Working Through the Pain, Getting Back to Life With ATI
The moment you step foot in the door of an ATI Physical Therapy clinic, the difference in service can be seen almost immediately. With exceptional care and trained experts that treat not only your physical needs, but help with your emotional ones as well, you’ll always leave therapy with a smile on your face. For Debbie Gossen, she wants people to know that there is a big difference in where you have physical therapy. Her experience at ATI changed her life within the first visit.
After experiencing severe bilateral shoulder and arm pain that led to weeks of discomfort, Debbie was desperate for a change after pain pills didn’t help relieve the intense pain anymore. Upon visiting her neurosurgeon, she had hoped for an answer to finally take back her life. While her neurosurgeon couldn’t pinpoint the exact issue, she did receive some good news — the injury wasn’t spine-related. The next steps in her recovery journey led her to ATI Physical Therapy. After her first appointment, Debbie felt an immediate improvement from the treatment provided. For the first time in months, she was able to have a good night’s sleep.
With the first day of therapy in the books and spirits riding high, Debbie was hopeful for a pain-free future. After living with intense pain for weeks, she was amazed that help was so readily available at her nearest ATI clinic. Prior to starting therapy, Debbie experienced debilitating back pain to the point that she couldn’t walk, stand or sit for an extended period of time. But to no surprise, a few visits at ATI allowed her to walk without a walker and have a significantly improved quality of life.
Our therapists challenged Debbie every day with skilled critical thinking, while providing the highest quality of care and technical knowledge. With a combination of personal care and a genuine concern for achieving maximum functions — that was the ATI difference Debbie experienced.
With her life back on track and pain-free again, we caught up with Debbie to hear first-hand the difference choosing ATI made on her life.
What circumstances led to you needing physical therapy?
Physical therapy occurred following my two back surgeries in 2017. During that nine-month period, I worked with three different PT sources. Therapy stopped when a broken arm restricted my back exercises. I felt that they gave up on me because my progression of goals was not a steady incline of success. After three months without PT, my physician asked if I would be willing to give PT another try. He recently had positive patient feedback about ATI Physical Therapy and I was grateful for the recommendation and the possible resolution to my pain.
What expectations did you have going into therapy?
With the diversity of PT treatment experienced prior to walking into ATI, I was not really sure what to expect. A reduction in the significant pain and an increase in mobility were my top priorities!
What was your treatment like? Was it tougher or easier than you expected?
I learned quickly that I was directly responsible for achieving any potential improvement. Treatment success was dependent on my ability to make a serious commitment to doing home exercises. Treatment was more challenging when I shared in the responsibility of active participation versus a passive approach. Therefore, my treatment was an intense focus on learning correct techniques. I wanted to be able to do the exercises right at home so I could get the maximum benefit!
At what point during your treatment did you start noticing a difference in your health?
I walked in the first day using a walker. The pain was unbearable. After my first visit, I felt a reduction in pain and improvement continued with each visit. It wasn’t long until I was walking without a walker.
In what ways has physical therapy helped you in your daily life?
Physical therapy was tailored to me and my life needs. Everything we worked on in therapy was specifically applicable to my individual daily life. I was given tools that I could use and apply immediately! I left every visit with new knowledge and application that I could directly incorporate into my day-to-day schedule.
Was there anything in particular that stood out during treatment?
I was impressed that there was never a “cookie cutter” approach in my treatment. There was not a rigid, standard protocol being followed with a structured approach. I was blown away by the critical thinking, advanced technical skills, flexibility to prioritize frequent change in symptoms and sincere care and concern for me as a person! They really cared about improving my quality of life! The education provided was beyond value as I could apply learnings at home.
Was there anything in particular that stood out during treatment? (Continued)
I struggle with the opinion that current healthcare is so specialized and focused on symptoms that consideration of the “root cause” and “total person” can be neglected. The first line of defense is often throwing medication at the symptoms without consideration of other implications. ATI actively sought to seek the underlying cause and focus on strengthening to improve the problem, helping to reduce the symptoms. The therapists at ATI provided the ultimate quality of care for me as a total person!
How have things been since graduating from your PT treatment?
I continue to benefit from my therapists, as their words continue to resonate in my mind. They remain my source of emotional support as I continue application of everything I learned. I am forever grateful. Thank you, ATI, for changing my life!
Are aches and pains getting in the way of your daily activities?
If simple home interventions are not helping to lessen aches, pains and discomfort, it’s time to see a physical therapist. Stop by your nearest ATI Physical Therapy clinic for a complimentary screening and get back to doing you.