The Hidden Healthcare Epidemic
Suffering from an undiagnosed condition, or a condition that isn’t improving is a hidden epidemic. Millions of people are living with perplexing life conditions they feel elude diagnosis and treatment, even as health care technology advances to an all-time high.
As a physical therapist I am always looking to help people improve their situation. While a hands-on approach may seem low-tech, I see amazing changes in my patients’ lives. Physical Therapy treatments incorporate restorative exercise, adopting new habits, weight loss and other physical techniques.
The Physical Side of Medicine
Physical therapists are part of a broad spectrum of professions involved in physical health. Like personal trainers, health coaches and chiropractors, we treat our patients’ conditions physically to move them towards the best possible long-term outcome.
Prescription for Hope
When most people think of physical therapy, it’s a black and white plan, usually referred by their physician or surgeon. “You’re going to have surgery. You need to lose weight and get stronger. After surgery, you’ll need to regain flexibility and build strength and balance.”
However, for others, the choice to come to therapy may not seem as obvious. Millions of people suffer with chronic conditions. They see X-rays and MRIs of their anatomical changes and simply accept discomfort and loss of function as a permanent part of their life. They stop activities that give their life meaning. They believe their situation cannot improve. In short, they give up.
Two Words Turn Lives Around
At Jones Physical Therapy, two words turn lives around: Free Consultation. A consultation with a licensed physical therapist is an opportunity to have a healthcare professional review your situation with a fresh set of eyes. The therapist will perform a physical evaluation while asking questions about the patient’s lifestyle. Then the PT can discuss treatment options to improve their situation.
A Free Consultation will have one of three results:
- Simple Adjustments: We often discover a patient is not exercising correctly, has poor lifting technique, or perhaps needs a new mattress. These issues can be fixed with lifestyle advice, home exercises and stretches.
- Physical Therapy: Many root causes require a course of PT for a good outcome. The physical therapy recommendations will be discussed with the patient’s doctor. Or, as is often the case, Jones Physical Therapy will help the patient find a specialist who can pick up the course of treatment and see it through.
- Medical Treatment: Symptoms that seem to be a natural fit for PT often are not. A suspected fracture or untreated medical condition can be quickly uncovered by a free consultation with a trained Physical Therapist. Non-PT conditions will be referred to the appropriate physician for an accurate diagnosis.
The Natural Flow of Effective Healthcare
Patients moving between Physical Therapy and their physician is a natural part of effective healthcare.
The good news is that a lot of frustrating and difficult-to-diagnose conditions respond best when Physical Therapy is part of the treatment. The bad news is a lot of people are not aware of the benefits of physical therapy. At Jones Physical Therapy, we help our community access the services they need to live without pain or dysfunction.
Why Wait Another Day?
Whether a consultation results in treatment at our clinic or not, we are here to help. We are here to help you make better decisions about your healthcare. If you know someone who may benefit from a free physical therapy consultation, please contact our Madisonville or Hammond clinic to schedule an appointment.
