Helpful Answers to the Top 3 Questions Patients Ask a PT

When a patient is sitting in front of me asking questions about their injury and what PT will be like, 3 things always seem to come up in conversation. Patients want to know how long it’s going to take for them to get better, when it’s safe to push through pain and when they should stop, and ultimately, how physical therapy is going to help.  

I’m answering these top 3 questions here to serve as a resource for anyone in the early days of physical therapy or wondering if PT might be right for them. 

First, though, let me preface by saying, it always depends. 

If you asked me the number one phrase I say to patients when they ask a question about their injury, healing, and goals, it would be, “It depends.” I think most PTs would agree that “it depends” works its way into our conversations much more than we ever anticipated when we were bright-eyed on that first day of our doctorate of physical therapy program. “It depends” isn’t a cop out. “It depends” because the human body is unbelievably complex and there is so much individuality in each person’s anatomy and recovery processes. It would be impossible to fit everyone into a tidy box of recommendations. 

So, please always seek an appointment with a PT (I have availability) if it doesn’t feel like these answers fit your symptoms or you’d like to know more.

How long is it going to take for this injury to get better?

The number one question I hear. To answer this, I have to first know what type of structure in the body is causing the pain.  When I perform an assessment, I’m not only looking at what movements and activities might be limited, I’m also figuring out if a muscle, tendon, ligament, or bone is resulting in the pain that’s brought someone to see me. When I know where the pain is coming from or what structure has been injured, it’s a lot easier to determine how long it might take to get better. See below for some general guidelines on approximate tissue healing times.  

Yes, some of these have some pretty varied timeframes. Generally, the more complex the structure and the more severe the injury the longer it takes to heal. But whether it’s a simple or complex problem, PTs know the exercises and interventions that encourage the injured tissue to heal in an organized, efficient fashion.

When can I push through pain and when should I stop?

I could probably write an entire blog just on the details in the answer to this question. But for the sake of trying to pass along sound advice that’s easy to remember, here’s a metaphor that can help you make the decision to push through or take a break.  

Think of a stoplight…. 

Ask yourself, what’s happening with the pain during this activity 

1. RED LIGHT – stop and rest for a day or two
   • pain is severe (6/10 or more)
   • pain is getting worse (more intense, covering more area, or happening more frequently) during the activity
   • pain changes nature – goes from achy or sore to sharp
   • pain causes you to change your form or gait
2. YELLOW LIGHT – continue, but cautiously
   • pain is moderate (4-6/10)
   • pain isn’t getting better or worse with activity
   • you recognize the pain and find it unconcerning
3. GREEN LIGHT – okay to continue
   • pain is mild (3/10 or less)
   • pain improves or even goes away with activity

How is PT going to help?

Physical therapists are the best healthcare provider to treat musculoskeletal (muscles, joint, bone) injuries. We have an intricate understanding of how all the moving parts work together and affect one another, especially when it comes to injuries. We know how to get to the root of the problem so while you’re healing, you’re also making sure the issue doesn’t come back. I love the example of a campfire and smoke. If a fire is a root cause of a problem, smoke is the symptom. If you only fan away the smoke, you’re only treating the symptoms. PTs know how to put out the fire. We will determine what might be too tight or stiff, what might be weak, and what other parts of your body might be compensating for the issue. Then we will make a plan to address it. We have a ton of tools in our toolbox to help you get back to where you want to be. And my favorite thing patients tell me when we’re done with PT? That they feel even better than they did before they got injured.

A bonus question, for fun. 

My favorite question from a patient was from an older gentleman who I was seeing for a shoulder problem. I was going through my educational spiel about strength and motion and the need for good stability in your shoulder blade. He stopped me in the middle of my talk, and said, “So if it’s a shoulder blade problem, do I just need to sharpen it?”

Thanks so much for reading! I’d love to hear from you if you have additional questions or are wondering if working with a physical therapist might be right for you.