A common saying in the physical therapy world is, “Form follows function.” In other words, we typically start to feel better before our bodies have fully healed. During this timeframe, you are at increased risk of reinjury if you start doing too much too soon. That’s why its vitally important to remain compliant with the plan of care (POC) that you and your physical therapist created—even after you start feeling better.
Just like stopping a course of antibiotics too early can cause an illness to come back even stronger than before, ending your rehab too soon can lead to re-injury or a setback in your recovery. While your POC will naturally change and progress over time, and your appointments may become less frequent, the final stages of rehab are just as critical as the beginning. Staying compliant with your entire rehab journey ensures that you are fully capable of returning to all the amazing things you want to do!
“Why does my PT want me to come see them so much? I don’t see any of my other doctors that much." It’s a common question. While every person’s rehab journey is different, and visit frequency will vary, I strongly believe in a heavy, front-loaded plan of care for most of my patients. Some PTs refer to this approach as “the PT bomb.”
By seeing you more frequently at the beginning of your care, your therapist can provide more hands-on treatment, which typically results in significant improvement early on. Whether the goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, or enhance muscle activation, this early momentum often leads to faster, more noticeable progress than a less frequent schedule. Additionally, your PT can better monitor your response to care, and make modifications which will maximize your benefits with therapy.
While this requires a greater commitment on your part, I truly believe this is the best and fastest way to get most people better. As they say, it takes less to do something right the first time!
Just like in any other area of medicine, there are different philosophies and schools of thought when it comes to physical therapy. Some PTs focus almost exclusively on an exercise-based approach to their patient care. While exercise is truly the "gold standard" in physical therapy and a very important part of your treatment, I believe that a well-rounded approach offers greater value to recovery.
What do I mean by a well-rounded approach? Well, I strongly believe in the power of touch and hands-on treatment, and incorporate a lot of manual therapy techniques in my practice. Some of the incredible effects of manual therapy include faster decreases in pain, increases in motion, and improved ability to exercise pain-free. This approach avoids excessive loading with exercise during more vulnerable stages of recovery.
Additionally, I believe that each and every patient is incredibly unique. While many treatment approaches can be pretty generic, I always craft every treatment plan with you and your specific needs in mind. This individualized treatment method ensures that you are receiving the absolute best care.
So come on in and see what hands-on care with Limitless Motion can do for you!
I have no doubt that you've heard this phrase before, and maybe even said it yourself. While it might be a fine mantra in the weight room when talking about muscle burn, it doesn’t always hold true during rehab. I like to say, “It depends on how you spell it,” which would make my family chuckle, as spelling has never been my strong suit. Instead, I prefer to say, “Know pain, know gain.”
It is incredibly important to understand your symptoms, and when pain is acceptable and even necessary versus when it is not. For some, progress in rehab might mean working through moderate discomfort. Others need to avoid symptom aggravation altogether. This is largely dependent on the specific tissues involved and how long the issue has been present.
This isn’t always easy to figure out on your own, and that’s where your physical therapist comes in—to guide you through the process and help you understand what your body is telling you, what it means, and what is the best treatment approach. If you want to know your pain, visit Limitless Motion and start your journey to no pain.
I am constantly encountering new patients who have never been to PT before. Like many things, it can be a little intimidating doing something for the first time. So to help put your mind at ease before your first PT appointment, here is what a typical initial visit to Limitless Motion looks like.
1. Assessment
The first session begins with a comprehensive evaluation. This assessment identifies which movements and activities are limited or causing discomfort. Special testing determines specific deficits in strength, mobility, stability, and biomechanics, and how they’re contributing to pain or dysfunction. You will be educated on your diagnosis, the involved anatomy, and tissue healing times. Then, together we’ll create a tailored plan designed to promote healing, improve function, support long-term wellness, and get you on track to achieve your goals.
2. Treatment Plan
Your personalized treatment plan includes the ideal frequency of PT sessions and specific interventions that will best address your unique needs. A key part of this plan is your customized Home Exercise Program, which is typically made up of stretches and exercises. This assists you in maintaining and progressing the benefits you achieve with each session. The goal of this plan is not just symptom relief, but real, lasting improvement.
3. Functional Progression
As your symptoms improve and your mobility, strength, and control increase, your treatment plan evolves. It starts to integrate more advanced movement patterns and activities tailored to your lifestyle—whether that means returning to sport, high-level exercise, or simply moving through your day with more ease. This progression phase also focuses on building your independence after PT and preventing future injury, so you can move forward confidently and safely.
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