How Physical Therapy can Benefit your Overall Health as a Lifeguard

How to Increase Overall Health as a Lifeguard with Physical Therapy

Let’s face it: Lifeguarding is hard work. It’s physically demanding to move quickly with power, strength, and endurance. Add into the mix that most lifeguards are living up to those physical demands on a weekly, if not daily, basis.

If you’re a lifeguard who has suffered an injury on or off the job, you may want to consider starting up physical therapy for your recovery. Read on!

What is physical therapy?

According to WebMD, physical therapy “aims to ease pain and help you function, move, and live better.” Typically, you’ll work with a physical therapist or physiotherapist, and the cadence for your treatment varies depending on your body’s needs.

Do you need physical therapy?

Typically, physical therapy is practiced in response to a need or condition — like an injury or a chronic disease — that affects your physical body. If you find yourself aching or having a hard time carrying out day-to-day functions because of your body, you may want to see a physical therapist.

What happens during physical therapy?

Physical therapy treatment plans vary by severity, type of injury or condition, age, and more. In other words, it really depends on why you’re starting physical therapy and what you’re looking to get out of it. After your first or second physical therapy session, your physical therapist will come up with a care plan to guide the process.

Your first session will be all about your body, how you move, what you eat, how you sleep, and your medical history. Your physical therapist will get to know your body’s current state and your body’s needs. Once you have a treatment plan in place, you’ll work toward your defined goals during every session. That might mean lifting weights, stretching, warm or cold water therapy, or strength-based exercises — but really, the world is your oyster. Every plan is bespoke to your needs, and that’s why physical therapists make a huge difference in improving your overall physical health.

What next? Should you find a physical therapist?

While physical therapy is a helpful tool for improving your overall health, it’s important you listen to your body. You may benefit from eating healthy, sleeping better, or exercising more regularly before finding a physical therapist. Be in tune with your body’s needs, and reach out to a physical therapist if you find yourself dealing with an injury, recovery, or chronic condition that needs more support.

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