Whether you have an illness causing significant pain, have suffered an injury, or are recovering from surgery,the odds are very high that your doctor or surgeon will recommend physical therapy.
Physical therapy is a form of therapy that aims to help patients find pain relief and improve their strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility.Like any other medical appointment, it is important to prepare for your first physical therapy appointment to ensure a smooth and productive experience.
Here are some tips for preparing for your first physical therapy session and what you can expect from it.
Before Your Visit to a Physical Therapist
When preparing for your first appointment with the physical therapist,ensure to write down all the important information about your problem and its history. Be ready to answer the questions like:
- When and how did your symptoms or the problem begin?
- How well were you able to perform your daily activities like lifting groceries and climbing stairs before your injury or problem?
- What makes your symptoms better or worse?
- How often do you experience symptoms?
- Which symptoms bother you the most?
Be sure to bring a list of all the medications you are currently taking or have taken in the past. This is because many medications can cause heat sensitivity, cold sensitivity, or photo sensitivity, which can impact the effectiveness of your physical therapy treatments.
Remember to tell your physical therapist about your chronic health condition, surgeries, and any procedures you have had. If possible, bring any medical diagnostic or lab reports that may be related to your problem.
During your physical therapy session, your physical therapist may ask you to lie down, get into a difficult position, or perform certain exercises, so be sure to wear clothing that is easy to move around in. You may opt for your gym clothes or workout clothes.
If you have pain in certain areas, such as spine or shoulder pain, wear clothing that allows access to your problematic areas.
Things to Expect from Your First Physical Therapy Session
During your first physical therapy session, your physical therapist will spend some time with you and learn about your condition. They will ask about your previous level of function and how your current condition or problem is affecting your life and daily activities.
They will also ask you the questions mentioned in the above section and perform an examination in which they will focus on determining the impairments that may be causing your problems.
Commonly, during a physical therapy evaluation, physical therapists check palpitation, range of motion, strength, functional mobility, balance, and flexibility. They may also perform some neurological screening tests.
Following a comprehensive assessment, your physical therapist will devise an individualized treatment plan, which may include:
- Stretches
- Range of motion exercises
- Strengthening exercises
- Balance exercises
- Coordination exercises
- Therapeutic modalities, e.g., heat and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc.
- Manual therapy, e.g., massage therapy and hands-on techniques
Your physical therapist will also teach you some stretches and exercises that you can continue to do at home.
Physical Therapy in Rochester Hills, MI
If you are in search of a highly trained and skilled spine surgeon who offers physical therapy as a first resort of treatment, visit us here at Ahlgren Spine. Our Dr. Bradley Ahlgrenis highly trained in spine surgery and will perform a comprehensive assessment to determine the source of your pain. He will work with you to develop your treatment plan, which may include prescription pain medications, pain relief injections, physical therapy, and surgery if needed.
In our clinic, we also offer on-site physical therapy for your convenience. If you have any questions about our on-site physical therapy services or would like to schedule a consultation with our surgeon, please contact our staff today by calling us at (248) 215-8080 or by filling out our online request form.
