Why PT Hasn’t Worked for You Yet

Are you dealing with pain and haven’t been able to solve it yet? Have you tried everything from massage all the way through to injections and pain killers? What about physical therapy? Have you been to a clinic only to find that it didn’t help and that you really didn’t improve as much as you would have liked? Well, the thing is – you’re not alone. Some people spend months, if not years, looking for a way to solve their pain, and many of them have actually been to see a physical therapist only to be disappointed. As the title above suggests, we’re diving into why your previous physical therapy may not have worked. Before I get to the nitty gritty of this post, though, I’m going to ask you a few questions: 

• When you have a toothache, do you stop going to the dentist if the first time didn’t work?
• If you eat a bad slice of cake, do you give up eating cake altogether?
• If your car breaks down and the mechanic couldn’t fix it immediately, do you accept that you’ll have to travel by horse for the rest of your life?

I bet you don’t, no. Life isn’t without its ups and downs, and no form of treatment is a silver bullet, certainly not the first time around. It takes a unique combination of willpower, commitment, expertise, and after care to really rid you of your pain for good. If you haven’t got the perfect ratio, then it may not work out precisely how you would have liked. That aside, you definitely don’t give up. Why? Because you deserve a better life, one that is pain free and full of vitality, mobility, and independence. And the truth remains: physical therapy is simply your best, safest bet. 

Now, let’s take a closer look at why your previous physical therapy treatment may not have worked so that you have the knowledge to rethink your decisions.

No Clear Diagnosis was Come By and No Root Cause was Found

I say this every day, and I will gladly say it again right now, finding the root cause to the problem is the single most effective way – if not the only way – of getting rid of the pain. If your previous physical therapist failed to find, diagnose, and treat the root cause of your problem, then the likelihood of you being pain free is very slim indeed. He/she may not have been as skilled as a different physical therapist, or he/she may have gotten it wrong – it happens, people are simply trying their best. I wouldn’t let this stop me from trying again, though – physical therapy can help you and, I promise, it’s the most effective way of finding and treating your root cause for a jump-start to a permanently pain-free life. 

There was Simply no Plan

If you were planning a trip to Europe, you would consult a few guide books, check out a few different websites, and maybe ask around for tips and advice about the best hotels and beaches, right? I think so. Travelling – successful travelling – takes some plan, some idea of what you’re doing, where you’re staying, and of course, how to get back home! So, why would you look at your pain differently? It’s essential that any treatment has a plan. Perhaps your previous physical therapist didn’t outline a plan, wasn’t communicative about what you personally need, and didn’t give you the information you needed to help you succeed on your own. Any successful physical therapy treatment will always have a plan tailored to you, will execute it for the time needed, and will always be relatable and clear. 

Your Physical Therapist Didn’t Listen to You

It may be that your previous physical therapist didn’t listen to you or your story. Physical therapy is about looking at the person as a whole – previous injuries, surrounding muscles, tissues and joints, gait, movements, etc. Not taking everything into account could lead to a misdiagnosis and the root cause being evaded. It’s extremely important that you find a physical therapist who listens to what your problem is, examines you as a whole, and makes sure to give you enough time to understand and treat the root cause accordingly. 

Less is More: Too Much Too Soon

Physical therapists always give their patients the tools to execute proper exercises at home so that the patients can keep the progress going outside of the clinic – well, the good ones do. If your previous physical therapist did do this, it may be that the program was too intensive, too quickly. Doing too much, too soon, especially during the treatment can end up exerting muscles before they’re strong enough to take the pressure, thereby causing a recurrence of pain. Always make sure that you’re able to handle the exercises and that your physical therapist keeps a close eye on your progress, adjusts your goals accordingly, and listens to your comments throughout the course of treatment. 

You see, physical therapy offers you the best of both worlds: a pain free life and a safe, effective form of treatment to achieve it. If you’ve been given treatment but haven’t experienced the relief you hoped, then it may be due to the above reasons. Physical therapy isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ treatment: each person is unique and should, therefore, be treated as such. It is essential that you find a physical therapist who is professional, hands-on, and dedicated in order to ensure that your journey to a pain free life is one that is permanent and enjoyable. 

For this reason, we invite you contact us for a totally complimentary, risk free “Discovery Visit”. During this visit we will assess your situation, find the root cause of your pain, talk you through your personal treatment plan, and immediately start easing your discomfort. There is no obligation and you have nothing to lose – call us today to book your visit.

We wish you the very best in health. Don’t give up on physical therapy: at the end of the day it is the one form of treatment that guarantees a life free of pain, all without surgery, tablets, injections, or any other invasive procedures. So, take another look and get back to living the life you deserve.