What does the end of physical therapy look like?
One of the things I love about being a physical therapist is that we really get into the weeds with our clients. Meaning we walk with them through some pretty hard situations. Sometimes clients will say, “I feel like I’m complaining too much” to which I usually respond with something like, “No, I think you are making sure we are on the same page regarding what you are going through”.
It is in these hard times that I really want clients to use their physical therapist as an ally. We are aligned with you, and against the movement issue that brought you to physical therapy. We are able to offer a fresh perspective on the situation and are able to speak to the issue using our education and professional experience.
During the rehabilitation process, we are often gauging progress, making adjustments to our treatments and exercise prescription, and reassessing the issue as we go. As a physical therapist, we rarely see that progress is linear or even goes exactly as planned.
Even though I love getting into the minutiae of rehabilitation with my clients, what I love more is seeing people get through the weeds and seeing what is on the other side.
The end result of rehabilitation is never just “improved range of motion” or “balance that is within age-matched norms”. Those may be waypoints, but the ultimate goal is, for me, something bigger. The end of the road is actually beauty. Or to be more specific beautiful motion.
The mother is able to return to playing soccer
The grandmother whose friends at church notice she is standing taller and walking straighter
The firefighter who is able to get back to work
The trail runner who is able to get back into the forest
These are beautiful things, and I’ve seen all of them.
So if you are currently dealing with a movement issue that is limiting you from doing your version of beautiful, let us know. If you are one of our current clients, and in the weeds with us, thank you, and know that we are here to help you find what is on the other side.
