How To Prepare For Your First-Time Physical Therapy

By Marjorie Richards


Going for therapies can be really helpful for the body. You can have the highly-educated, well-trained, and licensed therapists to handle your body. If you are confident with the therapist's work, you should schedule an appointment with him or her. Here are what you should do to prepare for your first time physical therapy Portland.

The first thing that you should do is to make a list of the symptoms that you are feeling. Make a note on how long you have been experiencing them as well. When there are a lot of these symptoms to list, you should start with the symptom that is bothering you the most. You can work your way down the list with that in mind.

With the listing of the symptoms, it will be of help to be specific with these symptoms. You should note what relevant details you have for the symptoms making you suffer. There might be times or conditions when the symptoms worsen. It might be throbbing or sharp. Whatever it is, you must note them in your list accurately.

It is appropriate to have a goal you want to reach with your treatment. You must tell your therapist about it so that you two can work together to achieve that end result. You better find a therapist who can understand the goals you have and help you work on it. These goals might be avoiding a surgery, reducing your pain, or increasing one's mobility.

The medical history of a person should be known to your therapist. This is because the medical history of a patient can help the therapist know what your overall health condition is. You must list the chronic conditions, accidents, and injuries you have been afflicted with. Also, note what environmental factors might have contributed to the worsening of the symptoms you are complaining about.

If you are taking medications, then you should list all of those medications. It does not matter if the medications are prescription or over-the-counter, you have to list them all. Also, you will have to include vitamins and supplements in there. The list you provided can give the therapist an insight on your health profile.

If you have any laboratory or diagnostic reports at hand, then you better bring those with you to the therapist. Do not underestimate the knowledge of the therapist in the health care trade. They should know how to read these reports. When you bring these reports to the therapist, they will have a clear picture of what the problem is.

You better list the names and contact information of the physicians and other health care professionals you have gone to. They can contact these professionals when necessary. Moreover, this is the best way for you to keep the said professionals informed about the progress for the said treatment.

You better come to the said treatment dressed appropriately. When dressing up for the treatment, better dress while keeping movement in mind. Some therapist will want to start the treatment even on the first visit. That is why it is recommended for patients to come to their first session in comfortable clothing.




About the Author: