Medical treatments such as physical therapy can be intimidating, especially if they are new to you. Fortunately, by having an idea of what to expect, you can streamline your first appointment and make the most of your visit. Below is a brief guide for what to expect during physical therapy. 

Understanding Physical Therapy

What Will Happen During Physical Therapy?

Before your appointment begins, your doctor will likely ask you to fill out paperwork about your medical history and existing medical conditions. The purpose of this paperwork is to develop a better understanding for what could be wrong, which will pave the way for a better diagnosis. Next, your doctor will conduct an evaluation by inspecting your range of motion to test your strength, balance, and functional mobility. Your doctor may also order additional imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI, before starting you on a treatment plan. 

After a diagnosis has been reached, your physical therapist will walk you through targeted exercises that can help manage and decrease pain. During your session, you will be monitored carefully for pain and mobility issues.

How Will Physical Therapy Impact Your Daily Life? 

After attending physical therapy, you will be prescribed an at-home exercise regimen so that you can continue building your muscles at home. The purpose of these at-home exercises is to help you to continue to heal. During future physical therapy appointments, you will be asked to repeat the exercises and talk about how they have been going. Your doctor may also tweak your at-home regimen depending on your body’s healing progress. 

Whether you recently endured an injury or you have experienced pain for years, the physical therapy team at Montvale Health Sport + Spine can help craft a customized treatment plan for you. This multi-disciplinary practice is committed to offering highly personalized, medically-supervised treatment plans to their patients throughout Bergen County, NJ. To learn more about the conditions they treat, visit their website or call (201) 391-8282 to schedule an appointment.