Injuries from car accidents, sports, or slips and falls would usually be the reason why people seek out physical therapy treatment. Sometimes, it’s chronic or acute pain that brings a patient to the session. Regardless of what the reasons could be behind your need for physical therapy, what’s important is that you get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
If this is your first time setting a physical therapy Edgewater appointment, don’t worry. Here are things that you can expect from your first visit.
Assessment
On your first appointment with your physical therapist, expect to undergo a comprehensive assessment of your condition. This entails answering questions about the degree of pain and discomfort you’re currently experiencing versus your previous condition prior to the injury.
The source of injury will also be factored in, so be ready to share any findings from medical exams like X-ray results so your therapist can have a clearer view of your injury’s background. If it’s chronic pain-related, try to identify what conditions usually trigger the pain, what makes it worse, and, conversely, what seems to relieve it.
No detail is too small or irrelevant. The more complete the picture is, the better your physical therapist can formulate a treatment program that will work best for you.
Test Movements
As part of your evaluation, you can also expect to be tested for your mobility, particularly in the affected area. Come in comfortable clothing that will let you move around easily. Your physical therapist may apply pressure on the affected area as well, to see the trigger and threshold of the pain.
If the impacted area covers the lower part of the body, including hip pain, knee pain, or leg and ankle pain, wear shorts or loose pants that you can roll up. You should be able to move or flex your joints to see your range of motion.
Additional Tests
There are other physiological tests that you can expect to undergo during this first appointment. Apart from the range of motion measurements, there will also be strength tests, balance, and even cardiovascular health tests. More specifically, they will check if you get palpitations, and by how much, during strenuous physical activity. Neurological screening tests will also be completed.
Setting a Treatment Program
Last but not least, your physical therapist will explain to you their recommendations for an effective treatment plan. It may include other modalities for treatment, such as electrical stimulation, to improve your progress faster.
You may also be given homework exercises, so you can continue with the program even from your home. That said, agree upon a schedule that’s most convenient to you, and stick to it. The success of any physical therapy program largely rests on consistency, so make sure to commit to it.
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