How to tell if your Physical Therapy is Working
When you’re trying to break through pain barriers, it can not only be physically challenging, but mentally challenging as well. When working with a physical therapist after a couple sessions you might feel like you’ve hit a wall, are exhausted or discouraged with your process. It is easy to give up, or take the ‘easier’ road to recovery – masking pain with pills and less movement – but if you can break through those tough moments, you’ll be glad you did. Here are a few signs that your physical therapy is working and you are making progress:
Even after a couple sessions, you should notice that your pain, inflammation, and swelling have decreased. You may be able to stand for longer periods of time, walk farther, or complete other simple movements and activities with reduced pain.
A key area of focus from our physical therapists is to improve your range of motion. By focusing on improving core strength, increasing flexibility, and helping you move around and complete physical tasks, you will gain more mobility and see clear evidence that your program is working.
Another key sign that your program is working is a renewed interest in hobbies and activities. When you are injured or in pain, it is natural to avoid activities that could increase your pain or that have become harder to do because of your symptoms. As you gain strength and mobility through physical therapy, you may find that you naturally gravitate back to the hobbies and activities you enjoyed in the past.
You may also discover that you are able to recover more quickly after workouts, showing improved resilience. Even in daily activities that at one point may have been difficult – should now feel easier or even pain-free.
A key sign of improvement, is seeing progress with balance and coordination. Focusing on strengthening weaker areas, or sides, of the body, through your physical therapy program, should show progress in these areas. In most recovery programs you will do an initial test and then as you progress, re-test, too look for improvement. This is especially important after rehabbing a fall, surgery or neurological issue.
Hitting personal milestones that you set with your therapist – standing without support, going a certain distance, lifting a certain weight, etc… – are clear signs of progress. Focusing on these goals can encourage you stick with your plan, even when you’re exhausted.
Sure, there will be tough days, but if overall you feel more confident, motivated or optimistic about your physical health, this is also a sign of progress.
Achieve your physical therapy goals with the help of our team. Having the right physical therapist support you, provide positive feedback and encouragement and set a plan working toward progress are the keys to success. By working together, as a team, you are capable of breaking through barriers. Schedule an appointment at UP today to set you on the path to success.
本篇文章来源于微信公众号: 上海优复康复医学门诊部
