What To Expect When You Start Physical Therapy
If your doctor has decided that you need physical therapy, you may be wondering what you can expect from your physical therapy sessions. Physical therapy can help to improve your mobility and decrease pain.
However, the first time you go to physical therapy you may be worried about whether or not you will be able to cope. Knowing what will happen during the session is one way to make sure that you are not blindsided by anything about the treatment.
Here's a closer look at what you can expect from physical therapy sessions.
The Examination
The first part of the treatment program will be an examination by your therapist. They will want to ask you some honest questions about the pain that you are feeling. You will need to tell them the level of pain that you are feeling and exactly where you are feeling the pain. During this examination, your health history will also be examined.
Movement is also a part of the examination. Your therapist will ask you to move so that they can look at the range of motion that you currently have and your mobility. They will also take a look at your posture and how well you can balance. This examination will help your therapist develop a treatment plan for you.
Deciding on Goals
During the next stage of the process, your therapist will decide on the goals that they have for your treatment program. They may set a goal to reduce your pain and restore a lot of your mobility. This is especially important if this lack of mobility is influencing your daily life.
Once your therapist starts discussing with you the goals that they have for your treatment program, you should ask them about how you will be able to assist them while you are at home, so that your goals are more easily met.
Treatment Methods
Several different methods may be involved in your treatment. Heat, ice, and even electrical stimulation are often used. Your physical therapist may also do massages on different areas of your body so that they can increase blood flow.
There will also be a lot of exercises involved in your therapy. You should always make sure you work along with your therapist so that you do not push yourself beyond your limits. Finally, before you start any type of treatment, make sure you understand fully what your therapist is trying to achieve.
For more information about physical therapy treatments, contact a local clinic.