The coronavirus is still causing problems for people and businesses, and it doesn’t look like the virus is going away anytime soon. COVID-19 is impacting numerous aspects of our lives, but one area that’s being hit especially hard is our health. Aside from the obvious ramifications the virus can have if you are infected, the presence of the virus is also impacting how patients receive healthcare. Patients are waiting longer to see a doctor, and many therapy clinics closed their doors for a period or are working under capacity limits. However, our health issues don’t go away just because a virus is impacting the healthcare industry. Here’s a look at some answers to a few questions and concerns we’ve heard from patients that have come up during COVID.
Can I put PT on hold?
With surgeries being delayed and some clinics transitioning to virtual appointments, a few patients are wondering if they can just push pause on their physical therapy sessions. Unfortunately, this isn’t always an option. If your body is working to recover from an injury or surgery, now is a critical time to strengthen muscles, reestablish range of motion and prevent the development of scar tissue. If you wait too long, you may not be able to gain that same amount of strength or flexibility in the area. While other areas of your life may be on hold, you should continue pursuing physical therapy.
How can I maximize the effectiveness of my home-based PT routine?
This is a great question and one we love answering because it shows that clients are really interested in making their rehab a success. While the individual answer will be based on your specific needs, we tell all our clients to always prioritize their PT routine and carve out time to perform their exercises every day. Whether that means waking up a little earlier or doing your exercises in front of the TV after the kids go to bed, carve out time for your physical therapy exercises and never skip a session.
Do I need to see a physical therapist, or can I do it on my own from home?
There are countless physical therapy routines you can find online, and while they can be a good compliment to your recovery, an in-person evaluation or virtual consultation with a PT will be what drives home your recovery after an injury. We tailor our program to your specific needs and injuries, and we also adjust your therapy as you begin to progress so that your exercises are always challenging and rewarding. It’s easier to plateau with your recovery if you do generalized exercises that you find online, so in order to reach maximum recovery after an injury or surgery, please consider working with a PT!
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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