost everyone has experienced a headache in their life. For those who live with chronic headaches, it can be a debilitating condition. Some headaches can keep people at home, unable to work or do daily tasks. Physical therapists can perform manual therapy or massage as well as teach exercises for the neck that help get rid of headaches so you don’t have to worry about a headache disrupting your day.

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. Simple tasks like eating or talking can turn into a painful experience. Physical therapists can teach certain exercises and stretches to help reduce jaw pain, popping, and locking so you don’t have to worry about jaw pain sneaking up on you.

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. Vertigo can also be dangerous and can lead to a fall that could cause a debilitating injury.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Urinary Incontinence

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.

If you or someone you know is struggling with one of the conditions on this list, you are not alone. We have seen patients at our clinic for all of the above conditions and can help you too!

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