Pivot Physical Therapy

This is the second time around with Laura and her staff. My son had to have rehab after having shoulder surgery for a hockey related injury. He is fully recovered with no limitations. This time it was my turn for a shoulder that got nicked and limited my range of motion. In in relatively sort amount of time Laura and her team have restored my shoulder to full range of motion.
Laure has PHD in physical therapy and knows her stuff. She and her staff are great at working with patients of all age ranges. It is not uncommon to see a young athlete working hard to get back into game shape alongside an elderly patient who has had surgery and is trying to regain range of motion. Therapy is individually designed to bring you back to your full potential.
Their laid back atmosphere belies the serious attention they are giving to your improvement and expectation of a full recovery. While they may be working on several patients at once a watchful eye is kept on each and every one to make sure the exercises are done correctly — sorry no cheating at this clinic. They keep you moving from one exercise to the next so there is no wasted time.
These folks are so professional and friendly it almost feels bad to have to stop coming once you are fully recovered.

A top reason we chose them was that they advertise to be opened on Saturday. They are not.
Have only been treated there for a few weeks. I’ll be more vocally critical if my negative experiences keep continuing

If you select this facility for physical therapy make sure you stay in control of your therapy. It is the PT’s duty to discuss all options of treatments/​techniques prior to performing them. You must understand each treatment/​technique fully before they are performed. The PT cannot take it upon him/​herself to perform any treatment (s) without your permission.
The PT who I was assigned to (Laura Grayson) performed an aggressive manipulation on my sacrum– without discussing it with me first. This was completely wrong on her part. As the patient, I should have been informed before performing any such treatment (s) (ALL PATIENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO INFORMED CONSENT IN TREATMENT DECISIONS). My complaint is based on the fact – I was not involved in the decision making process. I would have NEVER agreed to such treatment considering, I did not have any issues with my sacrum. This happened in May 2014, as of May 2016 – I still deal with severe pain which affects my «quality of life». Her actions not only affected my life, BUT the lives of my family.
Below I have detailed some awareness points.
This is a business and the PTs take on other patients, you will be performing your exercises/​stretches at home – make sure you are performing them correctly before you leave. If you are not sure of the correct form reach out to the techs or your PT. If an exercise is causing pain – STOP the exercise and consult with the PT or your doctor. If the PT cannot explain why you are having pain performing an exercise – STOP the exercise until you can visit your doctor. Some of the exercises I was performing has left me with deep gluteal pain. Due to this pain, sitting is very painful.
Your PT should send a follow-​up report to the referring doctor. This will help keep your doctor informed of your progress before your next follow-​up appointment.
Ask not to be placed in the back rooms (if possible), no one can see you, especially if the curtains are not opened. There were many times when I would sit waiting for someone to take off my stim pads. At times, I had to take off the pads myself and remove the heat pads from the table – that is not the responsibility of a client. Many times, I had to go and get the exercise items to perform my exercises. This is just poor management of staff by the clinic’s director. You are not there to clean house or look for exercise equipment.
The tables you use must be wiped down before YOU use it and the pillow case (s) should be changed after every client. This was not the case for me! I recall pillow cases being dirty they had hair and makeup left behind by others patients. The rooms I used normally had a spray bottle and a white dirty towel hanging on a hook. I would use the spray bottle, but I would get paper towels from the restroom to clean off my table. I had mention to one of the male techs, it was completely unsanitary to use a dirty towel to wipe down the tables, and the pillow cases should to be changed after every client. Nothing had changed during the rest of my time there.
When I left this location and started PT else where is when I felt at ease, the techs changed every pillow case, towels, and wiped down the tables for the next client. No one was ever left waiting to be have heat remove, stim pads detached or looking for exercise equipment.
Keep a diary of your visits and your progress. Be smart about your body and keep it safe.
If you feel you are waiting longer than a reasonable time for your therapist, make it clear to him/​her, your time is valuable. The time you spend there should be of value to you, not to your PT.
If you do not feel comfortable with your therapist – ask to see someone else, it’s your right – or go somewhere else. You need to report your care to your doctor and too your healthcare provider.
Although my situation is an unfair one, and could have turn in to a legal matter my post is not to discredit Laura Grayson, but only to create personal health and safety awareness.
My comments are only suggestions to help anyone who is looking to attend this location. Be smart and be safe!
Here are some other PT locations:
Crofton Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy Associates, Annapolis and Bowie MD
(I highly recommend the Annapolis location)