If you have been injured or you’ve recently undergone a corrective surgical procedure, odds are you’d benefit from some physical therapy sessions. However, many people who fit this bill opt not to pursue PT services. The two most common reasons why people opt to cut their PT sessions short or skip their sessions altogether are because of time and money constraints.
We understand that your time is valuable and you don’t want to spend money on something unnecessary, but not only are these two reasons detrimental to your health, they also tend to be wholeheartedly false. In today’s blog, we explain why time and money constraints should not be barriers to effective physical therapy treatment.
The Money Barrier
Let’s start by tackling the money component. Healthcare costs in America can be devastatingly expensive, and anyone who has been shocked by a medical bill – even after insurance has covered their portion of the bill – knows that they don’t want to tack on any more expenses if they don’t need to. The problem here is that, as we’ve already discussed in a previous blog, more often than not physical therapy ends up saving you money in the long-run.
Yes, there will be some short-term expenses with seeking out physical therapy for an injury or after a surgical operation, but those costs typically more than pay for themselves in the long run. Research has shown that physical therapy can help you recover faster and to a fuller extent, meaning you’ll likely need less overall care, and you’ll be decreasing your likelihood of needing additional services for future problems down the road.
For example, if you don’t work with a physical therapist after an ACL tear, you’ll have a higher likelihood of retearing that same ligament in the future. If you suffer another ACL injury because you never fully recovered from the first one, or you suffer another injury because your body was compensating for the weak ligament, you’re going to need more medical care, and those bills will add up.
Moreover, it’s also worth noting that many insurance plans partly or fully pay for rehabilitative services like physical therapy. After all, they too have a vested interest in keeping you healthy so that they aren’t covering more medical expenses down the road. Take advantage of the fact that physical therapy is usually very low cost or even free, and you’ll be able to significantly reduce your likelihood of needing more care for the same injury down the road. Seeking out PT services is actually a very financially sound decision.
The Time Barrier
Others opt not to pursue physical therapy because they believe they are too busy to take time out of their day to head to their appointment or do their exercises. We know that you lead a busy life, but please do not let that stop you from getting the care you need to become the strongest version of yourself.
Many clinics including the team at OrthoRehab Specialists would be more than happy to work within your time constraints to help you get the care you deserve. We can schedule sessions around your availability and will do everything we can to get you the help you need. If you’re having trouble finding time to get to the clinic, let us know, and we’ll work with you.
One way we do this for many clients is through a virtual visit. You can connect with one of our physical therapists as long as you have an internet or mobile connection and a device like a laptop, smartphone or tablet. We offer virtual visits for patients with time or distance constraints so that you don’t have to spend an hour or two getting to the clinic, performing your exercises and getting back home. If you are interested in learning more about our virtual care options, click the link or give our team a call for more information.
Money and time should not be barriers to physical therapy, but they are for far too many people. They don’t have to be when you work with the team at OrthoRehab Specialists. For more information, or for help with a different issue, give our team a call at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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