Everything is on YouTube now. You can learn how to build a deck, fix your sink, or cook the best dinner of your life. With a world of information, just a click away, it’s easy to think we can rehab our injuries without help. However, it is important to realize that while the internet is a great resource, it can’t always replace the knowledge of experts within the field.
As DPTs, here are the biggest problems that patients face when self rehabbing:
The “One Size Fits All” Problem
I’ve had patients that have attempted to rehab themselves through their own weightlifting knowledge or through a generic rehab program from YouTube. This is not to say your knowledge or YouTube is wrong, but it may not be right for YOU.
Let’s take a look at one of the more common injuries seen by Physical Therapists; ACL injuries. ACL ruptures can be treated in various ways. Reconstruction of the ligament can differ depending on the choice of graft (such as bone-patellar tendon-bone, hamstring, etc.) and the type of reconstruction (single-bundle or double-bundle). Some ACL ruptures do not even require reconstruction.
In addition to initial treatment differences, the rehab process also depends on numerous factors. This includes the patient’s goals and prior level of functioning (PLOF) before injury. As a result, Two ACL patients won’t have the same limitations or rehab progression. Therefore, it makes sense why a generic program might work for some individuals but not others.
A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is able to create custom exercise programs suited to your specific injury. In addition, at FX Physical Therapy, our Doctors of Physical Therapy are trained in multiple methods of therapy to offer a truly tailored approach to rehab. From Manual Therapy to Dry Needling, our team stays on top of the latest medical advancements, giving you the highest standard of care.
The Mental Barrier
Anyone that has suffered an ACL tear can tell you the toughest part of their rehab is not the strengthening or stretching; it’s the mental block of apprehension. Your body recognizes when something is not 100% and remembers how you hurt it in the first place. An injured limb feels foreign to your body and becomes disconnected from the whole. All of this can leave patients with uncertainty and anxiety when it comes to utilizing that body part.
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy are trained to safely bring you back from injury as painlessly as possible. FX Physical Therapy ensures that all patients are treated 1-on-1 with their Doctor of Physical Therapy whenever they come in for an appointment. By removing technicians and keeping our patients with the same DPT every time, patients are able to establish a strong trust in their program.
Looking at One Piece of the Puzzle
Everything in the body is connected. When we experience injury or defect in one part of the body, we often see effects in other aspects of the body. For example; weakness in the hips can cause knee pain. Unfortunately, when individuals self-rehab, they often focus solely on the area where pain is felt.
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy are specially trained to see these complex patterns within the body. In addition to properly identifying the cause of pain, our DPTs take into account the whole body when rehabbing, ensuring that your whole body is moving correctly in unison. That unity is what creates a truly stable body for return to sport.
In addition, pain and injury can arise from a range of sources, from something as simple as desk posture, to improper exercise techniques. Stretches and other internet tactics can help alleviate pain from these injuries. However, without confronting the cause of pain, that pain is likely to reoccur.
Our DPTs are able to look at the environmental factors contributing to discomfort and pain, and create solutions. From advising your desk set up, to correcting your exercise form, to analyzing your gait, our DPTs have worked with it all.
The goal of rehabilitation is to get you back to your prior performance as quickly and as safely as possible. While the internet can give you tips, there is no better way to rehab than together with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Don’t rehab longer, rehab smarter.
Thinking of rehabbing your injury on your own this year? Give us a call and ask about our FREE Injury Screen to see how working with a DPT can benefit you. 443-241-2867
