We set goals all the time that we don’t end up following through with for one reason or another. We say we want to exercise more, eat healthier or stick with our New Year’s resolutions, and it’s not uncommon for us to fall into some bad habits along the way. The same can be said for our physical therapy routine. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at five of the most common excuses we hear from patients as to why they aren’t following through with their rehab program, and we explain why these excuses simply don’t cut it.
Why People Don’t Stick With Physical Therapy
Here are five of the most common reasons why patients skip sessions or don’t follow through with their home-based exercise program, and why we think these excuses need to be retired.
- Don’t Have Time – We get it, you’re busy. But here’s the thing, everyone is busy. We’re all juggling family, social commitments and work, so we know that free time can sometimes be hard to come by. With that said, you need to carve out some time to make yourself healthier after an injury or surgery. Maybe that means getting up 15 minutes earlier, or doing your exercises while you watch the nightly news. It’s not about finding time for PT, it’s about making time.
- Not Seeing Progress – Some people give up on their physical therapy routine too quickly simply because they aren’t seeing the results they had hoped for. Recovery takes time, and you’re not going to be back to full activities after a session or two for most injuries. We recommend starting a rehab journal so that you can document your progress. It’s easier to see the small strides you’re making if you document your journey along the way.
- Too Hard – In order for your muscles and soft tissues to respond to activity, they need to be challenged by it. Your physical therapist will push you to your limits in order to get the most out of the exercise, and while we understand that might not be fun, it absolutely will be worth it. We can adjust your activities if things truly are too difficult and you’re not responding to it, but we only want the best for you, so sometimes you have to trust that these hard exercises will all be worth it in the end.
- It’s Good Enough – Other people give up on their physical therapy routine too soon because they reach a point where their body is “good enough.” It’s good enough for them to go back to work or resume sporting activities. It’s great that you’ve made that much progress, but you shouldn’t settle for good enough. See your therapy through to the end so that you can make the fullest recovery possible. This will also help to reduce your risk of re-injury.
- Don’t Know Where To Turn – Finally, some people never begin a physical therapy routine for their injuries because they are feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn. That’s where we come in. At OrthoRehab Specialists, our team understands that an injury and the prospect of physical therapy can be intimidating, but at the end of the day you need to remember that it’s your health on the line. Our team has helped people in all walks of life recover from all sorts of injuries, so while your injury is unique to you, odds are we know exactly how to help. Let us be a guide and a resource for you on your journey to recovery.
So put those excuses to bed and sync up with the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today! Give our team a call at (952) 922-0330 for more information.