Lessons in Care, Growth, and Connection
As my internship at VMH Physical Therapy comes to an end, I'm filled with a mix of emotions. The past three and a half weeks have been an incredible learning experience, not only in terms of practical skills but also in understanding the human side of physical therapy. I had the opportunity to work with a variety of patients, each with their unique challenges, stories, and personalities. This made saying goodbye a little bittersweet. While I'm excited to return to school, I know I'll miss the patients I’ve come to know so well.
Building Connections with Patients
One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship has been the relationships I’ve developed with patients. Several of them came in twice a week for therapy, giving me ample time to bond with them. From high school athletes recovering from injuries to elderly individuals working on balance and mobility, each patient provided me with unique insights into the human body’s capacity for healing. I’ll particularly miss the 93-year-old farmer I visited for home health. Despite recovering from a broken hip and being on dialysis, his resilience was inspiring. The joy on his face when we visited was the highlight of my day, and the stories he shared about his life and family left a lasting impression. He had one simple goal: to walk to his cellar to put his dog to bed. It was these small yet profound moments that made the work so meaningful.
However, not every experience was heartwarming. Working in a hospital exposed me to a wide range of situations, including some uncomfortable ones. For instance, I was once asked to help lift a severely obese patient out of a wheelchair. His poor hygiene and the discovery that he had urinated in his chair were challenging, but they also reminded me that compassion and professionalism are crucial in healthcare. Another time, an elderly couple came in, and the wife made an inappropriate comment while her husband was doing his exercises. These incidents didn’t bother me much, but they showed me that working in healthcare means being prepared for anything, and sometimes finding humor in unexpected situations can help lighten the mood.
Learning Through Hands-On Experience
This internship allowed me to see firsthand the variety of skills that physical therapists must master. It’s not just about helping patients regain strength after surgery or injury, though that is certainly a big part of it. I observed therapists treating vertigo by performing maneuvers to help patients regain their balance, and I watched them provide wound care by cleaning and re-bandaging injuries. These tasks may not immediately come to mind when people think of physical therapy, but they are vital to patient care.
One day, I watched a physical therapist treat a patient suffering from vertigo. Using specific diagnostic tests, they identified which side was affected and then performed techniques to alleviate the dizziness. It was amazing to see how something as simple as head positioning could make such a difference. I also observed therapists perform dry needling. This was used to treat neck and back pain, and it offered patients relief. These experiences broadened my understanding of the diverse approaches that physical therapists use, and I gained a deeper appreciation for their expertise in diagnosing and treating various conditions.
The Importance of Individualized Care
One of the key lessons I learned during my internship is the importance of personalizing care to each patient’s specific needs. Whether it was a young athlete working on range of motion in their shoulder, an elderly person focusing on balance training, or a post-surgical patient rebuilding strength, every treatment plan was unique. For example, total knee replacement patients often struggle with regaining full knee extension. Watching the therapists guide these patients through targeted exercises over time taught me that persistence and precision are crucial for long term recovery.
I was also struck by the differences between patients’ physical capabilities. The contrast between working with a young athlete and a severely overweight diabetic man really highlighted how individualized care must be. The diabetic man was reliant on a wheelchair and faced a multitude of health challenges beyond mobility. These experiences showed me that while physical therapy is rooted in science and technique, it’s also an art that requires empathy, patience, and flexibility.
Understanding the Body’s Complexity
My time at VMH also deepened my understanding of the body’s complexity, especially when it comes to diagnosing the root causes of pain. One morning, I watched as a therapist conducted a thorough evaluation on a patient with chronic pain. After ruling out musculoskeletal issues, they suspected nerve impingement. It was a reminder that not every case is straightforward, and sometimes it takes a deeper dive to understand what’s really going on.
On another occasion, I observed the effects of cortisone injections on a patient’s joint pain. While the injection provided temporary relief, it didn’t address the underlying issue. This emphasized the importance of combining symptom management with long term treatment plans that target the source of the problem. Watching how therapists navigate these complexities has given me a greater appreciation for the diagnostic skills required in physical therapy.
The Value of Persistence and Progress
One of the recurring themes in my internship was the importance of persistence in physical therapy. Recovery isn’t always linear, and it often requires patience from both the therapist and the patient. I saw this time and time again with patients recovering from surgeries, such as knee replacements. Progress could be slow, and regaining full mobility was a challenge, but consistent, targeted exercises made all the difference. The therapists I worked with were great at encouraging patients to push through discomfort while respecting their limitations. This balance between challenge and support is something I’ll carry with me as I continue my studies and eventual career.
Final Thoughts: A Bittersweet Goodbye
As my time at VMH comes to a close, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the experiences I’ve had and the patients I’ve worked with. I’ve gained invaluable hands-on experience and witnessed the profound impact that physical therapy can have on people’s lives. It’s one thing to study the science of rehabilitation in the classroom, but it’s an entirely different thing to apply that knowledge into a real world setting, where every patient presents a new challenge and an opportunity for growth.
While I look forward to the next chapter of my education, leaving this internship is bittersweet. I’ll miss the patients who’ve allowed me to be part of their recovery journey, and I’ll carry their stories and lessons with me as I move forward. This experience has solidified my passion for physical therapy, and I can’t wait to see where this path takes me next.