By Mandie Martuzzo, PT

Most people would consider contacting a physical therapist if they have an obvious injury or severe pain, but what about those nagging symptoms that never become really limiting, yet never seem to go fully away. You may think you are too busy to see a physical therapist, or just think the symptoms will go away on their own or with time. However, these small problems can eventually develop into bigger problems and then become much more costly and time consuming to fix! And once they do, this bigger problem can really limit your ability to complete daily activities or participate in activities you love. Your physical therapist can help you address these small issues before they become limiting and expensive ones if you know the signs!

You are modifying daily activities, exercise or recreational activity
You may notice that you are too sore to perform your normal level of activity or fatigue quickly with exercise, so you begin limiting yourself,

You are starting a new workout program or training for a race
Therapists are experts in movement, and we can help you plan your progress and teach you how to increase at the right rate.  Increasing difficulty and intensity of exercise too much too quickly can promote injury.

Your recovery from a new activity is longer than normal
Are you experiencing new symptoms that occur with daily activities? Feelings of increased pain or symptoms that last longer than 3 days can be signs of injury.

You wake up in the morning sore and painful, but didn’t do any strenuous activity
Some general stiffness in the morning can be normal, especially in older adults or patients with arthritis, but once you get moving, the stiffness should resolve. However, it is not normal to wake up in pain. A therapist can help you with sleep positioning and determining the source of the problem.

You are noticing unusual pain, symptoms, or visible changes
Swelling in a joint can be indicative of an injury and continuing to exercise or play sports can make the damage worse. You should check with a therapist to evaluate the symptoms.

Your physical therapist at PhysioPartners can help you determine the right level of care for you with options for your schedule and budget, including traditional therapy plans, PT Express Care and telehealth sessions!