Sandra Said:

Cortizone injection or physical therapy?

We Answered:

Stay with PT if you can and follow any home exercise program that they may have given you. Cortizine injections can help to decrease the inflammation immediately, but they are rarely a permanent fix.

Craig Said:

I have neck pain and have tried physical therapy nothing seems to help any suggestions?

We Answered:

As a chiropractor, I would tell you that while chiropractic can help, you need to be careful. One thing we watch out for is Cervical Spinal Stenosis. This can cause additional problems and complications with some types of chiropractic care.

I would recommend that you find a doctor who specializes in activator. This method seems to be pretty good and realigning joints without causing a forceful adjustment to the neck.

I really wish you the best

Lloyd Said:

How challenging is Physical Therapy school?

We Answered:

Jansoddy does make a point that years ago you had to essentailly have a 4.0 or really close to it to be considered. While not entirely true, it certainly leaned that way years ago. Believe me, I entered PT school over 10 years ago...most of us had 4.0, but there were several of my classmates who definetely came in under the wire. Yet, in the last five years, application rates to PT schools have dropped, theoretically making it easier to get into PT school. Yet, it is still considered very competitive. If you visit the APTA website and description of admission rates to particular schools, you will see that most students are are admitted into the programs usually have a GPA around 3.5. HOWEVER, prerequisite GPA is closely examined. If you have gotten all As and Bs in your preqs, you are still a strong candidate. If you've had any Cs, it becomes more questionable...but exceptionally strong applicants can still be admitted (good interview skills).

As far as how you will do with having a challening time with chem and physics, just know that we do not necessarily use these skills as DIRECTLY, but we need the ability to problem solve and understand principles of physiology and biomechanics. Therefore, students who do not do well in physics and chem sometimes have trouble with the critical thinking skills that go along with the field of PT. They might struggle a little more, but can still do very well.

Regarding work, most programs encourage you NOT to work. Yet, some of my students did have part-time jobs. Working full time is not possible during school. Students who do work are often fatigued and struggle to keep up in class.

Don't get too down on jannsody...the information provided is just rather outdated...but there was a basis for it at one time.

Joy Said:

If you go to Physical Therapy, can you ask for treatment of another injury?

We Answered:

It depends on what state you live as well as the facility's policy and your insurance policy (someone mentioned above that whether your ins will cover it is debateable).

In states that have direct access laws and provided there are no restrictions on your insurance, it can be done, no questions asked. In states with limited direct access laws or no direct access laws, an order must be obtained by the physican for treatment (sometimes it can be evaluted before an order is received for treatment).

I live in a state with limited direct access, and I get this situation a lot. As long as there are no "red flag symptoms" of serious underlying pathology, I usually just fax over a request to the MD stating something along the lines of "OK to add DX: shoulder pain eval and treat?" and once they sign it we are good to go.

However, even in states with direct access, a facility's policy might superceede the state laws to whichever is the more conservative.

Bob Said:

Orthopedic doctor recommended physical therapy for herniated/bulging disc? Will this help? Didn't do an MRI?

We Answered:

The symptomatic presentation and results of a good mechanical evaluation are as 95% as accurate as an MRI in detecting disc related pathology.

An MRI is not immediately necessary unless:
A. You've had cancer in the past
B. You are unable to uninate
C. You have profound neurolgical weakness, etc. or other unusual symptoms

Expect the physical therapist to conduct an examination of how you move and to understand what deficits may be contributing to your problem. You will probably get a good deal of education on what type of posture you should be utilizing as well as specific exercises meant to reduce your symptoms.

I would recommend you see a physical therapist who is certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy. You can find one at: http://www.mckenziemdt.org

Good luck