Everyone was a little nervous . . . What was going to happen?
Evaluation
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The main focus of the initial examination at Dee Hartmann Physical Therapy was to listen to a full and complete history. Everything that had happened in life may have been a contributor to what was going on. That fall off the sled in 2nd grade that made it hard to walk or sit - mattered. The fact that there was chronic pelvic pain and bowels were only emptied once a week - mattered. Chronic yeast or urinary tract infections made a difference. All of these problems took their toll. The body responded to what happened in the past which often impacted what is happening in the present. Talking at length was important to learn about where patients were at that time. How the body responded to what happened in the past was incredibly important. All body systems were reviewed – how muscles worked, how bowels and bladders worked, and how each patient functioned physically and sexually.
Education
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An educated patient was the best kind of patient. It was important to have some understanding of anatomy when dealing with chronic dysfunction. My job was to help patients begin to appreciate how the muscles work together with the joints, organs, and connective tissue. Realizing those connections often helped to figure out how and why the body is not working properly.
Physical Exam
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The physical examination began with a general review of posture and movement. Once on the treatment table, more focus was given to the areas involved in the dysfunction. A very gentle assessment was conducted to assess the level of tension in the body, from head to toe. Very often the cause of pain in one place was due to dysfunction in another part of the body, creating a puzzle or maze. It was my job to take that puzzle apart and fit the pieces back together, one by one. To do that, I had to figure out what the “puzzle pieces” were and then try to reorganize them, putting them back in the proper order. Getting the puzzle put back together took time and patience but worked to make the body whole and functional again.
Your Treatment
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In nearly every case, treatment will began on the first visit.
Home Exercise Program
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It was very likely to be given home exercises on the day of initial examination.
Frequency and Duration of Care
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Treatment sessions, including the initial evaluation, were typically an hour long and happened once a week. That scheduling allowed the body time to respond to treatment and allow time to do recommended exercises. Working together to determine the direction of therapy was based on the body’s improvements from week to week. Feedback from my patients and from their bodies guided my patients forward in their recovery.