Physical therapy is a team sport!

I have always and I will always say "therapy is a team sport". Navigating the field of seemingly endless consultations, diagnostic tests, injections, nerve studies, and follow-up appointments that come with your already inconvenient injury can be excruciating. You will likely experience a series of people in and out of your exam rooms speaking in medical terminology that might feel like a foreign language to you, or worse, barely speaking to you at all. You may find yourself wandering back to your car thinking "I still hurt, and I still don't know why" and consider cancelling all of your appointments to go it alone. After all, who wants to pay a co-pay to continue seeing doctors who aren't helping, and aren't telling you why you hurt? I understand, I truly do!

You probably feel like no one is listening, or no one cares what you are trying to tell them. I see patients all the time who show up at my office because it's what their doctor told them to do; I can see the doubt in their eyes and hear the frustration in their voice. "What is physical therapy going to do for me? How am I supposed to exercise when I hurt this bad? Why am I even here when the doctor told me I need surgery?" I hear you. These are legitimate questions and I answer them on a daily basis. I answer them face to face, I take my time, and I use words you will understand. I do this because I care and I want to be your favorite person on your medical team. Last year, I left a job at a busy corporate clinic so that I would have the power to do what is best for my clients, and not be compelled to do what is best for the company's bottom line. Madison is my community, and you are my people. I care.

I could write all day long about what physical therapy is and all the wonderful things it can do for you. Instead, I want to address some bad PT experiences my clients have had before they came to me. I want to tell you what physical therapy is NOT.

Physical therapy is NOT:

-A single appointment in which you are handed a few exercises, told "Do this" and sent on your way, never to be seen again. Safe, successful therapy takes time and follow-up so we know that your prescribed exercises are helping you, not hurting you.

-Being forced to perform exercises that are causing you excruciating pain. Don't EVER let any therapist tell you "You have to do it". No. We can do something else. A good therapist will have a repertoire of a million other exercises we can try to accomplish your goals.

-Boring. Well, at least physical therapy at Madison Therapy & Wellness is not. I am a huge believer in laughter. If your going to have to spend a couple hours a week with me, the least I can do is make you smile.

-Riding a bike for neck pain! You may laugh, but I have seen it prescribed and cringed every time. Your therapy exercises should be relevant to your pain, not just serve as time killers.

-Doing the same thing over and over. Progression is key. As you improve, I will ask you to do more exercises and harder exercises. This is how you will continue to improve and avoid a plateau.

You will get through this. I will be with you every step of the way. I'm honored to be on your team.

GO - to therapy

FIGHT - the doubt

WIN - your life back

Kristin Searcy, DPT