Do-It-Yourself Physical Therapy

"Tired of working your life around weekly physical therapy sessions?"

If you are, you might want to read this Washington Post article that describes how two New York orthopaedic surgeons, "Mark Klion, a clinical instructor in the department of orthopedics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, developed the DVD with his colleague James Cappozzi and a certified physical therapist."

Wow!  The "certified" physical therapist didn't even earn a name! 

This is just another example of how the medical community devalues physical therapists' contribution to health care.  But, how much do physical therapists squeezing 30 sessions out of a patient with knee pain contribute to these docs developing a work-around for our profession?  I would think quite a bit.  Perhaps this diminutive attitude is being stoked by Wiihab, which has reached crisis-level at this point!

Just like cutting your own hair leaves you with an inferior result, do-it-yourself physical therapy misses the point and offers an opportunity for patients to be harmed by poor outcomes as they stumble blindly through their rehab.

Let's hope D-I-Y Physical Therapy has a short-life span.

ERIC

Comments

[Larry]

Perhaps we can find a certified Orthopedic surgeon and embark on this DVD because too many people are tired of working their life around bi-weekly orthopedic surgery sessions.

There are so many fallacies to the logic behind this article and effort for this do it yourself physical therapy DVD but I won’t waste the unlimited disk space to do so.

[Selena Horner]

A physician guided, therapist approved DVD for the knee.... with a promise of more to come!

The DVD is buried on a cycling website (which could be a good thing).

http://www.spinervals.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_77&products_id=234

The therapist who collaborated with the surgeons is listed on the DVD information page. Paul Larosa assisted in the creation of the DVD.

Kudos to the spokesperson for the APTA - she didn't advise that a DVD substitutes for a PT.

I do have a couple of burning questions though - Can an individual really assess themselves accurately? And, generally we value "individualized" instruction and "individualized home programs," right? I'd like to think we are accurate in our beliefs, but what if? Is a DVD just as effective for obtaining reasonable outcomes? I would hope not, but I would tend to think that we do have a pattern to our methods, although there are always cases where the patient can't perform with appropriate positioning or form and we do get creative.

Ah, wait... the equation for low back pain is:
positive outcome = manual intervention + exercise.

What about the knee though?

[Sean]

Hey I've been cutting my own hair for 8 years (a tight fade). No one can believe it when I tell them.
Of course this is the exception that proves the rule. However I find it very difficult to believe that someone can watch a DVD and achieve the outcome they desire.

[Susan Marker]

Things that make you say what? There will always be someone making a new exercise program for self rehab similar to the millions of diets available. Which one will be the key to weight loss or the key to rehab? A small percentage of people can utilize a DVD and get results. The remaining people need guidance, coaching, prodding or a kick in the A--. We must keep fighting the naysayers and prove Physical Therapists are skilled professionals with a unique gift for healing with our hands, hearts and minds.

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[Jamie]

I do a much better job at cutting my hair than any "professional" has ever done. I'd love to do my own PT. Not everyone has the time or money to go to weekly sessions.

[Impotence causes]

To begin I would like to send a cordial greeting to all readers of this blog. Hello my name is David, I am a physical therapist for 6 years, I love reading all the articles that are related to all type of therapy, it seems very relevant to the importance of a good therapy in any recovery. Anything can serve therapy, a landscape, a holiday, a pet food, etc.. I would like more information like this, no doubt will be eagerly awaiting your next article. thanks ..

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[Dr. K-Orthopedic Surgeon]

I don't particularly see anything wrong with this post, but try to stay away from attempting to "do it yourself nuclear physics experiments", because that's not gonna be good.

[orthopedic surgeons las vegas]

Physical therapy is a type of treatment you may need when health problems make it hard to move around and do everyday tasks. It helps you move better and may relieve pain. It also helps improve or restore your physical function and your fitness level.

[podiatrist]

Thanks for these DIY exercises to relieve knee pain. I think this will do for me for now.

[heel pain treatment]

This DIY massage and exercises will come in handy when I am stressed and aching. I would do this if I don't have the time to go for a massage.

[dental consultant]

I'd rather visit a physical therapist than try DIY exercise that would cost me more money and pain.

[foot doctor]

Isn't this dangerous? Instead of cure, this might lead to serious muscle tearing and further dislocation of bones.