{"id":144885,"date":"2025-09-09T20:23:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T20:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/144885\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T20:23:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T20:23:08","slug":"what-not-to-do-when-youre-in-physical-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/144885\/","title":{"rendered":"What Not To Do When You’re In Physical Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Going to physical therapy isn\u2019t high on most people\u2019s to-do lists. You\u2019re there because of a nagging pain or injury, and will likely have to keep visiting your physical therapist over the next few weeks or longer to get the problem under control. That means you have to put in plenty of work to help put yourself on a path to feeling like yourself again \u2015 and physical therapists are aware that it\u2019s a big ask for many. <\/p>\n

\u201cExercises in particular tend to take time to produce desired results,\u201d said Kelly Short, a physical therapist and director of the Center for Restorative Therapies<\/a> at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. \u201cWe all can recognize that it takes time to build muscle strength, stretch out a tight group of muscles, or change our posture.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than 50 million Americans<\/a> undergo physical therapy each year, which means you\u2019re not the only one going through this form of rehab. But while physical therapists are consistently there to help coach you through recovery, there are a few missteps you may be making that unintentionally annoy them \u2015 and that get in the way of your treatment. <\/p>\n

We tapped three physical therapists to learn more about the biggest things patients do that frustrate them, plus why they should be fixed ASAP.<\/p>\n

The biggest issue? Not doing your \u2018homework.\u2019<\/p>\n

This is the No.1 complaint that physical therapists share. \u201cCarry-over from the clinic setting to the home is vital,\u201d Short said. \u201cPracticing during the physical therapy visit and becoming proficient in technique is simply the start of building a habit of exercise to produce long-term results.\u201d<\/p>\n

Physical therapy is also a complicated process, said Dr. Andrew J Bach<\/a>, a physiatrist at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n

\u201cRehabilitation is rarely as simple as \u2018go to therapy twice a week for six weeks and you\u2019ll be back to normal,\u2019\u201d he explained. \u201cMany of these corrections require forming new movement habits, and habits aren\u2019t built in just a couple of hours a week. That\u2019s why doing your prescribed exercises at home \u2015 your \u2018homework\u2019 \u2015 is essential.\u201d<\/p>\n

Failure to do that homework, which is known as a Home Exercise Program (HEP), can interfere with your ability to get better quickly. <\/p>\n

Consistency is also crucial with physical therapy homework, according to Kyle Smith<\/a>, a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe one to three hours spent at your physical therapy appointments per week pales in comparison to the 168 total hours in a week,\u201d he said. \u201cNot performing exercises at home will limit your ability to keep the momentum between physical therapy sessions and build up toward your goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Physical<\/p>\n

The Good Brigade via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Physical therapists can tell if you haven’t been continuing your work at home.<\/p>\n

Other behaviors that bother physical therapists<\/p>\n

Aside from not doing your at-home exercises, there are additional choices and behaviors that can frustrate PTs during your healing journey. Here are a few:<\/p>\n

You\u2019re impatient.<\/p>\n

Physical therapy is a long game, and that can feel frustrating when you want to feel better immediately. <\/p>\n

\u201cAvoid the desire for the \u2018quick fix\u2019 \u2015 it can be very tempting,\u201d Smith said. \u201cSometimes a quick resolution to an injury or chronic issue is realistic, and sometimes it\u2019s going to take time.\u201d <\/p>\n

He stressed the importance of being willing to be patient, and to understand that the longer your issue has been with you, the longer it will likely take to completely go away. <\/p>\n

Your form is off. <\/p>\n

While doing your physical therapy homework is important, Smith said it\u2019s especially crucial to use the proper form while you\u2019re going through the motions.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to ask your therapist questions or to review an exercise,\u201d he explained. \u201cPhysical therapists prescribe these interventions every day, so they may take for granted your understanding of an exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because you\u2019ll be doing these exercises at home on your own without your therapist\u2019s supervision, Smith said it\u2019s important to understand the correct form before you go home. If you\u2019re confused or uncertain, speak up. <\/p>\n

You skip sessions.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to schedule physical therapy around work and everything else you have going on in your life. But skipping sessions that you and your therapists arranged won\u2019t help your recovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cUse the time outside of physical therapy wisely and you will be thankful when you see progress,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

\"Don'tDon’t push yourself before you’re ready and cleared by your PT.<\/p>\n

You try to do too much, too soon.<\/p>\n

Some people see their exercise prescription as a \u201cstarting point\u201d and feel that pushing things more will allow them to reach their goals sooner, Short said. But that approach can backfire. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis can exacerbate their symptoms, creating a bigger problem than they started with,\u201d Short explained. <\/p>\n

Others may try to jump back into the same activity levels that they had before they started physical therapy, Bach noted. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve just completed physical therapy for a back injury, it\u2019s unrealistic \u2015 and risky \u2015 to jump right back into the weight room at full intensity,\u201d he said. \u201cRecovery is a gradual process, and your body needs time to adapt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith stressed the importance of being willing to modify your workouts and activity level in the short-term, noting that it can be vital to supporting your recovery efforts. <\/p>\n

\u201cRemember, the goal is to get back to your prior level of activity, but a short regression can ultimately be beneficial to achieving your end goal,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

You push through the pain.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s normal to feel a little discomfort during physical therapy, but you shouldn\u2019t be in pain \u2015 or ignore pain altogether.<\/p>\n

In fact, Bach noted this is one of the most common mistakes he sees. \u201cThere\u2019s a big difference between the \u2018hurts-so-good\u2019 discomfort of a productive workout and the pain that signals injury,\u201d he added. \u201cSome patients push themselves just to check off exercises, even when they\u2019re in pain, and that can lead to setbacks or even re-injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

You\u2019re not honest about how you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n

Physical therapists will usually ask how you\u2019re feeling at the start of every session \u2015 this is not the time to say that you\u2019re \u201cfine\u201d if you\u2019re not. Instead, be upfront with your therapist about how you\u2019re feeling, including any challenges and successes you\u2019ve noticed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking with your physical therapist to identify recent lifestyle changes that may be contributing to your pain can be beneficial,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

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