When you are in pain, injured, getting over an accident, or trying to recover from invasive surgery, many patients find themselves in the hands of a physical therapist. This type of treatment can work beautifully to get the body moving and functioning as it should.
The thing about physical therapy as a form of treatment, however, is that it doesn’t just stop when the session ends. The patient must continue moving forward with the exercises suggested by the physical therapist as well as treating the body right.
Here are a few things you can do to take care of your body post-physical therapy session.
Maintain Hydration
Drinking plenty of water is important for everyone – especially for those who just had an intense physical therapy session.
Staying hydrated is always recommended because the fluids help your organs to function properly, keep your body temperature regulated, reduce the chance of infection, ensure joints are well lubricated, as well as give your cells what they need.
Being hydrated post physical therapy sessions means that you are helping the blood circulate effortlessly throughout the body – to every single area it needs to go. And that is in addition to everything else it does.
What’s more, the hydration will keep your muscles from suffering sprains and strains as you attempt to move and exercise them.
Try to get in at least 16 to 24 ounces in the hour following your session.
Use Ice for Swelling
Certain physical therapy treatments can stir up things in the body known as inflammation. This is not uncommon. Should you find yourself dealing with swelling or fluid retention, it is important to ice the area for 10 to 15 minutes several times throughout the day.
The ice will bring down the inflammation and reduce your swelling.
Stretch it Out
It is not uncommon to feel sore after a physical therapy session. After all, you are working muscles that have either been injured or may not have been used as much in a while. Believe it or not, this soreness is a good thing. It shows that you are really working the muscles during your treatment and that you are going to reap the benefits soon enough.
Following your session, you can reduce the amount of discomfort you have by stretching. Try doing this a couple of times a day. Not only will it keep you from unwanted discomfort, but it will also allow you to keep your muscles loose for the next session.
Eat Well
Your food plays a very large role in your overall sense of health. So filling your body with good, healthy foods after your physical therapy session can be beneficial. You want to take in all the good vitamins and nutrients you can, being sure to eat a colorful array of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and so forth.
By avoiding unhealthy foods, your body will thank you.
When Your Physical Therapy Treatment Ends
In the bigger picture, when your physical therapy treatment ends and you have successfully made it through all your sessions, you still have work to do. There is a good chance your physical therapist gave you a list of exercises you can continue to do on your own – and you need to be disciplined to do them.
Further, continue caring for your body. Get plenty of quality rest, stay hydrated, eat well, stretch, and so on. Find time to focus on your overall health so that you can heal yourself in the best way possible.
Kim Chiropractic & Rehab offers full-body auto accident treatment In Columbia and Rockville, Maryland, and Centreville, Virginia. For your convenience and the best possible outcomes, they offer both chiropractic care and physical therapy rehabilitation in each of their offices. Contact them today to schedule a consultation. Their goal is to help you recover from your accident as quickly and fully as possible.
