Post-Accident Physical Therapy FAQs

If you have been dealing with chronic pain, whether from a health condition or accident,  you may want to think about going to physical therapy. A physical therapist may perform various non-invasive treatments to help reduce your pain and restore your range of motion. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about physical therapy.

What Will Happen During My First Physical Therapy Appointment?

If you have your first physical therapy appointment coming, you are probably curious about what will happen. The initial session is typically more involved because your physical therapist will ask you questions about your medical history and perform tests to determine your strength, balance, mobility, range of motion and palpation. 

Once the examination is over, your physical therapist will have a better idea about your condition and can come up with the proper treatment plan. He or she may use several therapies to treat your condition, like massage, electrical stimulation and ultrasound. Your physical therapist may also have you perform some exercises.

How Many Sessions Will I Require?

Everyone is different. Some people may need just a few physical therapy sessions while others may need to attend physical therapy much longer. Generally, the more severe your condition is, the more sessions you will need. During your initial visit, your physical therapist can estimate how many sessions you will need.

Do I Have to Do Home Exercises?

In order to get the most out of physical therapy sessions, you have to play an active role in your treatment. Your physical therapist will most likely assign you exercises to do outside of your sessions. While these exercises might make you feel sore at first and be tedious, it’s necessary to do them. They can help you recover faster. If you have trouble performing certain exercises, let your physical therapist know.

What Should I Wear to My Physical Therapy Appointments?

During your physical therapy, your therapist may have you move around quite a bit. As such, you will want to wear loose and comfortable clothes, like sweatpants and a t-shirt. Then, you can move around freely and feel constricted.

If I Recently Had Orthopedic Surgery, Will Physical Therapy Help Me Heal Faster?

Yes. In fact, your doctor will likely advise you to go to physical therapy after your surgery. Although surgery is sometimes necessary, it can put your body through a lot of stress. Physical therapy can improve your strength, reduce swelling and increase your range of motion. You may start feeling better after just a few sessions.

Is Physical Therapy Painful?

Some people are reluctant to go to physical therapy because they assume it will be painful. However, as long as you go to a licensed physical therapist, it should never be painful. You may experience some soreness after your session, which is perfectly normal.

If you have been dealing with pain, you may want to consider attending Baltimore, MD physical therapy at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic.