For physical therapists, patience is a virtue but how do you get this point across to an anxious patient? Enter patient education. Ensure compliance with these quotes to motivate patients and answer their tricky questions about your treatment plans.
1. In response to, "Do I really have to do this?" - "Only if you want to get better."
2. "How long do I have to keep up with these exercises?" - "For as long as you want to stay better."
- This is mainly for derangement reduction and correction exercises for posture.
- Patients may not be performing exercises hourly upon discharge, but repeated motions and movement patterns are self-screens.
- With any sign of movement loss or pain during movement, the exercises frequency should be increased for 1-2 days, then call us if there is no change.
3. "The TMJ is not a weight bearing joint"
I cannot tell you how many times I have asked patients if they have any habits of repetitive postures that would have caused their increase in complaints after they have improved. I provide my patients with the proper education and then do my notes after the physical therapy treatment and see them speaking with the office manager in "the thinker" position, often WB on the involved side!
4. "What does 10 times/hour mean?" - "It means 10 times/hour."
- A recent study showed the temporal neurophysiologic effects of a single mobilization last up to 5 minutes, and the hypoalgesic effects may last up to 24 hours.
- Why not capitalize on the neurophysiologic effects and have someone self-mobilize several times an hour, all day?
- This would continue to promote a hypoalgesic effect, decreasing perceived threat, increasing movement tolerance, and thus also promote compliance, the perfect circle!
5. "Will you look at my x-ray, MRI, CT, EMG, etc.?" - "No, unless you have a tumor or fra
cture or something else, I have no business treating. Your x-ray is just confirming you have a shoulder or lower back, etc." "I do not need to know what your neck or back looks like when you are lying in a tube. That does not tell me how well you move, or your strength and abilities." "I base my treatments on my examination, not a picture of your spine."
- Patients find it amazing when you explain the statistics of positive findings in asymptomatic individuals with studies ranging from 30-80% depending on the study.
- If they have intermittent pain, "Your lower back still has the same 'kisses of time' whether you have a good or bad day."
Therapists, what are some of your go to quotes for patient education and motivation?
Click here for more information on Dr. Erson Religioso III.