5 Tips for Making the Most of Physical Therapy

The origins of actual physical therapy were introduced to the world in the 19th century by Per Henrik Ling of Sweden came up with a series of messages and exercises for gymnasts. Also known as physiotherapy, can include doing exercises, giving massages, and using things like heat, cold, electricity, or sound waves.

Aims to relieve pain and strengthen the weakened muscles to make mobility easier for the patients while reminding them that the medical aid can be continued by themselves as well for health improvements.

There are multiple reasons for people to need treatment: Post-surgery and accident-related traumas are top of the list, along with sports treatment. Physiotherapy is a powerful and necessary tool to help facilitate healing and recovery. 

Maximizing your sessions to get the most out of them is key to starting your physical therapy journey off correctly. To help get you back on your feet as fast as possible, follow these five tips below:

In a relationship, communication is the key, and the same applies to developing the right relationship with your physiotherapist.

Several pieces of information exist that should be explained to the therapists so that it is easy for them to understand the symptoms and problems. You can journal your concerns and also note down the questions you have for them.

This makes it easier for the physiotherapist to understand in a more detailed manner.

When they know everything there is to know about you and your condition, they are better equipped to make the best decisions for your treatment program. Give them a list of any medications you are on, your symptoms, and any X-rays or scans you have had done.

Discuss with your therapist about the questions or concerns you may have going into this.

Did You Know?
According to research conducted in 2007, The most prevalent nonverbal behaviors were touch by physical therapists (54%) and eye gaze by patients (84%).

Being comfortable while recuperating and healing is the goal of physical treatment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look stylish because the emotional well-being of the patient is equally important.

With comfortable clothes, we mean loose clothes and sneakers or non-slip soles because body-fitting clothes are not recommended when going for consultations. This is because the injuries or the areas affected can be accessed easily without further discomfort.

If they want to give you exercises to do at home, they will first need to show you how to do them. This will help ensure your form is correct, and you are not doing further damage to your muscles, bones, or joints.

Your therapist will need to see you in motion, watch how you walk, and may even ask you to do exercises or stretches to help them evaluate your current state.

Like any doctor or healthcare professional, you need to choose a physical therapist with an extended background in your condition. Their qualifications are the most important aspect that is to be considered.

The location, expertise, reputation, methods of treatment, and availability are some things to consider when picking a therapist.

Ask them questions regarding the plan specifically for you, the duration of the treatment, as well as if there are special types of equipment or braces you might need to speed up your recovery.

Ask Broadmead Physiotherapy if there is anything you can do to help make your recovery journey easier and more effective.

Fun Fact!
Physical therapists were called “sjukgymnasts” which means “someone involved in gymnastics for those who are ill” in Sweden until 2014!

Your initial therapy session will involve establishing your current physical condition and existing limitations. After all, how can you learn how far you have come if you do not know where you started?

Setting goals is an essential part of a physiotherapy aid plan.

Be realistic when setting goals; you cannot expect to be able to do more than your body is ready for. Discuss these goals with your therapist, and together you can decide what is appropriate for your physical condition.

Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs, whether it is to recover in terms of a post-surgery recovery, chronic pain recovery, or post-accident recovery.

It is your best chance of recovering from surgery or injury and should not be deviated from in the slightest. If there are exercises or stretches that you are not comfortable with, or if anything hurts, tell your therapist!

A lot of elements of your aid plan can be quickly modified or adjusted when required. Disciplined patients are always the same ones who have a much higher success rate.

To End

Physiotherapy alone doesn’t guarantee you a proper recovery until and unless you initiate a follow-up of the treatment by yourself as well.

This adds on and speeds up the process of recovery. Since the process of recovery is a time-consuming process, being patient with your therapist and yourself is the key. No healing can happen overnight – if you stay calm and understanding, you can get back to being your old self in no time.