Tips For Your First Day Of Physical Therapy With A Chiropractor
If you have been referred for physical therapy, chances are you have been hurting for some time or have experienced a serious injury that will take time to heal. While it might be hard to get out of bed at the moment, you should look at physical therapy as an opportunity to get your life back. Here's what you need to know about your first appointment and how you can properly prepare for it to make things go as easily as possible.
Provide Medical Information
First, make sure the chiropractor or physical therapy expert knows everything about you. If you are going to a chiropractor, you may have been referred there by your primary care doctor and your therapist may already have some of your files. If not, make sure they are fully up to speed. You may want to carry a copy of any relevant documents with you into your first appointment, just to be safe.
Hydrate Before and After
Physical therapy is hard work and you might build up a sweat. You can make sure you will get through this first session by drinking water before it begins. You may also eat a light snack but don't overdo it as you don't want to trigger stomach problems or end up feeling bloated. Be sure to hydrate again after the session. Water is a precious resource for your body and staying hydrated may help you recover faster.
Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes
You are going to be moving a bit more than maybe you have been in recent days. Wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothing so you can have a wide range of motion when doing the exercises.
Don't Be a Martyr
Your chiropractor or physical therapist may tell you to try certain motions or exercises. If anything starts to hurt, speak up. You don't want to be all gung ho to the point that it is actually harming or further injuring you.
Listen Carefully
Go in with an open mind and listen clearly to the therapist's instructions. Following the motions or exercises as described will go a long way towards ensuring you don't hurt yourself and can begin making progress on the very first day.
Your first day of physical therapy might feel like hard work but you should look at it as the first step towards pushing your pain to the side and reclaiming your life. Make sure your chiropractor has all relevant medical information, arrive for the session well-hydrated and wearing comfortable clothing, and be sure to communicate clearly and you'll have your first appointment under your belt before you know it. Contact a local chiropractor or physical therapy expert to get started.
Contact a company like Riverside Physical Medicine of Poughkeepsie to learn more.