Physical therapy is perhaps one of the most important parts of the recovery process from any injury. Depending on the type and severity of injury that you have suffered, physical therapy can help restore function and manage long-term pain so that your injury has the smallest possible impact on your life. Although your doctor and physical therapist will help create a plan that works for your particular circumstances, it is also important that you put in the effort to get the most out of your therapy.

Manage Your Expectations

When setting up a physical therapy plan, be sure to discuss your expectations and long-term prognosis with both your doctor and your physical therapist. This is important so that you can understand how long your physical therapy program is likely to last and how much function is likely to be restored. Unrealistic expectations early on can lead to poor outcomes since disappointment and frustration can make it difficult to follow through. Properly managed expectations will help you to see that you are making progress with your therapy even when it may feel not feel worthwhile.

Understand the Schedule and Set Milestones

Along with long-term expectations, you should have a solid understanding of how your physical therapy program will progress. If you are beginning a program of extended physical therapy, consider discussing milestones with your therapist. These are goals you can meet before completing your physical therapy program and they will help you to feel a sense of accomplishment. Milestones provide targets that you can work towards throughout your program so that you always have a short-term goal that's right over the horizon.

Keep Records

Although your physical therapist will be tracking and recording your progress, it can be incredibly helpful to keep your own records. Keep a daily log of any pain as well as accomplishments that you have made during your therapy. These records will help you see that you are making progress, no matter how gradual it might feel on a day to day basis. Logging daily rather than weekly or monthly is important so that the information you are tracking is fresh in your mind.

Be Willing to Discuss Changes

If you feel that your physical therapy is not working for you, speak up! Your physical therapist can only do so much with basic follow-ups, and it is incumbent on you to discuss any issues that you are having. If you feel that you are not meeting your goals or that you are making little or no progress, your physical therapist may be able to discuss changes to your program. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to overcome any discouragement that you may be feeling. Addressing these problems early is important so that your exercise program can get back on track.

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