I am a student who has recently been accepted to physical therapy school. I have spent a lot of time observing and researching physical therapy. Through this research and observation, I have come to have some reservations about the profession. I was hoping you could give me some insight into a few questions I have about physical therapy.
My main questions are:
1. Is there enough evidence today that you would confidently say the majority of the practices used in physical therapy are more effective than a placebo treatment?
2. Do you believe future research in rehabilitation will provide evidence for or against the use of physical therapy?
3. If I attend PT school, will I be taught things that are not supported by peer-reviewed research? Will I be taught anything pseudo-scientific?
4. Is there any area in PT which is notably more evidence based or "proven" (neuro, inpatient acute, outpatient sport therapy, etc.)?
I ask because I cannot see myself getting a doctorate in a health field that is not convincingly evidenced to be effective beyond placebo. I am having trouble finding a substantial amount of convincing evidence supporting the practices used in physical therapy. I have even seen practices used which have substantial evidence against them. I have asked physical therapists and most have politely danced around the kernel of my questions.
I do not mean to be confrontational with these questions. It is just an important decision for me and I hoping the therapists on these forums could give me some real talk about the state of the profession since it is such a big life decision for me.
If there is anything else you would like to know about me or questions you have for me, please feel free to ask.
My main questions are:
1. Is there enough evidence today that you would confidently say the majority of the practices used in physical therapy are more effective than a placebo treatment?
2. Do you believe future research in rehabilitation will provide evidence for or against the use of physical therapy?
3. If I attend PT school, will I be taught things that are not supported by peer-reviewed research? Will I be taught anything pseudo-scientific?
4. Is there any area in PT which is notably more evidence based or "proven" (neuro, inpatient acute, outpatient sport therapy, etc.)?
I ask because I cannot see myself getting a doctorate in a health field that is not convincingly evidenced to be effective beyond placebo. I am having trouble finding a substantial amount of convincing evidence supporting the practices used in physical therapy. I have even seen practices used which have substantial evidence against them. I have asked physical therapists and most have politely danced around the kernel of my questions.
I do not mean to be confrontational with these questions. It is just an important decision for me and I hoping the therapists on these forums could give me some real talk about the state of the profession since it is such a big life decision for me.
If there is anything else you would like to know about me or questions you have for me, please feel free to ask.