It’s not uncommon for patients to face treatment plateaus – periods where progress seems stagnant and goals become elusive. Overcoming these plateaus requires a proactive approach, as they can be frustrating for both you and your patient. In this blog post, we’ll explore valuable tips and strategies you can use to help your patients break through treatment plateaus, provided the patient is compliant with their treatment plan and there is no alternative cause for their symptoms.
Reassess and Set Realistic Goals:
When encountering a treatment plateau, it is crucial to reassess the patient’s condition and set realistic goals. It’s useful to work closely with your patient to redefine short-term and long-term objectives based on their current abilities and limitations. This process helps maintain motivation and provides a clear roadmap for the next phase of treatment.
Diversify and Modify Treatment Approaches:
Sometimes, plateaus occur due to a lack of variation in treatment techniques or exercises. To overcome this, consider diversifying and modifying treatment approaches. Introduce new exercises, techniques, or modalities that target different muscle groups or movement patterns. This approach challenges the body in new ways, stimulating further progress. For example, if a patient requires shoulder exercises after a partial thickness rotator cuff tear, you can incorporate compound exercises such as a lunge with a dumbbell overhead press.
Incorporate Functional Training:
Functional training mimics activities of daily living, making it highly relevant and practical for patients. Integrate functional exercises into the treatment plan to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination specific to the patient’s functional goals. By training movements that directly apply to their daily activities, patients can experience breakthroughs in their recovery process.
Introduce Progressive Overload:
Progressive overload is a principle used in strength and conditioning training. Progress overload involves gradually increasing the intensity, duration, or complexity of exercises. Incremental advancements challenge the body’s capacity, encouraging adaptation and ongoing progress. However, it’s crucial to monitor the patient’s response to ensure they are not overexerting themself.
Educate and Empower Patients:
Engage patients in their treatment process by educating them about their condition and the reasons behind plateaus. Help them understand that plateaus are a normal part of recovery and not a sign of failure. You can also empower patients by teaching self-management techniques, such as home exercises and strategies for pain or symptom management. This active involvement fosters patient compliance and motivation.
Monitor and Track Progress:
Accurate monitoring and tracking of progress are essential in overcoming treatment plateaus. You can use objective measures, such as range of motion, strength, or functional assessments, to quantify improvements. Regularly communicate progress updates with patients, as visualising their advancements can rekindle motivation and provide a sense of achievement.
Collaborate with the Multidisciplinary Team:
If a treatment plateau continues despite implementing various strategies, consider collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Seek insights from your physio colleagues, occupational therapists, podiatrists or psychologists where appropriate who may provide valuable perspectives and contribute to a more holistic approach to patient care.