What to Expect at Physical Therapy?

March 24, 2022

What to Expect at Physical Therapy?

If you suffer an injury that hinders functional mobility and causes chronic pain, it’s best to seek the services of a certified physical therapist. Certified physical therapists have the expertise and skills necessary to assess your situation and provide personalized treatment and exercises to help you return to normal activities in the shortest time possible.

Your first appointment with your physical therapist is essential. It allows the physical therapist to learn more about your condition, injury history, and how the injury affects your life. The physical therapist will assess the impairments and create an effective treatment plan to help you get back on your feet.

It’s understandable to feel nervous during your first physical therapy appointment. We have created this guide to help you prepare for physical therapy.

What Exactly is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy or physiotherapy refers to physical treatments like exercises, workouts, patient education, heat treatment, and massage. Physical therapy can help promote, maintain, and restore health when performed by a certified physical therapist. Your physical therapist will assess your specific conditions before creating a personalized treatment plan for you.

Above all, the physical therapist will focus on prognosis, health promotion, patient education, rehabilitation, physical intervention, and disease prevention. Physical therapists address various auto, work, sports, repetitive stress, slip and fall injuries, including:

Low back pain with or without sciatica
Muscular strains
Spine injuries
Tendon injuries
Ligament sprains
Herniated disc
Post fracture
Post-surgical rehab
Sports medicine inquiries

Tips to Help You Make The First Physical Therapy Appointment a Success

It’s best to note that physical therapists require your cooperation to help you achieve your goals. So, follow these tips to make your first physical therapy visit a success.

1. Highlight Your Problem

It’s highly advisable to let the physical therapist know if the pain or the symptoms get worse or better with specific movements, positions, and activities. In addition, tell the physical therapist if the symptoms become more noticeable at particular times.

2. Ask For Help

It is always advisable to take a trusted friend or relative for your first appointment. They can help you take notes and even help you get home.

3. Dress Comfortably for Your First Physical Therapy Appointment?

It is always advisable to ask whether you should bring or wear specific clothing for your first physical therapy visit when making an appointment.

4. Prepare for the Initial Examination

After asking you some questions about your condition, your physical therapist will proceed to measure the impairments that could be causing the issue. You can expect any of these measurements during your initial physical therapy examination:

Range of motion measurements
Functional mobility
Palpation
Test of strength
Neurological screening test
Balance
Advanced imaging if necessary

Creating a Personalized Treatment Plan

After this initial examination, your physical therapist will have a clear insight into your injury or pain. The PT will then use their expertise and deep knowledge of physical therapy to create a plan that will reduce your pain and enhance your functional mobility. Your physical therapist will also consider your goals when designing a personalized treatment plan for you.

The therapist can recommend exercises, therapeutic modalities, and electric stimulation to help you overcome the pain and restore full body function.