I've shadowed in a few different settings, looking for role models and my true vision of myself as a PT. Listening to different therapists handle caseloads helps me understand exactly what I'm looking to accomplish as a PT.
OHSU physical therapy rehab is pretty low-key. Mostly Caucasian clients, several sports and work injuries, a number of mental health cases with pre-existing conditions. Average american dress and weight distributions. We listened to folk music and soft rock, and PTs are respectfully polite to their patients.
Several PT private practices in Portland are peaceful and positive, with PT combined with reiki, massage, and acupuncture. PTs listen to the sounds of the earth, and wear organic cotton. They care about the emotionally cathartic experience you may be having as soft tissues in the body are released.
Shadowing at the Sports Clinic in Soho felt more like home. Clients came from all over the world, and were frequently extremely well-known in their fields. They were on vacation, headed back to Africa, or working on their latest television script. We listened to hip-hop while PTs ran around in sparkly ballet flats and teased firemen about whether they "really" are most likely to cheat on their wives. Clients has sports injuries, or post-operative pains: they frequently were returning to PT for a third or fourth time, after heading back from their pain-inducing, favorite sports.
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