What Happens During a Physical Therapy Session?

Physical therapy is one of the most important treatments for injured patients. It can help regain your movement and function and improve your quality of life. You may benefit from it if you have pain, are recovering from surgery or injury, or have a disability.

Physical therapy is a conservative treatment that can help you avoid having surgery or taking medication. Physical therapy sessions may differ for each patient, but they generally involve exercises, manual therapy, patient education, and home care. You will need to be proactive in your sessions to see the best results.

Let’s talk about what to expect during a physical therapy session and where you can go in Baltimore, MD, for high-quality physical therapy.

What Happens in Physical Therapy?

For your first session, your physical therapist will start by asking you about your medical history and symptoms. They will then do a physical examination. That may involve testing your:

  • Range of motion
  • Strength
  • Flexibility
  • Balance

The therapist will also look at how you walk and move. After the physical examination, they will develop a treatment plan fit for your condition. That means succeeding therapy sessions will vary for each patient.

However, some aspects generally get included in most programs, like:

Exercises

Exercises make up a significant bulk of physical therapy programs. They help improve your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

Your therapist will likely teach you how to do the exercises at home. That will allow you to continue your progress even after therapy ends.

They will choose activities that can improve your symptoms, like:

  • Aerobic exercises to increase your heart rate and improve your endurance
  • Resistance training with weights or bands to build up your strength
  • Stretching exercises to improve your flexibility, and
  • Balance training to help you stay steady

Other Therapy Modalities

During your sessions, your therapist may use other treatments, such as:

  • Manual therapy – your therapist may use their hands to massage, stretch, or apply pressure to your muscles or joints
  • Heat or cold therapy – different temperatures can relieve pain and swelling
  • Ultrasound – sound waves can reduce inflammation
  • Electrical stimulation – electrical currents can ease pain and promote muscle contraction

They will likely use a combination of these techniques during your session.

Patient Education

Your therapist will also provide education on your condition. That way, you’ll know what to expect and how to manage your symptoms. For example, they may teach you:

  • How to use assistive devices, like canes or walkers
  • How to protect your joints
  • How to prevent future injuries
  • Stretches to do at home
  • Proper posture, and
  • Ergonomic tips

Your physical therapist will also be a valuable resource if you have questions about your condition or symptoms. They can provide advice and support to help you through your recovery.

Your Role in Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a team effort. You want to be proactive in your sessions and do your part at home to see results. That means:

  • Following your therapist’s instructions
  • Doing your exercises as prescribed
  • Practicing new techniques
  • Doing any additional homework on your own
  • Staying positive and motivated

You should also keep your therapist updated on your progress. Tell them if you’re having any pain or difficulty with the exercises. That way, they can make any necessary adjustments to your program.

Physical Therapy in Baltimore, MD

You can trust Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland if you need effective physical therapy. Our experienced and compassionate therapists can help you improve your quality of life. You may call our friendly staff at (443)478-4449 to learn about our services for therapy and orthopedics in Baltimore or schedule an appointment here.

We look forward to serving you!