Physical Therapy: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Joe Klein
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Bringing you all things physical therapy. From being successful in school, navigating the PT profession, growing professionally, business development and everything in between.

  1. 3D AGO

    GBU S2-E35: Inpatient Physical Therapy

    What is it really like to be a physical therapist inside a hospital? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of acute care physical therapy — where sessions are short, stakes are high, and clinical decisions actually influence whether someone goes home… or doesn’t. Acute care PTs aren’t just “getting patients out of bed.” They’re mobilizing patients after open-heart surgery, evaluating stroke survivors in the ICU, navigating ventilators and chest tubes, and helping determine discharge plans within days of life-changing medical events. We break down: What a real day in acute care looks like (including the unpredictability no one talks about)How many patients you actually seeThe medical complexity you deal withWhat productivity pressure looks like in hospitalsWhy some therapists never leave this settingAnd why others burn out quicklyWe’ll also get honest about the emotional weight of working in a hospital environment — the wins, the losses, and the reality of being part of a medical team where your voice actually carries weight. If you’re a student considering acute care, a new grad debating hospital vs outpatient, or a seasoned clinician wondering if it’s time to switch settings — this episode gives you the unfiltered view. Acute care is fast. It’s clinical. It’s humbling. And it might completely change how you see your role as a PT.

    15 min

  2. FEB 9

    GBU S2-E34: From New Grad to Respected Clinician: The Skills They Don’t Teach

    What actually makes a physical therapist successful in the real world? Not perfect evals. Not fancy Instagram exercises. And definitely not pretending the system isn’t broken. In this episode, we talk about the skills that actually separate respected, sustainable clinicians from burned-out ones: asking good questions, being willing to make mistakes, taking ownership, and going above and beyond in ways that matter—without destroying yourself in the process. We also address the elephant in the room: the financial burden of becoming a physical therapist. The debt. The frustration. The resentment. And why obsessing over things you can’t control often keeps PTs stuck instead of moving forward. This isn’t about defending the profession—or trashing it. It’s about focusing on what you can control so you can build competence, credibility, leverage, and a career that actually works in the real world. If you’re a PT, new grad, student, or someone questioning whether this profession can still be worth it—this episode is for you.

    19 min

  3. FEB 2

    GBU S2-E 33 Left Out in the Cold? Why Physical Therapists Feel Disconnected—and How We Move Forward

    Physical therapists are highly trained, deeply invested in their patients, and essential to modern healthcare—yet many feel disconnected from decision-making, compensation growth, and long-term career stability. In this episode, we explore why PTs are feeling this way, from reimbursement challenges to productivity expectations to the widening gap between education and real-world practice. More importantly, we talk about what can change—how clinicians can reclaim agency, create leverage, and build sustainable careers without losing why they chose PT in the first place.

    22 min

  4. JAN 26

    GBU S2-E32 Vision 2030 what has changed in the past decade since 2020.

    Vision statements shape careers — whether we realize it or not. In this episode, I reflect on the APTA’s 2020 Vision: what it accomplished, what fell short, and what lessons we should’ve learned. Then I take a critical look at the 2030 Vision — where it has real potential, and where it may create unintended consequences for physical therapists. Growth requires reflection. Let’s talk about it. 🎙️

    24 min

  5. JAN 19

    GBU S2-E31: What are the three types of patient's we see.... and which one are we failing???

    Every physical therapist treats three types of patients. The post-surgical patient who needs structure and milestones. The acute injury patient who needs guidance, reassurance, and a plan. And the patient who is already getting better. In this episode, we argue that the third group—the patient who’s improving on their own—is the one physical therapy is quietly failing. Instead of recognizing progress and supporting momentum, too often we go searching for dysfunction, chasing impairments, or inventing problems that don’t actually matter. We pathologize normal healing. We complicate what should be simple. And in doing so, we shift the focus away from helping patients confidently move forward. This conversation challenges a core habit in modern physical therapy: finding what’s wrong instead of reinforcing what’s right. We explore why this happens, how it affects patient trust and outcomes, and what it would look like to truly help someone along their recovery journey—without overmedicalizing it. If you’ve ever wondered whether physical therapy sometimes does too much instead of just enough, this episode is for you.

    19 min

  6. JAN 12

    GBU S2-E30: Things Physical Therapist are afraid to say out loud

    The Things Physical Therapists Don’t Say Out Loud Physical therapists see the gaps in healthcare every day—but most of what we notice never gets said publicly. In this episode, we talk openly about the uncomfortable truths PTs are often afraid to say out loud: when treatment plans don’t make sense, when passive care gets overused, when fear-based language hurts patients, and when productivity pressure competes with quality care. We cover topics like: Why the Diagnosis means less thank you thinkHow imaging and diagnoses can sometimes do more harm than goodGo home and rest to take time off is often worseThe pressure to keep patients dependent instead of independentInsurance-driven care vs. patient-centered careThe fear PTs have of pushing back—on doctors, systems, and even patientsThis isn’t about complaining—it’s about clarity, accountability, and raising the standard of care. If you’re a physical therapist, student, or patient who’s ever felt something was “off” in the rehab process, this episode pulls the curtain back on what’s really happening.

    13 min

  7. JAN 5

    GBU S2-E 29 Year in Review and what is to come for 2026

    In this episode, we break down what actually mattered in physical therapy in 2025 — the wins, the challenges, and the trends that didn’t get enough attention. We also look ahead to 2026, including what to expect with reimbursement, the growing role of technology and hybrid care, and how the gap is widening between outcome-driven practices and volume-based models. If you’re a physical therapist trying to navigate where the profession is headed — clinically, financially, and professionally — this episode sets the stage for what’s coming next.

    17 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    GBU S2-E28 Imaging Addiction: When More Scans Mean More Problems

    Imaging Addiction: When More Scans Mean More Problems” We live in an era where MRIs, X-rays, and scans are only a click away—but are we actually helping patients, or just complicating care? In this episode, we dig into the overuse of medical imaging in musculoskeletal care and why “just getting an MRI” often creates more confusion, fear, and barriers to recovery. As physical therapists, we see the downstream effects every day: patients identifying with findings that don’t match their pain, delayed treatment while waiting on imaging, and increased anxiety over normal age-related changes. We discuss: Why imaging is often ordered too early and too oftenHow incidental findings can hijack the rehab processThe difference between tissue pathology and painWhen imaging actually is useful—and when it’s notWhy over-reliance on scans makes our job as physical therapists harder, not easierThis episode isn’t anti-imaging—it’s pro-clinical reasoning, patient education, and smarter decision-making. If you’ve ever struggled to help a patient “unsee” their MRI report, this conversation is for you.

    15 min
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Bringing you all things physical therapy. From being successful in school, navigating the PT profession, growing professionally, business development and everything in between.

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