Often times when a patient walks through the door, I’ll ask them “How are you doing today?”. Many times I’ll get the response “fine”, “feeling better”, or something else that leads to a nice conversation. Sometimes the response is much more blunt however “Well if I was good, then I wouldn’t be here.”Touché! Hopefully your medical professional has some sense of compassion and empathy toward your situation.
We’ve all had those moments when things just don’t seem to be going right. It doesn’t always have to be a health related issue. Maybe it could have been that your car broke down and you had to take it into the shop.
Is it convenient? No
Do you need your car? Yes
If your check engine light comes on, you have two choices. Ignore it and hope for the best, or address the problem. If you have a leak in your plumbing, you find a plumber. If you have a toothache, you go see a dentist. If you want to win a bobsled race, you need a good driver.
Do you dig where I’m coming from?
As a Physical Therapist we have the expertise and knowledge to treat a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Pain is much like a check engine light, it’s signaling to your brain that your body is perceiving a threat to the system. The cause of this threat is often related to multiple different reasons. The underlying issue could be big or small, and if ignored it could lead to much greater problems. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, we are uniquely trained to assess and treat many of these issues. We are also trained to recognize red flags which may signal to us that we need to refer to another medical professional with a different expertise. Your body is the vehicle that drives you, and I encourage you to pay attention to the “signals” that your body is sending. Unlike a car, you cannot trade your body in for a new one when it breaks down. Find a health professional that you trust and be proactive in your health. Take care of your body.