Best Physical Therapy Millburn NJ

Physical Therapy Millburn NJ: 4 Important Questions to Ask At Your First Visit 

Looking for physical therapy in Millburn NJ that offers hands-on, one-on-one patient care? Look no further!  At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, our therapists can help you get back to your active life safely and quickly.  

Close to 2 million people receive physical therapy every day and this number is likely to increase as the population ages. But, for New Jersey residents who have never seen a physical therapist, the first visit can feel a little intimidating and overwhelming — especially when you’re in pain and injured. So, we talked to our physical therapists in Millburn, NJ about what to expect at your first visit to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

4 Questions to Ask at Your First Physical Therapy Visit

Let’s take a look at four essential questions to ask during your first appointment at Twin Boro Physical Therapy in Millburn, NJ.

1. Why am I in pain?

At Twin Boro Physical Therapy Millburn, NJ, we understand that pain can be very frustrating, especially when you are unsure of the cause. Thankfully, most aches and pains will work themselves out in a day or two, but if the pain hasn’t resolved within a week or begins to impact your functionality, it’s time to seek treatment. Often the pain limits one’s ability to sleep, which leaves little doubt professional help is required.

While your physical therapist may not be able to identify exactly why you are in pain immediately, how they respond can speak volumes. Experienced physical therapists can instill confidence and help alleviate any fears that have arisen from your own internet diagnosis.

Regardless of your injury, understanding what movements and activities are limited by pain is important to help prevent recurrence. One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is waiting to seek treatment, hoping the pain will resolve on its own. The trouble with that is certain injuries may worsen with time. Through a series of tests and measures, your physical therapist will assess your condition to discover the root cause of the problem and make a plan to get you better – preventing a complicated problem in the future.

Lawrence Pemberton DPT, PT, Director at our Millburn, NJ location, treats patients by implementing Twin Boro’s One2Four Care Model to help determine the “right level of health care” for each individual. This unique approach looks at the entire episode of care for the patient or athlete. This ranges from a relatively low level of function a patient experiences post injury or surgery all the way up to the functional level required to return their previous activities and ultimately peak performance at these activities.

2. What do I need to do on my own?

Going to a physical therapy clinic is only part of the process. It’s important to be an active participant in your recovery. In fact, patients who complete their at-home exercises will be more likely to excel during their on-one-one sessions at the clinic and also experience fewer setbacks during their rehabilitation process.

Ask your therapist what you can do on your own and demonstration your motivation to recover. A home program will be developed for your specific needs depending on your condition and abilities. Within the program will be exercises to regain normal movement to decrease painful abnormalities. Cold or heat treatments for pain reduction may be included. No matter your program, the goal is the same: to help you heal and progress more effectively.

A critical aspect of successful rehabilitation is the need for you to be consistent and on time for your physical therapy sessions. Healthy habits begin with persistence and consistence. Just remember that physical therapy is a journey, not a single step.

3. What will a typical session look like?

Front desk personnel at the Twin Boro physical therapy clinic in Millburn will do their best to schedule you with the same PT for each of your physical therapy sessions. Appointments will be made to be convenient to you. Remember, consistently having the same physical therapist will ensure better communication for a speedy progression to your desired functional outcomes.

Not all physical therapy clinics in New Jersey are the same. Find out the length of sessions and what your therapy will entail. Will it include hands-on interventions? Will you receive manual therapy? Will your therapist be juggling multiple patients at a time? These are all important factors to consider in your treatment plan.

Expect that your first physical therapy session will begin with a thorough assessment. Dress comfortably for the session, much as you would for an exercise session. Your therapist will be asking detailed questions about your condition and your health history to look for any underlying causes, but don’t be afraid to ask your own questions, too!

Twin Boro physical therapists strive to provide effective and efficient one-on-one, hands on care, which have been shown to best meet your needs. Treatment methods will vary person-to-person and may include manual therapy, exercise, ultrasound, traction, electrical stimulation, as well as education to aid in recovery and injury prevention.

4. How long until I get better?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions we hear here at Twin Boro Physical Therapy in Millburn NJ. But, it’s also one of the hardest to answer on your first day. Although every patient is unique, we can draw on experience with other patients to provide an estimated time frame.

The duration of the program will depend on the condition being treated as well as each individual’s healing rate. Soft tissue injuries, for example, take between six to eight weeks to heal, which means that a typical physical therapy program will last about that duration. An important component of physical therapy is continuously reassessing your progress. Throughout your recovery process, your physical therapist will track your progress to ensure you are moving in the right direction in terms of range of motion, functionality, and strength.

Realize that the recovery process takes time and everyone recovers at a different pace, so be patient with yourself.

Get Back on Your Feet With Twin Boro

We hope the above questions are helpful as you prepare for your first physical therapy visit. For the best results, make every effort to attend all your sessions and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Since 1980, our skilled rehabilitation experts have been providing residents of Millburn, New Jersey with only the highest quality services in our state-of-the-art facilities to help patients get back on their feet again. In fact, we’ve even been voted “Best of 1on1 Care” in NJ.

Whether you live in Springfield, South Orange, Maplewood, Summit, Union, Irvington, Livingston, Orange, or Millburn, we offer the following physical therapy services at each of our convenient 27 New Jersey locations:

• Arthritis Rehabilitation
• Geriatric Rehab
• Hand Therapy
• Neurological Rehabilitation
• Physical Therapy
• Spinal Orthopaedic Rehab
• Sports Rehab / Physical Therapy
• TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
• Vestibular Rehabilitation
• Workers’ Compensation

Find a location in Essex County or Morris County and contact one of our NJ offices to schedule an appointment today.