Why Communication Is the Secret Ingredient in Physical Therapy

When most people think of physical therapy, they picture one of two things:

1. Being handed a sheet of cookie-cutter exercises.

2. Getting hooked up to machines or ultrasound that don’t change much of anything.

   
   

And honestly? That’s a fair frustration—because if that’s all PT was, it wouldn’t help much.

But here’s the truth: physical therapy only works when there’s an open line of communication between you and your therapist.

Why Communication Matters

Your body isn’t a textbook. Pain, movement, and recovery look different for everyone. If you don’t feel comfortable telling your therapist what’s working, what’s not, and how your body is reacting, then you’re not getting real therapy—you’re just going through the motions.

• If something hurts, we need to know. Not to stop you completely, but to adjust and find the right approach.

• If something feels too easy, we need to progress it—because your body won’t change unless we challenge it.

• If life stress, sleep, or fear of movement are making things worse, we need to address that too. Pain is never just physical.

  
  

What PT Should Not Be

• A generic handout of exercises that everyone gets.

• Ultrasound or stim slapped on as the “main treatment.”

• A quick in-and-out with no time to listen.

  
  

What PT Should Be

• A collaborative process where you feel heard.

• A plan that adapts as you adapt.

• A partnership—because you’re the expert on your own body, and I’m here to guide you, not just lecture you.

  
  

When those pieces come together, therapy stops being “bullshit” and actually becomes powerful. We don’t just chase pain—we build function, strength, and confidence.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been burned by PT before, I get it. But when communication is open, therapy looks a whole lot different—and the results speak for themselves.

So if you’re ready for more than cookie-cutter care, let’s talk.