As in all professions, there are those that are FANTASTIC at their jobs…..and then there are those that severely lack SOMETHING (like competence, patience, an open mind…..so it may seem) and they don’t appear so good at their jobs.
OR there are people that are incredible at working with SOME people……and then not so much with other people.
Maybe that’s because they either relate well to one another due to their common experiences or there’s a disconnect between their experiences – – like if someone doesn’t fully grasp where the other person is coming from. Or perhaps its a situation of the meshing vs. the clashing of personalities. Or maybe they either find themselves on the same wavelength with regards to perspective or they are far removed in wavelengths from each other.
The very same is found in the profession of physical therapy – – and the relationship between a physical therapist and their patient.
And I did not realize how critical it was to find a physical therapist that related to me, to my lifestyle and my profession, to my short- and long-term goals, and especially to my specific knee injury.
When I was newly injured with my first ACL tear, (my first major injury EVER), I was given the name of a physical therapy location that was supposedly excellent. I said, “great.” I did NO OTHER RESEARCH AT ALL because I had never gone to physical therapy before so I didn’t know any better. I was then given a physical therapist at this location and I said, “excellent.” Again, no research because I didn’t really know what to look for or expect AND I most certainly did not realize that:
Even after this physical therapist told me that she had never worked with a dancer and had no idea what “being a professional dancer” entailed, it didn’t phase me (though it should have) and I didn’t realize how much of a red flag this was. 🚩
Funny thing, after my 2nd ACL tear and remaining at the SAME physical therapy location (I’m clearly a slooooow learner) yet working with a male physical therapist this time, he said the same thing to me. That he had never worked with a dancer before. At the time I did not realize what this really meant and I just ASSUMED (tsk, tsk….) that I would be treated and trained like an ATHLETE, with whom they DID work….
Not so much. ☹️
Later on, I realized that this physical therapist had no idea how to prepare me for returning to dance because he had no idea what that end game even looked like.
It looks like THAT^^^ and then some!! 💃🏻
Now that I think about it, perhaps he didn’t even see me as an athlete because he had no idea how intense my dance training always was – – along with the cross training and conditioning – – and what it took to be a professional dancer. 🤔
Which then made sense why my physical therapy was SO drawn out and agonizingly slow! At least that was one reason……I have a very complicated relationship with physical therapy!!!! In any case, because I was not being given a program that fit me and my goals of getting back to an elite level of dance, I was getting nowhere fast. It wasn’t until over 9 months of not getting the best results with my balance and strength, even after over 100 hours of physical therapy, that I decided it was time to RESEARCH and find the person or people that could really help ME.
And when I found this person, upon reaching my “one year anniversary post-surgery” – – after leaving PT place #1, going to PT place #2, and still having minimal results – – he got me back up to speed and strength in THREE MONTHS.
It shocked me, too!!!!!!!! Because you get to a place mentally where you feel like it’s just not going to happen. After a YEAR of physical therapy and over 150+ hours of work and effort, to not be anywhere close to your goals (when you originally were told that an “ideal” ACL Reconstruction recovery period for physical therapy is SIX months back in 2015 & 2016) is disheartening and soul-crushing, to say the least.
SO, I am here to tell you, regardless of which injury you may have, that you are not broken, that you can get better, and that there is a physical therapist (or another professional out there) who would be thrilled to work with you and help you overcome this injury.
The thing is, many times it is up to YOU to put in the research, the visits to locations, and the trial runs of working with these professionals, before you find the person or people that are meant to help YOU. The one/ones who will listen to you every step of the way, create the program designed specifically for you and your goals, and guide you in the best and more beneficial ways possible.
I wholeheartedly believe in the value and benefits of physical therapy. 100%!!!!!!! Yet, I also believe in the importance of finding a great physical therapist that you trust, that believes in YOU and your abilities, and that caters the program to YOU.
In that respect, here is my TOP SIX list of things to keep in mind when searching for the best physical therapist for you.
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
When meeting with a physical therapist for the first time, note if these seem accurate based on your interaction, how you’re treated, and what is said during your consultation/evaluation together:
◽️A good listener and someone who wants to hear your whole story so that he/she can guide you to the best of his/her ability.
◽️A kind and confident demeanor who demonstrates that he/she has proficient knowledge of your injury and all the phases during your recovery.
◽️Is someone who is honest, trustworthy, and invites open communication.
◽️Has the awareness and understanding of your lifestyle/career/sport and the goals you aspire to reach post-PT. He/she makes it clear that he/she knows how to properly and strategically guide you on your path to recovery.
◽️An empathetic and encouraging persona that gets it, that gets YOU, that believes in you, AND that believes in his/her own abilities to help you through this recovery successfully.
◽️Is someone who carries an open-minded perspective, ready to meet you where you are, and tailor the program to your unique situation – – as opposed to treating you with a cookie-cutter, pre-made program not designed specifically for you. AND if you are given this pre-made program, this physical therapist makes certain that you have been properly evaluated beforehand, without major gaps within your therapy.
Please be conscientious of these items and ensure that the physical therapist you choose checks all of these boxes, to the best of your knowledge. I did not do this, during either of my mighty lengthy rehab periods, and it proved to be both devastating and detrimental to me, my progress, my self-confidence, and my mind-body-spirit.
But I’m still kickin’!!!!!!!!!!
I still managed to persevere, despite ALL of the messiness with my PT history, so it is possible to make it through despite these massive oversights. However, I AM awaiting another knee surgery – – as much as I am in a WAY better place than I was in 2015 before my 2nd ACL Reconstruction – – so if you can learn from my mistakes, PLEASE DO!!!!!
And find the BEST Physical Therapist for YOU!!!!!
***As a side note, this also helps the physical therapists out there find the best patients for them, too!! Because they also want the patients that will be dedicated to their rehab, that will do their homework, and that will put forth the effort to get well. Not all patients are created equal, either!!!
It definitely takes TWO to make any relationship work so make sure the wavelength is strong and in sync between you and your physical therapist.
So that you BOTH can go far and be successful!!!
🌊🌟🌊✨🌊🌟🌊✨🌊🌟🌊✨🌊🌟🌊