1. Want to get periods immediately before attending a religious event? Check this out for tips...
    Dismiss Notice

Have You Tried Changing Pt's During The Treatment Plan? How Would You Handle That?

Discussion in 'Health Issues' started by gknew, Jan 23, 2020.

  1. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,230
    Likes Received:
    464
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Gender:
    Female
    Hi all,
    I have been dealing with PFPS and patella alta. My Ortho prescribed PT and I am going to PT for past 2 and a half months. I have been to an office where there are many PTs. I didn't chose my pt. They will assign PT based on the availability that day. I asked if my assigned PT is specialised in knee joints. They said yes and all PT's in their office treat all body parts.
    I have been to the PT. She was really nice. But the treatment is not improving my condition or symptoms. I have been to second opinion too. The doctors say PT should help. But this doesn't help me to improve symptoms.
    My pain and swelling is still the same from day 1.
    Recently I have got shoulder bursitis and mild tennis elbow. She is treating me for that too. It's been 2 sessions for my hand and she is forcing dry needling for my neck and elbow. I don't want to do that.
    I just had dry needling for my thigh 2 days back. It doesn't improve my symptoms and I feel very sore till now.

    I came to know her profile. She treats all body parts but specialist in TMD/TMJ.
    My current treatment plan with her for my hand and knee is for 4-6 weeks and 2 visits per week. I am paying out of my pocket. I don't know if I have to change pt and see. I don't want to waste money though. How to handle if I change other pt in the same office? I have to ask the front desk if they have anyone for knees and have specifically.
    Do I need to inform my current pt that I am going to change to some of her colleagues. How do you do that?

    Or should I go to a different office?
     
    Loading...

  2. SinghManisha

    SinghManisha Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,011
    Likes Received:
    2,683
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    PT was a slow process for me . It took me a good 9 months of PT for my issues to resolve and mobility to improve. The exercises were pretty standard for each condition. most therapists follow a standard protocol and can treat a variety of conditions. Of course, this does not mean you should not change the therapist ( specially after paying out of pocket).
     
    gknew likes this.
  3. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,230
    Likes Received:
    464
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Gender:
    Female
    Thank you so much for the reply!! Really appreciate it!!
    Yeah, I really was looking for some inputs like this. I have never been to PT before. So I totally don't have any idea about the recovery time of an issue. I am going to PT for past 2 and a half months. But my pt herself said that my issue has to be improved within 4-6 weeks. It's been more than that now and she also have no idea what's going on in my body.
    What was your issue and did yo go to PT in India or USA?
    I am also nervous about changing the PT too. It's trail and error for me. I don't know if the other pt will be expertise or not. Don't know anyone who been to PT in my area. So, am clueless.
     
  4. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,230
    Likes Received:
    464
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Gender:
    Female
    @Ranchu do you know any good physical therapist in Atlanta?
     
  5. SinghManisha

    SinghManisha Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,011
    Likes Received:
    2,683
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    My issues were because of an accident. I still have to do exercises at home to be pain free and improve mobility around the shoulders and arms.
    Most people I know who did PT took some time, like me .
    Considering your PFPT and bursitis, it seems you have been exerting yourself physically. You definitely need good muscle strength for managing PFPT and physiotherapy should help with that.
    I assume you are continuing the exercises at home ( or have been asked to ?) That is critical to improve healing.

    Regarding the timeline, my therapist also expected I would feel better sooner. But it took more time. Why don’t you give it a couple more sessions before you change ? I hope you feel better soon.





     
  6. 1Sandhya

    1Sandhya Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    2,139
    Likes Received:
    3,938
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    Go with your gut instinct. You should feel relief not feel sore for few days. If not happy change the pt. I accidentally found out how easily you can change the pt. Each pt works few fixed hours or few fixed days of week. That’s why every appt is for same time same day every week. Just call up and tell receptionist you need to cancel all your future appointments for next 2 weeks because of work emergency. Then call back with a different day of availability and make appointment as if you are coming first time. They don’t keep track or remember you so no need of explain. Just say yes if ask if you went there before so they can easily pull your info. Describe your issue to her and explain kind of help you need. Ask the receptionist in detail about each pt and their qualifications and who is good fit she will guide. ask the availability of the pt you like and make the first appointment and see. If you like her continue. If none are specialists in your issue just hang up.
     
    Thyagarajan and gknew like this.
  7. Ranchu

    Ranchu Local Champion Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    5,904
    Likes Received:
    9,010
    Trophy Points:
    438
    Gender:
    Female
    Sorry I do not . I'd suggest you go with your medical insurance recommendations.
     
    gknew likes this.
  8. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,230
    Likes Received:
    464
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Gender:
    Female
    Thanks a lot for the reply!!
    I didn't know that pt works that way. My pt is available everyday from 7am to 5 pm. There are few other PT's in the same office, where they do work part time I think. I don't see them whenever I go there.
     
  9. 1Sandhya

    1Sandhya Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    2,139
    Likes Received:
    3,938
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    That may be little tricky then.

    Few more things - My first few visits I also felt sore, couldn’t sleep etc. I told my pt and she added some hot blanket kind of thing for 20 mins at end of session, basically wrapped it around the sore muscle, dimmed the lights and left me for 20 mins. That helped. Also I would purposely put affected pt part under hot shower daily morning during my bath for good 10 mins ( her suggestion) it helped. So give her session to session feedback on what worked and what didn’t. If she is good she will adjust the treatment so pain decreases.

    I would go early and while waiting saw info or booklet about all the pts in the practice and read it casually. And felt another pt sounded like she was a better fit for me. So do get all the info about all the pts working there, their profiles first and see if they suit better. Otherwise go to a different practice. Friend referral is best. Ask around.

    Do these steps first.

    Then if still want to switch call pt and cancel all appointments because work deadlines. Tell them once your schedule stabilizes you will call back.
    Changing pt- Which day you call to make appointments makes a difference. If you call Mon or early in week they have lots of spots and fit you in whichever is first available without even asking. By chance I called back on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning so all immediate spots were taken. She offered me a spot for the following week and instead of accepting I hesitated and wanted more info. Which she provided. They will answer questions and give more info if you hesitate or don’t accept and if appt is few days out because they don’t want you to go elsewhere. So I used that opportunity to specifically ask about the other pt I wanted, her availability etc and booked appointment with her. Hope this helps!
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2020
    gknew likes this.
  10. gknew

    gknew Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,230
    Likes Received:
    464
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Gender:
    Female
    Thanks again for the reply. Appreciate it.
    I PMed you today morning.
    Yeah..all of your points are helpful. I just called my pt office today and asked if they have any specialist for hands and knee specifically.
    They said they don't have any specialist and all PT's treat everything. I told them that my pt is currently treating my knee and hands joints(shoulder, elbow , wrist). I would like to see someone else for my hands.
    They said they can schedule me with other PT. I asked the name and I didn't schedule it. I said I will call back later. Then I saw the profile of the new PT. She is also same like my current PT. Treats all Orthopedic and specialise in spinal. I didn't book it yet.
    And also, I have asked how many days my PT is available there? They said she is available from Monday to Fri all opening hours.
    So, I was just thinking if I should continue with her or go to another PT for one body part alone. Or I should change to the new PT for both hands and knee. I don't have any friends who did PT here..so ,no one to ask around for suggestions. Just reading the google reviews.
     

Share This Page