Providing your PT with as much information as possible is very important! Being comfortable and confident in your PT is an important aspect of this. Your PT needs information from you to create the best treatment plan, including:
- Current symptoms (if you think they are from MS or not)
- Changes in strength
- Changes in sensation (numbness or tingling)
- Walking abilities
- Balance abilities
- Changes in thinking skills
- Changes in vision
- Current medications
- Troubles in day to day life
- Feelings of depression or mood changes
- Your current goals
Keep track! Often, it is helpful to keep a notebook or journal with you to track your thoughts and bring that with you to your PT appointments. If you notice any changes, it is helpful to write them down in order to help you and your PT track your progress.
Telling your PT about your goals is VERY important! A PT is there to help you, so he or she needs to know your goals! Whether it is to improve your walking or play with your children, your PT wants to know so that your plan of care can be directed towards what is important to you.
Ask questions! Be sure to ask your PT questions you or your family have. Talk about your plan of care and treatment options as well as what to expect from PT. Ask about community resources, such as exercise classes and self-help groups (both for people with MS and for caregivers of people with MS).
The National MS Society can help! For example, the Eastern NC Chapter offers a voucher for newly diagnosed individuals to use for costs related to physical activity (i.e. aquatics class, gym membership, etc). To redeem your wellness voucher, please call 1-800 FIGHT MS or e-mail us.