Q&A with a Physical Therapist

We caught up with Mount Sinai’s Alexander Ruvinsky, PT, MSPT (he’s always moving!) to learn more about the benefits of getting physical therapy (PT). With over 25 years of experience working across a broad spectrum of non-surgical and surgical diagnoses, Alex treats symptoms by finding the root cause of injury and provides support to prevent it from recurring.

Take a look at our Q&A with Alex. 

What are the most common conditions, and causes, for which you see patients?

 

Alex: The most common conditions I see as a physical therapist are neck and lower back pain, as well as knee and shoulder pain. Most commonly, these injuries stem from prolonged and inefficient sitting postures at the computer, running injuries (who’s training for a marathon?), and overtraining. Your physical therapist will work with you to not only alleviate your pain but also show you how to move and support your body correctly to avoid injury.

What does physical therapy look like?  What should someone expect on the first visit?

 

Alex: Typically, during an initial visit, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, develop a tailored plan of care, and then begin treatment and start you with a home exercise program. Our initial evaluation includes a thorough history, postural assessment, strength, and mobility assessment as well as gait and balance assessment.

Do physical therapists offer preventive care to avoid pain or injuries?

 

Alex: An integral part of physical therapy is patient education. We strive to give you the tools and knowledge to rehab your current condition, but also how best to prevent recurrent episodes. This can include proper warm-up/cool-down prior to exercise/sport, ergonomic and postural education to minimize repetitive stress, and at-home maintenance exercise programs that can be incorporated into your exercise regimen.

Is physical therapy time-consuming? Can a physical therapist tailor a plan that fits my schedule?

 

Alex: I often ask my patients what a realistic time frame they can commit to physical therapy for both in-office and home exercises. For some patients anything more than a 10–15-minute routine is unrealistic. In that case, I try to incorporate desk stretches/exercises into the workday to alleviate pain and stress.

What’s something most people don’t know, or have a misconception, about physical therapy?

 

Alex: Some people who have long-standing injuries or arthritis come into physical therapy with low expectations or think surgery is the only option. While we cannot change the underlying structure, often we can improve strength, mobility, and function enough to achieve our goals and avoid or postpone surgical intervention.

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