Orthopedic Knee Doctor
Before starting physical therapy, you may have many questions about what your treatment will entail and how long it will take for you to start feeling better and stronger. There may also be a part of you that is wondering if your treatment will be painful. These are some common questions you may have about what you might feel during physical therapy?
Will I Experience Pain During My Sessions
Physical therapy sessions revolve around easing pain and improving movement, balance and your life’s quality, as an orthopedic knee doctor in Pottstown, PA from a local center such as Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can explain. Your therapist will use various treatment modalities to achieve these results, including:
- Massage
- Traction
- Ultrasound
- Electrical stimulation
- Nerve stimulation
- Topical ointments
- Heat and cold
Although you may experience discomfort as your body’s soft tissue responds to unfamiliar stimulation, you should not experience pain. Some soreness following a session is possible, indicating that your body is strengthening.
Will I Experience Pain Following My Sessions?
You may still feel the pain that brought you to therapy, but this will improve with time. Your treatments should not cause you to experience new pain, though mild discomfort is normal.
Will My Treatment Worsen My Pain?
The goal of therapy is to relieve your pain. Your exercises and movements may be challenging, but they should not be painful. Your treatment’s success depends upon alerting your therapist to any pain you experience. Your therapist will adjust your treatment to accommodate gradual increases in intensity to avoid taxing your body.
How Long Will It Take Until I Experience Pain Relief?
Your therapist will monitor your progress and assign exercises to gradually increase your strength, endurance, and range of motion while reducing your pain. The amount of time it takes to experience pain relief depends upon various factors, including the nature of your injury and your level of participation in your treatment plan.
Can The Frequency of My Sessions Affect My Pain?
Your therapist will allow enough time between your sessions to avoid straining your body beyond its natural endurance level. As you become stronger, you may increase the intensity, but not necessarily the frequency of your exercise and treatment sessions.
Can At-Home Exercises Increase My Pain?
Exercises you can do on your own are an essential aspect of your treatment. It is not advisable to exercise for longer than your therapist recommends to avoid prolonging your pain or experiencing other setbacks.
Prepare a list of questions to discuss with your physical therapist to ensure your knee therapy provides the benefits you seek.
