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1. Prepare for your first visit by bringing the prescription from your doctor, and clothing you can work out in including comfortable shoes. Be sure to download any necessary office paperwork from your physical therapist’s website so you can already have it filled out when you arrive.
2. Arrive on time or even come a little as there is always some paperwork to still be done in the lobby. We will collect your identification and insurance paperwork and enter you into our system.
3. Wear the exercise clothes and comfortable shoes into your appointment. This means you may need to account for some time changing prior to your appointment. Wear clothes that are breathable and allow for a full range of motion so nothing constricting.
4. Pay attention to the physical therapist and your treatment by retiring your cell phone and any other electronics for the duration of your appointment. While it is tempting to use to make the time go by faster, your cell phone can be a hindrance to your recovering quickly. You don’t want to risk injury by missing any instructions from your physical therapist.
5. Arrange for enough time on your calendar for your appointment. If your appointment for treatment is scheduled for one hour, do your best to give the full hour. We are all busy and have places to be, kids to take to practice, and groceries to buy. Remember your health should be your main priority so that you can keep doing these things well into the future! If there is a scheduling issue, discuss it with the office staff so that we can help find a solution.
6. Don’t skip out on therapy visits. Your doctor prescribed 2 or 3 visits per week because that is the recommend time for maximum healing for your injury. If you aren’t sure about your weekly visit requirements, but sure to ask your physical therapist.
7. Try not to expect instant healing after one therapy session. A downside to healing is that it takes time, but physical therapy can help speed things along and help keep you from having a re-injury later down the road. If you have any questions about physical therapy, how it works, and what to expect, you can visit a highly-qualified physical therapist site such as http://www.boshphysicaltherapy.com. Bosh Physical Therapy can provide answers that will put your mind at ease and prepare you for your first therapy session.
8. Do your homework every day. Home exercises are prescribed by your physical therapist to keep you from having to come into PT every day. Whether you are required to do your exercises once or twice per day, heed the instructions and be a good student. These exercises are usually good to keep doing for the rest of your life, so you might as well get in the habit now.
9. Focus on your therapy while you are in the physical therapy room. Some people enjoy and relish the opportunity to not have to think about anything other than taking care of themselves during the time in our office. Enjoy it!
10. Come ready to learn about your injury, your body, and its amazing capacity to heal. Be open to the process and positive in your efforts and you will be able to obtain positive results.
I have received physical therapy and it is important to be prepared to do all the exercises both there and at home. It takes time, but is definitely worth it.