Physical Therapy: Undervalued and Underutilized
I want to take a minute and review some really valuable information. I feel that as a physical therapist, it is part of my job to educate people about physical therapy.
Physical therapy, as a profession, has not done a very effective job in spreading awareness of what we have to offer. There are many misconceptions about therapy including: itโs a hot pack and electrical stimulation, or it is abusive and causes pain! There is this world wide perception that in order to fix your problem, you need injections and surgeries. But guess what, even after those things are done, you still need PT anyway! (upside down smiley)
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐: Physical therapy is now a doctoral program so we go through 4 years of undergraduate education and then 3 years of graduate work. We learn to become experts in movement of the body, how it functions, musculoskeletal conditions/diagnosis such as arthritis, tendonitis, spine problems, disc herniation, post-operative joint replacements, nerve conditionsโฆthe list goes on. Along with a few other professions, we are at the top in knowledge of how joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligament function in all parts of your body. So if you sprain your ankle, you are better off going to see a physical therapist rather than your primary care doctor. That isnโt a bash to primary care, they have the job of looking at such a broad scope of conditions and diagnosing and treating you. But you donโt go to your PCP for a colonoscopy, right? You see a specialist in that field.
๐จ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐: As PTs we are in a unique position to discuss and make recommendations to our patients on how to go about treating their musculoskeletal condition. This goes into the discussion about whether imaging (x-ray/MRI) is truly needed or an injection is appropriate at that time. More often than not, patients can be more efficient with the use of their healthcare dollars and save money by getting therapy first.
๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป/๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด: Why do you hurt? What can you do about it? Discussing physical injury and pain conditions is a struggle because as physical therapists, we are experts in this field and yet we hear patientโs being incorrectly guided and educated about their condition. โMy doctor says I have arthritis and the only option is surgery or injections.โ โI was told to stop exercising because I am going to injure my backโ. These are simply untrue statements we hear every day, they foster fear avoidance behaviors, and with the proper guidance and education from an expert in musculoskeletal conditions, you will find you have so many less invasive options to heal your body that are safe and effective.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฃ๐ง/๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: I try to tell people that you donโt necessarily have to be in pain to see a PT. You could be starting to feel โoffโ or note some intermittent changing sensations in your body such as tightness or weakness. Or maybe you want guidance on safe return to exercise. In a perfect world, a yearly visit to your PT as a wellness type check could catch early dysfunctions and minimize the chance of chronic pain conditions arising which are much more difficulty to treat.
๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ/๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐: Healing takes time. We want it all and we want it now is not a mindset for a long term positive change for the body. You spent 20 years in pain, do you really think 3 therapy sessions is going to absolve you of your symptoms for the rest of your life? It could, but most likely not. Long term, permanent changes require lifestyle habit change and consistency to taking care of your joint and muscle health.
This requires a collaborative effort between the physical therapist, the patient (you), and your other health care providers. A team approach looking at various aspects of your care is the best route to recovery and ensures that your best interest is in mind. If your healthcare provider is resistant to referring you out or brushing off your concerns, itโs time to seek a provider who has time for you. You deserve the care that we would want for our own families.
