Physical therapy addresses the injuries or illnesses that limit a person’s ability to move and perform everyday functions. Widely recommended for dealing with age-related illnesses, physical therapy sessions include individualized exercises to strengthen the key muscles and improve balance and flexibility besides increasing a person’s overall wellbeing. These sessions can last for 30-60 minutes twice or more a week depending on the issue for which physical therapy is being undertaken. Certain exercise programs for older adults have been known to reduce falls up to 50%.
A physical therapy program can help people return to their normal functioning by encouraging activities and lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of injury while boosting overall health. The effectiveness of these therapy sessions, however, depends on the extent of the problem, the skills of the physical therapist, and most importantly the patient’s approach or attitude towards the sessions. Here we talk about some tips that will ensure that you get the most out of your physical therapy sessions.
How to Reap the Benefits of Your Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy sessions are aimed at providing you with relief from pain while improving your balance, flexibility, and stamina required to function normally. The therapy can lower patient treatment costs by 72%. But to reap the full benefits of these sessions you need to be sincere, diligent, and honest about your therapy and the exercises involved. Some things to remember are:
Tip #1 - Understand Your Diagnosis
To ensure that you benefit from the therapy you need to first understand the diagnosis or the reason for which you are undergoing it. Clarity about the problem that needs to be resolved will determine the frequency and the duration of the therapy. And once you are clear about the gravity of the situation, you will be more sincere and regular with your therapy sessions which in turn will ensure that you benefit from them.
Tip #2 - Be Honest with Your Therapist
To provide you with the best treatment and recovery option, your therapist will need to know all the details about your lifestyle and the problems faced by you. Be honest about the trigger points, the extent, and type of pain or problem being faced by you. Even during exercise sessions, if you feel uncomfortable or find it difficult to perform a particular exercise, be vocal about it. This will help your therapist develop or recommend alternative exercises or movements to improve your mobility.
Tip #3 - Set Goals
Setting goals that you wish to achieve after finishing your physical therapy sessions can be a big motivator. Share the same with your therapist so that a customized treatment can be prepared. Also, be focused, cooperate with the therapist, and celebrate each small achievement.
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Tip #4 - Dress Comfortably
The clothes that you wear during your physical therapy sessions play an important role in your performance. Wear loose fitted and comfortable clothes and shoes with non-skid soles during all your therapy sessions. This will facilitate easy movement of your joints and a quick diagnosis of your problem.
Tip #5 - Do Your Homework Diligently
Your physical therapist may ask you to practice certain exercises at home between appointments. Do this homework if you wish to get the maximum benefit and do follow the instructions given. Do not add or modify the exercise without checking with the therapist. Also, make notes of any kind of pain or discomfort that you experience during the home exercises. The failure to do so can result in severe damage and even delay the recovery process.
To conclude, make the most of your physical therapy sessions by setting up a goal that you wish to achieve, cooperating with the therapist by following the instructions, and by being honest about your experience.
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