Staying healthy in pregnancy

Here are two tips to follow if you're about to begin physiotherapy.

Commit to doing the physio exercises they ask you to practise in between each physio appointment

It's very common for physiotherapists to ask their patients to do physio exercises in between their appointments. For example, if you've had a fall and, as a result of this, have issues with your balance that require physio, your physiotherapist might lend you a balance board to use at home and show you a range of one-legged exercises you can do on your own to improve your balance. If you're assigned these exercises, you should make a promise to yourself that you will commit to doing them in between each appointment. This is crucial if you want to ensure that your physical condition improves as quickly as possible.

It's especially important if, for example, due to budget or scheduling issues, you can only have a physio appointment every couple of weeks. If you do no physio exercises in between these fortnightly appointments, your recovery could be much slower than if you regularly did your physio 'homework'.

Consider your answers to the common questions your physiotherapist is likely to ask you

It's also sensible to consider what your answers will be to the common questions your physiotherapist will probably ask you. Thinking about this before you start physio will ensure that you don't forget to mention an important fact, that would have made it easier for the physiotherapist to diagnose the problem or create a treatment plan. For instance, this professional may ask you which seating or standing positions, as well as which activities, tend to make your physical condition worse.

For instance, after giving the above question some thought, you might realise that your leg and lower back pain gets worse after you've been driving for long periods or sleeping on your stomach. This could be very useful information to give the physiotherapist, as it could potentially indicate to them that you might have sciatica. They could then carry out a physical examination on you, with a view to determining whether or not sciatica is the cause of your discomfort.

The physiotherapist may also ask you what the goal of physio is for you; for example, are you aiming for a full recovery from your condition or (if it's a condition without a known cure) are there certain activities you would like to feel more physically comfortable doing? Considering this question in advance and coming up with some specific goals will help the physiotherapist to decide what exercises and treatments they should include in their treatment plan, so they can help you to accomplish these aims.

For more information, contact a physiotherapy professional near you.