Modality-heavy sessions do not represent the best quality care
Have you ever had an expectation and been severely disappointed? How would you feel if you attended a concert to find out it was merely lip sync, or you paid for the services of a head stylist at your local salon to end up having the junior cut your hair? This is how I feel about the use of gadgetry in physiotherapy. I'm not saying it doesn't work or have a place, but I question the frequency of and dependency on it.
There are cases where ultrasound, Tens and acupuncture can be beneficial, however, the evidence is not always conclusive. And for many people, that's not why they seek my care. They want my expert advice and to see results. Results they will not get by lying on a bed hooked up to a machine that basically reduces the input of pain to the brain.
My patients need to learn strategies on how to manage pain, how to move, how to improve strength, mobility, and flexibility. They need to learn how to connect better with their body. Managing stress, sleep and even eating disease therapy, is more than an exercise program.
We're not just here to give you three sets of 10 squats twice a day for the rest of your life. Nor do we need to stand and watch you do exercises every time you come into the clinic. There's an onus on you to do what you're told. It's a partnership. I promise when you come to the clinic, I will give you my absolute best. I will use my knowledge, and my skills to treat you the best way I know how. In return, I expect you to do the follow through.
I think with a number of machines that are beneficial to recovery(Tens), we can teach you how to use them safely at home. A lot of times, they can be purchased for less than the cost of a physical therapy session and used at your leisure. I will not waste 20 minutes of your appointment time and hook you up to a machine to leave you lay there alone. I could use that 20 minutes to educate you on strategies for sleep, exercise, pain management, and really get to the bottom of what's been going on.
I know there are other health professionals out there who are probably reading this right now, who feel a little bit annoyed with me and who believe that machines and gadgets work. And they also feel that seeing 5-10 patients an hour is an effective strategy. And that's okay. I respect their choice in treatment strategy. My bias, however, is one on one care works best. I don't believe in using machines. If I do have a client who sees me, and I think a machine based treatment is the best option, I'm going to advise them where to go for the best possible care, even if that's not with me.
I don’t practice conveyer belt physiotherapy. We are honest with our patients and give them the information and tools to move on to self management and guide them on their journey recovery and management 💙
Nicola Robertson
Registered Physiotherapist