Physical therapy is used to treat conditions that affect mobility, whether they result from illness or injury. It also involves rehabilitation from cardiac conditions and after surgery. If you’ve never attended physical therapy Brandon FL before, you may not know what to expect. Each individual course of therapy is tailored to the specific conditions being treated and is therefore unique. However, the following questions and answers can give you an idea of what to expect.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Most conditions require six to 12 visits to the physical therapist. However, you are often required to perform exercises outside of sessions, and that can be a lifelong commitment.
Is It Just Exercises?
Not necessarily. Sometimes a physical therapist needs to perform therapeutic modalities to relieve the pain before you can work on motion. Such modalities may include the following:
- Ultrasound
- Iontophoresis
- TENS unit
- Cryotherapy
What Do You Wear to the Appointment?
You will likely be performing exercises, so you should wear comfortable clothes that you can move in freely. You should also wear clothing that allows access to the affected area. For example, if you are experience pain of the ankle, hip, or knee, you should think about wearing shorts. If this is impractical, e.g., because of cold weather, you should bring the shorts with you and then ask if the therapist has an area where you can change.
How Do You Find a Physical Therapist?
If your doctor believes that you would benefit from physical therapy, he or she will often refer you to a reputable practitioner. Otherwise, you can ask for recommendations from friends and family or conduct your own research on the internet to find a suitable therapist.
Remember that, while physical therapy can be very effective, it requires effort on your part. You are likely to find that you get out of physical therapy what you put into it.