I broke my neck in a car accident in 2001. Doctors fused C6-C7 with a plate and screws and C5-C6 with wires. In the years since, I have suffered lots of issues - pain, nerve problems, depression, stenosis - all related to my neck. I came to PTPT last July a couple weeks after disc replacement surgery at C4-C5, Vivian being the eighth physical therapist I've worked with between NY, MA, and CA since the accident. Needless to say, my first rodeo this was not.
PTPT is different. I hate to admit it, but my first session was almost my last. The overwhelmingly positive Yelp reviews had me skeptical, and it was odd and unfamiliar to show up to someone's house for physical therapy. In my experience, it always takes place in a clinical environment in a commercial building. Of course, in someone's home you ultimately feel the personal touch and respective personalities of its occupants, which beats the cold, sterile atmosphere of a commercial space, but my first time there, it threw me off. Vivian did some pushing and stretching on me, which was tough because I had been mostly immobile for two and a half weeks. It hurt. She wrapped me up in a few straps that were irritating and uncomfortable and cost about $70. Granted she said something to point out she was self-aware of selling me stuff on my first visit, but it still threw me off.
I went home sore, wearing bothersome straps, with a hole in my wallet. It hurt. It cost. Part of me felt I had been taken advantage of while vulnerable. I was upset and was considering seeking a refund, but I also thought this was something new and a little different, and I should give it a chance. I decided to sleep on it and see how I felt. I woke up the next morning and felt amazing. I was relieved. It all seemed to work. I realized I'd found the right place. Sure enough, everything proved great afterwards.
Don't get me wrong, the first visit had good parts. I was immediately impressed with Eric, who you find at the front desk. He fits the mold of a certain LA trope, a charming and charismatic individual working a job incommensurate with his talents. He's clever and funny and a big sweetheart. He makes each visit that much better with his warmth and wit. I was also impressed with Viv right away. She is your typical tough cookie. She knows her stuff and works with you directly. Every other physical therapy outfit I've been to, I was initially evaluated by a physical therapist then worked with aides for the rest of my visits. At PTPT, you work with Viv every time. And, you work. She pushes you as far as you can go without causing you harm, and gives you intense exercises to do that you want to do on your own because they are invigorating and helpful. She makes an effort to get to know you and show you how she understands your situation. She takes a personal interest in your recovery.
My prior physical therapy experiences share common themes. I was given light exercises that made me feel silly and didn't prove effective, along with behavioral modifications that weren't viable unless I wanted to be an invalid. Thanks to Viv, I now have an arsenal of stretches and exercises, both for my neck and for general posture/strengthening, that have worked thus far. My neck muscles have been getting stronger. My abs are tightening and doing their job to hold me up. My posture is improving. I look forward to putting on the straps I once found so uncomfortable. The benefit far outweighs the discomfort. I also have a little Viv in my head telling me things like, "Suck in those abs!" "More!" "Squeeze your butt!" "Don't use your neck!"... She conditions you by rote. It's the next best thing to having a little Viv on your shoulder when you exercise.
Then, there's the massages. Marcia is a powerful woman. Everything about her - her appearance, her demeanor, her voice, her touch - has a calming effect. Her massages seemed to alter the space-time continuum. I would think hours had gone by. I reckon the illusion is the result of her style. She does significant work on a micro level, delving into every little spot and crevice and coaxing out the pain. It feels as if there might be extra knuckles in her fingers. At the same time, she covers a lot of ground, as if she has spent an hour painting a vast landscape by brushing fine details. I had only one massage from Jason. He is a great complement to Marcia. He works in very broad strokes, large slow movements like massive clouds sweeping gradually across the sky. Pain seems to melt away under his hands.
Don't get me wrong, I am not pain free nor problem free (and never will be), but I am confident. I have gotten more results from a couple months at PTPT than I have from the aggregate PT I've done over the last twelve years. There are no miracles at PTPT, just wonderful people and cool dogs. I miss them. read more