A physiotherapist (like most other health care providers) will ask probing questions to better understand your problem and how they can help you recover and get back to life the way you want it to. Therapists encourage open dialogue and your active participation in your own rehabilitation process. We don't want to talk about everything!
This article will focus on 7 essential questions to ask your physical therapist during your first appointment, which apply to a variety of conditions.
What's wrong with me / Why am I in pain?
An important question. Everyone wants to know what the problem is and what can be done about it. How your therapist answers this question can help instill confidence in your therapist's knowledge and help allay fears stemming from internet research or possibly your doctor's. They are overly technical. In addition to asking you questions about your problem, the physiotherapist will perform a variety of tests and measurements to assess your condition, including plans and goals for improvement.
How does this happen, and how can I fix it?
The first question explores the "what", which can help explain the "why". Knowing the root cause of the problem can help prevent the disease from recurring and promote a healthier lifestyle. Maybe you have bad posture at work, and it's giving you a headache. Or maybe using bad lifting technique during a recent move hurts your back.
If you have an acute or chronic injury, it is important to understand how it happened to prevent it from happening again?
This question is helpful to build confidence in your therapist's skills. PTs can develop advanced skills in assessing and dealing with a multitude of problems, so you can find a PT with experience solving your specific problem.
What do you expect from me?
Not many physiotherapists can do it themselves in the clinic. This is a good question to ask, as it will let the physiotherapist know that you are actively involved in your own health care and motivated to improve. Some common reactions can be: arriving on time and dressed appropriately for exercise, informing the therapist or front desk in advance of any missed sessions, implementing an exercise program. Exercise at home as recommended and apply ice or heat at the recommended frequency.
How long will it take for me to recover?
This is not always an easy question for a physiotherapist who is just starting to understand your problem, but they have seen many other patients with the same problem as you, because so they can draw from those experiences. PT will give you an estimated time frame and recommended frequency of sessions per week. The idea is to work towards achieving the goals that PT has set for you. It takes time to recover from an injury, and everyone recovers at a different rate, so be patient with yourself.
Will you be my therapist? Who exactly will heal me every time I walk in?
Your physical therapy clinic can schedule appointments with the same therapist. While this isn't always possible due to scheduling conflicts, a consistent PT will lead to better outcomes for you. Each time seeing a different therapist or being entrusted with an assistant performing an exercise routine, leads to miscommunication and confusion
If a licensed physiotherapist is treating you, make sure they practice "hands-on" techniques with you and tailor your program accordingly. You will see the benefits of seeing a physical therapist right away.
What will my physical therapy sessions include?
The first session will include a full assessment of your problem. The PT will ask you questions about your medical history, the events that led to your problem, what makes your symptoms worse and better, and how your condition is affecting you in your daily life and your goals for physical therapy. Next, the physiotherapist will perform a physical exam including palpation, range of motion, endurance testing, balance assessment, neurological examination, and any other related testing to your condition. All of these tests help confirm or rule out other problems. From all of these tests and measurements, a treatment plan is developed and goals are set. These goals may be different from the ones you talked to your physical therapist about, but they should be related to how you want to be by the end of therapy.
After this first session, you will begin your regular treatment sessions. These will involve the physiotherapist asking how you are feeling and if there are any changes in your condition. Treatment should include instruction on exercises you can do at home, as well as manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, balance training, pain relief methods, and any other interventions that are appropriate. Appropriate for your injury. You should make each session feel like you've worked hard! If your symptoms get worse, please let your physiotherapist know.
Informative
You must be logged in to post a comment.