Lots of people visit a physical therapist because they underwent surgery or have a nagging pain that they can’t wait to get rid of. What most people don’t know is that physical therapists have been highly-trained to treat a wide variety of conditions. Here are a few things that may make you say, “I didn’t know my PT does that.”
Dizziness (Vertigo)
Vertigo is a common condition that creates the sensation of being unbalanced. Vertigo is not a specific disease but rather a symptom that results from an issue in the inner ear or brain. Often, individuals experiencing vertigo suffer brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness. What you may not know is that many instances of vertigo can be treated and eliminated in as little as one visit with your physical therapist. Learn more about Vertigo here.
Jaw pain (TMJ)
Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (often referred to as TMJ), encompass a range of conditions of the jaw muscles and jaw joints. These jaw disorders often result in feelings of pain and discomfort in and around the mouth and jaw areas. There are a few ways that a physical therapist can treat your TMJ including neuromuscular re-education to get your joint movement back to normal. Learn more about TMJ treatment here.
Concussions
Concussions are defined as a traumatic brain injury that results in disrupted brain function. It results in headaches, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties. The CDC reveals that up to 3.8 million concussions occur each year and that 5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sport season. A physical therapist can add an invaluable component to the treatment of concussions because of the systems that are affected in a concussion: equilibrium, the vestibular system, the central nervous system, and the visual system. Learn more about our Concussion Management program here.
Headaches
When headaches become recurrent or happen by just turning your head, it is called a cervicogenic headache. These types of headaches have the potential to originate from the musculoskeletal system. The good news is that cervicogenic headaches can be treated with physical therapy. To learn more about how physical therapy can treat headaches, click here.
Running Analysis
As our feet strike the ground while we walk or run, forces from the ground reciprocally act back on our bodies. These impactful forces to the musculoskeletal system can result in wear and tear of the joints, muscles, and ligaments and contribute to injury development while causing pain in already tender areas. Some of our clinics offer a running analysis program designed to cater to anyone who wants to improve their running performance. This doesn’t just apply to athletes and lifelong runners looking to improve their personal records or run longer distances. Patients who suffer from lower extremity injuries such as knee, leg, hip, ankle or foot pain can benefit, as well. Learn more about our Running Analysis Program here.
What to do Next
Now that you know a few extra conditions that can be treated by a physical therapist, be sure to speak with your clinician if you experience any of these conditions. You can easily locate a clinic near you. For your convenience, each of our clinic pages lists the treatments and programs that they offer.
