JohnPT of Ft Wayne, IN I'll join the cold-hearted- and somewhat skeptical-crowd on this one. So, how much did you actually spend out of pocket for that initial evaluation in physical therapy that "floored" you? Don't you have any reflexologist friends that could cure your hand numbness by re-adjusting your chakra, or whatever kind of hocus-pocus it is you reflexologists do?

Chances are, the PT clinic will get reimbursed under $100 for that 90 minutes of evaluation. How much do reflexologists charge by the hour? How much would you pay you physician for an 90 minutes of one on one?

Why wouldn't you give the therapy a chance to work before you slammed it in a public letter? Are you that good at reflexology that you can cure someone with a chronic problem in one visit? Could it be that you've got a grudge against PTs- or maybe a turf battle with one across the street from your hocus-pocus clinic?

I smell an agenda.report abuse

Leon Richard of Farmington, ME As a practicing physical therapist, I am a bit concerned about your story and wish you would see a manual therapist who would spend the time investigating the numbness in your hand and educating you in how to cope with this yourself. Then spending the time with hands on mobilization, soft tissue work, and education. Too often even the medical journals, doctors, and other providers view "physical therapy" as physical agents only. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sounds like you got the sugar coating, but no cereal. Truth be known the sugar coating makes the cereal more palatable, and sometimes speeds recovery and relieves symptoms at least in the short term. But without the sugar coating, you'd likely get better anyway even if it took longer to do so.

In defense of modalities, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, laser, traction, and cold/heat, they do provide some relief in the short term, promote earlier movement throughout the normal range of motion, and speeds resolution and typically shortens and episode of PT.

You're a reflexologist, and therefor engaged in the art of healing, regardless of what ones' opinion of the science supporting your methods. You must be able to review a text and extract that which will help you most from it.

Go to Border's or Amazon.com and purchase Robin Mckenzie's book, "Seven Steps to a Pain Free Life". Read it well and thoroughly, and then solve your own problem.

The majority of upper extremity dysfunction originating in the neck are posture and habit related. Education in the contributing factors is critical to the "treatment plan", as without this one may become a "perennial patient". Not mitigating causative factors will result in the problem becoming recurrent and chronic.

You may have several issues adding up to the problem. No need to solve them all, 10% will likely take care of the problem.report abuse

Derek of Morgantown, WV As someone soon to enter the profession of Physical Therapy, I was sickened to hear your experience of "physical therapy evaluation".

Let me say that what you underwent was not Physical Therapy at all and you have every right to be upset and disappointed. Your article speaks to the problem with healthcare in general - the loss of concern over quality of care.

I highly advise you to seek new care from a different Physical Therapist. I hope this experience doesn't cast a dark shadow over Physical Therapy in your eyes.report abuse

Rick of Winslow, ME I don't want to appear cold-hearted, but what did you expect to receive for physical therapy on numbness to a hand? It's not like this is a life-threatening situation and you can't expect to be babied and coddled when there are many more patients to be taken care of. This is a silly complaint . . .report abuse