7 reasons to seek physical therapy after slips, trips and falls

Physical therapy is a great way to recover from injuries and maintain good health. In many cases, people don’t realize that they should schedule physical therapy sessions after slips, trips or falls. Here are some of the most common reasons why you should consider seeking physical therapy after such incidents:

1. Pain — Feelings of pain (back, neck, ankle and more) in your body (or general discomfort) can be an indication that you’re suffering from a mild to serious injury. If you have any pain at all following slips, trips or falls, physical therapy can help your body to heal.

2. Muscle strain — Muscle strains and sprains are common in the muscles of your legs, back and other areas when you suffer a fall. Physical therapy can help restore strength and mobility in these areas.

3. Regaining range of movement — Just because the pain caused by your slip, trip or fall has subsided doesn’t mean that you’ve suffered no further damage. Fluidity in movement might be a challenge. After such an incident it’s important to regain the full range of movement of body parts that were injured during the fall.

4. Severe injury — Sometimes falls result in severe injuries that require more than just simple muscle strains or sprains exercises. In some cases, an individual might have broken bones that must be set and cast by a qualified orthopedic doctor. At some point, a customized physical therapy regime will be needed to support the healing process.

5. Lower back pain — Low back pain is a popular reason for seeking physical therapy after a fall. Falls into objects such as bathtubs or kitchen sinks often result in low back pain. Research shows that muscle strains in the back are the most common injuries.

6. Shoulder pain — Shoulder injuries are common, especially among people who break their slips, trips and falls with an outstretched hand (such as when they trip while descending stairs). Rotator cuff strains are common, as are fractures of the collarbone.

7. Knee pain — Knee injuries are also very common after slips, trips and falls. Strains or sprains of the knee can occur with tripping or other forces that can occur during a fall. 

Don’t hamper your healing process by trying to do it all on your own. At Advent Physical Therapy, we are ready to put you on the road to recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free screening to determine if you have an injury due to slips, trips or falls.