How to Prepare for Your First Physical Therapy Session

At 360 Orthopedics, we believe that physical therapy is a vital part of many soft tissue recovery plans. It encourages therapeutic blood flow while preserving joint flexibility and muscle strength, which can often contribute to future injury prevention. 

It’s hard to know what to expect when you're new to physical therapy. You’ll be happy to know that your preparations can improve the process, making for more effective treatment. We’ve prepared this how-to guide on how to prepare for your first physical therapy session. 

Physical and occupational therapy

While closely related and featuring similar treatment components, physical and occupational therapies have their own goals and targets. Physical therapy focuses primarily on your body and its movements, restoring full motion and strength. 

Occupational therapy keeps a focus on applied movement. When you have problems performing jobs and tasks related to your daily life, occupational therapy targets ways to improve your body’s performance for these specific areas rather than overall generic motion and strength. 

How to prepare for your first physical therapy session

In the case of third-party physical therapy, you may need to provide medical documents and history so that your therapist has a place to start. Through 360 Orthopedics, we usually make this process seamless so that your physician and physical therapist share information directly. 

There’s less chance of information lost in translation. Considering these other preparatory actions can further smooth the therapy process. 

Know your condition and symptoms

You’ve already sought treatment for your condition, so you have some insight into aches, pains, and other symptoms related to your injuries. Consider the occupational aspects of these symptoms, too. 

Your physical therapist develops a much better picture of effective treatments when they’re aware of the limitations your condition creates. The more detail you provide, the better we can customize your treatment plan. 

Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothes

Tight clothing can limit mobility as much or more than your injury. The easier you can move your body, the more effective your treatment will be. 

Loose clothing also permits access to some types of therapy, such as ultrasound treatments that need direct skin contact on the joints in question. Light, breathable fabrics can keep you cool and comfortable as you work through your session. 

Think about reasonable goals

For example, if you’ve suffered a shoulder injury, your long-term goal may be throwing a baseball at top speed. While that’s reasonable for the end of your recovery period, you’ll need intermediate progress points along the way. 

You’ll work with your therapist to establish short-term goals like reduced pain and improved mobility, quantifying your progress. This could include progress points such as eliminating pain medication or measured improvements in joint movement. 

Understand the role of home exercise

Your therapy “homework” is a crucial part of your treatment plan. Understand the form and frequency necessary for your home exercises, and know when you can push and when you should stay within repetition limits. 

After the pain and restrictions of an orthopedic injury, the physical therapy stage is an active part of your recovery. Contact the nearest Gulf Coast location of 360 Orthopedics by phone or online to discuss your physical therapy consultation now.