Newsletter

Partners In Rehab, PT Spring Newsletter 2013

Written by: Lisa, PTA, Partners In Rehab, PT, Methuen Clinic

Empower Yourself!

Empower yourself….. say what? For many people the reason why you end up at the front desk of a Physical Therapy clinic is because you have “taken the reins” and have become empowered. Or perhaps you have been “putting up” with that back ache, loss of balance, or painful knee or shoulder for so long that you have forgotten what it is like to feel “normal”.

What is “normal” anyway? Normal is feeling and being the best that you can be within the perimeters of the body and mind you call your own. Many of us end up at the fore mentioned front desk for any number of reasons. The outcome of your therapy is up to you.

This is where being “empowered” comes in to play. When you enter the doors of a Physical Therapy clinic, the outcome becomes your own. This is where you should decide to empower yourself. Beyond the reasons you have for going to Physical Therapy, you should feel free to discuss not only your symptoms or injury with your therapist, but also your lifestyle and the outcome that you are hoping for. While there are definite expectations during your treatment sessions, be honest with your therapist throughout your treatment so that you may be empowered with the information you need to maintain your well-being.

This being said, there are three definite components to being empowered; information, instruction, and the willingness to follow the recommendation of your therapist. This is why it is important to be honest. If you work at a desk or at a job for 12 hours at a time and do not have the luxury of being able to lounge on the floor for a half hour of stretching let your therapist know. In another extreme, you may be someone who has to work out at least 2 hours each day to feel sane. Sharing this information with your therapist is important because it will enable them to furnish you with a discharge program that will accommodate your lifestyle. There are many ways to stretch and exercise that may or may not involve a gym or fancy equipment. You may be surprised to find that you can perform shoulder or cervical stretches in your car while sitting in a traffic jam or at a set of lights (who cares what the person next to you thinks. At least you won’t be picking your nose!).

Your therapist can empower you with the instruction and information you require to suit your lifestyle. There are many ways to incorporate stretching and exercise into your everyday life (yes, stretching and exercise are fundamentally important to maintain the goals you achieved in Physical Therapy). Fortunately, most of us report feeling better after stretching and/or exercise. Consult with your therapist so that they can help you to become the best you choose to be.

HEAL BETTER. MOVE BETTER. FEEL BETTER. EMPOWER YOURSELF!

Click here to download a copy of our Spring 2013 Newsletter to place in your office waiting area: PIR Newsletter, Spring 2013