Did you know research shows only 35% of physical therapy patients fully adhere to their plans of care?1

That number is far too low. Fully adhering to the plan of care means going to every appointment, being proactive about your physical therapy, and completing the home exercise program to its entirety. Home Exercise Programs (HEPs) are crucial on the path to recovery. They are unique to each patient and allow patients to continue their care outside of the clinic. After working with your physical therapist in the clinic (or via telehealth), they will give you a set of exercises that are designed as an extension of your time with your therapist and should be completed at home. The goal of the HEP is to allow you to continue making progress towards your movement goals in the time between visits.  

With the holidays sneaking up on us and the potential for you to space your visits out more than usual to accommodate travel or other plans, it is even more important for patients to stay on track with their physical therapy and stay committed to their path to recovery. Here are a few tips to help keep you moving in the right direction during the holiday season:  

Tip #1

Make sure you have a home exercise program to incorporate. If you are currently not utilizing a home exercise program, talk with your physical therapist! They can work with you to create one specific for you and your needs. Chances are your physical therapist has already created one for you, but in the rare chance they haven’t, then get proactive and ask questions!  

Tip #2

Set a reminder. Alicia Dulaney, PT, DPT says she has had patients set a reminder in their phone, while others have their home exercise program printed out and posted on their fridge. Visual reminders are key in keeping you on your toes and pushing you to make the exercises part of your daily routine. 

Tip #3

Figure out what works for you.  Find the time of day that is best for you and your schedule. Paul Gagliano, PT, DPT says it is important to understand the purpose behind every exercise, how to do the exercises, and to ask your physical therapist when they think is best to complete the exercises. Based off of what your physical therapist advises, create a routine that will be easiest for you to follow and stick to. 

Tip #4

Find an accountability partner. Whether it be your spouse, your kids, or your roommate, have someone join in with you for encouragement and support – a virtual accountability partner could be fun as well. Plus, things are always more fun when you have someone there with you along the way!

Alicia says, “Physical therapists are your partners in facilitating optimal movement and it has been shown that patients are most successful when they adhere to the plan prescribed by your therapist. The best outcomes are achieves when our patients are committed to their plan of care and are dedicated to a regular home exercise program outside of the clinic. Patients who don’t do their home exercise program just don’t tend to get as far down the path toward moving and feeling better.” 

Your path to recovery does not have to be put on hold because of the holidays. Enjoy the time spent with family while also still working towards your movement goals. Reach out to your Spooner physical therapist if you have any questions regarding your home exercise program.  

Learn more about Orthopedic Rehabilitation at Spooner Physical Therapy. Ready to schedule an appointment? Click Here to schedule an appointment or complimentary movement screen with a Spooner physical therapist at one of our locations throughout the valley.

 References  

  1. Sluijs EM;Kok GJ;van der Zee J; “Correlates of Exercise Compliance in Physical Therapy.” Physical Therapy, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8234458/.