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Physical therapy helps to identify, treat and diagnose movement problems in people of all ages and abilities. Physical therapy focuses on the joints and muscles of your body. It is often associated with pain from an injury or post-surgery recovery.
Here are some of the health issues physical therapy is used for:
Arthritis
Balance problems
Broken bones
Chronic headaches
Sports injuries
Stroke
This is just a small sample of the variety of ailments that can be treated with physical therapy. Your doctor will refer you to a physical therapist if he/she believes you will benefit from treatment.
Here are some tips to prepare for your first physical therapy appointment.
Make a list of your symptoms related to the reason for your physical therapy.
If you can, complete paperwork in advance.
Bring a list of any medications you are using.
Also, bring your driver’s license and insurance card.
If you have any X-rays or other digital images, bring those, too.
Wear comfortable clothing that lets you move around easily.
What should you expect at your first visit? This is the time the therapist will get to know you and your condition better. Don’t leave anything out. Tell him/her everything you can think of to help him/her understand your condition better.
Some common tests your therapist may conduct are:
Balance
Range of motion
Strength testing
Walking, such as looking at your posture and gait when you walk
At this time, the therapist will tell you what to expect from future appointments. Don’t expect to do the same thing every time. Your therapist will likely change things up as you progress.
Here are some tips to get the most out of your physical therapy:
Keep your appointments – more frequent appointments aim to get you better faster.
Do your homework - follow the home practice your physical therapist recommends as best as you can.
Understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it - this will motivate you more to stick with your therapy.