Tips For Your First Physical Therapy Session
Physical therapy is a necessary, although tough, requirement if you want to regain your health after an injury or surgery. Whether it's simple therapy after recovery from a torn muscle or more intense therapy after a major accident, knowing what to do when you walk into your first appointment can help your therapist treat you properly and ensure you heal as quickly as possible. The following tips can help you prepare.
Tip #1: Work on your descriptions
The simplest way to do this is to create a pain and discomfort journal in the days leading up to your appointment. This can be little more than an index card in your back pocket or a note on your smartphone app. The point is to simply get into the habit of describing the pain in detail for specific actions. For example, it may throb after walking or feel tingly if you have been sitting awhile. A stretch may result in a sharp pain. All of these notes will help your therapist figure out which exercises are needed and what type of recovery you need to focus on. It also helps if you keep up these notes even after therapy begins so you can give a status update at each appointment.
Tip #2: Dress for success
Physical therapy is just that – physical. Don't show up dressed to the nines or wearing restrictive clothing. Your therapist will need to be able to see and feel the injured area as they work on it, especially if massage or manipulation is part of the therapy. This means short sleeves or a tank top for an arm injury, and loose shorts for leg injuries. If these items aren't weather appropriate, wear them under loose fitting, easy to remove clothing. For example, shorts are easy to slip on beneath a skirt or under a pair of jogging pants. Some therapists may even have a changing room, but make sure to show up early so changing doesn't cut into therapy time.
Tip #3: Take notes
Come prepared with a pad and pencil. Your therapist will likely run through several exercises, and most you are likely unfamiliar with. Be prepared to take notes on how to perform each exercise, what it is meant to achieve, and how often you should do it. It's even better if your therapist has print out instructions available, but if they don't, it's okay to ask for them to model the exercise for you while you snap a photo with your smartphone. Also, write down the name for each exercise, since you may be able to find videos online showing how to do it if you forget. The goal is to be able to complete your prescribed therapy at home so you can heal as quickly as possible.
For more help, contact a therapist in your area.
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