If you suffer an injury that requires physical therapy as part of your rehabilitation plan, you probably have a few questions about how the physical therapy process will work. That’s understandable, and it’s pretty common for our therapists to answer a few of the same questions with each client. To help you better understand the PT process, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions and provided answers to each in today’s blog.
“Why do I need physical therapy?”
A lot of minor injuries heal just fine on their own with rest and the passage of time, but for more severe injuries, we need to be actively involved in the recovery process in order to achieve the best recovery possible. Physical therapy helps to strengthen injured areas and restore range of motion that may have been lost to your injury or surgery.
“Can I pick my own physical therapist?”
Yes, you can absolutely pick your own physical therapist to help with your injuries, but you are going to want to keep a couple things in mind. First, you’ll want to ensure they are covered under your insurance plan, and second, you’ll want to pick someone who specializes in your type of injury. Don’t go to a hand and wrist specialist for treatment on your knee. If you need help picking out a PT, your primary care physician or surgeon can refer to you a trusted physical therapist.
“What can I expect during my first PT session?”
During your initial visit, your physical therapist will do an initial evaluation and then walk you through some treatment exercises. The evaluation will involve some movement exercises to see how the affected area performs during certain movements. This will allow the PT to design some exercises to target and strengthen the right areas. You may also be given a home program to perform on the days you don’t visit your PT.
“How many PT sessions will I need?”
The number of sessions you’ll need varies based on a number of factors, most notably the injury you suffered and the areas of your body that have been affected. Some patients show up once, get an exercise program and perform the rest of the routine on their own, while others have weekly sessions for months. Most of our patients receive weekly sessions for a month or two, but it all depends on what you’re recovering from.
“How can I get the most out of physical therapy?”
Like a lot of things in life, you get out what you put in, so if you aren’t putting in consistent and full effort, you’re not going to make the best recovery possible. This involves showing up to every appointment, doing your home-based exercises and following a healthy diet and lifestyle throughout the course of your rehabilitation. If you really commit to your PT plan, we’re confident that you’ll experience great results.
If you have a question that we didn’t answer, or you want to talk more about your PT options with OrthoRehab Specialists, reach out to us today at 612-339-2041 in Minneapolis or 952-922-0330 in Edina.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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