Is Physical Therapy right for you?

You have an injury or something just doesn't feel right. What should you do? Well, first you need to look and think about a few things...

We all know people that have been injured or in pain. Whether it's knee pain because you fell or back pain because you lifted wrong. The list can go on and on and on. But is physical therapy the right choice?

Well, the answer is yes and no. I'm sure you have a neighbor that says "I hurt my ankle and my physical therapist is the best. He really fixed me up." You probably also have a friend that says "my back goes out every once in awhile. I go to my chiro and he fixes me up."

So what do you choose? How do you know that you are picking the right person to help you?

Well, the answer is actually easier than you think.

Let me break this down and give you a scenario...I am in the mood for pizza. And now I have a ton of options. I could go and get frozen pizza from the store to save money. I could also go to the deli down the road because it is easy and so close to me. But at the end of the night, is that really going to satisfy my crazing for pizza? Sure, it filled up my belly and I was not hungry after but something just felt wrong. Because at the end of the day, if I want pizza, I want to get the best damn pizza that is relatively close to me!!! That is what my brain was craving and that is what I want!

Ummm, Mike, what the hell are you talking about??????

Your body should be treated the same way. So if you have knee pain or an ACL injury from soccer, you should be going to the best damn physical therapist that is a soccer physical therapist and treats knees. If you go to a general physical therapy clinic or general chiro you might be left with a sour taste in your mouth. Sure, they may be able to treat you, but is that general PT giving you the best care? Usually when a medical provider treats "everything" they are not really skilled in ANYTHING! It's like going to the diner. Yea, the food is fine but if you want Italian food, go find an Italian restaurant that specializes in that food and that food only! Because well, its just gonna be better.

If I needed rotator cuff shoulder surgery, I wouldn't go to the surgeon that says "I perform surgery on every body part." Hell no! I want to find the surgeon that is the best with rotator cuff injuries. I want to find the surgeon that all he treats is shoulders, specifically rotator cuff repairs.

Physical therapy and injuries to your body is the same thing. For some reason, somewhere down the line, the physical therapy profession has gotten so watered down. Blame insurance companies, blame insurance reimbursement, blame the physical therapy profession itself for not educating the general public enough. The list can go on and on. But at the end of the day, if you have an injury, you need to find the physical therapist that is the specialist in that body part and with that sport.

That is why I am here. I am here for all the soccer athletes that have a knee injury. Whether it is just a mild strain of a muscle that relates to the knee or a full blown ACL tear from playing, I am here for you! And you will know that you will get the best quality care. Why? Because all I treat is knee injuries and all I treat is soccer players. Yup, that's right. Why settle for the generic physical therapy clinic that somehow specializes in "everything." Because that's complete crap! There is no way for someone to specialize in everything. It's like the diner saying "we have the best Italian food in town. We also have the best Mexican food in town. Ohh, and we have the best burgers and soups and Chinese food too."

I know physical therapy. I know knees. I know the game of soccer. I played at a competitive level growing up and an injury left me without being able to play in college. I have also had an ACL tear that left me not being able to do the things I loved. I went through ACL recovery. I know all the ins and outs of the recovery process. I know what you are thinking and what you are feeling.

So, I hope you all stay injury free! I even have training services available that will keep you healthy and injury free. But if you do happen to sustain a knee injury while playing soccer, I hope you do your research and find a soccer physical therapist to treat you! Because it is your body and you want the best for yourself to get you back on the field as quick as possible the correct way.

-Dr. Mike aka The Soc Doc