Over 33 million Americans have had COVID-19, with an estimated 30% having long-term effects.
Many of these patients are headed to physical therapy. But they’re not the only ones.
People are using physical therapy for neck pain, back pain, shoulder injuries, and other ailments. If you have scheduled an appointment with a physical therapist, how do you know what to expect?
Here is how to prepare for your first physical therapy appointment.
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Assess Yourself
You’ve selected your physical therapist and have an appointment set, but now what? One of the first things your physical therapist will do is discuss the issue that you are having. Be prepared to discuss the problem.
Common questions will be centered around how long you’ve had the issue and how it changes. So, begin first by asking yourself these questions.
Think about how the problem first started and what you were doing. How often do you have symptoms and what triggers them? Are you able to do anything to make it feel better?
Asking yourself questions in advance and even writing down your thoughts will help ensure you don’t forget anything when you’re at your appointment.
Knock Out Paperwork
On the day of your appointment, you’ll want to focus on healing and not on paperwork. If your insurance company will be covering the appointment, ensure that your physical therapist’s office has everything they need.
Filling out paperwork for the clinic in advance will help make your appointment go smoothly as well. For instance, Performaxphysicaltherapyandwellness.com suggests filling out your paperwork in advance and will help you with any questions over the phone. So when your appointment comes, you can focus on getting better.
Dress for the Occasion
Your first appointment will likely get your body moving, so you’ll want to have the right clothes. Your physical therapist may be able to offer advice on what to wear. You can also ask if they have changing rooms if you are coming straight from work.
In general, you’ll want to wear clothes that are easy to move around in. You’ll particularly want to pay attention to your area of pain. For instance, if you are going to physical therapy for back pain, ensure you can move your torso and legs well.
What Happens at a Physical Therapy Appointment?
Once you’ve assessed yourself, completed paperwork, and selected proper attire, you should be ready for your appointment. But knowing a little about what to expect at the appointment may help you attend with ease.
At your first physical therapy session, your therapist will take plenty of measurements. They will feel the area and test your range of motion. They will also measure the strength of the area.
After a full exam, they will go over a plan for your injury recovery and set follow-up appointments.
Get Healthier
Now that you know what to expect at your physical therapy appointment, it’s time to get started on the road to recovery! Your physical therapy appointment will have you recovering from an injury as long as you prepare and put the work in.
Looking for other health suggestions and news? Check out our other posts to keep your body as healthy as can be!
