The latest research continues to show how physical therapy improves outcomes for people with acute and chronic pain complaints. As a result, physicians now refer many patients to PT first before ordering expensive diagnostic imaging or invasive procedures such as injections or surgery. But because many people still think physical therapy is something you do only after surgery, they overlook physical therapy as a primary treatment option for common complaints like back, neck, extremity, and joint pain. 

Years of research and clinical advances in PT techniques now help many people avoid surgery who never thought they could. Physical therapy can be a first-line intervention for patients with various musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, neck pain, arthritis, balance, dizziness, vertigo, pre and post surgical rehab, and personal conditioning.