That’s right: there are so many advantages to physical therapy’s approach to health and healing, including some you may not be aware of. To learn more about just what PT can do for you, we turned to Julie Kresl, PT.
Julie describes five surprising benefits that she has seen in her decades of experience helping patients improve quality of life through physical therapy.
Benefit #1: It’s whole person therapy, not just physical therapy
“The ‘mind-body-spirit’ approach is what we envision and carry out at Spooner. In my experience, what that means is that we’re working with patients to not just treat the one injury they come here for, but to evaluate their whole body and help them return to activities that they did prior, things they’ve missed out on doing because of what their injury or other issues are,” Julie explains, noting that treatment doesn’t stop at the physical. “It also includes working with their mental wellbeing. It’s the psychology part of it, and also the emotional and spiritual part of it. We try to work with them through every aspect.”
Why? Julie explains our lives aren’t just physical, and neither is our pain. There are mental and emotional components to the things we do everyday. Not being able to do simple household chores or pick up your grandchild or participate in social activities, for example, can take an emotional toll.
“Oh, that’s the biggest part of it, the psychology. I tell therapists that we can be the best, smartest therapists with the best skills, but if we can’t connect with our patients emotionally and psychologically, then we can’t develop trust with our patients,” Julie says. “I work a lot in the breast cancer field, so I see this in every single patient. They are going through a very emotional process, and so we help them realize that they will get through that process. As a therapist, we’re helping them get back to normal functional levels, and to help build them up emotionally, as well.”
Benefit #2: A lifetime of support
When you develop a relationship with a physical therapist, you find a cheerleader and musculoskeletal healthcare partner for life—not just for the duration of your illness or injury, or for a finite number of sessions.
In her work with breast cancer patients, Julie has had opportunities to provide ongoing physical and emotional support as patients go through what she explains is often a drawn-out, terrifying path to recovery.
“I’ll see them right after surgery and help them with tissue and surgical repair-type stuff, and getting their mobility back. They may go on to chemotherapy and I won’t see them on a regular basis, but they know that I’m here for them,” as they navigate all that might come next: balance issues, numbness and tingling, osteoporosis, and even skin troubles resulting from treatment.
At every chapter and in every circumstance, and even years down the road, physical therapy can teach the body what it needs to do to get better. And not just for cancer patients—the same goes for those who suffer from sports injuries, joint replacements or age-related issues, or even patients who must manage diabetes and vascular conditions, to name just a few health concerns.
Benefit #3: Specialists for every health concern
A physical therapist is a physical therapist is a physical therapist, right? Not so fast. In reality, the field of PT is stacked with therapists who specialize in a variety of health issues, conditions, and parts of the body.
“At Spooner, we have so many different specialties,” Julie says, listing a few. “Orthopedics, hand therapy, pediatrics, breast care, pelvic care, bike fitting, gait and balance specialists…” The list goes on.
As Julie works with her patients in her specializations of breast cancer and head and neck cancer rehabilitation, she is able to enlist other therapists at Spooner whenever and wherever a patient needs additional support. “It’s really nice to have all these resources within Spooner, because there’s always somebody with a specialty that can handle any issue. I think that makes us stand out from other clinics, that commitment that our specialists have made to get higher advanced training and learning.”
Benefit #4: Cost and time savings
“Wait,” you may be thinking. “Isn’t PT really expensive?” Actually, it’s not, compared to the cost of multiple doctor visits, pricey medical tests, prescriptions, and surgery.
Oftentimes, people don’t realize they can go to PT first if they have pain or injury. In many cases, physicians refer patients to therapy—like after surgery—but you don’t always need to have a doctor’s referral.
“They don’t have to waste all the time going to doctors and spending excessive money on tests and X-rays and MRIs,” Julie says. Instead of wondering what to do with that sprained ankle or tweak in the back, you can call on your physical therapist for a quick assessment and a path to recovery.
Benefit #5: A personalized approach to treatment
Your body, your areas of weakness or dysfunction, and the way you experience your pain or discomfort are unique to you—so your treatment plan should be, too.
“None of our treatments are cookie cutter,” Julie says. “Every patient is so different. We look at you individually and go through a comprehensive evaluation and assessment. It’s not just: Come lay on a table, get exercises, get a massage, and go home.”
But although your treatment will differ from your neighbor’s (even if you have the same health condition), the overarching goal of your time at Spooner Physical Therapy is the same: To use movement to return you to full mobility, health and happiness.
It’s time for you to enjoy these and many more benefits of physical therapy. Get in touch for your complimentary movement screening today, and let our therapists get you on the road to less pain, less concern and fear, and a healthy mind, body and spirit.