New Physical Therapy patients-Getting Started

General Tips to help you navigate Physical Therapy Treatment- Part 1

You have an injury or an illness that has left you with difficulty moving around. You or a physician thinks you need physical therapy. Where do you start?

1. Pick a clinic or therapist that is convenient to get to. Note: This may not be the closest to your home. It’s a good idea to consider distance from either your home or work, the hours of the clinic in relation to where you are, the parking, accessibility, friendliness/professionalism of the office staff that greets you. Sometimes a physician’s office, family or friends can help with recommendations, however, remember-everyone is different and has different needs. This is about you! ( Of course the therapist also- more on that later)
2. So…those medical forms…AHHHH! I know, everyone has different ones, why can’t that info be accessible on computer? Do you have to fill out everything? ( Note: there are a few shortcuts you could put on computer and save-print out to bring and voila!) ex. your medical history, surgical history, medications. )
3. Give yourself time to park, get inside, check in, sit down, rest, observe the environment around you. Understand your therapist is more than likely on a tight schedule with patients before and after you. So even arriving a few min. late-you may not get your full time allotted. Also, rushing is harder on your body, especially if you are in pain.
4. Wear an outfit and shoes that allow for ease of movement and accessibility of the area the therapist will be working on. Remember layers work to help with that! This way, it provides opportunity for efficient treatment.
5. Consider the activities you are having difficulty with before your arrival. This really helps to focus your therapy and improve your ability to succeed. More often than not, there are building blocks of activities or part of the activities that will also lead to ability to do more. example: Tell your therapist if getting out of a chair is tricky for you.