Home Exercises – Sometimes the Physical Therapist’s Wife Needs to Listen, Too

Confession time…

A while back, my knee started hurting. Since I happen to live with a physical therapist, I did what many people do. I asked Paul to take a look.

He evaluated my knee, explained what was going on, and gave me a few simple stretches.

Did I do them?

Well…not really.

You see, my knee hurt. Surely that meant something terrible had to be wrong! (If you’ve ever thought that you’re in good company.) I figured stretching something that already hurt couldn’t possibly help.

Meanwhile, I kept overhearing Paul tell patient after patient that his favorite numbers for home exercises are 6 and 12: do your stretches 6 times a day for 12 repetitions. (Of course, this is general advice and is often adjusted to fit each person’s individual needs.)

Physical therapy works, provided you do it

A 2024 study showed that patients who adhered closely to their recommended home exercises had better recovery, less pain, and improved function compared to those, like me, who didn’t adhere to their PT’s prescription.

Turns out, doing it right matters.

And finally, I decided maybe I should take my own husband’s advice. Better yet, I actually did the stretches the way he had shown me, instead of a modified way I thought would be easier or more convenient. (Apparently, I’m not the only patient who’s guilty of that!)

The surprise? By the end of the very first half day, my knee was already feeling better.

Now I’m walking more comfortably. Going up and down stairs is much easier.

The moral of the story? Sometimes the hardest part isn’t finding the right exercise. It’s actually doing it, consistently and correctly.

If you’re in pain, don’t assume the worst. Many aches and pains improve with the right evaluation and a personalized treatment plan. And if you’re given exercises to do at home, remember that consistency really does matter.

Even the physical therapist’s wife had to learn that lesson!

Get a Self-Treatment Check-In

If you’re unsure about an exercise, or wondering if you’re doing it correctly, or if you need a refresher, you can schedule a brief virtual Self-Treatment Check-In with Paul. He’ll watch your technique, answer your questions, and help you feel confident that you’re getting the most from your home program. Schedule here.