3 Top Tips for Getting More Out of Your Physiotherapy Appointments
Follow our three tops tips, which you can easily do beforehand to ensure you get the most out of your sessions:
- Prepare to Bare
For an accurate assessment we need to see the area you need treating and assess the areas above and below this. Prepare yourself for this ahead of time and ensure you are appropriately dressed. If you’re being seen to treat your shoulder, be prepared to slip off your top or for ladies, wear a top with very skinny straps if you prefer. Short shorts are fantastic for leg conditions. It is also helpful to bring along your trainers or other pairs of shoes you wear often – physios can determine a lot from a pair of shoes! That being said your comfort and dignity throughout the assessment and treatment is important and is always considered.
- Think About Your Symptoms
A key part of the assessment is the history of your symptoms. This enables the us to clearly diagnose the problem and set irritability levels. This gives us a better idea of how much we can do in a session without potentially making you sore afterwards. Have a good think about your symptoms, write them down and bring them to your appointment if you think this will make it easier. Consider things like:
- The history of the problem – when did it start? Is it the same, getting better or worse since it started? Is it the first time of having this problem? Have you had any investigations like blood tests, scans or X-rays?
- Have you had any previous treatment?
- What things make the problem worse and what things make it better?
- Do you have more pain at night or first thing in the morning?
- What medications are you on? It might be useful to bring a list with you.
- What would you like to get out of the treatment e.g. returning to sports, walking further, reduced pain etc.
- Be Honest About Your Homework
Every patient will have some form of home management plan or home exercise plan. Sometimes a new routine can be tricky to find time for and so being honest about the amount you have been able to do is very important. If we are not clear on what you have managed to do this can make a diagnosis and treatment plan more difficult. If you are having trouble with the exercise programme we can help think of some ways to fit this into your day.
If you follow these tips this will help you get the most out of your physio appointments.
You can visit us at Discovery Park, Sandwich and Walmer, Deal.
