Physical therapy is a conservative and safe form of treatment that is frequently used for a wide range of injuries and post-surgery recovery.
Physical therapy can facilitate your body’s healing potential through movement. It’s also a form of prevention that can help you avoid certain conditions and injuries or keep your current issue from getting worse.
Choosing a Physical Therapist
You want to feel confident when choosing a physical therapist, whether you’re looking for relief from a stiff back, trying to manage the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, or simply trying to avoid injuries.
Here is advice on how to choose a physical therapist.
Ask for Referrals
You may not require a referral from your primary care physician by your insurance, but you can still request a referral to a physical therapist or facility from your physician. You can also seek advice from family, friends, and coworkers. Your friends and family may be able to give you referrals based on their own experience.
Choose a Convenient Location
Choose a location that is close to your home or workplace if you will be seeing a physical therapist frequently. It will be easier for you to keep your appointments and continue your treatment as a result of this.
Check Available Resources
If you require a specific type of rehabilitation, such as aquatic therapy or adaptive equipment, call ahead to ensure that the physical therapy facility you’re considering provides these services.
Consider the Physical Therapist’s Experience
Inquire about the number of patients with your condition that the physical therapist has treated.
The more experience they have, the better your chances of getting good results. Check if they are licensed and if they have any advanced certifications or credentials.
Assess Your Compatibility
A physical therapist should work with you to help you achieve your goals. Try finding someone with whom you can easily communicate. You should feel free to notify your physical therapist if you experience pain or discomfort during exercise.
How to Prepare for Your First Visit
When getting ready for your first physical therapy appointment, try to have a list about your problem’s history. You are less likely to forget or overlook important details if you write them down. Try to answer the following:
- When and how did your problem begin?
- What was your functional mobility status before your injury?
- How often do the symptoms recur?
- How is that problem changing?
- What makes things better or worse?
Your physical therapist will most likely inquire about your injury or illness. Bring a list of your medications, as well as a list of any surgeries or procedures you’ve had done in the past.
If you write down your questions for a provider, you’ll be more likely to remember them all, and you’ll be less likely to get home and forget that one important question you forgot to ask. Also, keep a list of questions to discuss with your physical therapist on days when you aren’t seeing them.
What to Expect During Your First Visit?
Your physical therapist will begin by asking you a series of health-related questions including specific questions about your condition, as well as any symptoms that made you see them in the first place.
Your physical therapist will use the information you provide to determine whether you will benefit from physical therapy. It will also assist them in selecting the treatments that are most likely to benefit you.
Your physical therapist will also ask about your living or working environment, your health habits and activity level, as well as your sports interests.
Their goal is to assist you in becoming as active and independent as possible, so you can resume your favorite activities.
Your physical therapist will perform a detailed exam. Depending on your symptoms and condition, they may evaluate your:
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Coordination
- Posture
- Blood pressure
- Heart and respiration rates
Your physical therapist may also take full examination of the area of concern. They’ll also check how your joints, muscles, and other tissues move and function.
Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness in Austin, Texas
Endeavor Physical Therapy provides the highest quality outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and hand therapy services in Austin, Texas. At Endeavor Physical Therapy, we promote recovery and provide treatment services and outpatient physical therapy for a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders and orthopedic injuries and conditions, specifically tailored for you.
Our goal is to maximize your mobility, function, and improve your overall quality of life. As an owner-operated clinic, we are able to make our patients’ needs our top priority.
To request an appointment, please call our main office at (512) 284-7192 or use our online appointment request form.
