If you were injured or have some lingering side effects because of an illness, you might need physical therapy through a place like Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C. to help you maintain your mobility or help you regain muscle strength. However, it's a fine line between pushing yourself when you need to and knowing when to rest. A big part of rehabilitation is taking it easy, but many people might actually end up sabotaging their recovery by taking it too easy or thinking that their old, busy lifestyle falls within the definition of "easy."
Here's your guide to taking it easy when doing physical therapy.
Don't skip homework.
Your physical therapist will give you exercises to work on at home. Don't let "taking it easy" be your excuse to skip them. They are what will help you to be successful with your physical therapy, allowing you to eventually recover or at prevent your condition from worsening over time. Skipping your homework exercises can mean that you risk re-injury when you do need to be more active, and it also means you might not be ready for your next therapy appointment.
If your exercises are too challenging or if you notice bad pain when you do them, this is something to discuss with your therapist so you can get an alternative exercise plan or a different recovery schedule.
Make sleep a high priority.
You do need rest for body healing. If you are not getting enough sleep, you will have a harder time recovering from your injury. Sleeping also helps you to recover from tough sessions of physical therapy. If you are having trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor about possible causes. You might need medication to help you sleep, or some of your medications might be causing restlessness as a side effect. Try getting to bed at the same time each night, and waking up at the same time in the morning. Cut out caffeine to help improve sleep quality, and try not use electronics for a couple of hours before bedtime.
It's better to ask permission than forgiveness.
When your therapist says it is okay for you to go about normal daily activities, he or she means things like doing basic chores, driving to work, and taking care of your normal responsibilities. However, if your "normal" activities also include an intense workout, helping a friend move furniture, or even clearing out your storage room, ask your therapist first. In the case of doing too much, it's better to err on the side of caution, because if you injure yourself again, the road to recovery is much longer.
Share25 September 2018
