Skip to main content

How about a little good news? Specifically, how about a little good news from patients who credit physical therapy and their physical therapists (PTs) for transforming their lives?

Recently, BuzzFeed published "9 Physical Therapy Success Stories That'll Make You Choke Up A Bit," a collection of first-person accounts from patients who faced a range of issues including spine facture, labrum tears, recovery from a coma, and interstitial cystitis. The reason for the project, according to BuzzFeed, was to "inspire others who are currently recovering from pain, injuries, surgery, or other problems."

A few choice quotes from contributors:

"Thanks to physical therapy, I am now able to postpone [knee] surgery for at least 5 years without risking harm. Even though it may be hard, physical therapy is worth it in the end."

"It was difficult and scary, but I can honestly say physical therapy saved my life."

"My advice to all of you is to listen to your PT and trust them."

"Once specific thing: PTs and [occupational therapists] need more recognition and props. They have to work really hard to get some of us back to some sort of norm."

"I owe [my physical therapist] my mobility and my life without pain."


You Might Also Like...

Article

Remembering Peter A. Towne: A Life Dedicated to Service

Mar 31, 2026

Peter Alan Towne, PT, FAPTA, passed away on March 11, 2026, at the age of 90. He left an indelible mark on the association across nearly 70 years as an

Article

March Madness From a PT's Point of View

Mar 31, 2026

With March Madness in full swing, PTs and PTAs everywhere might be wondering: What is it really like to work with NCAA basketball athletes? For Chad Taylor,

News

APTA, Provider and Patient Groups Push Major Reforms to Prior Authorization

Mar 25, 2026

APTA has joined a broad coalition of national provider and patient organizations to release a new policy framework aimed at tackling one of the most persistent