10/14/2025
đ§ TELL THE STORY BEFORE THEY MAKE ONE UP
As physical therapists, one of the most valuable lessons Iâve learned is this: if we donât tell the story, our patients will make one up for themselves.
And who can blame them? When something hurts, or doesnât seem to be improving right away, itâs natural to look for answers â often from a trusted neighbor, family member, or friend. Unfortunately, thatâs how misinformation spreads and how confidence in physical therapy can start to slip.
đ Hereâs an example:
When a patient strengthens a muscle they havenât used in a while, itâs completely normal to feel sore 24â48 hours later. We know that as delayed onset muscle soreness â a healthy part of the healing process.
But to a patient, that same soreness can feel like:
âI got hurt in PT.â
âIâm worse than when I started.â
If we donât explain what to expect, they may fill in the blanks themselves.
The same goes for pain that shifts or changes during treatment. Sometimes, when nerves begin to heal, symptoms can move or temporarily worsen in one area while improving in another â and thatâs actually a good sign of progress.
đŹ The key takeaway:
Donât interpret your symptoms alone â letâs do it together. Healing isnât always linear, and understanding whatâs happening makes all the difference.
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