As a licensed physical therapy doctor with over 25+ years in the field and over 35 years in the medical field, one can only imagine the atrocities I have witnessed from patients looking to save a buck or coerced into falling for the latest scam. At the least, these attempts can result in wasted time and money and at the worst injury or even death.
From the latest stretch guru promising flexibility and pain relief for the person with tight hamstrings which can result in flaring up a dormant lumbar radiculopathy, to the personal trainer promising the elderly client with a fully torn rotator cuff that he alone can cure him with certain exercises and stretches he picked up at a weekend course or viewed online by the latest "fitness influencer". Time is of the essence in proper treatment for certain injuries which without a referral for surgical consultation can result in permanent disability.
These self-taught self-proclaimed experts have not completed higher education through a college or university and most often do not possess a license to practice. They may make fallacious statements to clients of their abilities to rid them of their pain and forgo skilled treatment with an appropriate professional. There is a reason the state requires a license to practice medicine or physical therapy it is to protect the public from these hucksters as to prevent injury or to avoid fraudulent practice by setting a series of guidelines for proper standard care by appropriately skilled practitioners.
I will be the first to agree that not all licensed practitioners are created equal. While we may have undergone a somewhat similar initial education, many of these people have never progressed to the next level into more advanced training or education beyond the basics.
Just as you may have to search for the right mechanic for your car you will often have to search for the right physician or specialist doctor for your ailment.
My recommendations are to shop around and do not always trust the recommendation of all practitioners, attorneys or colleagues as some may have quid pro quo relationships with the individual they referred you to who may not be the best-skilled practitioner for your condition.
Do your homework and ask if they are a licensed practitioner and what specialties or certifications they possess. Ask about their education, training and experience as well as treatment options for someone with your condition.
Remember your care should be a partnership between you and your doctor requiring mutual effort to resolve your condition. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is....
