You might already visit your primary care physician, dentist, and eye doctor each year. But did you know adding a physical therapist check-in to your health care routine can help you stay active, strong, and reduce your risk of injury?
Seeing a physical therapist isn’t just for recovery. It’s also a powerful, safe strategy to support your long-term health, independence, and quality of life.
You may have heard phrases like "movement is medicine" or "motion is like lotion for your joints." The right kind and amount of movement is essential to your well-being. It helps to maintain joint health, muscle strength, coordination, and balance reactions. A physical therapist can help you move better and more often to achieve the many benefits of regular physical activity.
Getting enough regular physical activity can:
- Help to prevent injuries.
- Ease or eliminate pain.
- Improve strength and flexibility.
- Boost mood and mental health.
- Support heart and bone health.
- Prevent and improve many chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even some cancers.
Physical therapists are doctorate-educated movement experts. They take a thorough look at your health and lifestyle to design a plan just for you. One of the best parts of working with a physical therapist is getting advice that fits your body and your goals.
Here are 5 smart reasons to add a regular physical therapy check-up to your health and wellness routine:
1. Monitor strength and mobility
Stay informed about your physical capabilities and track changes over time.
Whether you're a parent concerned about how your child walks, an older adult trying to avoid falls, or someone with a health issue that makes moving harder, a yearly check-up for your strength and mobility can be helpful.
A physical therapist can uncover movement or strength deficits and teach you ways to address them. They will recommend personalized exercises and activities to help you feel better and stay healthy.
2. Detect subtle mobility changes early.
Identify shifts in how your body works before they interfere with daily activities or routines.
The human body is very good at saving energy. In fact, it naturally chooses the path of least resistance. In fact, the body adjusts how you move without you even noticing. These subtle changes can put extra strain on your joints and muscles, potentially leading to pain or injury over time.
Physical therapists know how to spot these small changes and can help you correct them. By including an annual physical therapy visit in your regular health care routine, you can get a customized plan with exercises and tips to help you move better and avoid many problems before they start.
3. Get personalized exercise guidance.
Receive recommendations based on your health, goals, lifestyle, and movement patterns.
Physical therapists play an important role in promoting healthy movement across every stage of life. Their expertise allows them to consider your overall health and design programs that support long-term wellness. Here are some ways they help:
- Children and Teens. Physical therapists can address posture concerns due to heavy backpacks or prolonged screen time. They provide support for reaching developmental milestones and promote independence. They also help reduce or prevent secondary problems related to childhood conditions. (View our Physical Therapy Health Center for Children).
- Early adulthood (20s to 30s). Physical therapists can recommend movement strategies to prevent injury for office workers, athletes, and people with physically demanding jobs. They also support women during pregnancy and postpartum. (See Why Physical Therapy Matters in Early Adulthood)
- Midlife (40s to 60s). A physical therapist can help you address morning stiffness, postural changes, and the early signs of aging. (See Why Physical Therapy Matters in Middle Adulthood)
- Older adults (65 and over). Physical therapists can help you reduce falls risk and maintain an active lifestyle so you can be present for the moments that matter. (View our Health Center for Older Adults)
4. Prevent injuries before they occur.
Speak to your physical therapist about your daily habits and learn how to keep yourself safe with personalized guidance.
One of the most common questions physical therapists hear is, "Why does this hurt now?" Many injuries develop slowly over time due to repeated strain. Often there is no specific event causing symptoms. Seeing a physical therapist regularly — or early when new aches and pains develop — can help you stop this process and avoid future problems.
Our muscles are great at adapting. They recover from fatigue and adjust to daily stress. But factors like aging, poor sleep, nutrition, or being out of shape (lack of physical activity) make it harder for muscles to bounce back. When the body isn’t at its best, it is easier to become sore or injured.
A physical therapy visit offers a valuable opportunity to catch potential issues early so you can address them and stay active and pain-free for the long haul.
5. Take charge of your health with prevention.
A proactive mindset and regular visits to a physical therapist can help you catch small issues before they cause pain or injury.
Preventive health care enables early detection of issues, lowers health care costs down the road, and improves overall quality of life. A physical therapist can help you stay active and pursue the activities you enjoy.
Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can see a physical therapist directly for evaluation and treatment without a physician’s referral.* To search for a physical therapist in your area, visit Find a PT.
The American Physical Therapy Association launched the nationwide campaign (PT For Future Me) to help Americans learn how physical therapy supports their movement, wellness, and independence at every stage of life, even without an injury.
*A referral may still be required by your insurance policy or corporate policies. Some states may limit the type or duration of treatment without a referral.
