The blog title is a line we’ve heard from patients in the past, and don’t get us wrong, we absolutely empathize with patients who are in a great deal of pain following an injury or surgery. With that said, you have a rather short window in which to maximize your recovery, so don’t put off physical therapy just because you’re in a little discomfort. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what it means to be in too much pain for physical therapy and how a good PT will always keep your discomfort levels in mind during therapy.
When Physical Therapy Is Too Painful
As we’ve noted on the blog in the past, physical therapy itself should never be painful, but at the same time, we don’t want it to be easy on you. Our goal is to push you to make physical improvements, and that won’t happen if exercises are painful or painfully easy. So when it comes to your exercises, don’t expect pain to be a problem during the movements.
But what if pain is so bad that you can’t do your PT program? If you’re in so much pain that you can’t leave the house, absolutely reschedule your appointment. You’re not going to get much out of the session if it’s too painful to get out the front door.
However, we’ve found that it’s rare for it to be too painful for people to attend physical therapy. Your doctor isn’t going to order physical therapy when pain is at its worst. The thought of getting to your session and doing your exercises may not seem like the most fun thing in the world, especially if you’re dealing with lingering pain or discomfort, but that should not deter you from attending your PT sessions, because these will be the single best treatments for restoring physical function after an injury or surgery. You only get one body, so a few weeks of sessions can provide a lifetime of physical function. Don’t let a little discomfort prevent you from making the recovery you deserve.
Working with Your Physical Therapist
It’s also worth mentioning that your physical therapist will work with you to understand your discomfort and your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re in some pain, we’re not going to ask you to run across the therapy center. Our team is specially trained to understand your capabilities and develop a therapy plan that is tailored to your abilities.
If you’re in pain, we may only have you do a couple leg lifts, neck rotations or hip flexes. We won’t have you take on more than you can handle. Don’t fear coming to PT if you’re in pain because you assume therapy will only make things worse. We evaluate your strengths and ask you about your symptoms at every session so that we can create the perfect routine for you on that day.
Being in pain is no fun, but if you can push through the discomfort for 10-15 minutes of PT sessions, you can set yourself up for years of improved physical health. If you have questions about your discomfort levels or ensuring that your PT routine is right for your current capabilities, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today.
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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