When Neck Pain is a Pain in the Neck
Once my uncle complained of neck pain. He probably had a bit of a radiculopathy going on. He called me for recommendations and I suggested he see a physical therapist. He went to the PT his physician recommended, but stopped after about 2 weeks as he explained, “They just made me move my head, put on heat and some electricity, which didn’t really help.”
This, of course, broke my heart. He had found a PT who did not deliver the best care. Evidence clearly supports some form of manual therapy and exercise for neck pain, not modalities. From this episode, he now does not believe in the benefit and utility of my profession. I wouldn’t either. His experience becomes an influential word-of-mouth advertising campaign against our profession. I have become the same beacon of negative advertising for many things, and I’m sure you have as well. One example: the coffee shop in my town who treated me badly. I will not go there and I make sure to tell everyone why.
Let’s hope that Rham Emanuel gets a good PT experience as his pinched nerve in his neck is treated. It would be terribly hurtful for the profession if one of the most powerful men in the country decided to become a beacon of negative advertising for the profession of physical therapy. What a legislative pain in the neck that would be!
This issue underscores perhaps a bigger issue that we need to address in our profession. Potential consumers of physical therapy (everyone?) need to be educated about the difference between good PT and bad PT. It’s a lot more subtle than the difference between good and bad surgical outcomes, but not any less damaging or harmful. Publicly communicating the difference between good PT and bad, especially via avenues available in “new media” is not justa good idea, it’s a responsibility for every physiotherapist.
Here’s to keeping our fingers crossed that Mr. Emanuel finds himself a good PT and a good outcome.