FAQ for a PT

I generally don't share much about work since work and social media just don't seem like a good idea together.  However, I spend a lot of time at work and being a physical therapist is part of my identity so occasionally I will share about work.  I have had some recent events at work that would make for great/funny blog posts (ask about them if you see me in person) but I'm going to stick to a more general theme.  I work with between 12-14 people every day so I feel like I often get asked the same thing over and over by each patient.  Here's my list:

1. How long have you worked here?

At first I thought all therapists get this question on a regular basis but I realized that for more experienced or older PTs they hardly ever get asked this.  A patient asks this question when they have some concerns about the experience of their PT and whether or not they are in good hands.  When I first started it probably unnerved a few patients if I was truthful and told them I had had the job 10 days.  I tried to reassure them that I did have 7 years of prior experience and had seen 7 or 23 or 52 patients with their diagnosis.  Now I can say I have a little more than 2 years experience and I don't seem to get the deer in the headlights look anymore.  Actually this question is becoming more infrequent probably since I actually look like I know what I am doing now.

2. How long did you go to school for this?

I feel that patients ask this question not because they want to be reassured that I am knowledgeable and skilled but more so that I sometimes get confused for a high school student.  On my last birthday a few patients believed it when someone said that I was celebrating turning 18 years old.  When I answer this question with "7 years" people often comment that it takes almost as long to become a doctor.  I then explain that I actually earned a doctorate.  Their next question is ,"Why do you have to have a doctorate to watch someone do exercise?" It's a little more than that but I don't go into it all.

3. What do you think about chiropractors?

I am usually very politically correct and vague with my answer to this question.

4. You'll heal me by next week, right?

 My response:  I probably won't heal you by then but hopefully you will feel better.  After all you have had pain for 6 months, 2 years, etc before deciding to come see us so it might take a little bit of time to correct the problem.  I then point out that I don't "heal anyone" but provide the education and the tools such as exercises and then it is up to them to do it at home.  Soap box here: So many people want a quick fix or someone else to solve their problems.  Putting the responsibility of the patient's health on them is often a new concept.

5. Why does my knee still hurt?

 This question usually comes from a patient who has had a total knee replacement about 3 weeks ago.  My answer-- you just had major surgery, it's going to hurt.  For up to 6 months.  They used a saw to cut off your bone, pounded a metal rod into the bone, and just put 30 staples in your skin.  It takes some time before it feels better.

6. How many repetitions of the exercise did you tell me to do?

Usually my answer is 20.  Depending on my mood if someone keeps asking a lot I will add 5 more to my response than I originally told them.  I will admit that a lot of times I forget to tell someone how many to do because it is clearly written on my sheet of paper so they just ought to know by reading my mind. 

7. Were you counting?

Chances are no.  I don't count but rely on being good at rough estimates.  If my job was about making sure I counted every exercise I would hate it and I would probably get fired because I really stink at counting correctly,  1, 2, 3, 13, 14, 14, 14-- it just doesn't work well. 

8. Are you married? 

Yes. We have been married two years.  We met while we were in college.  My husband is an electrical engineer so I don't really know what he does. 

9. Do you have kids?

No, we have only been married two years.  Right now we are just having a lot of fun spending time together. 

10. When are you going to have kids? 

Maybe someday.  Arthur informs me that no one at his work ever asks about if someone has or is going to have kids.  I'm pretty sure I get this question 2-3 times a day.  My favorite series of questions from one patient went like this:  Do you have kids?  No.  Then, are you married?  Yes.  Really, how old are you?  She also thought I was 18.  Generally if I think someone is 18 I don't start by asking them if they have kids.

12. How did you come up with this exercise?

 The smart-aleck in me comes out with this question:  Oh, I couldn't sleep last night so I laid awake thinking of all the most difficult and outrageous thing a person can do with  theraband to strengthen their shoulder and this is what I came up with. 

11. Do you love torturing people?

It really depends on the person.  Most people I want to help get better so I try to push them enough that they meet their goals.  I do love watching people get better and return to normal daily life and sometimes what it takes to get there may look a little like torture but it is only temporary.

12. Do I have to do the exercises at home?

Yes!! Coming to PT twice a week for 30 minutes isn't going to be enough to correct the bad habits such as poor posture you do 12 hours a day every day.  (See questions 4) You have to do the exercises at home faithfully.  For forever (I like to say this just like from the movie Sandlot-- see clip.  The problem is that most of my patients did not grow up in the 90s with Sandlot as part of their heritage so they are lost on this reference.)  Omnia Vincit Amor.