On this week’s episode of Positive Reaction Podcast, Dr. D and Dr. Pepper talk about how possible it is to forgo a referral from a medical doctor and skip straight to physical therapy. They discuss what it means to be a physical therapist that has the credentials to use the first three weeks of an injury to administer critical care, saving a patient a potentially unnecessary visit to their primary care physician, and whether therapists too often address pain locally when they should be looking at the bigger picture.
The goal of physical therapy is to give you the most definitive route to get you back to where you want to be. Research supports prehab and a solutions-based approach; seeing a physical therapist first can lead to less pain and shorter recovery, which can both be integral to your long-term success.
Other topics of conversation include:
* Differences in state laws regarding direct access that will allow patients to be seen without a referral
* Not needing permission from a medical doctor in order to start your recovery with physical therapy
* Physical therapists that go the extra mile to rule out extraneous causes of injury and assess the whole picture, rather than just examining one area
* Not settling for crappy healthcare
* Investing in yourself with prehab, which can prepare you for surgery if and when it proves necessary
Useful Links:
Dr. Edwin’s practice: Positive Action PT
www.positivereaction.com
Dr. Danielle’s LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-c-aguilar-pt-dpt-cpt-a125b47a
www.reactionsportsrehab.com
