Accidents can happen to any of us, and that means musculoskeletal injuries are an unfortunate reality for millions of people across the United States each year. If you get hurt, the first thing on your mind will be recovering – getting back to normal. And for both short-term relief and better long-term quality of life, you should consult a physical therapist as soon as possible after any sufficiently severe injury. With the help of a PT, you’ll not only recover faster, but you’ll also reduce your risk of developing a chronic musculoskeletal problem or re-injuring the same area later.
JAG Physical Therapy, the most reliable name in PT throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, is also the area’s injury recovery and prevention specialist. Our skilled PT team will always work with you to create an individualized care plan built for your lifestyle and health goals. Book your appointment with us today to get started or see below for more information on timing for post-injury physical therapy.
What Are the Common Signs That Indicate You Need Physical Therapy?
If you are injured, most often, you will decide that you need physical therapy in the few days after the injury occurs. When it hurts acutely in the moment, it can be hard to judge whether you’ll feel better the next day after some rest or the problem will persist.
Symptoms you should look out for in the days after being injured include inflammation, reduced range of motion, and difficulty with everyday tasks. For example, let’s say you are playing rugby and, while attempting a tackle, you fall onto your outstretched arm. Your wrist may begin to hurt, and two days later, the joint is red and swollen, meaning it’s difficult or painful to write and eat with that hand. This is a prime case of an injury that could require PT rehabilitation. Above all, pay attention to the pain and discomfort and whether it gets better, stays the same, or gets worse over time.
How Soon Should You See a Physical Therapist After an Injury?
While physical therapy is meant for rehabilitation and recovery, not necessarily acute care right after an injury, early intervention is recommended. Your first visit should likely be in the week following the injury, and from there, you will need a few weeks to a few months of treatment depending on what part of your body is hurt and how badly.
The sooner you start, the less time you have to spend dealing with pain and reduced mobility – but not only will your recovery time be faster, your outcome may be better as well. If you’re an athlete and get hurt on the field, beginning a PT program early means you can transition into return-to-sport rehabilitation sooner. And if you’ve been injured seriously enough to require surgery, pre-operative physical therapy will likely be highly beneficial for you.
What Can You Expect During Your First Physical Therapy Visit?
You may be feeling uncertainty in the lead-up to your first physical therapy appointment, but thankfully, a first visit is meant to be informative and answer your questions about the healing process. Your physical therapist will examine your injury and review any relevant medical records to evaluate your condition. You’ll be asked about your symptoms, such as what circumstances make the pain worse or what types of movements are difficult. If you have any specific rehabilitation goals, such as being able to cook pain-free or start jogging again, you should mention those as well – open communication with your PT is necessary to ensure your treatment is effective.
Using all this information, your physical therapist will then design your treatment plan and explain the estimated timing of your recovery. Some injuries may seem to take overly long to heal due to anatomical factors, such as a meniscus tear where the tissue that is not connected to blood vessels is damaged. It’s always good to set realistic expectations and be patient – you should follow your PT’s instructions diligently and focus on working to rehabilitate instead of worrying about the exact date your rehabilitation will finish.
How Can JAG Physical Therapy Assist You in Your Recovery Journey?
At JAG PT, our physical therapists collectively have a great deal of experience in treating musculoskeletal injuries of all types. The methods required for stress fractures in the shin can be very different than those for a ruptured biceps tendon or another type of injury, for example. But our use of multiple specializations and modalities means we’ll always find the right approach for your situation. Our state-of-the-art clinic locations give our patients access to all the resources they need to successfully recover from an injury and get back to their pain-free routine.
Start Your Recovery Journey with JAG Physical Therapy
JAG Physical Therapy has helped countless NY, NJ, and PA residents heal from injuries of all kinds. We’re dedicated to your rehabilitation and we’ll always prioritize your goals when we create your custom PT plan. Schedule your appointment now to get started moving better and reducing pain.
