Physical Therapy 2.0
“What do you mean by Physical Therapy 2.0?”
“What is the difference from regular physical therapy?”
We will answer these questions shortly, but first we have to define (in our own words) what physical therapy is. Now without getting analytical in the true definition that we could google or find in a book, I will give you mine.
“Physical therapy is the practice of providing physical and educational interventions, including but not limited to exercise and other conservative management, to treat individuals with healthcare concerns. These concerns can stem from a variety of body systems including musculoskeletal, neurovascular, psychosocial, and any combination of the stated.”
How did I do? Let’s compare mine to Oxford Dictionary. If you google “Physical therapy definition,” you will see the following…
“The treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery.”
Let’s first touch on what IS included in both definitions. Full disclosure, I typed mine without googling anything or opening any book to remain as transparent in my definition as possible. What we can tell is both are rooted in the treatment of health related items by means of physical methods. This is important because the word physical here is clearly stated, both in the definition AND in the name of the profession. Physical therapy, the treatment by PHYSICAL methods.
So in that case:
We help people move better..
Then… People work on moving better themselves!
It should be as simple as that. This unfortunately still seems to be missed and brings up the reason for this post. The human body is a highly sophisticated, ever adapting biological machine that responds to change. We need to assist change by providing optimal ways for better movement.
Physical Therapy 2.0 is about helping you become a better self advocate for your body and for your movement.
The second item to touch on is how the definitions are different. The rhetoric in regards to "fixing (fill in the blank) problem” has a negative connotation that instills the mindset of attaching a diagnosis to ourselves. This is where, in my opinion, the BIG difference lies. When looking at the Oxford dictionary definition, we can certainly tell they are much more succinct. Though I do not disagree with theirs, I believe it leaves out a key piece… the individual. I hear people all the time explaining themselves as their diagnosis.
“So I have this rotator cuff tear which I think is the problem...”
”My xray showed the worst arthritis they had ever seen... I can believe it”
”My slipped disc must be the issue”
You are already subconsciously creating a mindset for yourself that you won’t get better. If you tell yourself these things, well then getting better will be much harder! Let us understand the facts, create a positive mindset, and advocate for health and wellbeing. With your highly adaptive body, you will be surprised how much progress you can make.
Rather than the traditional physical therapy model of treating a diagnosis, let’s treat the INDIVIDUAL.
PT 2.0 is built upon helping you get out of pain, and STAY out of pain. Calm things down that are causing pain, and build it back up to create a stronger, healthier, more resilient you. I’m sure there would be no arguments against staying pain free versus the “this happens a couple times a year but has since gotten worse” dilemma. Find yourself a healthcare team that will be on your side and be another advocate in your corner of the ring. Yes, let us focus on eliminating the pain, but then let us give you the tools to make sure you can keep it away. Let us move better and live freely once again.
Thanks for reading,
