The Top Five Reasons Why You Should Get To Know Your PT

A few years ago I hosted a get together with a bunch of friends. At some point in the evening, after everyone had figured out how we were connected, someone remarked, “It’s a good thing you’re a PT. You wouldn’t have any friends otherwise.” As I looked around the room at my guests, two were physical therapy colleagues, while the rest were former patients turned friends. While I understand that some PT’s prefer not to develop personal relationships with current patients, I truly believe in the importance of developing a long-term professional relationship with one.

If it’s not a good fit, find one you trust and with whom you can connect. If they turn into a good friend, even better!

Here are The Top Five Reasons Why You Should Get To Know Your PT:

We’ll be spending quality time together.
During the course of your treatment, you’ll be seeing us regularly. I am fortunate to spend 45 minutes with patients, often once, maybe twice a week. Compare that to the amount of time you spend with your doctor during a scheduled appointment, or even how often you see your best friend in any given week. Several years ago, I attended the wedding of a patient-turned-friend after knowing her only a few weeks because, as she told me, “The only person I spend more time with during the week is my fiancé.”

You can confide in us.
Because we will be spending time together working on improving your health, there may be certain things that come up during our time together. Human are complex creatures. There are many factors that can contribute to health, some of which may not be that easy to bring up. As healthcare providers, we are bound by law and ethics to maintain your privacy, and need to know about factors that may be affecting your healing. During any given week I talk to people about such potentially uncomfortable topics as depression, intimacy, problems in relationships, and other sensitive things. We talk about frustrations with treatment and health concerns seemingly unrelated to their physical therapy treatments. Often, the things we discuss are vital to my success as a PT though occasionally I need to refer out to someone better equipped to handle the issue. You need to feel comfortable enough with your PT to be able to discuss the uncomfortable.

We can help ease your fears.
Perhaps you’ve just received a new diagnosis that is troubling, even scary. Sometimes the medical jargon associated with an MRI report or after a doctor visit can be overwhelming. Chances are, we’ve worked with other patients with similar problems and can help explain things in ways you’ll understand. It is not a normal week if I don’t have a friend or family member reach out with questions about a particular diagnosis. The discussion this weekend was about Jason Day at The US Open, his struggles with vertigo, and how PT can help…did you know that?

We can let you know when it’s time to get serious about your health.
There is a reason your back hurts. Ignoring it isn’t the answer and it is likely a symptom of a larger problem. The good news is, you’re willing to invest a little time and energy, and maybe a few little changes to your daily routine, we can make a huge impact. Sometimes a friend or PT who knows you well is the best person to impress upon you the importance of taking your health seriously. You only get one body in this life, treat it well.

We can help you navigate the confusing world of medicine AND fitness.
There is so much misinformation and conflicting advice floating around out there. Who can help you differentiate fact from fiction? A PT with a good clinical experience who has continued to grow professionally and is able to critically evaluate research is good person to have on your team. Well-meaning but incorrect advice is commonly dispensed from people who don’t have the same training and expertise as PT’s who work in musculoskeletal medicine every single day.

We really do care.
My colleagues and I talk about this all of the time. It is not uncommon for us to say to a patient, “I was thinking about you on my walk to work.” I often develop new treatment plans in the most unlikely of places. This is why my showers are sometimes a little longer than necessary. We PT’s are generally so invested in our patients that we take it to heart when someone doesn’t seem to value or appreciate our care. This is also the reason we are exhausted at the end of the week. Don’t expect your PT/friend to want to get together for Happy Hour on a Friday evening!