Surprising Ways Physical Therapy Can Help (That Most People Don’t Know About)

When you hear “physical therapy,” what comes to mind? Probably recovering from knee surgery, rehabbing a sprained ankle, or dealing with low back pain. Those are all important parts of PT, but they’re just the beginning.

Physical therapy covers a much wider range of needs—some that might surprise you. At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we work with active people every day on things they didn’t even realize PT could help with.

Surprising Ways Physical Therapy Can Help: Let’s dive into some of the lesser-known reasons people come to see us.

1. Pelvic Health (It’s Not Just About Pregnancy)

Pelvic floor physical therapy isn’t just for new moms. It helps with issues like:

• Urinary leakage (yes, even if it’s just “a little when I laugh”).

• Core weakness or instability.

• Pain with intimacy.

• Pelvic or low back pain that doesn’t go away.

Men and women both benefit from pelvic health PT—it’s one of the most overlooked specialties in healthcare.

2. Balance & Fall Prevention

You don’t have to wait until you’ve had a fall to work on balance. PT can improve strength, reaction time, and stability so you feel confident moving in daily life, hiking trails, or even just walking on uneven ground.

3. Headaches & Jaw Pain

That’s right—PT can help with tension headaches, TMJ pain (jaw discomfort), and even some forms of migraines. We look at posture, neck mobility, muscle tension, and breathing patterns that may be contributing.

4. Preparing for (or Avoiding) Surgery

Sometimes surgery is unavoidable, but in many cases, PT can delay or prevent the need for it. And if you do end up needing surgery, starting PT beforehand (“prehab”) makes recovery smoother and faster.

5. Improving Athletic Performance

Even if you’re not injured, PT can help you move more efficiently, train smarter, and reduce the risk of future injuries. Think of it as personalized coaching, grounded in medical science.

6. Lifestyle Upgrades

Sleep positions, desk setups, travel tips, lifting techniques—we help with all the little details that make your day-to-day life easier and more comfortable.

Surprising Ways Physical Therapy Can Help: The Takeaway

Physical therapy is about way more than rehabbing an injury. It’s about optimizing your whole system so you can keep doing the things you love—whether that’s running, lifting, traveling, or simply living pain-free.

During National Physical Therapy Month, we want to spread the word: if you have a body, PT can help you take better care of it.