4 Questions to Ask about Physical Therapy

A physical therapy session typically starts with a very thorough evaluation/examination. The physical therapist starts by asking you questions about your condition and may cover questions such as:

● Where are you feeling pain?
● What is the level of pain?
● What is your health history?

It will likely also involve a physical evaluation of your movement. You will be evaluated on your:

● Strength
● Range of motion
● Flexibility
● Posture
● Mobility
● Balance
● Coordination
● Skin integrity
● Muscle function

This is not a pass/fail exam; your PT is learning how your condition affects your daily life and activities, which is essential for improving your physical capabilities.

Another important aspect of a physical therapy session is goal setting; you will set goals together with your PT for your physical therapy sessions. Most physical therapists will focus on helping you return to a better quality of life by:

● Reducing pain
● Restoring mobility
● Regaining the daily function

The main difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy is that occupational therapy focuses on restoring a person’s physical ability to perform everyday activities, while physical therapy emphasizes the care and recovery of injuries and illnesses that limit function.

There are virtually no limits to how physical therapy can help you improve your health, increase your range of motion and mobility, and enhance your overall quality of life. Some of the biggest benefits that physical therapy provides include:

● Reduces or eliminates pain
● Lessens the need for surgery
● Improves balance and prevents falls
● Improves mobility
● Manages age-related problems
● Manages lung and heart disease

Older adults have different needs than young adults and physical therapy can be specifically tailored for older adults to meet their unique needs. For example, physical therapy may be modified in the following ways:

● More frequent breaks for hydration; it is vital to stay hydrated while performing physical exercises
● Working out and performing exercises under the supervision of a trained physical therapist to avoid any accidental injuries
● No high-impact and heavy-lifting exercises to avoid injuries to the musculoskeletal system, such as the joints, muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments
● Close monitoring of the patient; please inform the physical therapist immediately if you experience unusual discomfort, pain, numbness, or weakness during an exercise

Physical therapy can help you in many ways, including the following:

● Physical therapy helps eliminate and reduce both chronic and acute pain, whether caused by injury or an ongoing health condition. Physical therapy can prevent pain from interfering with daily activities, so you can live a better quality of life.
● Because physical therapy strengthens the body and increases its limberness to reduce the likelihood of suffering physical harm during an accident or due to overuse, physical therapy is an effective means of injury prevention.
● Physical therapy is a safe, natural, non-pharmaceutical alternative to many kinds of prescription drugs, especially those used for pain management that can cause a myriad of side effects in addition to being habit-forming. Physical therapy can help eliminate or greatly reduce the need for medication, providing long-term results for a better you.
● Physical therapy helps adults, especially older adults, stay independent by keeping them active, mobile, coordinated, in motion, and healthy. This allows people greater autonomy over their lives without having to rely on others, or specialized equipment, for assistance.
 
To learn more about physical therapy and how it can help improve your life, come to Progressive Physical Therapy and get in touch with our team of physical therapists. Contact us today for more information about our physiotherapy services or book with us online if you’re ready to see a specialist. We are conveniently located at 15 Spinning Wheel Road Ste. 24 Hinsdale, IL 60521. We serve patients from Chicago IL, Oak Park IL, Lombard IL, Downers Grove IL, Bridgeview IL, and Oak Lawn IL.