Learning More About Physical Therapy Rehabilitation

There are innumerable reasons why your physician may advise you to attend physical therapy rehabilitation. You may have been involved in an accident or are recovering from a major operation. You may have been born with a certain medical condition, or have had a stroke or disease that has resulted in a diminished capacity for movement. Physical therapy is also sometimes prescribed for geriatric patients as a way to keep a high level of mobility at a time when decreasing bone density or slowly-healing injuries might otherwise keep them confined to a bed or unable to perform routine daily tasks, such as bathing or using the restroom. 
Whatever your particular circumstances, your doctor has most likely recommended physical therapy as a way for you to achieve a greater functional capacity. During the course of your treatment, you can expect to meet with a therapist who will take your medical history and perform one or several physical examinations to determine the proper course of treatment. In addition, you can expect to be subject to certain tests or imaging studies such as x-rays or MRIs during the proceedings to evaluate the progress of your treatment.
The "where" and "when" of your physical therapy depends on numerous factors. Depending on the severity of your condition, your physician may instruct you to attend therapy on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. If you are currently hospitalized for your condition, your physical therapists will treat you on an inpatient basis. Similarly, many nursing homes, hospices, and even schools will have physical therapy rehabilitation centers available for residents. If your condition does not require hospitalization, your doctor can refer you to the outpatient facility best suited to your needs.
The most important factor in your treatment, however, is you. Physical therapy rehabilitation is a cooperative activity, and the more engaged you are in the process of recovery, the better your results are likely to be. It is easy to get fatigued from constant exercise. Likewise, repetition of tasks with little noticeable short-term gain will likely result in frustration - but patient enthusiasm is a vital part of the process.
Of course, a general overview of physical therapy rehabilitation may not seem very useful to you after experiencing a traumatic illness or injury. In those cases, simple survival is likely the most pressing concern in your mind. In such a case, know that your doctors and assorted health care providers are professionals who have long studied human physiology, and whose driving concern is the health and betterment of anyone who seeks their counsel. The limits of modern medical science dictate that they may not able to offer a cure; but they will, at least, offer you the best treatment available. Working with them, in an atmosphere of cooperation and respect, is the best path to recovery.