Performance physical therapy is probably one of the more popular names of physical therapy practices. It is not a specific type of physical therapy, and the name can be found being used by therapists focusing on neurological disorders, sports injuries, and every other branch of physical therapy.
However, while it isn’t universal, there is one thing that many clinics using this name, or a variation on it, have in common.
Clinics or therapists that use the term ‘performance physical therapy’ tend to share a specific philosophy that can impact their approach to treatment and the goals of physical therapy.
For these clinics, the key is in the word ‘performance’. Their focus in on helping their patients be able to perform whatever skills or tasks their patients see as necessary to their lives. What does this mean for their patients?
Knowing the philosophy and approach of a clinic or therapists is important in choosing the right therapist.
These clinics aren’t worried about abstract ideas of ‘healthy’ ‘not-healthy’, or ‘normal’ ‘not-normal’. They are worried about the specific needs of each patient. Basically it comes down to a focus on helping the patient get the most out of their body, so they can go on with their life.
To some people, this philosophy will sound like common sense, for others it will sound ridiculous. How can ‘healthy’ be an abstract? Why shouldn’t a therapist seek to return them to ‘normal’? If you feel this way, then a clinic or practice with this name probably is not right for you.
If, however, you feel that your treatment should focus on getting you to the best you can possibly be – whether or not the best you can be matches up with anyone else’s idea of ‘normal’ or ‘healthy’, then a clinic or therapist who embraces this philosophy may be just right for your needs.
