70-year-old Anne says that she has arthritis “everywhere” and has experienced aches and pains related to it for over half her life. “There’s not a part of my body that hasn’t needed something,” she says. “I’ve had both of my shoulders operated on. I’ve had a hip replacement. I’ve had my foot done twice. I’ve had both my hands done.”
No stranger to the healthcare system or to physical therapy, Anne says she has had wonderful physicians who have helped her greatly but mixed experiences with their associated physical therapy practices. “The place that I went before was large. There would always be like a hundred other people in there and all different levels of PT’s. It just didn’t have a real personal touch,” she says.
Anne didn’t realize that she had a choice in selecting a physical therapist. While a member of a swim club, she began to hear several of the members talking about KCP Physical Therapy. Her friend Patty told her how much KCP had helped her, and she also explained that residents in North Carolina have “direct access” to physical therapists, meaning that a physician’s referral is not necessary to set an appointment with the provider of your choice.
Anne was having shoulder issues at the time and decided to try KCP. She made an appointment with physical therapist Joyce Kight. Soon after, Joyce encouraged Anne to get an MRI of her shoulder. The image revealed a torn rotator cuff and biceps tendon, which would require surgery.
“I relied on Joyce for her recommendation, because physical therapists have a better feel for what a physician does than anybody else,” says Anne. “They sent me to a great physician, and I was able to start PT within a couple of days of the surgery. Most people don’t get that option. But that was so important. I have 100% range of motion in my shoulder that was repaired. I cannot tell you how many people I have met who can barely raise their arm to their ear. So, I give KCP all the credit for that. I regained full use of my arm, and now I tell everybody to go to them and to start as early as possible after surgery.”
Anne says that KCP prepared her well for the physical therapy that would follow her shoulder surgery. “It’s really painful,” she says, “but they tell you ahead of time what to expect. And they tell you what outcome you can achieve if you see it through. And I trusted them. Without that trust, you could wimp out and question the process. They would help you with pain control and listen to how you were feeling. They always knew the balance of how much to push and when to back down. They are so kind and compassionate and encouraging!”
Since that first experience, Anne has sought PT exclusively from KCP. She has learned how to manage pelvic instability, recovered from a hip replacement, participated in group exercise classes, and is now undergoing pelvic floor physical therapy to address pelvic prolapse and urinary incontinence. “I will never go anywhere else,” she says. “I can walk better today. I have great range of motion in my arms. I have so many things that they have fixed, and I also know that when I call them, I can get right in and not have to wait six months or six weeks. I have seen all three of their therapists, and I think that these three women are some of the smartest women I’ve ever met.”
“I tell all my friends about KCP, and I have referred several people there, including my husband,” says Anne. “And I tell them all that they have freedom of choice. You can pick your physical therapist. You do not have to go to the practice that is affiliated with your surgeon. Just because they are big and their physicians are good doesn’t mean their PT’s are good. If you want to be part of a cattle herd, go ahead. But I don’t want that. And after my friends have gone to KCP, they come back and thank me and tell me they wish they had done it long ago!”
“Ann was dedicated in her recovery and her desire to return to the activities she loves,” says Joyce. “It is such a thrill to see her back in the water swimming with her Masters Teammates.”
