A majority of the individuals I have worked with who suffer from a spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis have been through at least one failed spondylolisthesis therapy experience (for the record I am a strength and conditioning coach not a therapist).
Many have been through several different therapy clinics that failed to deliver long term results (I am in this boat as well, I went through 3 different failed therapy experiences in the past).
It could have been a few weeks of exercises and stretches that didn’t work or perhaps they felt better briefly, but the pain returned a few weeks after therapy.
Sadly, most of these people want to give up on therapy and look for other routes such as surgery, braces, pills, etc. as methods of treatment to relieve the pain associated with their spondy.
I try to explain to those that have had failed therapy the reasons the treatment might not have worked and how they should not give up on hope just yet. There is a reason doctors often prescribe therapy for individuals with grade 1 or 2 spondy's. The reason is because therapy can work. The battle is finding therapy that is right for YOU.
Failed treatment can occur for several reasons. The following are a few of the most common reasons. The point of this article is to open up your mind and provide you with information that will help you seek additional forms
of therapy and not close the door or give up on therapy after one bad experience.
These are just my observations and experiences over the past 15 years along with the experiences of others have had who have suffered failed therapy.
Many have been through several different therapy clinics that failed to deliver long term results (I am in this boat as well, I went through 3 different failed therapy experiences in the past).
It could have been a few weeks of exercises and stretches that didn’t work or perhaps they felt better briefly, but the pain returned a few weeks after therapy.
Sadly, most of these people want to give up on therapy and look for other routes such as surgery, braces, pills, etc. as methods of treatment to relieve the pain associated with their spondy.
I try to explain to those that have had failed therapy the reasons the treatment might not have worked and how they should not give up on hope just yet. There is a reason doctors often prescribe therapy for individuals with grade 1 or 2 spondy's. The reason is because therapy can work. The battle is finding therapy that is right for YOU.
Failed treatment can occur for several reasons. The following are a few of the most common reasons. The point of this article is to open up your mind and provide you with information that will help you seek additional forms
of therapy and not close the door or give up on therapy after one bad experience.
These are just my observations and experiences over the past 15 years along with the experiences of others have had who have suffered failed therapy.
1. Remember, Not All Therapy Is The Same
Many people think that all therapy is the same. This could not be further from the truth.
Not all clinics operate with the same theories, principles or practices.
I like analogies. Think of comparing thearpy clinics to restaurants.
Many people think that all therapy is the same. This could not be further from the truth.
Not all clinics operate with the same theories, principles or practices.
I like analogies. Think of comparing thearpy clinics to restaurants.
You can go to one restaurant and order a burger and fries and think, “This burger sucks, its dry, the fries are soggy and I probably could have saved $9 and ate at home”.
You go home and can’t stop thinking how you hated that restaurant. You keep thinking how you wish you had that $9 back.
The next week you can walk down the street and eat at a different restaurant and order the same thing, burger and fries. You think to yourself, “This is the BEST burger I have ever had! It’s juicy and has a great taste. The fries are seasoned to perfection and are golden brown. The next time I need a burger this is where I am going”!
You go home feeling great about the $9 you just spent and loved your experience at the restaurant.
You know better than to expect the same experience and same tasting food at every restaurant. Some restaurants do it right and some cook food that tastes like dirt.
Even though they are trying to do the same thing, they can be worlds apart.
Therapy clinics are the same way. There is no rule that you have to take the same path to making people feel better. Just like there is no rule you have to cook a burger a certain way. Some clinics do it one way and some do it another.
Some clinics may use machines and some may use bodyweight to perform exercises. Some may believe in stretching and some may say it’s useless.
The clinics that keep up to date with studies and techniques and get their clients results succeed. The ones that do not will eventually fail.
You wouldn’t stop going out to eat just because of one bad experience. You also shouldn’t give up on therapy after one bad clinic. If you didn’t like the way you were treated or felt worse after therapy, try another clinic.
2. There Is No Exact Method For Treating Spondy’s
Unfortunately when it comes to treating a spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis there is no exact method. You could go to 5 different clinics and receive 5 different programs designed to make you feel better.
The traditional method of “strengthening the core and stretching the hamstrings” does not work for everyone.
As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the treatment or exercise prescription for one person might be totally different when compared to the treatment for another.
Full body movement screens should be performed to help determine areas of weakness and expose asymmetries. The results from this scren can help the coach or therapist approach the individual with a program designed specifically for THEM.
Sadly, some assume just because you have a spondy you need to get a stronger core and stretch your hamstrings. It could not be further from the truth. Stretching hamstrings could be the last thing you need as we discussed here.
It is not fair to place everyone who has a spondy in a certain pool. Discuss with your therapist the approach they are taking and ask them if they have helped others who have had spondy’s with this same approach. Open conversation with you therapist is a big key to a successful rehab.
3. Poor Attention To Detail/Lack Of Coaching
I know from experience that many clinics are being forced to assign multiple patients to therapists and coaches at a time. The cost of hiring employees, desk managers, equipment, insurance, etc. is only going up.
Health care plans are changing and it is becoming harder for clinics to make money like they used to. To compensate for these changes clinics are assigning multiple patients per therapist. The result is lack of coaching, poor attention to detail, and poor results.
The therapists are scrambling to work with each customer and often times minor details and educating the client is left out.
The details that are neglected can add up over time and the poor movement or deficiencies that people walk in the door with go untouched. The stretching, ice and ultrasound may help the person feel better momentarily, but weeks later the poor movement builds up and pain returns.
You should be able to talk to your therapist and ask them questions. They should also be able to coach you through an exercise without having to run away for minutes at a time. If you feel you are not performing an exercise correctly, talk to your therapist and make sure they can watch you and show you the correct methods.
Conclusion
All of these observations are from my experience of failed therapy and hearing others discuss their stories as well.
Not all clinics are guilty of the previously mentioned reasons. Some clinics are PHENOMINAL and do a great job. They help clients by educating them, relating to them and most importantly they make them feel better!
The hard part for us is to find clinics that do this.
Keep the previously mentioned points in mind next time you go through therapy. Discuss with your therapist, strength coach or trainer these points. Make sure you are on the same page and your experience is a good one.
If you have had a bad experience you now know what to look for. Look around and find another clinic before you throw in the towel on therapy. Remember, clinics are like restaurants, there are good ones and bad ones.
I would love to know how many of you have experience failed therapy. Let me know by answering the question below!
You go home and can’t stop thinking how you hated that restaurant. You keep thinking how you wish you had that $9 back.
The next week you can walk down the street and eat at a different restaurant and order the same thing, burger and fries. You think to yourself, “This is the BEST burger I have ever had! It’s juicy and has a great taste. The fries are seasoned to perfection and are golden brown. The next time I need a burger this is where I am going”!
You go home feeling great about the $9 you just spent and loved your experience at the restaurant.
You know better than to expect the same experience and same tasting food at every restaurant. Some restaurants do it right and some cook food that tastes like dirt.
Even though they are trying to do the same thing, they can be worlds apart.
Therapy clinics are the same way. There is no rule that you have to take the same path to making people feel better. Just like there is no rule you have to cook a burger a certain way. Some clinics do it one way and some do it another.
Some clinics may use machines and some may use bodyweight to perform exercises. Some may believe in stretching and some may say it’s useless.
The clinics that keep up to date with studies and techniques and get their clients results succeed. The ones that do not will eventually fail.
You wouldn’t stop going out to eat just because of one bad experience. You also shouldn’t give up on therapy after one bad clinic. If you didn’t like the way you were treated or felt worse after therapy, try another clinic.
2. There Is No Exact Method For Treating Spondy’s
Unfortunately when it comes to treating a spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis there is no exact method. You could go to 5 different clinics and receive 5 different programs designed to make you feel better.
The traditional method of “strengthening the core and stretching the hamstrings” does not work for everyone.
As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the treatment or exercise prescription for one person might be totally different when compared to the treatment for another.
Full body movement screens should be performed to help determine areas of weakness and expose asymmetries. The results from this scren can help the coach or therapist approach the individual with a program designed specifically for THEM.
Sadly, some assume just because you have a spondy you need to get a stronger core and stretch your hamstrings. It could not be further from the truth. Stretching hamstrings could be the last thing you need as we discussed here.
It is not fair to place everyone who has a spondy in a certain pool. Discuss with your therapist the approach they are taking and ask them if they have helped others who have had spondy’s with this same approach. Open conversation with you therapist is a big key to a successful rehab.
3. Poor Attention To Detail/Lack Of Coaching
I know from experience that many clinics are being forced to assign multiple patients to therapists and coaches at a time. The cost of hiring employees, desk managers, equipment, insurance, etc. is only going up.
Health care plans are changing and it is becoming harder for clinics to make money like they used to. To compensate for these changes clinics are assigning multiple patients per therapist. The result is lack of coaching, poor attention to detail, and poor results.
The therapists are scrambling to work with each customer and often times minor details and educating the client is left out.
The details that are neglected can add up over time and the poor movement or deficiencies that people walk in the door with go untouched. The stretching, ice and ultrasound may help the person feel better momentarily, but weeks later the poor movement builds up and pain returns.
You should be able to talk to your therapist and ask them questions. They should also be able to coach you through an exercise without having to run away for minutes at a time. If you feel you are not performing an exercise correctly, talk to your therapist and make sure they can watch you and show you the correct methods.
Conclusion
All of these observations are from my experience of failed therapy and hearing others discuss their stories as well.
Not all clinics are guilty of the previously mentioned reasons. Some clinics are PHENOMINAL and do a great job. They help clients by educating them, relating to them and most importantly they make them feel better!
The hard part for us is to find clinics that do this.
Keep the previously mentioned points in mind next time you go through therapy. Discuss with your therapist, strength coach or trainer these points. Make sure you are on the same page and your experience is a good one.
If you have had a bad experience you now know what to look for. Look around and find another clinic before you throw in the towel on therapy. Remember, clinics are like restaurants, there are good ones and bad ones.
I would love to know how many of you have experience failed therapy. Let me know by answering the question below!
