10 Lessons in 10 Years: Reflections from a Decade as a Physical Therapist
Dr. Rachael McGuinness hops on the blog to share her lessons learned after 10 years as a PT :
As I come up on 10 years of being a practicing physical therapist, I am reflecting back on how much I have learned and how my practice has evolved. I am proud to say that I am a very different PT than I was 10 years ago, as the only way to get better is to change. What I have noticed is the most impactful learning experiences stem not from patient wins, but from the patient’s where I missed something. Here are 10 lessons I’ve learned over 10 years of being a PT:
Pain is never just structural, and sometimes there is no structural part to it at all
Hip pain, back pain, groin pain can be directly caused by pelvic floor tightness
It is better to do 3 exercises addressing the root cause of an issue than 10 exercises that work on every little deficit a patient has
The patient always knows their body best, as a PT it is imperative to stay away from assumptions based on what is “common”
No exercise is “good” or “bad” and following that rhetoric is teaching fear of movement
Lifting to fatigue is necessary for true strength gains, even in injured and elderly patients
Controlling your breath is the most important form of any exercise
You can still feel tight without having any flexibility deficits
As a PT, the ability to pivot when the treatment plan isn’t working is not a weakness, it’s the ultimate strength
Believing you can get better is necessary for progress, and it’s the PTs job to communicate how this is possible
I am so happy that I get to treat patients at The METHOD as it allows me to practice what I’ve learned in these past 10 years. With 60 minute sessions, dedicated 1:1 care, no insurance restrictions, and with a small caseload, I now have the time and energy to reflect on my patient care daily. I finally am able to apply these principles without feeling burnt out, rushed, or overwhelmed. Looking for a practice that will prioritize your recovery with experienced staff who care about continually getting better as a PT? Book your discovery call today!
