This One Thing Could Make or Break your PT Treatment
My patients are often surprised to learn that the difference between sustained relief and a problem that keeps cropping up often lies not in what they do during therapy sessions, but what happens after they leave my office. I’m talking about a home exercise program—the exercises you do independently to help you return to your previous level of activity.Â
The home exercise program is an important component of care, but I find some patients are tempted to undervalue or ignore it, probably assuming that the work done during PT sessions is more than sufficient. But going to see a physical therapist 2-3 times a week alone without doing home exercises is rarely enough to maintain muscle strength and flexibility. Following your therapist’s regimen will improve muscle memory so that progress is gained rather than lost from one visit to another. Truly, what you do at home can make the difference between a mediocre outcome and a superior outcome in physical therapy.Â
Let’s inventory some simple ways you can make the most of your at-home exercises:
Follow directions
Do the correct number of repetitions and sets that your therapist requested and rest briefly between sets. Perform your exercises and stretches as often as your therapist instructs -- not less often, but also not more often. Your therapist knows the appropriate balance between work and rest that will most benefit your specific condition. If you’re told to rest (avoid certain exercises or activities) on certain days, please don’t assume you can accelerate your progress by doing more than you were instructed -- it’s best to follow your therapist’s advice.
Get into a routine
Schedule time for yourself and do your exercises at the same time each day. Clients often ask me when is the best time to do their home exercises. Every so often, I’ll recommend a time of day or increased frequencies based on an individual condition, but in general I tell patients that the best time to exercise is the time you know you will. Some people are more motivated in the morning, others in the afternoon or evening. Whenever you’ll be the most disciplined about following through is the best time.Â
Be accountable
Create a program checklist of dates and exercises to keep yourself on track. Hang it on your fridge, bathroom mirror, or another eye-catching spot and mark off each day that you complete your regimen.
Share feedback with your therapist
What I design for clients to do at home is intentionally based on how they perform and respond to treatment sessions. In fact, I rarely give out exercises on the first day. I want to know what’s working for patients, supervise their technique and see how they responded to it the next time I see them before sending them home to do the same. I’m constantly adjusting exercises during treatment visits based on patient feedback and my patients frequently hear me say, “if it’s causing pain, let me know and we’ll modify or switch to something else -- I have plenty of exercises that we can try.” Communication is key to successful rehabilitation.Â
Last but not least, be honest with your PT if you’re not doing your exercises. Through candid exchanges with my clients, I help them find solutions to obstacles, motivate them towards persistence, and share what I’ve seen work especially well. It’s what I enjoy most about my profession -- caring about people as more than just patients, and equipping them with what they need to succeed.Â
Be well,
Brian
This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
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