5 Conditions You Didn't Know Physical Therapy Can Treat

You hear about physical therapy for back pain, arthritis, or recovery from a musculoskeletal injury. However, physical therapy is also a recommended treatment for other disorders that you don’t hear about as much.  

Dr. Mohammed Hablas at Outreach Manual Physical Therapy in the Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn in New York City, helps patients with joint and soft tissue problems and neurological issues. Physical therapy can treat the following five conditions:

1. Jaw Pain/TMD

Do you have jaw pain from TMD, or temporomandibular disorders? Pain isn’t the only symptom of this group of 30 jaw disorders. You may hear a popping or cracking sound when you eat, have difficulty opening your mouth, feel your jaw shift from one side to the other when you open your mouth or even feel dizzy. 

You may have gone to your dentist with TMD symptoms. They may address your TMD using a mouth guard, but your jaw muscles need retraining to be better aligned.

You may have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, contributing to symptoms such as headaches and neck pain. Dr. Hablas works on the soft tissue inside and outside your jaw to release tight muscles. You learn techniques to avoid clenching your teeth and strategies to relax your jaw using stretching and massage. You also learn to do specific exercises to keep your jaw muscles loose to not be in pain. 

2. Vertigo 

If you have vertigo, you want the spinning sensation to stop. When you feel dizzy, it’s impossible to get anything done. You have a vestibular disorder, and trained physical therapists can treat it. 

Dr. Hablas reviews your doctor’s reports and treats your specific type of vertigo. Your vertigo may not have a defined cause or may result from a head or central nervous system injury. You may receive vestibular rehabilitation, which helps you identify vertigo triggers and use methods you learn in therapy to prevent the attacks. 

3. Lymphedema

With a lymphedema condition, your soft tissue swells, usually in your arms or legs. You have an abnormal fluid buildup; your body drains the fluid automatically.   

You may have lymphedema symptoms after cancer treatment; it’s common after radiation therapy and breast cancer. You’re also at risk for lymphedema if you’re obese or have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.  

Dr. Hablas manually drains lymphatic fluid. You learn techniques to strengthen your circulation and lessen swelling during your therapy. 

4. Pelvic floor disorders

Whether you’re a man or a woman, you can have a pelvic floor disorder such as incontinence or pelvic pain. If you’re a woman, you may have pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which your uterus, bladder, or rectum becomes loose and presses down onto your vagina. Dr. Hablas instructs you in exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor and uses manual therapy to help restore function to your pelvic organs.  

5. Neurological Conditions

If you have a concussion or a neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, Dr. Hablas can help you increase your mobility so that you can be more independent. You focus on balance and other exercises designed for your symptoms. 

Call Outreach Manual Physical Therapy or book an appointment online today if you have any of these conditions and for all your musculoskeletal needs.