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My Thoughts on Physical Therapy
I'v had many Physical Therapists in the past. Some of them were nice while others were well...jerks. I saw some improvement in my gait and balance from going to PT but nothing hugely noticeable. I believe there are a number of reasons for this problem. One of the major problems, especially when I would receive PT in school was the time crunch. As I'v gotten older I have come to realize that it takes time for a CP body to absorb what it is being taught and time was often something the Physical Therapist could not afford to give me, simply because they have many clients and must keep their jobs.
Another major problem is lack of understanding of what causes specific spastic reactions. Yes, the physical therapist may have an understanding of the muscle reaction that is occurring but the real key to CP is the brain, as it is a brain injury not a muscle injury. There is a emotional side to our tightness.
For example, when we are excited or afraid we become tighter. The person with CP may not even be aware of their emotions effecting how tight they are. To a person with CP all these reactions are normal so they don't know what it feels like for someone with a non-CP body to experience the same emotion. Therefore, there needs to be more communication between people with CP and their physical therapists to bridge the gap between their two worlds.
I'v had many Physical Therapists in the past. Some of them were nice while others were well...jerks. I saw some improvement in my gait and balance from going to PT but nothing hugely noticeable. I believe there are a number of reasons for this problem. One of the major problems, especially when I would receive PT in school was the time crunch. As I'v gotten older I have come to realize that it takes time for a CP body to absorb what it is being taught and time was often something the Physical Therapist could not afford to give me, simply because they have many clients and must keep their jobs.
Another major problem is lack of understanding of what causes specific spastic reactions. Yes, the physical therapist may have an understanding of the muscle reaction that is occurring but the real key to CP is the brain, as it is a brain injury not a muscle injury. There is a emotional side to our tightness.
For example, when we are excited or afraid we become tighter. The person with CP may not even be aware of their emotions effecting how tight they are. To a person with CP all these reactions are normal so they don't know what it feels like for someone with a non-CP body to experience the same emotion. Therefore, there needs to be more communication between people with CP and their physical therapists to bridge the gap between their two worlds.
Here are some thoughts on my experiences as a person with a disability called Cerebral Palsy getting Physical Therapy over many years. When I say "PT" it means Physical Therapy. When I say "CP" it means Cerebral Palsy. When I say "CP body" it means a body that is under the control of damaged brain signals. When I say "non-CP body" it means someone who is able bodied and/or does not have a brain injury. Cerebral Palsy is brain damage caused before,during or after birth effecting muscle control and proprioception(sensing body position). In my case it causes tight,known as spastic, muscles. If anyone has any questions feel more than free to say so in the comments. Also if anyone here on DA has any thoughts/comments on their own physical therapy or disability experiences feel free to say so in the comments section. Sorry for all the "lingo". I know this isn't my best writing but I feel it is important. Please note that I was NOT trying to bash PTs. I have had some really great ones! I just think some of the methods they use can be improved upon. I write about some of my other disability experiences here cripvideoproductions.tumblr.co…
I posted this exact same post on a forum called "BrainTalk" a few years ago(I go by funnylegs4 there). Braintalk is now having server issues so I wanted to upload this here so I would not lose it should I be unable to access the forum again.
EDIT: Braintalk is now back online. If anyone is interested in a good forum for medical conditions check it out here: www.braintalkcommunities.org/f…
This writing is fully copyrighted to me. NO STEALING!
I posted this exact same post on a forum called "BrainTalk" a few years ago(I go by funnylegs4 there). Braintalk is now having server issues so I wanted to upload this here so I would not lose it should I be unable to access the forum again.
EDIT: Braintalk is now back online. If anyone is interested in a good forum for medical conditions check it out here: www.braintalkcommunities.org/f…
This writing is fully copyrighted to me. NO STEALING!
© 2012 - 2024 Stitchthebest36
Comments13
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When you explained the emotional side of it to me, i got to know my body betterm because i have some MAJOR tightness issues when im scared or excited, and the weather has a factor as well, like right nowits raining and still have a lot of snow, so im lretty over tight compared to normally, but in the summer its like relax time! Not much tightness in the summer, which isnice because of sumer activites like soccer and swimming, speaking of swimming i wish i could get back into aqua therapy, when i was little is was amazing, and i feel like now that i can stretch on my own i would see more of a benifit and be able todo movements i cannnot do on land, because seriously, before i could walk on land i could walk in the warm water pool i had PT in, and i can stand almost completly straight legged in a pool, but on land gravity doesnt let my legs push to be not bent, im learning ways toget them straighter on land, but ithink i havent practiced much, and as is with normal walking (for everyone CP or not) you learn to stand before you learn to walk, so i kind of have to start relearning how to stand with my legs straight and be stable, because i havemt tried that in a while ive just focused on walking, so its harder, i need to practice some more though.