Physical therapy is one of the best ways to improve one’s mobility. It’s very effective yet less invasive compared to other treatment methods. Anyone can benefit from physical therapy. Those who need it the most include the elderly and anyone who has suffered physical injuries or other related medical conditions. With a personalised and well-coordinated therapy programme, you’ll be able to get back to your optimum level of activity and vigour.
As much as it’s an effective process, many people prefer surgical procedures because they’re faster. However, there are various ways you can make your physical therapy more effective and get the results you desire. This article aims to explore these tips and discuss how you can get the best out of your programme.
Recall The Cause of Your Pain
Most organisations like Fit Club NY physical therapy demand that the therapists ask their patients how, where, and when their injuries started. You ought to remember that not everyone suffers the same fate when it comes to physical injuries. You might have a bruise on the same spot as your friend but the force of impact that caused the pain initially may determine the treatment procedures customised only to you.
That said, you’ll need to jog your memory with regards to your old injuries. Try to remember as many details as possible, and be sure to share them with your therapist in case they ask. Don’t ignore even the seemingly unimportant sensations because those might determine the procedures your physician will recommend.
Set Your Treatment Goals
As they say, every successful project has definite goals. Your goal is to rejuvenate your muscles and ensure your activity level is back to its optimum. It might sound obvious, but you won’t get the desired results if you don’t have clear objectives.
For instance, one patient might be undergoing therapy sessions to alleviate pain. If your goal is to regain full control of your limbs, then the programs for the two of you might vary slightly. Discussing your expectations with your therapist will also help the situation.
Aside from the actual treatment, it’s normal to ask your physical therapist about the proper attire during physical therapy sessions. Your physical therapist may recommend you to wear exercise clothes, such as athletic shorts, a comfortable t-shirt, or yoga pants.
Wearing comfortable clothes avoids restrictions on performing range-of-motion (ROM) exercises and promotes proper evaluation of your injury.
Be Consistent
Again, success is only achieved when there is consistency, and therapy is no exception. Normally, your physical therapist will give you a breakdown of what’s expected of you as the patient throughout the programme.
For instance, during the initial weeks, you might be required to report to the therapy facility three times a week. Of course, with busy schedules and day-to-day responsibilities, it’s easy to forget about these appointments. However, missing a session can have a huge impact on your progress. It’ll not only take longer than expected, but your injuries may not react according to the desired healing process.
Your physical therapist may provide treatment homework, and it’s essential to strictly follow the orders if you want to obtain the best results. One of the best ways to ensure consistency and adhere to your physical therapist’s orders is to find a broader purpose. Are you planning to join the Olympics? Do you want to win the next race?
Aside from finding a purpose to stay motivated, finding a physical therapist who can match your personality or someone you’re comfortable with creates a more pleasant treatment.
If you’re comfortable talking with your physical therapist, you’re more likely to follow your home treatment plan.
Communicate
One thing you can be sure of is that sometimes these physical therapy treatments can be quite painful. Many patients ignore this because they believe in the notion that doctors are ‘always right.’ Well, your therapist is also a human being, and makes certain moves that trigger pain in your limbs. In addition, not everyone’s condition is the same; so, how your body reacts can be somewhat different from another person.
If you want to get the best out of these programmes, you need to speak out whenever deemed necessary. If you feel some pain, don’t shy off or consider it as part of the procedure. Even if that’s the case, make sure your therapist knows this so they can decide whether to change tact or keep on doing it.
You can communicate with your physical therapist face-to-face or through a phone call, email, chat, or text message. Be open to your physical therapist regarding the most comfortable communication method you prefer to understand your feelings and situation clearly and to promote faster recovery and treatment success.
Honesty Is key
You can communicate enough, but if you’re not honest enough, your communication might not bear any fruit. As earlier mentioned, physical therapists are human beings and they won’t know what you’re feeling unless you talk. Therefore, whatever you tell them is what they’ll consider when preparing the rest of the sessions.
Also, you can easily lose track of time and decide to skip an exercise. This is something you should consider telling your therapist so that they can advise you accordingly. A good therapist will even suggest a few changes to your exercise timetable to help you balance your schedule.
Conclusion
Physical therapy might not be everyone’s piece of cake, but it’s among the most effective treatment procedures. If you’re looking to get the best out of your therapy sessions, one thing you will need to do is to explain everything to your therapist. Also, make sure you communicate honestly whenever necessary. This way, your therapist could adjust their treatment procedures and recommend the most effective option.
