How to Help Recovery Between Physiotherapy Sessions
Ways in which patients can help their recovery along between sessions is a fruitful topic for any Vancouver physiotherapist. It’s one he or she will spend time discussing with you in person, and it will include a combination lifestyle changes, changes in the way you perform everyday activities, and a set of exercises.
Your visits to the physiotherapist are there to track progress, check your form, and administer any in-office treatments. To get results, the things you do in between sessions are just as important, if not more so, as the time spent with your physio.
Do Your Exercises to Get Better Faster
The exercises your therapist prescribes are carefully chosen help you to gain strength and motion in the muscles and joints your physiotherapist targets during treatments. In many instances, visiting a physio several times a week just isn’t possible or even necessary. Simply doing the exercises is almost as good as having daily therapy sessions.
Your exercises won’t be painful, and they won’t take a lot of time, but you will need to use a little self-discipline to stick to your routine. It’s worth the effort – so follow Nike’s advice and “Just do it.”
Don’t Jump the Gun
You’ll have been told what you should and shouldn’t try doing during your recovery. As you feel better, you might be tempted to “cheat” and start doing some of the things you shouldn’t. For example, a runner might be tempted to go jogging, or a cyclist might decide to try a downhill on a mountain bike.
Talk to your physiotherapist about the activities you’re hoping to resume. When the time is right and you can start getting tentatively back into your sport, he or she will tell you. Don’t risk reinjuring yourself and having to start from square one again.
Live Healthy
You already know it. A healthy diet will help you to get back to your peak performance faster. There’s nothing weird or wonderful about what you should or shouldn’t eat when you’re in recovery – nourishing food in balanced amounts is always beneficial.
If your injury is cramping your style in terms of the exercise you prefer, your physio will have helped with an alternative. For example, swimming is often recommended as a form of low-impact exercise.
Consider Complementary Therapies
Ask your physiotherapist about complimentary therapies. For example, acupuncture is sometimes helpful and certain types of massage have benefits. Your physiotherapist can make recommendations based on research results and personal experience.
Fix your Appointments so That You Can Keep Healing
Don’t miss or delay your physiotherapy appointments. Healing is a process, so your treatments and exercises will change as your physical capacity improves. Each appointment is an important opportunity to find out whether you’re ready to take the process to the next level.
You’ll notice that you’re making progress over time. Persevere and don’t expect one session to be enough to optimize recovery.
See You Next Session!
We’re confident that physiotherapy is helping you or your loved one to recover, and we’ll be looking forward to tracking progress. Physiotherapy is a team effort between patient and therapist, and the goal is maximum recovery. Get well soon! It’s our job to make sure that you do.
