Physiotherapy is one of the most important ways to heal a major injury, but it can be tough to endure and even tougher to continue after you find that out. Your physiotherapist is usually the person that keeps you motivated so that you can properly heal. That relationship is imperative for your recovery and, at first, it can be a little strange to allow someone you don't know to move your limbs and injured area in ways that hurt or are uncomfortable. It may be strange to trust this person even if you know it's important for you to do so. Below are a few guidelines for helping you improve that doctor/patient relationship in order for you to keep up your physiotherapy and heal the way you know you should.
Introduce Yourself
It's not always the norm to become friends with your doctor but a physiotherapist is a little different. When you first meet this doctor, shake hands, and the doctor wants to jump right into the physiotherapy, ask if you can have a quick conversation first. Share three things about yourself and ask that your physiotherapist do the same. Keep these topics away from things like where they trained or how many other patients they're currently treating. You should ask those questions before you choose your physiotherapist. At this point, at a first real appointment, this short conversation should be more about hobbies and things you have in common. It will help you bond with your physiotherapist and feel a bit more comfortable with them as a person instead of just as a doctor.
Always Be Honest
Sometimes physiotherapy hurts. Sometimes it's embarrassing to admit you're not making the progress you thought you would or that you didn't practice your exercises at home the way you were instructed to do. Even if you are embarrassed, it's still important to tell your physiotherapist about these things. Building trust starts with always being honest and that includes what you choose to tell your physiotherapist. No doctor can help you if you're lying to them about how you're feeling.
Talk About The Little Things
Your recovery may be largely based on physiotherapy but that doesn't mean that other things at home or in your life won't affect how you're healing. If you're stressed out at work, because of family, or in your personal life, it may be prudent to mention this to your physiotherapist. It helps them discern whether they're pushing you to hard, if you need extra motivation, or if there are other referrals that need to be made about your care. Added stress can manifest in all kinds of ways that will affect your physiotherapy if you're already feeling unwell because of it. Don't hold back. Once you've built this relationship with your physiotherapist, nothing will stop you from healing and being better than ever.