Five Tips for Making the Most of Your Physical Therapy Experience

We’re at about mile 18 on the new clinic marathon, and while our efforts are yielding some beautiful results, there’s still some distance to go. At this point in the project, New Heights owners Kevin Poe and Donna Gramont have to dig deep and call upon the lessons they’ve learned in physical therapy to see them through the daily grind. Turns out rehabbing a building isn’t much different than rehabbing a body, it requires the same grit and determination. They offer up these five tips for turning pain into gain to help you reach your recovery goals.

 

Tip #1: Begin with the end in mind.

Donna and Kevin envisioned a bigger space for patients and staff to work their recovery, which led them to purchase the former Montavilla Sheet Metal building, a treasure trove of raw materials. In their mind’s eye, they pictured the rubble of lumber not laid to waste, but instead transformed into desks, tables, cabinets, and other furnishings for the beautiful new clinic. 

What do you imagine for your recovery? If you’re rehabilitating a broken ankle, picture yourself on campus walking to class or taking a hike with a friend. A powerful first step is placing yourself at the finish line having achieved your goal.

Tip #2: Learn some new skills.

Kevin didn’t know how to weld and Donna had never built furniture before, but both knew that they were capable of learning. Yes, they were operating outside their comfort zone, but they also knew the furniture wouldn’t build itself. They asked friends and family for help, and with some trial and error, they gained the necessary skills to make the furniture.

 

What new skills do you need to learn to reach your goal? Pilates? Strength training? Our therapists excel at educating patients about their injury or condition. Lean on them and bank some knowledge that will help you achieve your goal.

Tip #3: Show up and do the work.

Every.darn.day. Donna and Kevin realize they can’t carry this heavy load forever, but until the new clinic opens in December they have committed to working hard every day in order to realize their dream of a new clinic.

 

Recognize that physical therapy can be hard, challenging work. But it’s a matter of fact: you’ll realize your recovery goals sooner if you commit to your therapy plan and do your home exercises. Sometimes life just doesn’t offer shortcuts!

Tip #4: Find the Zen in the work.

Planing, sanding, joining, and staining a thousand board feet of lumber would be enough to drive anyone mad, but Donna resists the urge to resist, and settles into the work itself. By finding a peaceful zone in which to work she ensures that she isn’t expending unnecessary energy that would be better spent accomplishing her goal.

 

 

Pay attention to when you feel overwhelmed and frustrated during your recovery. Try to accept your current reality and work with what is, not what isn’t. You may find that things will soften and shift, ultimately moving you closer to your goal.

Tip #5: Prepare to Celebrate!

You better believe there is a big party planned in early 2015 to celebrate the opening of our new clinic, we can hear the champagne corks popping now! We want to share this with you, our valued patients, whose health and well-being is the reason all of this is hard work is happening.

 

We recommend that you celebrate every small achievement you gain during your recovery! It’s easy to lose sight of how far you’ve travelled and the ground you’ve regained. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back for all the hard work you’ve put in and the results you’ve achieved. Let the sparks fly!