The physical therapy you receive at a physio clinic is all about regaining movement in your body as well as getting your body back to its normal everyday activities and sports activities. In all but the most severe cases, you might also be asked to complete certain exercises at home, in between appointments. This presents its own set of unique challenges, which is why a large number of patients fail to stick to their specially designed programmes.
Whether you’re a patient recovering from a surgical procedure or sportsperson healing after an injury, it’s challenging to find the motivation to change your old behaviours and push through mild discomfort. However, adhering to a prescribed exercise programme might be even more instrumental to your recovery than your regular Kingsland physio clinic sessions.
If you’re struggling to get going or maintain your prescribed exercise, then the following tips may help you regain control over your physical therapy programme and stick to it.
1) Know Your Purpose
What are you hoping to do once you are fully recovered? You could want to ride horses again after a hip replacement surgery or to be able to cook for friends again after a stroke. You might have a challenging triathlon in your sights for next year. Knowing exactly how your physio treatment is helping you move towards your goals is a great boost for your morale and motivation. If motivation is your issue, this is something that will help you stick it out.
2) Ask Questions
Patients on a rehabilitation programme will spend a significant amount of time with their physiotherapist. For this reason, it’s important you find a sense of rapport with the person who treats you most often. A good rapport can lead to better outcomes, as it helps you to feel comfortable and encourages you to ask questions about anything that would concern you or impact your healing process. You’re also more likely to want to please your therapist if you regard them highly, which will also help you keep committed to the exercises.
3) Get Practical
Many of the roadblocks to working out at home can easily be overcome by either thinking creatively or asking your physio for a creative solution. You might find it more practical to have three short stretching sessions in a day, instead of a single long one. You could ask your physiotherapist to create exercises for you that don’t use equipment, if you frequently travel for work or don’t have time to visit a gym.
Your physiotherapist is there to help you make the most out of every exercise session, whether it takes place at home or their Kingsland physio clinic. It all starts with addressing your concerns with them directly. Looking for a physio clinic in Kingsland? Give Cairnhill Physiotherapy a call.
Free carparks
available onsite
Monday - Friday:
7am-6pm
95 Mountain
Road, Epsom