Gathering information about
the reason you are coming for physical therapy. Do you have
pain, weakness, etc? Are there specific things you find
difficult to do? We
will take measurements of appropriate things such as how much
your joints can move (range of motion), measuring your strength,
gather your complete health history, and study how you walk,
move, or sit. We will also palpate or search for tender
points, swelling, or muscle spasms.
Find out what your goals are with physical
therapy,
or help you define them, if needed. This may be as simple
as, "I want to lift my grandchild up without my arm
hurting" or
specific as, "I want to be able to work eight hours
painting a ceiling without a pinch developing on the right
side of my mid-back." Setting
a goal helps us to know if we are successful in you rehabilitation!
Designing your treatment plan.
Using information from your evaluation and your diagnosis, we
will work together to design and carry out a treatment program
to successfully meet your needs. In order to restore you to your
highest level of function, we may include various treatment modalities
and manual techniques. These treatments may include stretching
and mobilizing joints and muscles, strengthening exercises, hot
and cold treatments, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, home
exercise programs, as well as manual techniques from our skilled
therapists. Treatments may be used to decrease muscle spasm,
decrease pain, increase strength and mobility, and ultimately
to achieve your goals in a timely manner.
Start treating the issues.
We will start to address dysfunctional areas on the first day,
to help alleviate pain or improve function right away.
Develop a home exercise program.
Physical therapy is a team effort between you and your therapist.
We will teach you exercises for you to do at home that will help
speed your recovery, and in some cases provide pain relief. By
the time you are finished with physical therapy, you will be
comfortable with exercises to further progress and help keep
the same problems from happening again.
