Getting the Most Out of Your Physical Therapy Appointments

Once you've found a physical therapist, it can be hard to make time to do the work and see the results of your physical therapy. 

Your to-do list is a mile long, laundry is piling up, and there are approximately one hundred emails in your work inbox. Your time is spoken for on so many levels and is a limited commodity. We understand that means appointments, like physical therapy, can often be viewed as a “time suck.” But there are ways to maximize your time during your appointment that will also maximize the benefits you get from physical therapy. Here are tips on how to get the most out of physical therapy.

• Ask questions. The only way for your physical therapy to make a difference in your health is if you are doing it right. This means that it is important to make sure you fully understand the exercises your physical therapist is working with you on. There are no dumb questions, so if you don’t understand something that your physical therapist is asking you to do, it’s important to ask for clarity. 

• Be honest. Similarly to asking questions for clarity, it’s important that you are honest with your physical therapist. If you didn’t do your exercises like you were supposed to or experiencing pain that you aren’t sure if it’s a normal ache associated with strengthening, make sure to tell your physical therapist. Your therapist wants to help you, so it’s important to them that your concerns are addressed and that you are comfortable with the exercises they are asking you to do. It’s also important to be honest with your physical therapist if things are too easy or too hard so that you can get the most out of each and every appointment. 

• Stay consistent. When you’re in a time crunch, it’s easy to let your physical therapy fall to the wayside, but you won’t see results without consistency. Your progress may or may not go as fast as you think it should be, but it’s crucial to stay consistent to ensure your injury or chronic condition is cured or managed. Don’t stop! Keep consistent with your physical therapy and you will reap the benefits of your dedication. 

We know that fitting physical therapy into your busy schedule can be hard. But if you are willing to ask questions, be honest with your physical therapist, and stay consistent, you will see the results of physical therapy, whether you are recovering from an injury or working to manage a chronic condition. If you are interested in how physical therapy can help you, contact one of our three convenient locations.