6 Reasons Why Clients May Not Be Making Progress In Physical Therapy

Stuck in Your Healing Journey? Unpack the Roadblocks in Physical Therapy

Physical therapy (PT) should be a wonderful journey of healing, strength-building, and regaining control. But sometimes we hit a plateau. We find that we are not making progress in physical therapy despite our best efforts. Why is this?

With the help of Dr. Marc Jacobchick, a Physical Therapist at REload, we delve into the six key causes for why your PT journey can get stuck.

1. Not Finding the Right Starting Point

“Number one would be not finding the right starting point for you when it comes to physical therapy,” says Marc. “It’s crucial to find what you’re capable of doing and what’s the appropriate starting point.”

It’s also critical to understand your unique needs and your daily environment. Though they may present with the same knee injury, a sedentary office worker and an enthusiastic marathon runner require different starting points. 

“It comes down to knowing you and your personal situation,” explains Marc. “This starts with our evaluation, where we talk with you for up to an hour just getting to know you and your story.”

Ultimately, it's all about personalization, connection, and adopting a holistic approach.

2. Not Progressing Things Properly

“A lot of the time, I see clients who have tried physical therapy somewhere else. They loved their physical therapists and had a great relationship with them. But they’ve got stuck in a rut. There’s been no progress in their routines and exercises,” says Marc.

When you do one exercise constantly, it can become monotonous. Variety is the spice of life, and this applies to your physical therapy sessions as well. Your body is highly adaptable and needs challenges to your range of motion to continue to advance.

The plateau isn’t the destination. It’s a stepping stone to further progress.

Progressing your PT sessions by introducing new movements and keeping the challenge alive is critical to making continuous progress in physical therapy.

3. Not Spending Enough Time with an Expert

“Often, the lack of progress seems to be a product of the system, not so much the physical therapist,” Marc says.

Physical therapists are experts in their field, with the acumen to understand their clients, determine what is leading to their pain experience, and provide a plan. They have the power to make a real difference, but the system restricts them.

“We must realize the impact of limited time on achieving desired outcomes. To overcome this, we must prioritize quality interactions between therapist and client,” says Marc.

In short, it’s making the most of the time you have with your physical therapist that is key. Adequate time is needed to help identify issues, tailor the program at the start and throughout, and achieve desired outcomes.

4. Programming Errors

If we focus on the minutiae of the injury or issue, we neglect the bigger picture. The body is a complex machine, in which all parts should work in unison.

“We must zoom out,” says Marc. “It’s crucial to look at the whole picture. Only then can we consider the whole treatment plan and manage load over a longer period for more effective results.”

When we work with you, we consider how different exercises interact. We seek to return your body to harmony. We do this by making suitable adjustments to maintain the symmetry of a treatment plan and avoid programming errors caused by myopic focus.

5. Lack of Trust

We cannot overstate the importance of trust in the relationship between you and your physical therapist/personal trainer. Without this, communication breaks down. This leads to slower progress and dissatisfaction. 

“Even if a physical therapist knows a lot, and maybe knows the right path to get somewhere, if they’re unable to build trust with you ─ whether it’s because of time constraints or otherwise ─ they may not be able to succeed in physical therapy,” says Marc.

When you build a trusting alliance with your physical therapist and/or personal trainer, it can immediately boost your progress. Trust is the synergy that delivers meaningful communication, understanding, and ultimately, results.

6. Not Managing Expectations

Physical therapy is not a magic pill. You’re not going to achieve your desired results overnight. For results, it takes time, patience, and persistence. 

“As a physical therapist, I have an instrumental role in helping my clients understand this reality,” says Marc. “Not only do I need to help you set realistic goals, but I must guide and educate you through the journey. If we fail to manage expectations, the result can be frustration, demotivation, and the kind of disheartening that can cause you to give up when you are on the brink of real progress.”

Physical therapy is a marathon, not a sprint. But it is a marathon in which a competent physical therapist will be with you every step of the way.

The Bottom Line

Physical therapy is a journey; and like all journeys, it has its ups and downs. It’s crucial to start right, spend quality time with your physical therapist, avoid programming errors, and evolve your exercises and routines in line with your fitness goals.

You need a physical therapist who emphasizes these aspects. Someone you trust to guide you and manage your expectations, while always focusing on the big picture for developing a body that works in harmony.

If you’re ready for this transformative journey, Reload Physical Therapy is here to help you with a client-centric approach like no other. Together, let’s pave the path to your healthier, stronger self.

Book an appointment with us to start with a comprehensive 90-minute evaluation!