What do you consider a successful treatment?

This post come to us from in touch physical therapy blog. The author highlights 3 important components of every successful treatment session. 

1) Decrease the patients pain or symptoms rating.
He says a clinically meaningful change in pain is 2 points (for example changing pain from a 7/10 to a 5/10). It is also important to consider the pain during movement, and not while the patient is at rest. 
2) Patient understands how to manage their symptoms
One of our teachers consistently told us in class, "Your manual skills and treatment sessions are only as good as your home exercise program." She is correct. It is great if we can reduce the patient's pain, but if the patient cannot sustain that reduction in symptoms, what good have we really done? Providing good education and a strong home exercise is crucial to the patient's success. 

3) Know that the patient's time and money was well spent

A happy patient will hopefully be a compliant patient. It is important to remember that the patient is choosing to come see you. Many of them have high co-pays as well. As therapists we need to respect their time and money. Go above and beyond for them, and I am sure you will see positive results. 

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