6 ways to get the best out of your physiotherapy appointment

It makes sense to get the best out of your physiotherapy appointment when you are investing the time and money into private treatment.

Going to see a physiotherapist can be daunting. You may not know what to expect from your treatment or whether it will bring the results you’re hoping for. We explain six ways to get the most out of your physiotherapy appointment..

Be honest with your physiotherapist

If you want to get the most out of your treatment, be honest with your physiotherapist. We’re not here to judge you. Knowing the facts helps us treat you and plan the best course of action. We don’t mind if you smoke or haven’t exercised in a while, and you don’t have to impress us by exaggerating your fitness levels. Your physical condition and how you move can tell us a lot, but talking openly helps us get the full picture.

In contrast, you don’t have to be brave and downplay your pain. Pain tolerance can vary massively between different people, but it can be a helpful guide.

What do you want to achieve from your treatment?

Some people come to us with specific athletic goals, such as running a marathon or completing the Three Peaks challenge. Others want to get out of pain to walk the dog or get down on the floor to play with their grandkids.

The advice and treatment we provide will vary depending on your goals. When you come to us with a clear goal or know what you want to achieve, we can make a plan to help you. You don’t need to have a detailed plan. Just think about what your pain stops you from doing.

Wear appropriate clothing !

Wearing the right clothing helps you feel comfortable during treatment and allows us to get to the body parts that need treating. We may need to undress you during treatment, although we’ll only ever do what’s absolutely necessary.However, you may end up feeling too exposed if your bra is see-through, you’re wearing a thong, or you aren’t wearing underwear at all ! Think about what you’re comfortable with your therapist seeing.... and what your therapist may feel comfortable seeing ! . 

 Shorts or loose trousers that can be rolled up without cutting off your circulation are a good idea for ankle or knee problems. Equally, if we’re treating your neck, back, or shoulders, a sports bra can make it difficult for us to assess or treat the area as it is rigid and hard to move.

Be realistic

We have your best interests at heart. We’ll be honest with you about what’s best for your body, so it’s important you listen and take our advice on board. If you come to see us in January saying you’ve got a marathon place in April but have never run before, we’ll tell you there isn’t enough time to prepare.

Our advice will be unique to you. Your body shape, fitness level and biometrics all play a part in what you can achieve and reaching your goals may take some time. Rushing and doing things too quickly can be harmful to your body.

Don’t Google too much

If you’re in pain, heading to Google for some quick answers can be tempting. Unfortunately, while Google can be an excellent resource for information or support, it doesn’t give targeted advice. It can also be scary or have negative connotations that aren’t the right answers for you.

A specific assessment is better as you know what you’re dealing with and can get tailored advice. Google may say you need a scan when you don’t, and we’ll explain why. It’s a hefty dose of radiation and scans don’t always tell you everything, so we’ll only recommend one if we think it’ll help.

Do your homework !

We might see you for an hour a week or even every day, but you’re in charge of your body the rest of the time. The work you do at home makes a real difference to your recovery. If we’ve given you exercises, please do them. Please ask if you’re unsure what they’re for or why we’ve recommended them.

You’ll make quicker progress and potentially need fewer treatment sessions if you do your exercises in between

Conclusion

Physiotherapists are here to help you get out of pain or improve how your body works. Following a few simple steps can help you get the best out of the treatment you’ve paid for and achieve the results you’re aiming for.