What To Expect From Physical Therapy
If you recently had surgery or experienced an injury, you might need to go through physical therapy. This is meant to help you become more mobile, strengthen your muscles, and get you back to your normal activities. Here are some things to expect from the physical therapy process.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
The first part of physical therapy is when the physical therapist arrives at your home or visits your hospital room to evaluate you. They need to first know what your major difficulties are and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This may be to get you back to work or simply help you walk further and make it up the stairs in your own home. It is important that you answer honestly to all questions the therapist asked, as this will help them come up with the best treatment plan. There may be a series of tests involved in the evaluation, including having you move different parts of your body to see what your mobility and flexibility is, and walking or standing in front of the physical therapist. They will also let you know about the frequency needed for different stretches and exercises during the physical therapy treatment program.
Physical Therapy Treatments
After the physical therapist has gone through evaluations, your treatment will typically begin with reducing soreness and inflammation, and starting to get you moving. Don't expect much activity or exercise in the beginning, as your body first needs to get adjusted to minor movements. If you have a lot of pain and swelling, the physical therapist needs to reduce it. They will do this with any number of treatments, from cold and hot therapy to electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapy. Make sure you let the physical therapist know if any of the treatments are painful or uncomfortable for you.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Once you feel more comfortable moving your body and the inflammation or swelling has gone down, you will be able to be more physically active. This is likely done after you get back to your home, as opposed to doing much in the hospital following your surgery. Stretching exercises need to be done in addition to starting an exercise routine. You will likely start with standing and walking before doing anything too rigorously. The goal is to get you moving and participate in normal activities like taking care of your personal needs, walking normally, and even going back to work. You may participate in weight lifting and mild cardio exercises in addition to walking and stretching. Contact a therapist, like Urban Wellness Clinic PC, for more information.
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