Often when we consult a doctor or physical therapist we have a particular problem we are looking to address.  There is always a medical history form to fill out and sometimes we fill it out as quickly as possible and omit things that we do not believe are related to the problem at hand. What difference does it make what’s happened to us in the past or what medications we are now taking?  Providing a full picture of your health status gives the healthcare practitioner a better picture of your overall health so that he/she is able to help you more effectively.

Knee pain may be in your family but its sudden onset could be unclear.  Understanding that you suffered an ankle sprain years ago, which may have influenced how you have walked ever since could more thoroughly help your recovery.  Old rib injuries may have changed how your upper body now supports your neck.  Previous surgical scars sometimes leave adhesions which act as barriers to full movement without you noticing.  Our jobs, as physical therapists, is to restore motion in the most efficient and effective way.  Sometimes that includes how other parts of the body are contributing to the problem site.  When we see the connections of the whole body we see how miraculous it really is!