“I don’t know where I would be without Ashley (Schurr, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS),’’ said Hendren, who used to regularly shoot his age in golf, has a hole-in-one to his credit, and also a perfect 300 game in bowling. “She has always been there to get me through whatever I am dealing with. It’s been a lot of years with Ashley
Most people assume physical therapy is something you only need after tearing a ligament, having joint replacement surgery, or waking up with a stiff neck. While PTs are great at those things, treating injuries is only half of what we do. Physical therapy is also one of the most effective, underused tools for preventative wellness. PT can help you move better, prevent chronic disease and help protect your health for decades to come. Exercise Is The Wonder Drug You Don’t Need a Prescription For We all know exercise is good for us. If physical activity were packaged into a single pill, it would be the most prescribed blockbuster medication on earth. The benefits of exercise are incredible: Improves your mood and mental clarity: Triggers natural endorphins and neurotransmitters that combat depression and chronic anxiety Protects against chronic illness: Drastically reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and multiple types of cancer Improves immune function: Studies show regular moderate activity significantly lowers the risk of severe respiratory illness and hospitalization from viruses like COVID-19 Protects brain health: Staying physically active through midlife helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia Improves metabolic health and sleep: Helps regulate insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and circadian rhythm But the CDC reports that fewer than a quarter of American adults meet the full federal benchmarks for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. Why is that? Because for many people, moving regularly hurts, feels overwhelming, or doesn't fit well into everyday life. That's where your physical therapist comes in. Physical Therapy Helps You For Life To stay active, you have to first be able to move comfortably and safely. Physical Therapists are doctoral-level experts in the human movement system. They'll evaluate your entire body to reduce pain, get you moving better, and help you find the best exercise routine for you. They can also work together with your broader healthcare team. Whether your physician has urged you to lower your blood pressure, manage cholesterol, or improve your HbA1c levels, your PT can design an exercise prescription to help with these goals safely, and without pain. Think of your physical therapist the same way you think of your primary care physician or dentist: someone you visit for regular check-ups, movement screenings, and prescription changes. As your body changes across different decades, or as your lifestyle shifts from training for 10Ks to keeping up with grandkids, your PT can help you stay pain-free, capable, and healthy. Aging is inevitable, but losing mobility, strength, and independence is not. You don't have to wait for pain to make an appointment with your PT. Whether you want to run your first 5K, get back in the gym safely, or maintain your mobility and independence, think of your physical therapist as your movement coach and lifelong partner.