Busting Physical Therapy Myths: “PT is Just Exercise – I can do that”
When you hear "physical therapy," what comes to mind? Patients pedaling away on stationary bikes and wobbling atop balance boards? Treatment tables, resistance bands, and hand weights? Well, we aren’t here to tell you that you’re wrong – but what we are here to tell you is that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you can experience while attending physical therapy!
Physical therapy goes way beyond rehabilitation, monotonous exercises, and daily stretches – it’s rooted in helping individuals gain independence, connect with their bodies, and lead more active and fulfilling lives. No two physical therapy experiences are the same! Physical therapists use developed techniques and strategies to create results-based treatment plans that are unique to each patient and their individual goals. And like other experiences in life, you are going to get out what you put in. Your commitment to and participation in your treatment plan play a large role in your progress and outcome. If you’re thinking of trying physical therapy or expect to have PT prescribed by your doctor soon, continue reading to find out what you can expect at your appointments, how to advocate for the care you need, and how to get the most out of your access to physical therapy.
Your First Appointment
Your first appointment will likely be your longest, as your physical therapist performs a comprehensive assessment of your condition and symptoms. Your PT will review your medical history, any imaging studies you’ve had (X-ray, MRI, CT), and conduct a physical examination, assessing mobility, strength, flexibility, and posture. This thorough analysis of your symptoms helps therapists identify the root cause of your pain or dysfunction. Beyond your symptoms, your PT will ask about your lifestyle, such as what you do for work, your living situation, and any sports or hobbies you may have. Your PT will also ask about your recovery goals and what you hope to achieve with physical therapy. Be honest – tell your PT what you’re nervous about or hopeful for in your recovery. Knowing how motivated or discouraged a patient is at the beginning of treatment plays a huge role in the treatment planning process. If you’re planning to climb Mt. Everest, make it to the NFL, or just want to “walk down steps without pain,” your PT needs to know.
Your Weekly Treatments
Once your initial evaluation is complete, a treatment plan will be created, outlining the various exercises, manual therapy, and other interventions such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and heat/cold therapy that will be used to address your needs. Your PT will also let you know how frequently you need to come and the duration of your therapy. A common treatment schedule includes 2-3 visits per week for a duration of 2-3 months, but this will depend on your diagnosis, severity level, insurance, transportation, and schedule.
For subsequent appointments, your PT will begin implementing your treatment plan. During these interactive sessions, your PT will demonstrate proper form and technique for your prescribed exercises and provide hands-on guidance to ensure you are performing the exercises correctly. You may also receive pain management, ergonomic adjustments, and education on proper posturing and alignment during daily activities. Your first round of exercises may only take you a few minutes to complete, but as your treatment progresses, your exercises may get more intense and time-consuming. Your PT continuously monitors range of motion, strength, and ability levels using feedback from measurement tools and functional testing.
Over the course of your weekly appointments, your PT keeps detailed records of your progress (or regress) and makes necessary adjustments to optimize your recovery and keep you on track to meet your goals. As you get stronger, your PT may raise the number of repetitions for each exercise or the amount of weight you are lifting. They may add new exercises or increase the intensity or difficulty of your current routine. This monitoring is vital to ensure the patient’s treatment is safe and effective. Your PT will also likely share your progress with you, motivating you to continue treatment just when it’s getting harder.
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Wrapping Things Up
Once you’ve been attending therapy for several weeks, you will notice you are feeling stronger, more flexible, and more confident in your ability to manage your condition independently. When your PT has noticed significant improvements and you have started to reach your goals, you will discuss getting discharged from treatment. This is an exciting and empowering moment for both the patient and their PT. You will likely receive information on home exercise programs, community fitness opportunities, and other resources to help you maintain your progress and function levels.
But even after formal sessions end, your relationship with your PT clinic does not have to! Many clinics offer group therapy sessions and community events based on therapy sessions. Stay connected to your PT via social media and be sure to share how they helped you with friends, family, and coworkers – you never know who else may be dismissing the potential impact PT could have on their lives because they think “it’s just exercise – I can do that myself.”
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