Here's My PT Journey . . .

Thinking Outside the (Healthcare) Box 

In the late 1990’s while completing my clinical rotations (as required in PT school), I was so disappointed by the level of care I experienced, I made the commitment to open my own practice. I did just that … the day after graduation!

I felt this leap of faith was what I needed to do, to serve at the level I wanted to serve. I helped launch one of the first PT practices in the DC region to incorporate Physical Therapy in a health club setting. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) featured this innovative practice model as a cover story in the December 1999 issue of PT Magazine (picture to the right).

So, my entire career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy has been dedicated to finding innovative ways to incorporate total mind+body health and wellness in a more focused, precise and cost effective manner. 

A Practitioner . . . and a Patient

While I was in undergraduate school at Rutgers University, I slipped and fell on the steps leading out of our apartment. I landing on my right hand and immediately thought . . . “What was that crunch?” I sustained a right hand 4th metacarpal bone spiral fracture. Since my finger twisted like a DNA helix, I had to have surgery which required 3 screws to “get it straight”. I went to PT for a few months, fell in love with the power of PT, and my right (dominant) hand healed perfectly.

After many years practicing as a Physical Therapist, I realized that my practice consumed most of my time and energy - even though I Loved It!  My own health and wellness needed a reboot. In 2015, I found a local “old man’s” basketball league and it was awesome. My jump shot was coming back and I was reliving my high school days as a point guard. But then . . .

I went up for that rebound and felt a nudge from a fellow player. This time, it wasn’t a crunch . . . but a clear, deep, concerning “pop” in my left knee. A complete tear of my right Anterior Cruciate Ligament (a main stabilizing ligament in the knee) and a significant bone bruise. This time, PT lasted close to 1 year. Thank goodness I had the best, highly trained PT practitioners in the region!  Even though I had treated hundreds of knee patients, at 46 years old, I gained a completely new perspective “from that side of the treatment table”. 

Over the years (and yes, even as a PT) a few episodes of back pain and the occasional weekend warrior sprains/strains were added to the mix. No one ever wishes for injury, but the truth is . . . these experiences helped me really understand what patients endure - physically and emotionally.

I have been there!

Just When You Think You've "Been Through It All" . . . Lessons From a Pandemic 

In March 2020, I remember telling my wife . . . “the practice is thriving; we are helping so many people and they truly appreciate our care!” My last patient that Friday, was a bilateral Total Knee Replacement case. This was a challenging case because (1) it's a tough surgery and (2) it involved both legs. The following week . . . Monday, March 23, 2020 our practice was CLOSED because of the pandemic. What we thought would be a week, turned into nearly 3 months of no in-person care. 

We did what we always have done . . . we got to work!  I immersed myself into learning about PT Telehealth options (online therapy visits by video). This was completely new for the field of PT, and I have to admit - I was skeptical. But in a lock down, that’s all we had. To my surprise, I was able to guide my knee replacement patient through: body mechanics, positioning for pain relief, self treatment techniques (massage, scar mobilization), stretching, strengthening exercises, and even gait training. This was most of what I would have done in the clinic. Of course, in-person care would have been better for manual (hands on) therapy - but most of what I did as a PT was attained online! 

This got me thinking about those patients who, over the years, had moved away. Or those that could not physically get into the clinic, for whatever reason. Pre-pandemic, I did not even have an option for them. While our healthcare system costs seem to be sky rocketing . . . better technology, improved access to computers, and innovative thinking now allows me to help more people than ever - in a more cost effective manner.

A major lesson learned from the pandemic!

Have You Ever Struggled With Feeling Unhealthy and Lacking Energy?  Frequently Thinking to Yourself . . . 

• "Exercise is too boring and I don't even know where to start." 
• "I can never seem to find the right workout for my level."
• "Traveling to the gym and taking classes is time consuming and discourages me."
• "I never know if it is working?! I feel like I've been told the same thing but I have no way of monitoring my results."
• "I forget what I am supposed to be doing at home to maintain my health. I wish I had it written down or something."
• "I use to workout . . . but other responsibilities, work, family, (life) took over. I'm just not sure how to get back on track?"
• "Healthcare (in general) is getting so expensive, particularly since the pandemic." 
• "It is all just too overwhelming! That leads me to do not much at all for my health." 

 If you've had these feelings . . . YOU ARE NOT ALONE!