Physical Therapist

What's the difference between a physical therapist and an occupational therapist? Are they totally different, or is there overlap?

Asked by jerry silber about 12 years ago

There is definitely overlap between the two professions. OTs help people of all ages to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. This sounds very familiar to PTs, but OTs can focus on things like showing a patient how to dress, groom, shower, etc. They do this by also working on mobility, strength, and functional capabilities. So there are many similarities, but each profession has a different focus. OTs are trained to modify the physical environment as well as training the person to use assistive equipment to increase independence. PTs are trained to identify and maximize quality of life and movement potential within the realms of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, intervention, and rehabilitation. Both professions are booming in this healthcare industry.

How do physical therapist salaries compare to those of physicians?

Asked by Ajay about 12 years ago

U.S. National averages are anywhere from $65K to $90K. This, of course, depends on setting, state, and years of experience. I recently read an article listing PT as the #4 Best Paying Job of the Future. Here are some of the stats they included: > Pct. increase: 39.0% > Total new jobs (2010-2020): 77,400 > Median income: $76,310 > States with the most jobs per capita: Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine This is largely in part to the baby boomers getting old. I can confidently say that I've never had a problem getting, finding, maintaining a PT job. They are abundant and you won't have to worry about never finding work. Your everyday Physician makes over $100k on average. And that number increases with how specialized you are. I suppose you will want to consider amount of school, residency, long hours, stress, and the fact that people's lives are in your hands, if you want to be a M.D. PT is flexible and there are tons of settings you can choose to practice in. It's not a ton of money for the amount of school you go through, but it can definitely be worth it in the end. Heck, I now instruct and assist my future colleagues in my PJ's at home. Sweet? I think so.

What part of the job "SUCKS", as you put it?

Asked by The Tortoise about 12 years ago

Patient care certainly doesn't suck, as it is very rewarding and satisfying to work with patients and see them get better! The 'sucky' part is really the insurance aspect of the business. There are a lot of debates going on with the situation of our national healthcare system right now. What I can tell you about Physical Therapy is the ongoing decrease in re-imbursement from insurance companies for rehab services, particularly in the private sector. From my experience in a private PT owned clinic, it was a constant battle to fight for more benefits for my patients. A newly amended Senate Bill No. 924 would bar all physical therapists from treating a patient beyond 30 days (or 12 visits) unless the patient obtains a diagnosis from a licensed physician or podiatrist. If you know anything about rehab, it's not something that can be done quickly, nor should it. It's just another hoop for our patients who need skilled care to go through in order to get insurance companies to loosen their purse strings. It's not fair for an elderly person to have to go back to their physician, wait 45 min, only to get a piece of paper saying it's ok to continue their rehab. And with the constant reduction in insurance benefits, it forces smaller independent owned clinics to have to book their patients in 20 or 30 min time slots just to stay afloat. This reduces the amount of skilled care a patient will get directly with a licensed therapist. This results in an unhappy situation for everyone. For some, this is just part of the business to get through. But I'm spending half my day on the phone with an insurance provider, and writing notes documenting why my 75 year old post total hip replacement patient needs more than 12 visits so she can be functional and mobile again safely. It really isn't fair when I could better use my time on valuable patient care.

Are hand and wrist problems more common now that so many people sit in front of a computer all day?

Asked by V_Davis about 12 years ago

Hand and wrist problems are definitely more common these days, particularly carpal tunnel syndrome. Another common problem attributed to all that sitting is poor posture and neck/back issues. Many of these issues can be solved with good ergonomics; so proper desk set-up, chairs with lumbar support, computer screen positioned to maximize proper body alignment, etc. In addition to good ergonomics, daily stretching and strengthening exercises will do wonders for those common aches and pains. It's also always a good idea to take frequent breaks so you can just get up and get some fresh air. It's never fun to be cooped up all day indoors and in front of a computer screen.

Can you tell when patients are lying to you about being diligent with their rehab exercises?

Asked by Shawna about 12 years ago

You can pretty much tell if they didn't do their HEP (Home Exercise Program) if you ask them to show you, and they do it all wrong. I don't ask in a way to make them feel bad or lecture them like a student if they didn't do it. So most will be very honest about it. It's more important that they understand the benefits of doing their HEP and continuing with open communication and education throughout their time in PT. If both PT and patients are taking an active role with the rehab, then it's kudos all around!

Do you feel like physical therapists get slighted by M.D.'s for not being "real doctors?"

Asked by Caliwaze about 12 years ago

There are definitely a lot of big egos to deal with in the health and medical profession. Society seems to label "real doctors" as M.D.s or Physicians. Keep in mind that Doctor is really just a title. A Dentist is a Doctor of dentistry. An Optometrist has a Doctorate in optometry, etc. And it's really a title indicating that someone as achieved the terminal degree in their profession. I've definitely seen colleagues slighted by M.D.'s and feel they don't get the respect they want or deserve. To me, it's not a huge deal. I develop personal relationships with my patients since I tend to see them often for any given injury. So I go on a first name basis. Everyone has their expertise and specialize in something, and I think it's more important to have collaborative effort with good communication with other health professionals for the sake of our patients well-being. And the majority of surgeons and physicians understand and respect that. Of course, there is always going to be that one M.D. who acts like a giant douche. In the end, we are the ones that see and work with the patient. And I can honestly say, we PTs are not afraid to stick to our guns and do what we feel is best for our patients.

Do friends and relatives ask you for a lot of free advice and treatment? Does this bother you, or do you welcome it?

Asked by B. Potts about 12 years ago

I actually welcome it. It's a nice feeling to help people out especially if they are seeking it. PT is a bit like a 'people pleaser' profession, so I don't think I'd be going out on a limb in saying that most PT's don't get bothered by friends/family members asking for advice. It's also a great way for us to share our knowledge and educate people on exactly what PT is all about. Those who haven't experienced it first-hand might view PT as a place to get a massage that insurance pays for. But it's so much more than that. PT's are movement specialists and trained to identify and treat biomechanical faults. so I really welcome any bombardment of questions from anyone :).

What's the most dramatic "before-and-after" improvement you've ever seen with a patient?

Asked by Melissa 3oh3 about 12 years ago

Great question! Last year, I had a 20 year old girl suffer multiple injuries from a car accident. She came to me in a wheelchair with fractures to both of her legs, right wrist, four ribs, dislocated left shoulder, and whiplash to top it off. Naturally, her spirits were very low and often cried during our sessions. You can imagine how tough it would be to go from being a super active college kid, to essentially confined to a wheelchair. Well, we worked through her struggles with a lot of encouragement and effort. She essentially had to be taught how to walk again. It's amazing and pretty badass to see the transformation of any patient who gains their independence back by what you've done. Imagine a long montage with Rocky-type music in the background of me stretching her legs, mobilizing her shoulder, having a small celebration when she shakily stands up from her wheelchair alone - to taking her first steps without crutches - to me shouting at her to squat deeper while I add more weights. Yeah, it's pretty much a progression like that, just a lot longer with a lot of patience. She now competes and kicks ass in those cross-fit games!

Are rotator cuffs more problematic than other injuries? I'm told I tore mine 4 years ago, and it's never fully healed, even though I did 2 months of PT.

Asked by mangria about 12 years ago

I wouldn't necessarily say rotator cuff injuries are more problematic than other injuries, unless of course, your job or a big part of your life consists of doing repeated overhead activities (pitchers, tennis players, etc). The healing process depends on many factors including severity of tear, if other structures were compromised, age, lifestyle, etc. If you had a significant tear, no amount of PT will heal it as you will need surgical intervention. If it's still causing you problems or interfering with your functional activities, then you may want to consider seeing an Orthopaedic surgeon for further diagnostic evaluation.

When YOU have an issue requiring physical therapy, do you diagnose and treat yourself, or do you see another PT?

Asked by Q-Burt about 12 years ago

You know, if it's something like a minor back issue or I sprained my ankle, then I will just treat myself. There was a time when my back went out and I could barely walk. Fortunately, I was working at a clinic and just had some of my co-workers work on me. Of course, If I fractured or tore something, then I would definitely need to see another PT. The good thing is I have a lot of my colleagues nearby to help me out!

When you're not at work, do you ever offer strangers unsolicited advice if you see they have bad posture, or perhaps in the gym if you see they're doing an exercise incorrectly? Or do you take the PT hat off completely when you're not at work?

Asked by JSB about 12 years ago

When I hear unsolicited advice, it reminds me of my mother or mother-in-law telling me baby advice for my little one. Needless to say, it's annoying and I don't like it. So I figure most people wouldn't really appreciate it either, even if I had the best intentions in mind. I also live in LA, where the common mentality is to mind your own business. Maybe it would be different if I lived in a small town or community. Of course, I'm always there to lend a helping hand to an elderly person or someone who's just been injured. But I'm sure anyone, PT or not, would do the same thing. I will only offer advice to strangers if I feel they seem open to some input. But I would never just go up to someone and say, "Hey, you're doing that all wrong" or "your posture is horrendous, you probably have some back issues", even though I may be thinking it. I'm always around to help friends or anyone else, and answer questions, but for the most part, my PT hat is off after hours.

Have you ever had to tell an athlete that his or her career was over?

Asked by Martha about 12 years ago

Fortunately, I have never had to come across a situation that would warrant such bad news. Plus, that depressing role really belongs to a Physician, who diagnoses a patient based on extensive tests, imaging, and medical management.

Do you think massage is a viable form of physical therapy? It's obviously pleasurable, but does it actually have any remedial effects?

Asked by St. Paul about 12 years ago

Yes, I do believe that 'massage' has its medical benefits. I put quotes around massage, because I, and probably many of my colleagues, consider massage something very relaxing/soothing that you would get at a spa. What we really do is soft tissue mobilization (STM), that deals with the manipulation of soft tissue, or the areas encapsulating a joints that have restricted range of motion. After an injury, our muscles, ligaments and fascia tighten up, therefore STM is very useful in manually stretching those areas and restoring range of motion. This type of manual therapy can also promote restoration of joint function, improve blood flow, lymph drainage and increase nerve signals to the injured area. More often than not, I'd say manual therapy is not quite pleasurable as we are trying to improve function, not have a day at the spa. There was a running joke at my clinic that PT actually stood for 'Pain' and 'Torture'....affectionately :).

Do most PT's start out in college as pre-meds, but later decide they're not cut out for the M.D. track of med school, residencies, etc?

Asked by "House" about 12 years ago

I don't necessarily think that PT is a fall-back from being an M.D. All of my colleagues went into this profession wanting to be therapists. If anything, a lot of them had the initial goal of working with elite athletes on a college or professional level team. Therefore, many of them had experience as athletic trainers. Going pre-med as an undergrad would be beneficial as the pre-requisites are nearly identical. But I think that can be the same for just about any profession in the health industry. For me, I specifically chose PT because of the flexibility and wide range of patients and settings you can work in. I had absolutely zero desire in working 36 hour shifts, being on-call, etc. Plus, hospitals are not my thing. I'm uncomfortable in that setting and I always feel like I need to go into some sort of decontamination chamber after I leave one. I think if someone is able to achieve a higher level of education (masters, doctorate, etc.), then they can do anything with hard work, dedication, and a positive mindset.

What’s the most common problem you see in clients?

Asked by BA123 about 12 years ago

Generally speaking, I'd have to say that the most common problem is low back pain. Seems like just about everyone has, at one point or another, experienced some sort of back pain. We are a society now that's glued to our computer or TV screens, which equates to a lot of sitting time. Add on poor posture and a weak core, and you've got back issues!

Do you think insurance companies have a convincing argument as to why physical therapy services are minimally covered?

Asked by Columbo about 12 years ago

I understand that insurance companies are trying to protect themselves from those that abuse the system. And I'm not saying there isn't abuse of the system or that there aren't those that wouldn't take advantage of their insurance benefits if given the chance. I'm also only speaking from personal experience and have seen first-hand the difficulties of getting benefits for those that I truly feel need it. Blue Shield was one of those companies who required a secondary authorization for PT services. They would often cite that the national average to evaluate and discharge a patient was a total of 8 visits, which is very short. I wish insurance companies would understand that PT is also very much a wellness and preventative care service that can really limit the amount of surgery or other high costing medical procedure that's really costing the insurance companies. Why not spend less money on services that can improve a patient's health and well-being through PT education, rather than wait till it's so bad that they need high costing medical procedures?

Have you heard of laser treatments? I don’t know the scientific name for it, but I went for weekly treatments where a therapist passed a laser over my lower back that I hurt...and I don’t think it helped at all.

Asked by Sonja_Walker about 12 years ago

I have heard of laser treatments, but know they are not as common as your typical therapeutic modality, such as heat, ice, traction, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, just to name a few. The use of therapeutic modalities are most effective in the acute stages of your injury, and can be used as a supplement to treatment to aide in tissue healing. However, it should never be used as a major part of your therapy. PT is most effective in conjunction with manual therapy (joint mobilizations), therapeutic exercises, and patient education. It's also the PT's job to inform you of these treatments and explain why they think you would benefit from it. Whether you are seeing your Physician, Dentist, Optometrist, etc., never be afraid to ask questions about your treatment plan or decision. It's your body and your health, and it's always a good idea to play an active role.

I've been to PT several times. Half the time it's great and helpful. Other times, I feel like it's so pointless and ineffective that it feels like the PT is just trying to keep his calendar (wallet) full. Do you know of PT's that do this?

Asked by 808 State about 12 years ago

It's really a shame when I hear that someone's PT experience was pointless or ineffective. Hearing that leads me to two possible conclusions; a) your therapist was not doing an effective job in identifying your needs and addressing those problems, b) your therapist was trying to keep the schedule full. Both are unacceptable. It is our ethical duty to treat patients until they have reached their max rehab potential, and discharge them to an independent home exercise program. The other scenario is if other issues have come up or there has been a decline in function. This would then lead to referral back to the physician for further follow-up. Half of PT is also patient education, so you know exactly what's going on in your body so that you are able to make the right choices in maintaining the benefits received during your skilled treatment sessions. I'm wondering what it was about your sessions you felt were pointless and ineffective. I don't know of PT's who keep patients on just to stay busy, but those that do, just bring our profession down. Like in any business/industry, there are always those bad eggs who ruin it for everyone.

What clients are the hardest to work with? Athletes? The elderly?

Asked by noU about 12 years ago

That's a good question! There really isn't one population that is harder to work with than some others. It's really dependent on someone's personality. There are elderly people who are sweet and do what we educate them on. And then, of course, we come across the stereotypical grumpy old man who thinks exercise is pointless at their age. From my experience, athletes are fun to work with since they are dedicated to their profession, which requires them to be in the best shape possible. I, personally, find it difficult to work with the pediatric population. But that's only because I don't have a lot of experience with kids in general. They need to be motivated, encouraged and entertained in a way that is pretty foreign to me. Asking me to keep the attention of a couple of toddlers for even a few minutes is like the blind leading the blind. The good part about PT is that you can work with just about any population you like and feel comfortable with. There are fantastic pediatric PT's who love kids, and kids love them. Same goes for any athlete, elderly, neurologic, and orthopedic client you may come across.

Have you worked with any war veterans? If so, are they generally easy or difficult clients?

Asked by nyc about 12 years ago

This is one area that I don't have a ton of experience in. Where I'm located, most veterans go to the veterans hospital for their treatment. I initially had an interest in working with amputees and being a part of helping them learn to walk again. I haven't quite had the chance to check out that part of PT yet. I would think that most veterans have tons of motivation to improve with strong work ethics and determination. However, there is the psychological aspect (i.e. PTSD) that I'm not particularly experienced in that I'd imagine would cause some difficulties. But it sounds like a challenging and interesting scene to pursue next.

Have you ever developed friendships or romantic relationships with clients?

Asked by Q-pid about 12 years ago

No romantic relationships for me since I was already engaged by the time I started practicing PT. Having a romantic relationship with a person that is still your patient is frowned upon, for professional reasons. To be honest, I really don't know if there are any real ethical or legal ramifications to that. I guess I didn't pay much attention to the rule book about this issue. However, I do know of colleagues that are now in serious relationships or are even married to their former patients. I have developed friendships with many of my former patients/clients over the years that I still keep in touch with. PT really is a profession where you can get to know a person rather quickly in a short amount of time. It has been great for networking and also benefiting from their services. I've enjoyed the perks of legal consultation, haircuts, getting into clubs, attending movie premieres, and many more. Even if you don't become friends, many PT's will often get gifts or other small tokens of appreciation for all the time spent together. Another reason why PT can be so rewarding and satisfying :).

Do you think most people go into PT because they're passionate about it, or because it's becoming an increasingly lucrative industry?

Asked by GoWest about 12 years ago

Hmmm, I'm not sure if I'd consider PT a lucrative industry. It's no secret that I think insurance companies are making things difficult for our profession, so our salaries reflect that struggle. PT is also a pretty physical job where getting burned out early is not uncommon. In my earlier post regarding PT emerging as one of the best paying jobs of the future, I think it would be more appropriate if it was about job security. While in school, there seemed to be a general consensus that we weren't doing this job 'for the money', as they say. My student loans from getting my Doctorate were also astronomical. So I guess from my viewpoint, it's not quite lucrative. But I'm sure there are others out there who would disagree. Therefore, I do think most people go into PT because they're passionate about it. Most say they chose PT so they don't have to have a desk job in a cubicle, like being physically active, like working with people, and genuinely want to make a difference in other people's lives. It can, at times, get physically tiring and repetitive. But if you have a passion for PT, it'll all be worth it in the end!

I hurt my lower back badly while squatting heavy, and it hasn't healed AT ALL in 1.5 yrs. From my research it sounds facet-joint related. Can those be treated with just PT? Might I need surgery? Did I screw myself by not getting it looked at immed?

Asked by Dan about 12 years ago

Yes! That's a very common back issue and can be an 'easy' fix depending on how you hurt yourself, and how well we can identify your biomechanical faults with functional activities. No one will know if you need surgery until you've been seen by an orthopaedic surgeon and had an MRI done. But before you go that route, I'd suggest you see a PT first. Since it has been a 1.5 years, your condition is now chronic, which is harder to treat than an acute condition. I wouldn't quite say you screwed yourself, but had you gone at the onset of your injury, you could have been pain-free that past 1.5 years. Now you body has adapted to your injury and there is more to "fix", which is why I say it will be harder and longer to treat. So go see a PT...soon :).

If a patient doesn't follow the prescribed regimen but keeps coming back for sessions, will you eventually just cut that patient off?

Asked by Burke atl about 12 years ago

Yes, with any patient we must discharge them when they've reached their max rehab potential, achieved their attainable functional goals, or if they plateau. It gets a bit tricky when the don't make progress because they don't follow the prescribed regimen or do their HEP. In this case, it would be best to have open and honest communication about the importance of following the treatment plan. As I mentioned before, half of PT is patient education and teaching them how to take care of their own health and wellness. It's also important for the PT to try and understand why the patient is not following the prescribed regimen, and if modifications need to be made so they will be more successful. Earlier, I griped about the direction Insurance billing and reimbursement is going. They will most likely run out of benefits before anything else. Of course, you can then become a cash paying patient and are free to come as often you like. This happens often for those who like to come in for maintenance, which insurance does not cover. There are a select few who have the holy grail of unlimited benefits. If this is the case and they don't continue to show measurable improvements, I will have a discussion with them about a discharge to a HEP. I make it a point that I'm not abandoning them as they can contact me at any time with questions or concerns. They can always come back to therapy if a flare up occurs or a new injury happens. It is a bit like breaking up since we often develop close relationships through all the time spent together. But as long as you remain honest and open, people often are ok with this. Nothing that a pint of Haagen Daz can't fix.

If a patient is showing little improvement or just isn't sticking to the program, does your motivation with that patient dip, or do you thrive on the challenge of turning the situation around?

Asked by Spock n Roll about 12 years ago

I'm not going to lie. When a patient doesn't show their commitment to their rehab, it's tough to stay motivated and positive myself. It can be very easy to get in a rut and start thinking, "well if they don't care, why should I?" But this is really the time to just suck it up and help that patient no matter what. If a patient shows they are trying, then I will try 100x harder to make sure they get the best care possible. But I definitely come across those that truly don't care or get the point of what we are doing. Again, it's a struggle that many therapists face and those frustrations are just part of the job. It's hard to please everyone and we can't fix everything or everyone. At the end of the day, if I can say I did my best, then I did my job well and be proud of it.

How much of a patient's rehab progress is mental? If they're really pessimistic about what PT can do for them, will they still see the same benefits from the exercises you prescribe?

Asked by Kantor about 12 years ago

The saying, "your mind is a powerful thing" wasn't created out of thin air. I most definitely see a HUGE difference in someone's rehab potential based on their attitude. You also have to consider other factors when dealing with those that have poor or negative attitudes. They may be depressed, having a rough time at work, or anything else that can cause lack of motivation or enthusiasm for their treatment. As a result, they tend not to be 100% committed to their rehab program and will not see the same benefits as someone with a positive outlook. I was inspired by this year's first double amputee Olympic runner, Oscar Pistorius. I would often see quotes or sayings such as 'your only disability in life is a bad attitude' or 'you can't live a positive life with a negative mind' when stories about him came on tv. His life and journey to the olympics was probably a huge motivator for anyone who was on the road to recovery from an injury, surgery, etc. It also reminded me of a time when I met a patient with Parkinsons Disease. He mentioned he had been diagnosed for over 15 years but was doing very well. I asked what his secret was, and he replied, "I'm always happy".

Have you ever seen a patient make such a drastic improvement that it couldn't be explained by science alone?

Asked by the morganism almost 12 years ago

The short answer is No. However, I've been told stories of patient's given a certain prognosis by their Physician and beating all odds. It seems a much more common story with spinal cord injury patients or those with progressive disorders like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease. From my experience, I've only had those select few patients who I initially thought wouldn't achieve a higher functional level than they actually did. And this largely had to do with their attitude about their injury, their motivation and level of commitment. I've had some who had initially didn't seem to care much about their rehab, but turned things around dramatically by the end of our time together. I'd like to think it was all because of my PT skills and awesome personality, but credit should always be given to the one actually taking part in improving their physical health. As I've mentioned before in previous posts, the mind is a powerful thing and the human will is undeniable. Even a little hope can change things around for the better and that is what I try to encourage with all of my patients.

What's a typical day like for a physical therapist?

Asked by Andre Hammon about 12 years ago

Sorry for the late response, I totally forgot to answer this! Typically a day is filled like this: see patients every 30min, document their progress, more paperwork, on the phone with insurance provider. The bulk of the day is patient care and documentation. The phone calls and other paperwork is interspersed throughout the day. A patient usually stays for about 1 hour. At the clinic I worked at, I would see the patient for 30 min, and then hand them off to an aide for the rest of the time while I worked with the next patient. If it was the patient's first visit (evaluation day), then I'm with them for the entire hour. So you are really on your feet and staying active pretty much all day long. I'm rarely sitting as I tend to document while with the patient. But I will still try to steal a few minutes to finish up documenting their visit once they leave. In the end, it can be pretty tiring and I can understand how some people get burnt out doing this day in and day out.

For PT's who decide they no longer wants to be PT's, what are some common career switches they can make?

Asked by Ernesto FTW almost 12 years ago

There are a few that come to mind - Instructor/Professor, researcher, and hospital administrator. This is a tough question for me as it's hard to do anything else besides clinical work as a PT, since that is pretty much what we were trained in school to be. Those jobs I mentioned above are positions you have to work up to as they take years of experience, and are still PT related. If you are asking about non-PT related jobs, I suppose you can be something along the lines of a wellness coach, pilates/yoga instructor, private personal trainer specializing in injury prevention, etc. But all those jobs still can be somewhat related to PT. I have heard of a few who have just decided to leave the profession completely and became realtors or web designers. I guess those people really didn't want to be a part of the health industry in any way. But this, of course, is far less common. Sorry for the minimal answer as I really don't know of many who have truly made the switch to do something else, even though they would like to.

Why do physical therapists hate chiropractors?

Asked by brikhaus almost 12 years ago

Ha, I get this question asked a lot. Not everyone hates chiropractors, I think it's just a different school of thought. Let's take low back pain as an example. Physical Therapists are trained to analyze movement and assess someone's biomechanics during functional movements. PT treatment for low back pain is focused on evidence-based exercises to increase strength and flexibility, incorporating manual therapy to improve joint and soft tissue mobility, and to educate the patient on ways to maintain benefits achieved from therapy and prevent future pain from occurring. The idea is so that the patient can avoid recurrence, or know what to do if that pain should come back again. I think that many therapists feel that a chiropractor's solution to the same problem would be to just use modalities ( i.e. ultrasound, e-stim), and joint manipulations (crack the back). This causes a patient to have to continuously repeat their visit to the chiropractors office for weekly, monthly or yearly adjustments. PT's also incorporate modalities and joint manips in with their treatment, but it is in conjunction with those I described above. We aim to have the patient become eventually independent with their care and not have to make those repeat visits. This is just what I have observed from past patients or from what some of my other colleagues have said. Many chiropractor's offices also include physical therapy care in with their practice. I'm sure they have similar goals for their patients as we do as well. But I also think PT's hate always having to correct society on the fact that we are not glorified massage therapists. Chiropractors marketed themselves very well at the start of their profession and seem to be the go-to place for back issues, or any other joint problems. Both physical therapists and chiropractors have similar training, requiring post-graduate work, and taking a licensure examination. So it may seem a bit like the middle child syndrome where PT's always have to validate their profession. Dr. Oz recently had a segment on cutting-edge solutions to back pain. It was great to get exposure for PT, but many were upset that the cutting-edge solutions were ultrasound, tiger balm, and using bumpy balls. Those are definitely not cutting-edge solutions. Those are solutions I can teach you to use in under 10 minutes, and doesn't require a doctorate degree to learn or understand. So, I believe that hate is probably better described as the constant and frustrating work physical therapists have to educate the public on what we actually do, and the benefits of our profession.

What's your opinion on massage as a form of physical rehabilitation? They obviously feel great, but do they actually help with rehab?

Asked by BondFire310 almost 12 years ago

This topic is definitely a sore one for many therapists as the public thinks this is pretty much all we do. We are not massage therapists and our clinics aren't relaxing spas. They are never the main part of our treatment approach. That being said, there are therapeutic benefits with massage. It can help with muscle spasms, allow the therapists to increase range of motion, etc. Someone asked a similar question to this earlier in the thread, so I'm going to attach what I wrote there as well: Yes, I do believe that 'massage' has its medical benefits. I put quotes around massage, because I, and probably many of my colleagues, consider massage something very relaxing/soothing that you would get at a spa. What we really do is soft tissue mobilization (STM), that deals with the manipulation of soft tissue, or the areas encapsulating a joints that have restricted range of motion. After an injury, our muscles, ligaments and fascia tighten up, therefore STM is very useful in manually stretching those areas and restoring range of motion. This type of manual therapy can also promote restoration of joint function, improve blood flow, lymph drainage and increase nerve signals to the injured area. More often than not, I'd say manual therapy is not quite pleasurable as we are trying to improve function, not have a day at the spa. There was a running joke at my clinic that PT actually stood for 'Pain' and 'Torture'....affectionately :).

Dear Dr. Ever since I had perianal abscesses due to c-diff. I've had pelvic floor cramps. They're not overly painful now. They was. Now they bothersome. Do massage therapist massage perineum? Or is it to awkward?

Asked by Bill over 4 years ago

Achilles tendonitis right heel. Eccentric heel drops and rolling out calves. Almost a year since pain. Will I always feel pain or will it go away? Not sure why it is taking so long to heal. Am I missing a crutial component?

Asked by Adam about 11 years ago

Hi,

I'm an avid golfer who has recently discovered that I have scoliosis. I was wondering if golf will make my condition worse, and whether of not I have to terminate my golfing career. Thanks.

Asked by bchu almost 8 years ago

I have been having upper right back pain around under my shoulder blade since December now. It was unnoticeable at first, but then became worse and worse since then. It is a really sharp pain when I move my shoulder back or move a certain way. I have tried following those upper back stretches, and since then the feeling has gotten way more painful than before. It also hurts in the spot when I take a deep breath. I also had a heavy backpack for school and don’t have the best posture, and I am pretty sure that this wasn’t caused by an injury, although a bit under a month before December I lifted up a heavy bookshelf with my dad (that had all the books on it) and I sort of felt like a pop in my back, it did hurt but I still lifted it up the second time, that could have affected my back maybe... .I don’t know if this is related, but during this pain for a week it felt like something in my neck was popping (it was sudden and very painful), and for the past week my lower back has been aching. My neck was aching again today also.
I also went to physical theory about 3 weeks ago, and now my upper back pain is even sharper and more sensitive. It feels almost like a rock in my back and when I move a certain way or take a deep breath something pushes against it. It is not swollen, and doesn’t hurt when I touch the spot unless I press really hard. Also when I bend sideways to the left, and push it pretty hard, i feel a weird sensation, almost like a small slip. For some of the physical therapy I actually can’t do some of the moves, like one where I push my shoulder blades together, and then downwards. At the therapy appointment, and for the week after I could do it, my back still hurt a bit when I did it, but it was only a little pain, but now and for the last 2 weeks it is too painful to do to the point that even that if I want to, I actually
can’t do that movement, like my body can only take so much pain. I just really want to know what might be going on, the pain is just getting slowly worse and worse. The physical therapist and doctor were thinking that this is just a muscle strain, but I really have a feeling that it might be more than that, since when I looked up and researched on muscle strain In the back, it didn’t really match up with what I’m feeling. Also lately I’ve been feeling a lot of pins and needles down my back and tingling in my arms and legs, but none of this is constant. I also always feel short of breath, and in pain. Please let me know as soon As possible what might be wrong with my upper back so that I might be able to get it fixed. Also do you think this is serious enough that I should take further action?
- sorry that his might seem like a lot of information, but I’m 14 yrs old and my parents don’t really think this is a big deal, but being in so much pain every day is just not a good way to live, and it would really help if you had some kind of idea as to what this might be. I don’t know who else to ask about this for free... so this really is like my only hope to know what’s wrong with me.
Pls help!!!

Asked by Chicken764 over 2 years ago

I have been having upper right back pain around under my shoulder blade since December now. It was unnoticeable at first, but then became worse and worse since then. It is a really sharp pain when I move my shoulder back or move a certain way. I have tried following those upper back stretches, and since then the feeling has gotten way more painful than before. It also hurts in the spot when I take a deep breath. I also had a heavy backpack for school and don’t have the best posture, and I am pretty sure that this wasn’t caused by an injury, although a bit under a month before December I lifted up a heavy bookshelf with my dad (that had all the books on it) and I sort of felt like a pop in my back, it did hurt but I still lifted it up the second time, that could have affected my back maybe... .I don’t know if this is related, but during this pain for a week it felt like something in my neck was popping (it was sudden and very painful), and for the past week my lower back has been aching. My neck was aching again today also.
I also went to physical theory about 3 weeks ago, and now my upper back pain is even sharper and more sensitive. It feels almost like a rock in my back and when I move a certain way or take a deep breath something pushes against it. It is not swollen, and doesn’t hurt when I touch the spot unless I press really hard. Also when I bend sideways to the left, and push it pretty hard, i feel a weird sensation, almost like a small slip. For some of the physical therapy I actually can’t do some of the moves, like one where I push my shoulder blades together, and then downwards. At the therapy appointment, and for the week after I could do it, my back still hurt a bit when I did it, but it was only a little pain, but now and for the last 2 weeks it is too painful to do to the point that even that if I want to, I actually
can’t do that movement, like my body can only take so much pain. I just really want to know what might be going on, the pain is just getting slowly worse and worse. The physical therapist and doctor were thinking that this is just a muscle strain, but I really have a feeling that it might be more than that, since when I looked up and researched on muscle strain In the back, it didn’t really match up with what I’m feeling. Also lately I’ve been feeling a lot of pins and needles down my back and tingling in my arms and legs, but none of this is constant. I also always feel short of breath, and in pain. Please let me know as soon As possible what might be wrong with my upper back so that I might be able to get it fixed. Also do you think this is serious enough that I should take further action?
- sorry that his might seem like a lot of information, but I’m 14 yrs old and my parents don’t really think this is a big deal, but being in so much pain every day is just not a good way to live, and it would really help if you had some kind of idea as to what this might be. I don’t know who else to ask about this for free... so this really is like my only hope to know what’s wrong with me.
Pls help!!!

Asked by Chicken764 over 2 years ago

I do PE BTEC and I am worried that I may not get a job as a physical therapist as I do not do the GCSE option

Asked by Verity over 10 years ago

How Psychology can be helpful on your job?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

what is the most stressful part of your job, and how do you cope with the stress?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

What kind of people do you meet in this type of work?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

what are the prospects for the future of your career field? Do you see your field growing, shrinking, or frozen?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

What skills or attributes are most valuable for someone just starting out in this field?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

How did you get your job?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

What things do you like most and least about your job?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

what do you think is the best educational preparation for a career in your job?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

I recently underwent knee surgery where I received an ACL allograft, had my meniscus repaired, and had microfractures done because of an articular cartilage tear. This surgery was yesterday (8/14). The orthopedic consultant i got to, who was also my

Asked by Evan over 11 years ago

I am a 25 year old nursing student with tendonitis of my right index finger. I've tried anti-inflammatories, ice, heat, stretching, and resting the finger as much as possible without any relief. What else can I do? Thank you for your time!

Asked by Michelle almost 11 years ago

what are some entry level positions in this fields?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

What suggestions do you have for a person going into your career field?

Asked by kisha over 10 years ago

Is it possible to graduate as a PT and move to essentially any city you can find a job in? Is there a lot of flexibility if you want to travel?

Asked by Jaz almost 11 years ago

I go to a biritsh curriculum school and I took

Asked by Andira over 7 years ago

What would the total cost of schooling be for a PT? And is there a good way of going about paying for the cost?

Asked by Ryan about 9 years ago

Do you feel PT is a good option for a career changer in his early 30s. I feel the strongest substantive interest to the field of physical therapy; however, many PTs I talk to suggest I pursue physician assistant programs instead. What do you think?

Asked by pt for me? over 10 years ago

I am reading so much about PT and how insurance companies are screwing pt, how they need a DPT, but their salaries are stagnant, should I pursue PT even though I am 30 years old?

Asked by mlanza3@mwcc.edu over 9 years ago

So I asked about my facet pain last Oct, and have since been seen by 5 dif people: 2 PTs, massage, chiro, laser guy, but NOTHING helps:( They all agree it's my facet, just tell me to stretch more. X-rays negative. Is there anything else I should try?

Asked by Dan over 11 years ago

I have mild spastic cerebral palsy on my left side. Is this going to affect me from becoming a physical therapist? I would love to work with children!

Asked by Tyler almost 11 years ago

Hey!What are the steps to become a Physical Therapist. What are classes in college that are a most for me to take.

Asked by Amina over 8 years ago

What kind of paperwork do you do as a physical therapist?

Asked by Omar Elgaouni about 9 years ago

I am 21 years old and have pulled by back out twice. 2 years ago and 9 months ago, both while working out. On both occasions, I went to the emergency room. I have been to countless doctors, physical therapists, and massage therapists and still to this date, for the most part, my lower back is still tight and sometimes pain. I have had CT scans, MRIs, and am convinced that my condition is the result of a muscle problem. I have been stretching and working on my core; yet, massages have been the most helpful. But, still I feel as if that just “puts a bandage” on the problem, rather than just finding the cause of my issue. I have noticed that my butt also feels extremely tight, especially the muscles right above my butt on both sides. Also, I noticed that when I sit, my thighs are extremely tight. It hurts when I arch my back and sometimes when I bend forward. I usually work out five times a day. Recently, I after working out (cycling and elliptical), my tightness and pain have been worse. Can someone help me?

Asked by Amy over 9 years ago

I'm increasing my walking speed. Both shins started hurting. A few days ago I accidentally bruised my left shin. The bruising took the shin pain away. I think it relieved the pressure. Can a bruise help shin pain?

Asked by Sarah over 8 years ago

I play a lot of basketball but I get held back from what I call 'cramps' on my calves as soon as I jump my calves start to tighten followed by 3 mins of pain what tips can you give before and after to prevent this from happening

Asked by RonanC almost 8 years ago

Is running bad for the knees?

Asked by curious over 11 years ago

a month ago a rib slipped out of place on the left side of my chest. It was extremely painful, and the pain was shooting through to the other side of my back. Are there strengthening exercises I can do to prevent this from happening again?

Asked by lisa about 11 years ago

Had arthroscopic hip surgery for a torn labrum and reshaped the bone. I recovered well. 5 months after the surgery I started doing sex positions that hurt my hip and left it sore after. 2 years post surgery I'm still in pain. Sex too soon??

Asked by Lee almost 8 years ago

what is flection goal of a knee after total knee replacement and what is the normal flection of a healthy knee

Asked by mike over 9 years ago

what are current interesting physical therapy topics in research that is not actually been done?

Asked by soju almost 7 years ago

I have had itb chronic soreness for a year. Is aBductor weight machine where knees resist against weight to the Outside with knees help or hurt my condition?

Asked by writerkl about 11 years ago

After a skin flap surgery from my left arm to top of my right foot, is constantly sore. Are there any recommended stretching techniques I should have been taught?

I just roll it on a baseball. Still always sore.

Asked by Ashley about 4 years ago

After a skin flap surgery, where they removed a large part of my left forearm to the top of my foot (after cancer removal), the bottom of my foot is always sore. Other than massaging it on a ball, what else can I do.

Asked by VALKYR1ES about 4 years ago

I'm a high school student who is thinking of going into physical therapy. What is being a PT like on a day to day basis?

Asked by Beatrice about 9 years ago

I had 3 right hip operations in less then 3 months last year. I limp quite a bit because 1 leg is almost 1 inch shorter. It causes me a lot of back & neck pain. Would wearing a heel lift help?

Asked by Jan about 4 years ago

I have a herniated l5s1. I am in pain when sitting and walking. I can't make sudden movements. I go to PT twice a week. He puts the tens unit on me for $20 to massage me. Then I walk the treadmill for 10 minutes, then hamstring strectes about 20 each

Asked by john about 10 years ago

Tarsal Tunnel. My podiatrist gave a cortisone shot and said come back 4 weeks. My research says to have PT. Found some exercises to do on my own but my feet feel worse than before I did them. Is that normal to feel that way when first starting PT

Asked by OToole over 9 years ago

I had a total hip replacement 10 years ago and recently began a new exercise routine (with a trainer) that involves using Nautilus machines. I'm concerned about using the leg press ... also, abductor and adductor machines. While the trainer says she knows what she's doing and there is no pain or discomfort, I remain concerned whether or not this is something I should be doing.The machines are very heavily weighted and exercises are done very slow - about 5-6 repetitions. Thanks in advance for your response.

Asked by peggy b over 8 years ago

If I received a bachelors degree in Athletic Training, Kinesiology and Sports Studies, Biology - General, or Biology - Physiology, Neuroscience, and Behavior is it possible that I can get into a school of Physical Therapy?

Asked by Brit over 11 years ago

How much time is spent on the microscopic/cellular aspects of the human body in a DPT curriculum and how many hours of physiology and neuroscience do DPT students take?

Asked by PT WannaBE almost 10 years ago

What should i minor in to look appealing to put school? I am an athletic training major

Asked by Alexis Kanne about 7 years ago

I was wondering what your education background is, and how you found your position? Also what is the work environment like and the organizational culture and how does it relate to your personal interest?

Asked by Sivana Lofton almost 11 years ago

Will Medicare pay for a pt. to see 2 diff. PT's at diff. locations w/in the same time frame? I spoke with a pt who's seeing a PT for lymphedema therapy at 1 outpt clinic and going to another PT for balance & strengthening at a diff. outpt clinic...

Asked by Rose almost 5 years ago

What is the difference between sudden stretch and continuous stretch during electrical stimulation

Asked by magdy about 9 years ago

How many years of college does it require to become a physical therapist?

Asked by Jackie over 11 years ago

Hi,
Quick question. I received 2 surgeries after experiencing a broken fibula. I was ordered to be non-weight-bearing for 3 months. I was prescribed no physical therapy afterwards. As a DPT, do you think it's appropriate for someone to be prescribed

Asked by Jtankss over 8 years ago

what are some of the responsibilities you have had while working as a physical therapist?

Asked by morgan almost 8 years ago

What is the difference between sudden stretch and continuous stretch during electrical stimulation

Asked by magdy about 9 years ago

Can a pt and patient legally become friends? My 5 month rehab for a pt knee replacement ended. My pt and I had formed what seemed like a friendship type connection. I asked abt staying in contact post-pt as friends and was turned down. Disappointed

Asked by GreenEyes over 11 years ago

Hi , I do calisthenics workouts and i do pull ups and push ups
Every time i do pulls ups or push ups i have terrible shoulder pain after and it is usually long lasting , how can i stop this?

Asked by Maher over 7 years ago

My question involves a book character: Pt. is a 13 yr. old male with a type 3 lateral compression fracture of the pelvis from a bicycle/mv accident. When can PT begin? What exercises? When can weight-bearing begin & how is it performed? More details?

Asked by Mary King over 11 years ago

What kind of changes are occurring in this field?

Asked by Sarah about 11 years ago

I am 30 years old, healthy weight and fairly active. I just finished a third round of PT that lasted 10 months to help the chronic lower back pain and sciatic pain/SI joint pain that I've had since 18 when I ruptured l4, l5. Ever since my lower back "goes out" at least once a year. I've seen 3 different PTs and it had gotten somewhat better on a day to day basis but when I stand with my feet straight pointing forward, my pelvis and torso twists to the right. The lower right side is the side that goes out. I finally went 2 years instead of 1 without an episode and lo and behold it went out 4 days ago despite religiously doing my exercises and frequent dry needling of the QL muscles. My PT didn't have an answer as to why this would still happen. What are your thoughts? Is my QL just too scarred up and beyond help? Is that what is causing my rotated torso and pelvis? What should I do from here?

Asked by Cambrie about 8 years ago

I have a situation. I'm 60, retired at 54 and now I want to go back to work. Every place I've applied, they say JAHCO doesn't allow them to hire unless you(I) have worked w/in last 2 yrs? Now that SUCKS! Any creative ideas? Seems kinda discriminatory

Asked by outtawork over 11 years ago

Hi, I am a runner and have been training for track season for a few months now. I have only been doing 1-3 miles. Then this past Saturday I went with a running group and had me go 7miles. Now my shins are hurtin and I positive it is shin splints because I have had then before. Should I stop running for a few days or should I just do light runs. I don't want it to turn into a stress fracture and end my season what should I do.

Asked by Anne almost 9 years ago

How did you get started in the job, as a Physical Therapist?

Asked by Valeire about 8 years ago

What would you like most to change about your work?

Asked by Kat about 8 years ago

Ok, around 7 months ago i suffered a sever groin strain. On/ofd pain since, had an mri done last week but came up absolutely clean. was told only stretching will help. Is stretching supposed to hurt? when i do its painful. Trying to return to soccer

Asked by Jesus barragan almost 9 years ago

Would swimming be OK if my hips are coming out of place and causing my lower back pain to worsen? Typical exercises hurt my back and my knees at the moment so I am considering swimming. Thoughts or suggestions?

Asked by Sam about 8 years ago

What are the things you like most about your job?

Asked by Cody over 7 years ago

What do you feel is the key to establishing an entry-level position in this career?

Asked by Alan over 7 years ago

What developments do you see in this field in the next 5-10 years? What do you see as the best opportunities for people entering this field?

Asked by Susan over 7 years ago

I am trying to determine which is the best seated walker to get my mom. Would appreciate your thoughts

Asked by David Milo almost 11 years ago

While going through pelvic floor therapy, is it normal for the therapist to rub my scrotum and make contact with my penis? I don’t want to jump to conclusions or make false claims if this is normal, thank you

Asked by john doe over 3 years ago

I run track and play tennis year round and my family and friends notice that the right side of my body is a lot stronger more like my legs/thigh. How can i even out my strength to prevent injury?

Asked by tasha about 11 years ago

I have two hips placed one 2006 and another 2015. I began riding a recumbent trike as I live on a wonderful trail. Here’s my problem after riding 6 miles I can not get up off the trike.its as if the muscles are not firing. What can I do?

Asked by Beth almost 7 years ago

Hi. A few years ago, I started cracking a joint in my foot - I'm not sure if it is my ankle or somewhere else. All I had to do was place my foot over the other and crack it. It never used to hurt before, but soon I got addicted to cracking it and now I don't even have to place it over my foot, it cracks by itself when I walk. Recently it has started paining and I can feel it all the way up my hip. I'm not sure what to do, can you help me?

Asked by Helene almost 10 years ago

I have shoulder impingement and I want to devise a physical therapy program that includes exercises that involve external rotation. However, I am already doing rear delt exercises on a combination peck-deck rear-delt machine. I don't do these as therapy, but in my regular weight training workouts.

My concern is, that I don't want to mimic any external rotation movement that I may be doing already on the rear delt machine. Below are some web links of trainees doing the same rear delt movements I am referring to. So my question is, are these weight trainees accomplishing external rotation with their rear delt machine exercises? Are these rear delt machine exercises good for external rotation?

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/reverse-machine-flyes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gx2LF48rRA

Asked by Rolokovich almost 10 years ago

Hi, Is there a way to even out uneven pecs quickly? My right pec, which is my dominant side, is smaller than my left pec and its really embarrassing so, I wanted to know if there was a way to even them out quickly.

Asked by Rashad over 8 years ago

Would you say that physical therapists' hours flexible? Is it manageable?

Asked by A_S over 11 years ago

Could a certified athletic trainer work as a physical therapist assistant?

Asked by Goose over 9 years ago

I have a Grade I separation of my AC joint. Its been 2 months since I first injured it. I want to start doing push ups. There is a pain, but I can do them, and then its rather sore the next day. should I stop doing the push ups until the pain is gone

Asked by mike about 11 years ago

- Description of a typical day
- What is the scope of what this professional does?
- What is your educational training/background?
- Any specializations that are required for this profession
- What is your job like?
- What aspect of this job do you find most satisfying?
- What do you like most and least about your job?
- What college courses helped you the most?
- What kinds of changes are occurring in your field?
- What is the best way to enter this occupation?
- What would be your advice to students preparing to enter this field?

Asked by Amanda over 7 years ago

I had a hernia repair surgery with mesh. Surgery cut me right down the middle weakening my abdominal muscles. I'm definitely overweight and now have another hernia above repair. Can an EMS strengthen my abs I don't care about weight just strength.

Asked by mike almost 7 years ago

What is the name of and where can I find the arm exercise bike to increase ROM? Thank you!

Asked by andrea about 9 years ago