Do You Feel Let Down by Your Physical Therapist?

A physical therapist helping a patient lift an orange weight in Bethesda.

Are you beginning to feel disappointed or even frustrated with your physical therapist? Are you not getting the results, or the care, that you were expecting? Then it might be time to switch therapists to someone who can help you with your chronic pain management.

Bethesda Physiocare, located in Bethesda, is the area’s leading physical therapy clinic. We provide various services for chronic pain management and can make sure you’re properly taken care of. If you’re interested in hearing what we can offer, give our clinic a call at (301) 656-5613 or contact us online today.

Signs It’s Time to Move On

When you go to physical therapy, you expect to be cared for by a compassionate professional who will assist you with your personalized goals. When you don’t get the treatment you deserve, it can be frustrating and in some cases delay progress. Research has shown that therapeutic alliance between a patient and their physical therapist is the most important variable for predicting positive outcomes. Therefore, it is important for patients to have a strong rapport with their treating therapist. Signs of a poor therapeutic alliance may include any of the following:

They Treat You Like You’re Just Another Job Task- When your therapist considers you as another slot on their schedule and not an actual patient. If it also seems like they care more about your insurance and how you’re paying rather than how you would like to manage your chronic pain, then it might be time to switch.

You Do Not See Any Progress- Although progress is not always linear, there should be realistic goals and milestones set between the patient and physical therapist. Both short-term and long-term markers of progress are important components of chronic pain management.

They Won’t Change the Treatment- If you’re not seeing progress, your therapist should adjust the treatment plan. If they continue doing the same non-progressive treatments, then they’re doing a disservice to you.

Doesn’t Listen to Your Questions or Concerns- Your therapist needs to be on the same page as you when it comes to your concerns and end goal. If they keep pushing you off and only do the treatments they feel are necessary, then they’re not in it to truly help you.

They’re Not Focused on Your Goal- Not only is PT supposed to help you alleviate your chronic pain, but it’s also supposed to help you get back to where you were before. Your therapist needs to help you through your pain and help you get back to doing the things you love.

They Only Use Passive Treatments- If your chronic pain management only consists of ice, heat, stim, or traction, then your physical therapist is not doing all that they can to help you.

They Pass You Around to Other Staff Members- Unfortunately, a common occurrence in some practices is that therapists will schedule clients every 10-15 minutes. Because of this, your therapist only spends a few minutes with you rather than the 45-60 minutes they should be spending with you.

A Therapy Clinic That Works With You

Bethesda Physiocare, located in Bethesda, MD, offers a wide range of services, including chronic pain management, dry needling, fascial therapy, and therapeutics, amongst many more. To schedule an appointment with one of our compassionate and goal-driven therapists, give us a call or contact us online today.

When You Should Try Physical Therapy Before Surgery

A physical therapist assisting a man lifting orange weights in Bethesda.

Many patients will partake in physical therapy following surgery to help strengthen their muscles and improve mobility. However, there are a number of benefits to trying physical therapy prior to surgery—including preventing you from an unnecessary invasive procedure.

At Bethesda Physiocare, we help patients manage their chronic pain through physical therapy and education. Our goal is always to give you individualized, one-on-one care so you can return to a quality lifestyle. Contact us online or call (301) 656-5613 to begin your journey to better health.

Surgery or Physical Therapy

While surgery has its benefits, depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, it may not always be necessary—or at least, it doesn’t have to be the first and only option. For orthopedic conditions such as spinal surgeries for back pain, meniscus repair, and common hip surgeries, physical therapy is a good first line of defense for pain relief.

While physical therapy requires patience and time, the wait may be worth it, as surgery may not always get the long-lasting results you expect. Through physical therapy, your therapist will work with you so you can properly understand your condition and pain triggers and utilize at-home exercises and stretches that help manage chronic pain whenever you need it.

Benefits of Prehabilitation

Through prehabilitation, the process in which you engage in physical therapy prior to surgery, you’re able to strengthen the targeted muscle or area. The benefit of this is simple: the stronger you go into surgery, the stronger you’ll exit. By partnering with a physical therapist, you’ll get a tailored program that suits your condition and pain levels to slowly but surely build up your tolerance. However, other benefits can include:

Shorten Hospitalize Time

According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, 37% of patients who participated in pre-op physical therapy showed a decrease in hospitalization, often leaving inpatient care on day 1—saving you both time and money.

Reduced Recovery Time

With the practice of manual therapy, strengthening exercises, and a focus on balance and coordination, physical therapy can offer patients the tools they need to prevent further injury, like falling, after an operation. Similarly, physical therapy helps improve circulation and relieve tension in the muscles, allowing muscles to heal much faster.

Chronic Pain Management

With many orthopedic conditions comes chronic pain. Chronic pain can be described as consistent pain lasting more than three months and not responding to treatment. This can include common conditions like arthritis, lower back pain, or joint pain. Physical therapy can help with chronic pain management in just two phases.

Phase 1: focus on reducing pain through methods like manual therapy, dry needling, posture training, functional training, and education.

Phase 2: focus on graded exposure to desired lifestyle activities through progressive loading and strengthening.

Schedule Your Prehabilitation Physical Therapy Session Today!

If you are experiencing a common orthopedic condition, try physical therapy first. At Bethesda Physiocare, we pride ourselves on providing individualized care. Contact one of our highly-reviewed physical therapists online or call (301) 656-5613 to schedule an appointment today.