When I first started practicing, I used to have an aversion to treating feet. While in college part of out curriculum requirements was to provide treatment in elderly and mentally challenged extended care facilities. Unfortunately the management and care provided in these facilities was sorely lacking. As a result we as students had to double glove when providing treatment to the patients of the facilities. I use “Treatment” loosely as the majority of the time; we were cleaning fungal infestations off feet and hands.
Although the work we did made a positive improvement to the quality of the patients’ lives and they looked forward to our weekly appointments, sadly these experiences had just the opposite effect on me.
For years, I refused to treat feet and hands, giving into those past experiences and fears. One day though I decided to challenge myself. I was aware that I wasn’t living up to my potential and that I was doing a disservice to my patients. I immediately scoured the continuing education courses for any that focused on the lower extremity including most importantly the foot! I re-educated myself on the detailed anatomy and function of the feet and their influence on the body connected to them. I soon became EXCITED when a patient presented with a foot complaint! Even today, when a patient complains of foot issues, I get excited and happy! Am I Weird or what?
I soon started assessing what other areas I was ignoring due to my self limiting beliefs or fears and quickly applied the same vigor and interest to those areas. I actually started asking my patients if they knew anyone who had complaints in areas I felt I needed to be challenged! To my delight, they knew LOTS of people with complaints I needed to educate myself on.
What and where are you bored of treating?
Do you treat conditions, or areas and tissues knowing that there most likely is information and courses which provide new perspectives that would enable you to provide better quality of care, to develop a better understanding of what we do as manual therapists?
If so, then my challenge to you is to seek out that information. Research scientific journals, books, youtube videos, online courses, live event courses in the area you need. Look for a mentor. Join or start a mastermind group made of like-minded therapists who are dedicated to challenging the status quo and interested in innovatively advancing each others skills.
Practice and live to your highest potential with each and every patient.
Be excited and have fun!
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This is Robert unplugged, filmed unscripted, in one take.
Robert is an RMT with over 20yrs of practice and experience. He is a National Instructor and has been featured in both the BCRMT Massage Matters and CMTBC Touchstone Magazines.
Read his article on Ligamentous Articular Strain Technique and Prolotherapy, published in the Journal of Prolotherapy:
https://www.lastsite.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/volume_04_04_lig_articular_strain.pdf