Homework

Most of us probably have a fairly negative association with the word homework. Maybe a middle school teacher comes to mind, an awful geometry class, or maybe you had an unfortunate physical therapist that insisted on it. The work that gets prescribed for between treatment sessions is usually not the sexiest thing to do on a Wednesday morning, I don’t even like doing my own to be honest. It obviously serves a purpose and has potential benefits, but there are times when life gets in the way and that’s alright.

If you are anything like me, I can remember a number of times when I showed up to class unprepared. I never wrote down the homework assignment, and I showed up empty handed to Mrs. Herron’s language arts class. It happens. The assignment she gave was intentional; she wanted us to learn something. The movements I give my clients function the same way, they can teach you something.

If you can notice the cues and positions, feel the sensation of a new movement things can change quickly. Pain may dissipate, activities become less effortful, your daily life becomes more enjoyable. All of that said, there are times when you just can’t get to it. Life happens, and your homework never gets done. Patients often return for treatment the next week with their head down and a bit of a shameful look on their face when they admit to having neglected their exercises for the week. I typically offer a mild roasting, just to confirm their fears, then we move forward and get them moving better. Rarely is it the case that we need to amputate because they didn’t get their homework done. We can actually identify any barriers, maybe come up with more accessible exercises and find more useful solutions.

Homework is important, it provides the necessary input to make changes in how you move. Consistency is crucial, however there are times when it just doesn’t get done and that’s okay. We all have busy lives, sometimes homework gets put on the back burner. When that happens, it is an opportunity to re-evaluate the assignment and find something more useful. Something that meets you where you are and teaches you what you want to learn.

Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist