Physical therapists aren't just for people that are injured or have had surgery. Physical therapists can also help healthy people improve their fitness.

Here are 5 reasons why you should consider seeing yours.

1.  You Want a Baseline
When you see a physical therapist to improve your fitness, you'll get an assessment of your strength, range of motion, posture and movement patterns. This not only helps us design a customized program just for you, it gives us a baseline to compare things to in the future should you start having pain or suffer an injury.

2.  You Want Expert Guidance
Becoming a physical therapist requires at least a bachelor's degree and most PTs practicing today have a doctorate. Every PT has passed a national board exam and maintains a state license. That guarantees you that every physical therapist is a verified expert in human movement.

3.  You Want to Prevent Injury
Physical therapists don't just work to heal injuries, we are also experts in preventing them. After a thorough assessment, we can help you design a program that will not only help you reach your fitness goals, but that can address any issues that increase your risk for injury.

4.  You Want Unbiased Advice
Yoga instructors will want you to do yoga. Personal trainers will want you to come to their gym. Pilates instructors will want you to do Pilates. Strength coaches will want you to strength train. A physical therapist doesn't have a bias or vested interest as to what type of fitness regimen you choose. We are only interested in helping you reach your goals.

5.  You Have a History
If you have some kind of history that affects your ability to exercise, a PT is the best person to help you design a fitness regimen. It doesn't matter if it's an old injury from athletics or work, back pain that comes up from time to time, COPD, arthritis or heart disease, we can help you safely work around it and meet your fitness goals. 

You know that physical activity is good for you. The benefits are well researched and the list is impressive. Here's just a sampling:
● Releases endorphins to make you feel good and fight depression
● Helps control weight
● Prevents diseases like stroke, diabetes and some forms of cancer
● Improves sleep
● Helps you live longer

Recent studies even show that physical activity strengthens your immune system, with a protective effect against COVID, and that staying active through middle age protects your brain as you age.

Physical activity is a wonder drug. If it was a pill, you'd buy it and take it every day. But even though activity is free, less than 25% of Americans meet the CDC recommendations for activity. We clearly need help.

Physical Therapists Are The Experts in Human Movement

To be active, you need to be able to move. Physical Therapists do more than help you recover from surgeries or major injuries. We are the experts in human movement. Sure, you could see a strength coach to lift weights, hire a personal trainer, go to a yoga class to work on your flexibility and balance, and see a chiropractor for adjustments. But that seems like a lot of people when a PT can help you with all of these things and more. Nobody knows more about human movement or looks at your health the same way a PT does. We can help you with every aspect of movement including strength, range of motion, flexibility, endurance, balance and coordination.

As medical professionals we can help you with injuries or other issues. Your PT can work with your doctor to help use activity to manage things like diabetes, cholesterol levels or blood pressure instead of prescriptions. We are also trained to work with people of all ages, so you can develop a long-term relationship and we can continue to adjust and modify your routine as you age or your goals change.

Stay Healthy For Life

Staying active has a long list of benefits both now and in the future. But chances are you're not moving enough to make the most of those benefits. Most people need help. Physical therapists are the most qualified professional in existence to help keep you moving and healthy now and in the future. So don't only think of your PT as someone you see when you need help with pain or an injury. Think of us as your partner and coach working to help you keep moving and stay healthy for life.