Honest Opinions Regarding Physical Therapy Please

Updated on October 06, 2019
T.D. asks from New York, NY
9 answers

I have been in physical therapy for 3 weeks. I expected it to have helped at least one of the conditions I am going for. But I feel like both are worse. So I started researching the exercises the pt had me doing. As well as things I can do at home to help. And what to avoid.
Thru researching I discovered that nearly all of the exercises are for the secondary condition. And 3 of them are on the list of things avoid for the primary condition. ( Dr told me the primary one can be fixed with therapy But the secondary condition ends up needing surgery in 80% of people.)

My first appt was with J. and J. made it sound like they were going to do what the Dr said.. Work on the primary condition and incorporate stuff for the secondary condition. When I showed up for the next 4 sessions I was working with C. and C. had me doing things that I figured were for both.
When I got out of my car the other day I felt a pinch in the primary condition that nearly brought me to my knees!! It made me question if i should continue. So I asked the therapist which exercises were for he primary condition and which for the secondary one... She gave a non- answer reply. Basically saying secondary but it helps for the primary.. I got the feeling she forgot about the primary condition.
My next appt is with J. and I plan to ask J. about all then.
In your opinion what will they do? What will they say?? I am paying out of pocket for this (I have crappy insurance)and really don't want to pay for getting therapy for the wrong condition. But I want the primary condition fixed.. If therapy for both fail I will end up with 2 surgeries. (One of which can be avoided if a therapist does the right therapy)
Will they do more sessions without charging me because they failed to do their job right?? Or am I nuts to think they should fix this mess??

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Featured Answers

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B.A.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try another PT. You don’t have confidence in the one you are going to and nothing is stopping you from going to someone else. I would not write off a whole profession and mode of treatment because of one provider.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I had major leg surgery a few years ago where they surgically broke my tibia and drilled multiple tiny holes in my femur to fix a knee issue. My surgeon ended up telling me to fire my physical therapist, he was not getting the job done. I then “Interviewed” several until I found one I was confident in. He was fabulous and ended up fixing me 😊

6 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I think I would contact your referring doctor first to get his/her advice. They may have you talk with the pt or they may prefer to contact them, especially since it sounds like the therapists may not be following DR’s orders. Or maybe the notes were not clear as to primary and secondary treatments.

5 moms found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Denver on

Since you are paying out of pocket, why not try someone else? If you are getting worse, it may be time to try a different person - perhaps you can interview them first and let them know what has happened in the past. Get their assessment before you start treatment. The nice thing about private pay is you can go wherever you want.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

for me? Things got worse before they got better. My muscles and joints were learning how to work again. The stretching they had me do hurt like an SOB!! NO KIDDING!! My leg was sooo tight. Now? I'm good. It took about 6 to 8 weeks. No surgery for me.

this was a leg not back and hips. I'd give it more time and do your exercises at home as well. Attitude will play a huge role in your recovery. If you are NOT feeling it? Your mental state will affect your body and your body WILL react.

Don't be negative. Keep a positive attitude. Do what they tell you to do.

If you are paying out of pocket? They should be giving you a discount. I know for me they did. And if you aren't happy? Find another place. Ask for recommendations on nextdoor.com for your area.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Portland on

My husband and I both have medical conditions, both are chronic. His have to do with surgeries with bones etc. and he also has a degenerative thing that will get worse over time that just causes pain. He has been to PT and he's seen several. The best he ever went to was going to a clinic that came recommended by the surgeon. They treated all the patients so knew the doctors' orders precisely. So I don't think my husband ever questioned what they were doing.

He did have more pain when he saw some .. and stopped doing the exercise. We then found out (from my BIL who had the same condition) that you have to go through pain to get better. So ... that's on my husband, who I think probably didn't ask the right questions or the PT didn't communicate effectively. A good relationship is key. Maybe stick (request) with J. It doesn't sound like you and C work well together.

I have been to PT for what I have, and it just doesn't really help me (like won't fix things), but helps to alleviate pain in a way. The key for me is to know my PT well (I really like the person) and she kept adapting the exercises and stretches as we went. Again, the key thing for me was - working with someone who listened, and seemed to get what the problem was.

I think if it's a simple thing - like a broken arm/leg/torn something or other etc. they have fairly straightforward exercises to get you moving, and sometimes it will hurt at first, and you keep working through it - especially if you haven't in a while. Some pain is to be expected. They should tell you this - otherwise, go with a list of questions.

Some conditions do overlap. I have multiple ones, as does my husband. I don't know if all PT will have full understanding of what your doctor has requested - if you look at the recommendation/prescription - it may say "Sore back" or "Tendonitis" or something. Or the name of a condition. It isn't always specific.

You could ask your doctor to write to your PT (or call although that may not happen) and give better instructions.

I'm not sure if I answered your question. I get where you are concerned because the alternative is surgery. That's scary. To me, it makes sense to work on the area that's most critical? Focus on that at first - and figure that out (get that sorted out with J) and then when you get that down pat without pain, then work in the secondary issue. To me, if you're confused and it's causing alarm/stress, simplify it. Request ONE physical therapist, and say that works for you better - if it's a scheduling issue for them, or you, just take whatever appointments J can make.

I do better with one myself. Just say you do better with the most simple, stress free routines. Sometimes when we have an illness - things pile up and become added stress. This sounds like it. PT should be helpful, not a concern. So ask J to break it down for you. I have them write it out with diagrams sometimes. I come out with stacks of paper - like they print out the exercises for me and write it out. If they can't do it there on the spot, ask J to have it ready for you next time. I have a binder. That way, I can remember it later on. Sometimes I find it all a bit confusing or overwhelming at the time. You've got a lot on your plate - so just ask J to do that for you :)

Good luck and keep us posted.

1 mom found this helpful

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I just had my knee replaced in April. Prior to my surgery, I had to go to PT to build up my muscle and get as strong as I could for the surgery and recovery.

I went for 8 weeks prior to surgery. It helped me and my knees.

if you aren't happy with your PT? You need to seek other options and see what other PT places are out there for you to use.

Paying out of pocket should be a discount. I know for me, if I wanted to pay out of pocket vs filing the insurance claim? It was $50 less.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

unfortunately PT is one of those things that can go either way. a great therapist can work miracles, but even a great one can't fix everything.

and there are a LOT of not-great ones out there.

i went to a great one for my feet, and it did help. went back to him for a weird collarbone issue and got nowhere. in this case i don't think it was the therapist's fault, although i wish he'd been more realistic about my prospects.

i'm glad your next appointment is with J, as you seem much more confident about them. can you request J for future appointments? i had to settle for less experienced therapists at mine's office frequently because the head honcho was so in demand that you had to book him months in advance. there was a definite measurable difference in the quality of the therapy.

i'm in your boat in that i have to pay out of pocket, so therapy that 'might' be helping or has no measurable impact just isn't an option.

there's no way to demand that they don't accept payment if it doesn't work. even when it's all going great, PT is not an exact science. i totally understand your frustration, but no, they really can't promise to fix the mess.

if you can't get the therapist you want, maybe try a different practice. i know it's tough when you're paying out of pocket, but i hope you give PT a fighting chance to work. just like mechanics and teachers and dog trainers, sometimes you have to poke about trying to find the right one for you.

good luck!

khairete
S.

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N.K.

answers from Miami on

It didn't really do much for me. I have scoliosis, and many years ago, my GP recommended I go to physical therapy after I complained of back pain. I went to a few appointments, as many as the insurance would cover, but it ended up getting in the way with my schooling and work schedule. I didn't really notice a difference. They had me doing some exercises like The Superman exercise. I can do these at home, or research other exercises for back pains on Google, and follow those, at my own time.

In your own situation, I would speak to a manager at the physical therapist's office about the fact that the PT made your conditions worse because they had you doing exercises that were not proper for your condition, and made things worse for another condition. Mention that you think they should offer some new sessions without a charge to make up for those, because you're unhappy. Hopefully, they will take patient satisfaction seriously and do that for you. You may also want to try another PT.

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