How to Get the Most Out of Your Physio Appointment

Let’s be honest; these days, Physiotherapy coverage may only last a few sessions’ worth of care. Sometimes schedules get busy, or maybe you will be leaving soon on a big trip, so you can’t commit to many appointments. Any way you slice it, it’s not always easy to get better when you are busy or on a budget.

Why not increase your likelihood of success? Consider the following steps and take charge of your care!

1.       Cover Your Bases, Come Prepared

What are the symptoms (pain? tingling? swelling?) and where are they located? How long has this been going on? What makes it better? What makes it worse?

Sound simple enough? You’d be surprised how long it can take to cover these basic questions, mostly because people haven’t taken the time to think about it. Heck, write it down.

The clearer you can be about what’s going on with your body, the better and more accurate your assessment and care. Plain and simple.

2.       Be Honest About Availability

It’s in everybody’s best interest – especially yours – if you are honest from the get-go about your availability and commitment to the rehabilitation process. If your therapist recommends you come twice per week but your schedule won’t allow it, be clear about that. Yes, it is easier to just agree, but if the therapist knows you can’t attend then he or she can adjust your prognosis (educated guess about when you will be better) and perhaps give you more to do independently.

While we’re on the topic of honesty … if treatment isn’t working or you’re not happy about something, speak up. There is no use in plodding along doing the same thing if you are not making gains within the expected time frame.

3.       Be Goal-Oriented

Regardless of injury or problem, come with a goal in mind. It doesn’t have to be something sporty or long term. Even “I would like to walk my dog for 20 minutes per day” works!

Knowing your goal(s) helps your Physiotherapist frame your treatment toward results that matter to you. Some people want pain control, others want strength, while others just want to be able to participate in an activity with their kids.

When both you and your Physiotherapist have the same goal, your chances of getting there are better!

4.       Take Ownership Over Your Recovery

Occasionally, a patient will expect to come to therapy and only receive passive care like hands-on techniques or acupuncture. Sounds nice, right? Well, that type of care doesn’t usually work out well on its own. Patients who take no responsibility in the recovery process may become dependent on the therapist to ‘fix’ the problem. While that’s great for business, it may mean longer recovery times for you and poorer outcomes.

Time and again, research supports exercise as a complement to care for all types of issues, even fibromyalgia, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. It makes sense, right? Exercises will maintain (or improve upon) the gains made during therapy. Better pain control, improved mobility and faster recovery sounds good to me!

The take home message is, you may get better faster if you help, too!

Are Kegels Right For You?

Not all bladder leaks are caused by the same thing.

Does this sound like you?

You’ve got some leaking going on and you plan your day around bathroom breaks. Maybe it happens with a specific action – coughing, sneezing, or changing positions. Maybe it’s a sudden urge out of nowhere and you can’t make it to the bathroom on time. Or, for those lucky few, it’s all of the above.

If you’ve been brave enough to ask around, perhaps you’ve been told to “try Kegels”. Perhaps, after consulting the internet for instructions, you gave it a try between frequent bathroom visits.

Did it turn out to be harder than Google suggested? Results minimal at best?

You are not alone.

The Canadian Continence Foundation estimates that 3.3 million Canadians are living with at least one type of urinary incontinence. Many patients tell me that they thought leaks were normal after menopause, surgery or having a baby.  

Let me be clear. Incontinence may be common, but it is not normal.

Kegels are very difficult to master in the best of circumstances, and might not be the right exercises for you.

Arm yourself with some basic information. There are two main types of urinary incontinence:

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): This occurs when the pelvic floor muscles can’t resist the downward pressure that happens when we cough, sneeze or exercise. Leakage occurs when the muscles cannot maintain strong closure at the urethral opening. SUI generally responds well to strength and timing exercises.

Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI): People with UUI experience a sudden bladder spasm, a very strong urge to urinate, and cannot get to the bathroom in time before experiencing leakage. This type does not usually respond well to strengthening right away, as the pelvic muscles can be irritated and tight. However, the muscles can be retrained the same way sore/tight muscles can be remedied elsewhere on the body.

Some people have a mix of symptoms from both types of incontinence. Whatever the case, a Physiotherapist who is certified in Pelvic Health can help determine what type of incontinence you have and put together a treatment plan specific to your needs.

Why live with leaks if you don’t have to?

Feel fee to comment or ask a question! If you’d prefer to email us privately, send us your questions at movementworksteam@gmail.com.

Melinda Wilson is a Physiotherapist who is certified in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. She is dedicated to helping people regain bladder control!

Are Kegels Right For You?

Not all bladder leaks are caused by the same thing.

Does this sound like you?

You’ve got some leaking going on and you plan your day around bathroom breaks. Maybe it happens with a specific action – coughing, sneezing, or changing positions. Maybe it’s a sudden urge out of nowhere and you can’t make it to the bathroom on time. Or, for those lucky few, it’s all of the above.

If you’ve been brave enough to ask around, perhaps you’ve been told to “try Kegels”. Perhaps, after consulting the internet for instructions, you gave it a try between frequent bathroom visits.

Did it turn out to be harder than Google suggested? Results minimal at best?

You are not alone.

The Canadian Continence Foundation estimates that 3.3 million Canadians are living with at least one type of urinary incontinence. Many patients tell me that they thought leaks were normal after menopause, surgery or having a baby.  

Let me be clear. Incontinence may be common, but it is not normal.

Kegels are very difficult to master in the best of circumstances, and might not be the right exercises for you.

Arm yourself with some basic information. There are two main types of urinary incontinence:

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): This occurs when the pelvic floor muscles can’t resist the downward pressure that happens when we cough, sneeze or exercise. Leakage occurs when the muscles cannot maintain strong closure at the urethral opening. SUI generally responds well to strength and timing exercises.

Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI): People with UUI experience a sudden bladder spasm, a very strong urge to urinate, and cannot get to the bathroom in time before experiencing leakage. This type does not usually respond well to strengthening right away, as the pelvic muscles can be irritated and tight. However, the muscles can be retrained the same way sore/tight muscles can be remedied elsewhere on the body.

Some people have a mix of symptoms from both types of incontinence. Whatever the case, a Physiotherapist who is certified in Pelvic Health can help determine what type of incontinence you have and put together a treatment plan specific to your needs.

Why live with leaks if you don’t have to?

Feel fee to comment or ask a question! If you’d prefer to email us privately, send us your questions at movementworksteam@gmail.com.

Melinda Wilson is a Physiotherapist who is certified in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. She is dedicated to helping people regain bladder control!