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400 Collins Rd NE, MS 154-100 Cedar Rapids, IA 52498
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Physical Therapy Near Me in Cedar Rapids
List When You Feel Pain
A good session of physical therapy near me will provide you with the increased strength, stability, and flexibility that you need to overcome many types of pain. So, before you go into your therapy session, make sure to come up with a list of the kinds of pains you feel and when they are at their worst. This activity is simple if you ask yourself these questions:
When do I feel the most pain?
What activities tend to worsen my pain?
Where is my pain located?
Have stretches and other movements made my pain less severe?
Does exercise improve my pain or make it worse?
What is my pain's intensity on a scale of 1-10?
Can I live my life with this pain or is it too severe to ignore treatment?
Does my pain feel better when I rest or does it get worse?
Be honest with yourself when asking these questions. Though it can be hard to admit that you feel so much pain during the day, honesty helps your therapist better understand the situation and improves their chances of finding physical therapy treatments that work for your unique needs. Though your list may be detailed, your therapist will appreciate it.
Brainstorm Your Medical History
After you've detailed the pain from which you suffer, make sure to create a detailed medical history for your physical therapist. This information is particularly useful during your first session of physical therapy near me, though these details should be updated as they change. Just a few essential elements you need to add to your medical history include:
All of your prescriptions
– Though physical therapists usually don't prescribe medications, some medicines, such as blood thinners, could complicate your therapy. Make sure to write down a full list, including over-the-counter drugs, prescriptions, vitamins, and supplements.
Recent stressful events
– Stress can worsen physical pain exponentially, so make sure to write a list of any stressful situations that you've experienced in the last few months. These events might seem silly to you, in retrospect, but stress is stress, and your therapist should know about it.
Any injuries you have suffered
– If your therapist isn't aware of any other injuries you may have experienced, your treatment could be complicated. Even if the injury was minor or doesn't seem related to the treatment area, make a note of it so that your therapist is prepared.
A family medical history
– Many types of painful diseases, such as arthritis, can be genetic and passed down from parents to a child, so make a list of what kind of painful conditions your parents experience to give your doctor an idea of diseases you may develop.
Past physical therapy treatments
– If you've had any physical therapy in the past, your therapist should know about it. You should discuss how you reacted to this treatment and note the names of the therapists who performed it. In this way, your therapist can find more information if necessary.
This detailed information provides your therapist with the best chance of creating a high-quality treatment plan that works for your treatment needs. If necessary, prepare this report with your primary care physician to ensure that everything is as accurate as possible. You don't want to give your therapist inaccurate information, and you may remember something slightly wrong.
Understand Your Insurance and Payment Options
Physical therapists typically accept a large number of insurance options to help make your care more comfortable and more accessible. Insurance usually kicks in if your primary care physician states that physical therapy is the best option for your treatment. All care must be necessary, medically, before your insurance will cover it. And, thankfully, most types of insurance should include physical therapy if it is required to manage your pain.
Like with other treatments, you'll probably have a small co-pay to cover until you reach your payment limit for the year. After this point, insurance will typically pay for the rest of your physical therapy near me. However, you should talk to your insurance agent before treatment to ensure that everything is okay with your payment options. For example, you may have a higher co-pay than you expected due to your insurance type.
If you don't have insurance, your therapist can work out some payment plan for your therapy. Typically, you'll have to make small monthly payments until you've fully paid your bill. In some situations, you may even qualify for financial assistance through the therapist, though this type of payment option is not always available from some physicians.
Bring a Friend or Family Member
If you're going to your first physical therapy session, you should probably take a friend or family member with you. These loved ones can provide you a little support during this initial care session. Though your treatment is typically not too painful or difficult, you may experience some pain that makes it more difficult to drive home after you are finished. Your loved one can help take you back to your house in this situation to avoid any complications or confusion.
And, just as importantly, your loved one can vouch for your pain and suffering. They can describe incidents when pain made your life impossible or difficult to handle. And they can serve as a support system during your treatment. For example, they can hold your hand if you feel tightness or pain during your care and can help you get through any tough moments that make you want to quit.
Find a Therapist Who You Can Trust
The most essential step in this process is finding a treatment specialist that you trust. Thankfully, many different options should be available near you. However, you need to investigate each possibility carefully to see a therapist who can treat your problems and who feels suitable for your personality.
So if you're looking for physical therapy near me in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area and want to ensure that you get the best results, please don't hesitate to contact us at Rec Center Physical Therapy to learn more. Our specialists will work with you to find a therapy method that works for you and your unique needs.
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