There are virtually hundreds of benefits of physical therapy, but the key benefits are to evaluate physical problems, increase and maintain muscle strength and endurance, restore and increase joint range of motion, increase coordination, decrease pain, decrease muscle spasm and plasticity, decrease swelling and inflammation of joints, promote healing of soft tissue lesions, prevent contracture and deformity of limbs, alleviate walking problems, educate patients and family, decrease stress and a whole lot more too numerous to mention. These are but a few of the benefits of physical therapy.

These include:

&bull13 to 26 days of paid annual (vacation/personal) leave each year.

&bull13 days of sick leave each year.

&bull15 days of military leave each year for active reservists and National Guard Members.

&bullChoice of group health insurance plan with premiums partially paid by the federal government.

&bull10 paid Federal holidays each year

&bullVoluntary Leave Transfer Program.

&bullTerm life insurance

Physical therapy is also multifaceted in that it can also bring about mental relief. Yes, there are quite significant mental benefits from physical therapy. An efficient physical therapy massage can relieve a person of much tension. A physiotherapy massage can ease the nerves and the muscles. It ensures that the circulatory system functions properly. This can bring about tremendous relief and relaxation, not to mention numerous health benefits. But it is critical that physical therapy is not used as a stand alone treatment. Physiotheraoy must be applied based on a sound medical diagnosis of the ailment. For instance, a person is suffering from pain in their wrist.

Strength training can help rebuild lost bone mass by increasing the blood flow to bones. Rebuilding bone mass is especially important for women who are suffering from osteoporosis. Additionally, strength training and exercise can help reduce the symptoms of arthritis, depression, type II diabetes, sleep disorders, and heart disease. Even individuals who are currently considered "home-bound" can benefit from exercise and strength training.

Regular massages from untrained individuals may prove beneficial in some ways, but in the long run and more bang for the buck, physical therapy very much eats the competition for lunch. The benefits of physical therapy depend greatly on the treatment methods that physical therapists utilize. Some examples are joint mobilization, soft tissue release, trigger point release, manual therapy, myofascial stretching, muscle re-education, modalities, therapeutic exercise, re-conditioning program, specific strengthening of weak muscles, and a home exercise program to name a few. These methods are not only far superior to indiscriminate kneading and pounding, but proof of the scientific nature of physical therapy. The benefits of physical therapy are not only for instant gratification in terms of comfort, but the benefits are a long term solution for afflictions, a lasting cure for those who need it.

If you are overweight, a dietary plan will be created to reduce the stress of excess weight on supporting joints of the back, legs and feet. (As yet, no specific diet -- other than a diet designed for weight loss -- has proved helpful for arthritis.)