One of the most important thoughts on any patient’s mind when they are going through any form of treatment is: “is this working?” It’s important to be able to track your progress so you can have peace of mind that the treatment is actually working. So how do you effectively measure progress in physical therapy? In this article, we are going to talk a bit about how physical therapists measure a patient’s progress as they go through a physical therapy schedule.
Measuring Pain & Range-of-Motion
The most obvious way to measure your physical therapy progress is to track your pain and mobility levels as you go through your therapy routine. Ideally, as you work through your rehabilitation exercises you should notice a marked improvement in your pain and range-of-motion.
Tests to Measure Progress
Tracking general pain reduction is important, but can be difficult to quantify for many patients. However, range-of-motion is a much more objective measurement. Your physical therapist will have benchmark tests they will walk you through to help chart your progress. For example, when you first come in to see your physical therapist for a rotator cuff issue, you may be unable to lift your arm above your head. After working with your therapist, you may be able to raise your arm above your head. This shows objective progress.
OrthoRehab Specialists is composed of Minnesota physical therapists with over twenty five years of experience. Our Twin Cities rehabilitation professionals offer direct access to physical therapy – meaning you don’t have to wait for a prescription to begin your treatment. We also have established relationships with local physicians who refer their patients to us on a regular basis for their physical therapy needs. In these instances, we work closely with your physician to chart your progress and make sure you are getting the best possible care. Contact us today at our Edina or Minneapolis physical therapy clinics to set up your appointment.