When you try anything new, whether a hair product or an exercise regimen, you may question whether it will work. Will this new thing you brought into your life have the desired effect? Usually, it takes a certain amount of time to answer that question, and the timeframe can vary. With physical therapy, it can sometimes take a while to see progress, and you may begin to question whether starting it in the first place was really worth it. Are you actually getting better, or are you wasting your time and money?
It is common to ask these questions during therapy, but there are things you can do to give yourself the best possible chance at successful outcomes. Our therapists at EW Motion Therapy provide an open environment, where you can communicate your feedback, needs, and goals while being heard and understood. Our ultimate goal is to help you progress in your therapy by focusing on the things you can control, even if you choose to seek therapy elsewhere.
This article discusses action items before, during, and after physical therapy that you can take to ensure consistent results to the best of your ability. With this information, you can feel confident knowing you are doing everything in your power to help your treatment progress.
Wanting to try physical therapy for yourself? Click to download our 20 Physical Therapy Questions, Answered to learn more.
Before physical therapy
Before coming in for your evaluation, there are four things you need to think about that can help your therapist best determine your plan of care.
- Symptoms. Are you having pain or tightness? What positions make your symptoms better or worse? Do your symptoms worsen at certain times during the day? Do you use heat or ice? These are questions your therapist will probably ask you, so it might be good to think about them before you come in for your evaluation.
- Activities. Think about things you do during your day that make your symptoms worse or better. Do you play a sport? Have your symptoms prevented you from going to the gym? If you include your favorite and most regular activities as part of your goals, your therapist can tailor your treatment plan so you can return to doing what you love and what you need to do during your day.
- Goals. Everyone has a reason why they need physical therapy, whether you just need help recovering from a procedure or you want to play with your grandkids. Make sure to find your “why” and articulate it to your therapist in a measurable way, so they can build out that roadmap to improve your quality of life.
- Attitude/mindset. Recovery is just as much a mental battle as it is physical. You may not see the progress you want as soon as you expect to, but especially with chronic patients, a positive mindset is essential. Just remember, if you can get a little better, you can get a lot better. Make sure you are ready to commit to your journey, whatever that looks like.
During physical therapy
During your treatment progression, it is important to follow the home exercise plan your therapist gives you and communicate to them how it makes you feel. What exercises help, and which ones make it worse? Do they create new symptoms or are they helping your existing ones? Participation in your exercise plan can make up about 75% of your physical therapy treatment because ultimately, your therapist should teach you how to manage your symptoms on your own.
It is also critical to focus on the small wins as you progress. Again, if you can get a little better, you can eventually get a lot better. You may not be able to go back to the gym today, but if you can walk for a little while around your neighborhood, celebrate that win. It is good to set short-term goals as well as long-term ones, so you can stay consistent and encourage yourself along the way.
After physical therapy
Once your treatment period has ended, ideally you will have reached the long-term goal that you set at the beginning of your journey. If you did, your therapist can help you make a plan to maintain your progress and perhaps advance your exercise program. Also, if you have a flare-up or just need more advice, your therapist will always be a great resource.
If, however, you did not reach your goal, or your issue is ongoing, your therapist will create a care plan to help you manage your symptoms. They may also recommend further activity, like personal training, to help you continue to improve your quality of life.
How else should I prepare for my sessions?
Now you know more about things you can do to help your therapy progress as well as it can. There can of course be factors outside of your control, but at least you can do everything in your power to see the progress you want. Before you come in for your evaluation, there are a few more practical things you should try to take care of, but once you do, you are set to begin your journey to better health and wellness.
We encourage our patients at EW Motion Therapy to celebrate small victories and keep going no matter what, even when it seems they have not progressed as they expected. Physical therapy is a journey with ups and downs, but focusing on the ups can help you have a better experience. If you want to learn more about physical therapy at EW, fill out the Request an Appointment form on our website, and someone from our staff will contact you within 48 hours with your next steps.
