Why I Continue to Do Physical Therapy: A Personal Journey
When people hear that I’m a physical therapist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT), their first thought is often that I must be in a lucrative career. But the reality is far from glamorous. Physical Therapists are often paid similarly to nurses, despite our extensive education and doctorate-level qualifications. On top of that, many other professionals and disciplines still don’t fully understand or respect what Physical Therapy entails. I frequently receive inappropriate referrals from healthcare providers who don’t grasp the scope of what we do, which limits our ability to provide optimal care. These challenges make it even harder to navigate a profession that is already undervalued in the healthcare system. So, why do I continue?
The answer is simple: It’s about the impact I have on people’s lives.
Meeting People at Their Lowest
I specialize in Dry Needling, a treatment that is often a last resort for people who have been suffering from unbearable pain for far too long. By the time someone decides to seek out my services, they are often at their lowest point. Their faces tell a story of exhaustion, frustration, and sometimes even hopelessness. I hear the same stories over and over: people tell me how they can no longer do the things that bring them joy—whether it’s playing with their children, pursuing hobbies, or simply moving without pain.
It’s heartbreaking, but it’s also why I do what I do.
I’ve had patients confide in me about how their pain has affected not only their bodies but their minds. Some have spoken about feeling like life isn’t worth living anymore if it means living in constant pain. It’s in those moments that I feel the weight of my responsibility as a Doctor of Physical Therapy— but also the power of the trust they’ve placed in me to help them heal.
Restoring Hope, One Patient at a Time
The beauty of Physical Therapy, and particularly my treatment plan, is that I can actually help these people. I have acutally helped so many people. In reality there aren’t any people that have entrusted themselves to me that I haven’t helped. I get to witness the transformation as they regain not only their physical strength but also their confidence and joy. Watching someone go from barely moving or thinking of harming themselves to thriving is a reward that can’t be measured in dollars. It’s about restoring people back to themselves and helping them live life fully again. I truly feel like I am doing God’s work.
Expanding the Reach
But here’s the reality: I’m just one person. I can’t treat everyone. And the hurdles created by insurance companies make it difficult to receive proper compensation for our services, adding to the burden of providing quality care while trying to maintain a sustainable livelihood. There are so many people out there who are still living in pain, waiting for someone to help them reclaim their lives. That’s why I developed this brand, Dr. Shedel’s Physical Therapy Products. Through the products I create, I can extend my reach beyond the people I see in my clinic. I can make tools available that I know will work—products that are rooted in my knowledge and experience—so that people everywhere can find relief and live a life worth living.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the money. It’s about the difference I make in people’s lives. That’s why I continue to do what I do, and it’s why I created Dr. Shedel’s—to help as many people as I can, even if I can’t be there in person.
