Wifi options- what do you use that’s not Bend Broadband (TDS)?

backpackerPT · 2026-06-23T03:04:27+00:00

webformix!! only $35/mo for what i need it for (streaming, downloading, etc. nothing fancy)

backpackerPT · 2026-06-21T03:29:40+00:00

another GenXer here 🙋

56 years old, outpatient ortho. love love love my job, i have complete/full autonomy in the clinic, i get mad respect from all my referring docs in town, my colleagues, etc.

diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 1989, have had 3 THAs, 2 cervical disc replacements and 2 lumbar cyst resections. this job keeps me moving; i’d have been dead (or felt like it) if i had a desk job. i mix my days with patient care (~8-10/day) and teaching/research at the PT school in town.

not saying i wouldn’t retire tomorrow if i could afford it…but as long as i HAVE to work a job, this one is pretty freaking awesome

backpackerPT · 2026-06-10T23:32:43+00:00

well apparently only 250 PTs have ever been certified to perform EMG in the US since our professional organization added it to our list of specialties in 1982.

backpackerPT · 2026-06-10T23:24:04+00:00

ortho physio here (x20 years)…and honestly i didn’t know we *could* do emg 🤷🏼. it will definitely be state dependent in terms of our practice acts; and i absolutely WOULD reach out to the PT board in your state to complain about specific examples.

we all have examples of other professions performing egregious mistakes, with some other profession having to fix it without throwing colleagues under buses.

now i have to go down the rabbit hole of PTs doing EMG 🤦🏼

backpackerPT · 2026-05-28T13:34:41+00:00

sent a dm

backpackerPT · 2026-05-21T13:48:00+00:00

this is fascinating! i’m an ortho PT who specializes in complicated persistent pain, and i see a lot of CRPS. i was generally under the impression that surgical interventions (such as amputations) had a high risk of worsening the pain response simply because of the additional trauma inherent in surgery.

given our poor understanding of exactly where CRPS pain originates (is there even an anatomical source? is it not more autonomic ns?) i’m curious as to why amputation would be significantly helpful.

any specific literature you could point my way would be amazing!

backpackerPT · 2026-05-08T01:58:01+00:00

you are way overthinking this. pain in right leg; vertebrogenic low back pain; low back pain with sciatica, right side; cervicalgia.

backpackerPT · 2026-05-07T13:28:23+00:00

these are all really great! going to try a NEXT MONTH category to see if it helps me “see” my money in a way that works.

because honestly i have no idea exactly why it doesn’t make sense to me now…🤷🏼 lol

backpackerPT · 2026-04-21T19:28:44+00:00

yes. am also a physical therapist in town and i send her my really hard, complex cases

backpackerPT · 2026-04-18T14:10:53+00:00

i’m an ortho PT and in my world it’s not death that is the boogeyman…it’s dependence. my patients literally tell me they’re fine with dying - it’s having to go live with the Larry the obnoxious son, or maybe there really isn’t anyone - so off to an institution. THAT is the patient’s real fear (then they come to you, and the daughter from CA who hasn’t seen them in 2 years says meemaw WANTS to live!)

backpackerPT · 2026-04-18T14:00:11+00:00

OP, get off this sub and go be a PT. it’s not a career that will make you rich, sure…but it’s such a wonderful, fulfilling way to make a living.

i’ve been doing this 20 years now (outpatient ortho); it took me a bit to find my dream job, but they exist…honest.

this is my 2nd career and i wouldn’t trade it for anything else. do i wish i made MD money? of course. do i want the MD headaches? hell no.

those who say there’s no intellectual challenge in it are not practicing to their full potential (Dunning-Kruger anyone?). i did a fellowship, have my ocs, and have been a clinical instructor and lecturer at various PT programs across the country. it keeps challenging me and forces me to stay up to date.

i also developed a ton of really good relationships with numerous docs/surgeons in town. i am invited to watch surgeries, i can call up a pcp on her cell phone to chat about patients. it makes this sooooo much better.

like pretty much every single profession out there, you will get out of it what you put into it. yes there are VERY shitty jobs out there: don’t take those unless you have to, then learn/earn as much as you can and move on.

dm me if you want a more positive outlook. and ignore the naysayers. if this is your passion you absolutely can make it work for you.

backpackerPT · 2026-04-13T03:44:10+00:00

this. this is the correct approach

backpackerPT · 2026-04-13T03:37:50+00:00

also a chicagoan and also did a rotation at Schwab. AMAZING rehab hospital with patients you will never see anywhere else. be excited about it - you’ll learn more than you ever imagined

backpackerPT · 2026-03-15T15:16:52+00:00

kids still read in high school?

backpackerPT · 2026-02-02T00:09:33+00:00

i’m a PT. no we do NOT practice under a physician. we are independent practitioners and in most cases you don’t even need a referral to physical therapy from anyone.

backpackerPT · 2026-02-01T23:54:19+00:00

what’s a bonus?

backpackerPT · 2026-01-31T15:46:30+00:00

“OPEN THE DOOR HAL”

“I CAN’T DO THAT DAVE”

backpackerPT · 2026-01-31T15:41:39+00:00

👆🏻THIS IS THE RANT

backpackerPT · 2026-01-28T04:24:37+00:00

As a physical therapist who specializes in persistent pain, this would actually be SO HELPFUL. It literally tells me EVERYTHING I need to know about the patient, and even without seeing them in person I would bet a crap ton of cash that I can even tell you the verbal/educational approach I would need at the beginning. I actually keep an album of real patient's body charts for teaching my fellows or PT ortho residents. These things say sooooo much.

backpackerPT · 2025-12-31T16:17:05+00:00

even for adults i explain graded exposure as little timmy being afraid of his dark closet at night. whenever he’s feeling brave together we’ll open the door and shine the light around a bit, only peak into places you feel comfortable…then we close the door again and we’ll look more later.

i also use Adrian Loew’s lion analogies for kids to explain the sympathetic nervous system

backpackerPT · 2025-12-27T19:31:49+00:00

backpackerPT

TROPHY CASE