The Importance Of Attending All Your Visits

If you’re new to physical therapy, the idea of going 2-3 times per week may seem daunting at first. You may not know what to expect or you may wonder how to fit these visits into your schedule.

Once you begin attending sessions, you will quickly become comfortable with the process and will have a better understanding of what to expect. Your therapist doubles as your coach to walk you through the process, answer your questions and help you feel comfortable.

At your initial evaluation, your therapist will work with you on a customized plan for how often you need therapy and for how long, depending on the severity of your injury or condition and the recommendation of your physician. Your therapist’s goal is to help you recover as quickly as possible while meeting all your PT goals.

Why do I need to attend all my visits?

As you get settled into your therapy routine, it’s important to attend all the visits recommended by your physician and/or physical therapist. Studies show that only 30% of patients who receive outpatient physical therapy attend all their visits, which means many patients are missing out on a full recovery. Each person’s therapy schedule is customized to provide the best possible results for each individual.

Here are a few benefits to attending all your recommended visits:

1. REDUCED COSTS. If you have co-pays, it may be tempting to skip sessions as a way to save money. However, skipping sessions can delay or even reverse the progress you’ve made, and can prevent you from making a full recovery. Patients who skip visits often end up with higher costs in the long run when it comes to diagnostic testing, surgery, or extended therapy down the line as their issues return or become more serious.

2. PAIN MANAGEMENT. Depending on the severity of your injury or condition, you may experience some discomfort during or after your therapy, which may make you want to skip a visit. If you are experiencing pain, it’s more important than ever to continue your visits so your therapist can adjust your treatment to relieve the pain and prevent it from returning.

3. CUSTOMIZED CARE. After a few visits, you may feel comfortable doing exercises on your own at home. However, as your therapy progresses, your therapy team will make important adjustments to help you reach new levels of strength and healing.

4. CONSISTENCY. Just like any other type of training, physical therapy takes practice and repetition to create healthy habits. Your one-on-one therapist can help you adjust your form to prevent injury and can help identify muscle weakness to help you get the most out of each and every exercise.

5. PREVENTION. Once you reach the end of your visits, your therapist can provide tips on how to return to your normal activities while reducing your risk of future injury. Skipping out on your last few visits means you will miss out on this important information.

6. PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER PT. Your physical therapist’s #1 goal is to help you get the most out of each and every visit in our clinic. Their second goal is to help you prepare for life after PT by teaching you safe, effective exercises you can do at home. This information will help you safely continue your healing and prevent injury long after you’ve been discharged from physical therapy.

When you start physical therapy, your therapist becomes your coach and will work with you to develop a game plan for treatment. Our goal is to help you achieve the results you want so you can return to the life and activities you love. The best way to achieve these goals is to follow the game plan set forth by your physician and physical therapist to get the most out of your treatment.

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