If you choose to undergo physical therapy, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. Here are some tips to help you get the most benefit from your treatment!
- Remember that this is an active treatment — physical therapy is not something done TO you. It is something you take part in. If you’re not going to do the work, you are wasting your time and the physical therapist’s time.
- Do your homework. Again, it’s a waste of time if you only put the effort in when your physical therapist is watching — your progress will be very slow if you only work when you have an appointment. (Unless your physical therapist tells you to ONLY work when you have an appointment, that is!)
- Remember that this is a team effort — think of your physical therapist as a coach or trainer, guiding you through the work you’re doing. You and your physical therapist will be like partners, working together towards your best possible health. If you don’t feel like you can trust and depend on your physical therapist, you might want to try to find someone else to work with.
- Try setting both short term and long term goals. Having one long term goal is great, but there may be days when it feels like you’ll never get there! Smaller, short term goals can be stepping stones to your big goal. Be sure to celebrate the small achievements along the way!
- Make your communication as clear as possible. If you don’t understand what your physical therapist is asking of you, ask questions. If you want to know more about a treatment before it happens, ask. Don’t be afraid to speak up — your health and mobility is what’s at stake here, and those are VERY important.
- Be patient with yourself. Your recovery may be a long process, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t whiz through therapy.
- Be honest with yourself. Physical therapy may be painful at times. Physical therapy may be exhausting at times. Accept your current limitations, and know that with help, they may not be limitations forever. Ask for help when you need it.
- Try to stay positive. The hard work you and your physical therapist are doing together is geared towards making your life better. You’ll have better mobility, improved balance, and a return to independence. It may be hard to keep a positive attitude going when your body aches and you’re feeling exhausted… but keeping the big picture in mind might help.