Making an appointment with your physical therapist usually means that you need to improve your physical stability. Once you set an appointment, make sure that you maximize it. These are some common guidelines that can help you make the most of your therapy appointment, whether at home, in a clinic, or hospital.
- Wear comfortable clothes. Jeans or long sleeves are not advisable for your therapy appointments. Physical therapists may need to check affected parts of your to determine what kind of treatment they will perform. If you don’t know what to wear, don’t hesitate to ask your therapist. Wearing inappropriate clothes will not only make you feel uncomfortable during examination and exercise but will consume most of your time as well. Do not forget to wear closed, comfortable shoes because you might need to lift some weights which would not be safe with open footwear.
- Make sure to arrive on time or a few minutes early for all your appointments. By doing this, you will make the most of your appointment with the therapist without affecting the next patient. If you cannot come on time, make sure to call your physical therapist ahead and ask if he/she can still attend to you or if it would be better to reschedule your appointment.
- Discuss your condition and treatment with your therapist. Knowing the details of your situation and how to deal with it is very important. Open communication will help you and the therapist understand the situation and take appropriate action.
- Do your home exercise program exactly as instructed. After your appointment with the therapist, it is possible that he/she will give you specific instructions regarding some exercises that you can do at home or in your room. Ensure that you execute them properly. If you cannot do them, inform your therapist and ask what to do about it.
- Work Hard. You should be as committed to your therapy as you are to your job. The speed of your recovery will depend on how much you discipline yourself in executing all the treatments (exercise included) given to you.
These rules, when applied while undergoing physical therapy, will help you improve faster. Doing your part and not depending on the therapist for everything will make you appreciate everything that is happening to you while you reach your full recovery.
Preparation for Physical Therapy
When patients are advised to undergo physical therapy, they don’t exactly know what to expect or what to do before going through the therapy. Some are afraid to do it while others just ignore it hoping to get better on their own. However, it is best to follow the doctor and be prepared and educated for this kind of treatment. Below are some things to consider:
- Ask your doctor about your situation and what type of therapy you have to undergo. Ask the doctor to identify what type of specialization your therapist must have because there are physical therapists that focus on different types of treatments. Ask for referrals to physical therapists as well.
- Talk to your friends and ask if they have experience with physical therapy or if they know someone who has. Talk to people who have undergone the same treatment so as to give you an idea of how physical therapy works and what to do before and after it.
- When setting an appointment, do it personally and talk to your physical therapist. Also, visit the facilities and look around. Observe the place to see if it is clean and if the staff members are attentive to their patients.
- If you have insurance, make sure that your physical therapy is covered by it. If not, be prepared for large expenses. You will need to be financially prepared for this kind of treatment.
- Familiarize yourself with your current situation – such as problems you have encountered, your history and medications, and reasons why you should undergo physical therapy – and discuss them with your physical therapist. Also, add the doctor’s evaluation. Tell your therapist everything so that they can better decide upon the necessary course of action.
- Think of your goal. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish. What do you expect to be the outcome of the therapy? In order to plan well and meet your needs, also share these goals with your therapist.
- Relax and feel free to communicate with your therapist. Having a good relationship will make you calm and your doctor open to your opinions. This will also help you get the best treatment.
One reason that doctors suggest physical therapy is to avoid surgery or operations as much as possible. This treatment will help patients improve posture, strengthen weak muscles, or learn how to lift correctly. Trust your doctor that he/she will give the best treatment for your condition.
Call Us Today
We love guiding patients toward health and wholeness. We live for the moments of success our clients achieve. Get started on your journey toward recovery by giving us a call today.