The PT Handbook: Move it or Lose it

Welcome! The PT Handbook is a physical therapy newsletter discussing all things strength and conditioning/sports medicine. This newsletter is an extension of our philosophy at Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC where our patient population includes combat athletes and gym lovers. We are a PT private practice that prides itself on providing true one on one healthcare.

This handbook will provide practical PT tips and dive into hot topics surrounding the sports rehab world. If you have questions about the field of PT or need to schedule an appointment (virtual or in person), contact us with the link below!

Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT

Founder, Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC

www.artofpt.com

PT Handbook Tips: Move it or lose it

What is active treatment vs passive treatment in regards to the rehab/sports medicine world? Passive treatment is where the patient is laying on a table and the physical therapist is doing the treatment for them aka hands on work (also e stim/hot or cold packs, even cold plunge/saunas 😏 ). Whereas, active treatment is more so the patient moving and doing rehab exercises with the therapist next to them and instructing them. In other words, in one type of treatment the patient is not moving (passive) and in the other the patient is moving their body (active).

So, which is better? The answer is, as always, it depends. However, I view physical therapy and rehab as being on the spectrum of both. If someone comes into the clinic and they have a ton of pain and can barely move, I might be more on the passive side for that session. But if someone comes in with a pain that is 3-5/10 on the pain scale and they are relatively functional, I will be more on the active treatment side of the spectrum.

Nonetheless, assigning more active treatments to our patients as healthcare providers is what we should be aiming for. It’s also what you, the patient or client, should be looking for. Active should still override passive when it comes to rehabbing pain or injury. There’s good research to support this. You don’t want to depend on someone to always “fix you.” Kind of like a relationship….but you get the idea 🙂.

So if a physical therapist, chiropractor or whatever person (doctors of physical therapy are the best I’ve heard) just has you laying on a table and they are doing everything for you, I would find someone else. Most of the time they just want your money and for you to depend on them. Also, still kind of sounds like a relationship…..anyway, until next time.

Talk soon,

Dr. Gerry Robles PT, DPT

Founder, Art of PT Sports Physical Therapy LLC

www.artofpt.com