The secret is out. People know. They whisper it to one another. They pass names and numbers. They don't bring it up to their physician. It's the hidden profession that helps people move and feel better without having to check with the doctor first.
IT'S PHYSICAL THERAPY!
Maybe the secret isn't out to everyone, but those that know understand the value of a good physical therapist. What's so great about physical therapy?
I'm happy to tell you, and I'll acknowledge that I'm biased, but let me give you my view about what physical therapy can do for you.
First, let's help you understand what physical therapy is. It's a tricky profession in that many people don't actually understand what we do. Even my own family is confused by my job and skill set. While that's disappointing, what they do know is that when they have a problem, I can help them. That's the important part!
As a physical therapist, my job is to help you feel better, move better, and perform better. Let's break down what each of those mean.
Feeling better for many people means not feeling pain during daily activity. Almost everyone has some amount of pain during the day. Ask everyone you know, and 9 out of 10 people will admit to some kind of pain. This might not be debilitating pain and it might not stop them from doing what they want to do, but it's pain. People will deal with pain as long as they can live their normal lives. When pain starts limiting them, that's when they seek help.
Some people may go to their physician first, but I'd suggest they come to physical therapy. It's faster, cheaper, and much more effective. Look it up. It's a fact. Physical therapy saves people and healthcare both time and money.
Moving better means being able to do things easier, for longer durations, and with better motion. Moving better is the difference of having to go on tip toes or being able to easily reach the top shelf. Moving better is the difference of bending over your achy back to pick something up or squatting down the way the human body is designed, the way babies move.
If you were able to move better, you would be able to do more. You wouldn't be so reluctant to go up the stairs when you forgot to bring something down. You wouldn't hesitate to park further away and get more walking in. You wouldn't loathe getting out of bed in the morning.
Performing better comes after you are able to move better. That means you are able to train longer, reduce your injury risk, and be healthier as you age. You wouldn't wear out other areas as quickly, and that means more strength, more comfort, and more longevity. Performance doesn't only apply to top level athletes. Performance is important for every person everyday.
Every person that has a body is an athlete. Doesn't matter what you do, you still have to have strength, balance, and coordination to do even the simplest task. You have to have athletic ability to tie your shoes, drink your coffee, or dunk a basketball. We are all athletes!
How do you think feeling better would impact your life?
How would moving better influence your life?
How would better performance transfer to your ability to do the things that make you happy?
Do you see how feeling better, moving better, and performing better may impact not only you, but also your utilization of healthcare? Do you think these benefits could result in less visits to the doctor, less testing, less medication, and less procedures?
I always tell my clients that my job is to put myself out of business. I want you to not need me. I want you to know how to take care of yourself and not be waiting for someone or something else to fix your problems.
You can see how that would trickle into other parts of healthcare too, and how suddenly physicians, surgeons, and pharmaceuticals may also feel their bottom line impacted.
Would it be so terrible if physicians had more time to spend with you because their schedule wasn't so packed? Would it be the worst if a surgeon had to settle for a boat a few feet smaller? Would you miss pharmaceutical commercials and advertisements at every chance they get to put them there?
It's no secret. Physical therapy is the better choice when you are feeling limited with what you can do. Find your physical therapist, and keep that relationship long term. They help you do more in less time, plus, they really like working with you! #snowbeastperformance
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