How to Prepare for Your First PT Appointment at Home
Physical therapy can be stressful. You know that it’s coming, you know that it’s going to hurt, and you know you’ll have new things to learn. Sometimes the physical therapy process can feel like a never-ending cycle of new challenges and anxieties. But there is good news: at-home physical therapy (AHPT) will not only make you heal quicker, it will also reduce your chance of recurrences by up to 80%.
So, why is PT at home easier than in-clinic?
The purpose of physical therapy is to treat the effects of acute and/or chronic physical impairments. These impairments may be orthopedic in nature, neurological, or both. Most of the patients who go through physical therapy find that outpatient therapy is more cost-effective, convenient and faster than the in-clinic alternatives. Your doctor and physical therapist will determine the length of each at-home session, frequency of visits, and the schedule of treatments.
Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing
During your first PT appointment, and afterwards, wear shoes that are easy to walk in – comfortable socks and athletic footwear. Also, you want to wear loose-fitting clothes – clothing that is not restrictive nor causes the PT difficulty in accessing the treatment site.
Don’t wear accessories, such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets, which can get in the way of performing your exercises during therapy.
Eat A Healthy Meal Before Your Appointment
Before your first physical therapy appointment, eat a healthy meal. This will help reduce your risk of nausea and/or stomach discomfort. Eat a healthy breakfast, protein-rich lunch, or low-fat dinner before each scheduled session.
Avoid drinking alcohol or eating heavy foods the night before your appointment, as doing so may cause you to feel sick or cause you to have difficulties when exercising..
Drink Plenty Of Fluids Before Your Appointment
Before your first physical therapy appointment, make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Hydrating will cause you to feel less fatigued during therapy. Drink an eight ounce glass of a sports drink or water about an hour before you begin.
Don’t Forget To Stretch
Before your first physical therapy appointment, stretch. This will help to reduce muscle soreness and make you feel less tired during your appointment. Stretching also flexes the muscles so you can avoid injuries.
Make stretching part of your daily routine to keep your muscles limber. Ask your PT, before your session, about what they advise in a stretching routine. Just don’t overdo it. For example, avoid strenuous exercise before your PT appointment, as you’ll defeat the purpose of following the treatment plan.
Get Prepared for a More Positive Experience
Practicing physical therapy at home is a good move to make. Make sure you prepare yourself well so you’ll be ready for your treatment session and have a more positive experience.
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