Goals Make Therapy Successful

Before my husband was injured in a car accidenthow important it is to set goals. In fact, it's the
and underwent physical therapy in Shelby, NC, Ionly way to achieve a successful rehabilitation.
really didn't know much about what physicalThe goals must be important to you. But more
therapy entailed. I have since learned that physicalthan that, they must be realistic. Otherwise,
therapists work with people who experiencedisappointment is guaranteed. I learned that you
disabilities, injuries, or other limitations to theirshould divide the goals into long-term (what you
physical abilities resulting from disease, injury, etc.want to accomplish by the end of your therapy)
After examining and diagnosing patients on anand short-term (goals that help you achieve your
individual basis, they establish a treatment plan inlong-term goals).
order to decrease the patient's pain and restoreMy husband's long-term goal was to walk around
his or her previous functionality. The plan typicallythe house without crutches. He set some
incorporates exercises that are intended both toshort-term goals: first walk around the room with
stretch and strengthen muscles and to improvecrutches, next walk around the house with
endurance and posture. Most treatment sessionscrutches, then walk around the room without
also involve the use of modalities like heat, cold,crutches. Finally, he was able to walk around the
electrical, and ultrasound stimulation.house without any assistance. By attaching
Every treatment plan hinges on specific goals setrealistic time frames to these short-term goals,
by both the patient and therapist. The final aim is,he continued to feel optimistic and at last
of course, maximal functional independence forachieved his long-term goal of mobility.
the patient. My husband's treatment taught me