Have you been injured in a car accident and nervous about your recovery? If you know what to expect at a physical therapy session chances are you will realize they aren’t as bad as you think.
Going through the recovery process will only get you back to a comfortable level of movement in a satisfactory time frame, so why wouldn’t you do it? To calm the anxiety and apprehension you may have about going to physical therapy, here’s what you can expect on your first visit.
Paperwork
Your first physical therapy appointment will include filling out a lot of paperwork. Make sure you bring in all the necessary paperwork to avoid any long delays.
Any prescriptions you have been given by your doctor should be included with your paperwork. Write down as much of your medical history as possible, so your physical therapist has a thorough understanding of your health.
Also, include a list of your current doctors that can be contacted if needed.
Thorough Examination
After all of your paperwork is completed your physical therapist may have a few questions for you regarding your everyday life. This will include your home environment and the type of activities you do that may cause discomfort.
They may also run tests to determine your current level of health. These tests may involve your various levels of stress, as well as overall mobility.
The first session won’t simply be a short 30 minute sit down, so plan your day accordingly as yet therapist plans to find exactly tries to figure out exactly what they need to do to get you back to top condition.
Treatment Plan
After your physical therapist determines the best method for your recovery, they may create a full treatment plan for you to follow. This treatment plan may include specific exercises that need to be done in their office or can be done at your own free will.
If a specific medicine needs to be prescribed the therapist can recommend that as well. Any special equipment that may be needed during the recovery process will also be determined by the physical therapist.
It is extremely important to understand that if you do not follow the recommended treatment plan, there is little to no chance of you ever fully recovering.
It should also be noted that even if you follow the treatment plan exactly as it is written out, results will vary as every person recovers differently.
You and your therapist will have goals in place until you are as close to 100% as possible, but you should also know that it may be years before you get back to the level you were before the car accident.
What to Expect at a Physical Therapy Session
So now that you have an understanding of what to expect at a physical therapy session, what steps will you take to get ready for the session? Comment below and don’t forget to contact us to set up your first appointment.