Patients always ask if they can do physical therapy on their own and the answer to this question is Yes, but that response comes with a Caveat. Nobody is saying you cannot do PT on your own. It is the joy of a good Physical Therapist to have Patients that will gain Independence in their routine while following laid down rules and regulations but if you don’t follow the right guidelines, you could end up worse than where you started.
Physical Therapy is beneficial for a multitude of injuries and illnesses. This type of care will assist in easing your pain and help your body work and move better. And while you can do some of it on your own, you don’t want to start a Physical Therapy program without consulting a licensed Physical Therapist.
However, if you’re doing Physical Therapy on your own, here are the DoS and Don’ts
- Don’t push through the pain
It is normal to feel pain during exercises but learn to listen to your body because unlike a Licensed Physical Therapy, you may not be able to detect how much is too much and continue to persevere while going with the popular statement “No pain No Gain”. Pushing through Pain can cause more injuries or cause new ones. Therefore, it is important to know when to stop or pause.
- Don’t stretch Aggressively
Stretching is an important part of physical therapy but doing it too hard or in the wrong way can cause more harm than good so it is advisable not to overstretch as this can cause Scar Tissue, leave you less flexible and cause more pain.
- Don’t Overdo it
If you push too hard by doing many sets of exercises at the same time, you may get some setbacks in your rehabilitation. You need to know what exercises are best for your condition, how frequently they should be done, and when to stop doing them.
- Do your Research
If you’re in the habit of always checking Google for symptoms and treatment. Know that Physical Therapy is quite different, and you should always get information from a real Therapist before engaging in any Physical Therapy on your own.
- Do the right thing and call a Physical Therapist
Above all, it is advisable to work with a good Therapist who will design a plan that fits your schedule and budget. At the end of the day, you will be saving more money and time without hurting yourself or causing more harm.
