It is safe to say that my physical therapy office is not going to be on my team.
I liked my original physical therapist (K) at my first visit. She seemed helpful, interested in my well-being, ready to help me gain some strength and eliminate some of my pain. I was pretty optimistic after that first visit, honestly. Which is maybe why I’m bummed now.
At second visit, I liked K a bit less. She spent most of her time we were together doing paperwork while I was on the tens unit or on the recumbent elliptical (which is a good machine for people like me). But we did a few strengthening exercises and she sent me home with homework (three of the exercises twice a day ten times each).
So, today, third visit, I am not having a good day, pain-wise. I didn’t want to go. Couldn’t find convenient parking. Walk in and K says, “I can’t see you today, so A will see you.” Fine.
But A doesn’t know anything about me. First few minutes of session is her asking me questions I answered on first visit. Ok, fine. I can deal with that, I guess. She puts me on a bike-type machine which was much less friendly to my joints. Fine. I can deal, I guess.
But here’s where I start to get pissed. She says “So K went over bio-mechanics with you last time, right?” Me: “What do you mean?” A: “Like the right way to stand, the best way to sleep, ways to get up.” Me: “No. But I would really like to know those things.”
Evidently K’s notes indicated we covered those things. We didn’t. I went to physical therapy partly for that information, and I am so upset that my care is being compromised because K was lazy and took the easy way out by writing that she had covered something she hadn’t. Lucky for me, A did go over some of those things (unfortunately no new information). A also add some abdominal exercises to my routine, which I am happy about.
But then at the end, I am confused again. She recommended I do my exercises “Maybe every other day.” K told me twice a day. Which is it?
Physical therapy’s purpose is to help me, right? But how is helping to get inconsistent care? To get inconsistent information? To get therapist’s who don’t actually give a shit about my outcomes?
Arg.
I have three sessions left that my insurance will cover. After that, I guess I need to consider whether I can afford to pay for my own physical therapy at a decent therapist.
Arg again!
The New Normal 
Ginger Ray
/ May 16, 2012Sorry your therapy isn’t going well. I hope you find a good therapist. I do water therapy and it helps me more than the other therapy did (and I loved my therapist). Have you tried water therapy?
akajanie
/ May 16, 2012I took a water exercise class which was interesting, but no water therapy. I love being in the water now, though, so I can see how it could be good. So much less pain in the water! Thanks for the suggestion- will check into it in my area.