| What is the best way to have a perfect plan for | | | | through performance of a home exercise |
| implementation of physical therapy? - Setting a | | | | program. Taking an active role in your therapy |
| goal. | | | | program is a major factor on how quickly you will |
| To achieve a successful rehabilitation outcome, | | | | recover. |
| think about what it is that you want to accomplish | | | | Basically, your plan for implementation of physical |
| at the end of your therapy program. Decide on | | | | therapy would depend upon your individualized |
| the things that are most important to you; these | | | | goals, but expect that physical therapy programs |
| shall be your long-term goals. Remember though | | | | are each designed according to the patient's |
| that they must also be realistic and attainable for | | | | needs. Once you are able to outline your |
| you to have maximum satisfaction after the | | | | objectives, you will soon find the therapy |
| therapy. You should also have short-term goals to | | | | process-map to be easily settled with your |
| help you achieve your long term goal. For | | | | therapist. |
| example, to achieve your long term goal of | | | | In sitting down with your therapist to create your |
| walking 200-feet without any assisting equipment, | | | | plan for implementation of physical therapy, be |
| you'll plan several progressive short term goals | | | | receptive to the therapist's treatment counsel, |
| with your therapist like walking 200-feet with a | | | | including the series of homework exercises. Make |
| cane, and then advancing to walking 100-feet | | | | sure you know how to do them. Ask your |
| without assistance. Your therapist will also be able | | | | therapist. Don't be afraid to ask for another |
| to help you determine an appropriate and realistic | | | | explanation if you don't completely understand an |
| time frame for achieving your goals. The time | | | | exercise that you're going to be doing, or how |
| frame for your plan for implementation of | | | | the exercises should feel when you do them. |
| physical therapy will be determined by the | | | | Then be sure to follow the plan exactly -- most |
| developments or the gains that you make as you | | | | benefits from PT comes from the home-routines |
| undergo the rehabilitation program. Hence, you | | | | a person does starting on the first visit. You might |
| should set various goals that you would like to | | | | also want to keep track of your progress during |
| achieve during your rehabilitation program, instead | | | | your plan for implementation of physical therapy. |
| of setting an absolute date to complete the | | | | Take down notes on how often you do the |
| therapy. Make this your focus and joy of | | | | exercises, how you feel, and how your sensations |
| accomplishment. Your aim though may include | | | | change -- this will help you and your therapist |
| reducing the amount of time spent in therapy | | | | monitor your success. |