i've been going to see carl gustafson and his coworkers at sports & physical therapy associates in…read morewellesley for just about 15 months now. i showed up as a patient somewhat desperate, having 'failed' two physical therapy attempts at improving my dominant-arm rotator cuff injury and bilateral patello-femoral syndrome (chondromalacia.) i'm a 50+ year-old physician, very active and determined to get better from my injuries, and the almost 18 months of chronic pain and dysfunction with which i presented to carl was starting to depress me.
carl began by sitting with me, asking questions, listening, and then gave me a thorough exam. he began with exercises FULLY explained to me. i mean, he literally walked me through each and every machine, commenting on my posture and technique. we started out in baby steps - one-pound weights, or sometimes no weights at all. i was scared. i'd already been living in chronic pain, was unable to dress with two arms, or make my bed, or wash my hair, or walk even a mile without pain ... this didn't dissuade him.
i listened to what he said and, literally, followed him to the "t" - i still to this day recall his words from the very beginning.
that was 15 months ago, and i am sooo much better. i've wondered .... what did he do that was different?? the other physical therapists i saw seemed to be fine therapists. but, BUT, carl has both the anatomic expertise AND facilities of a fully equipped gym. it's not just a bunch of weights and stretch bands. when you show up at his facility, you begin with a 10- to 15-minute warm up with heating pads and a massage. then, someone walks you through your entire routine, where you are taught - over and over, however long it takes to 'get' it - how to position yourself properly for each and every machine. you are gradually progressed, and taught how and what to do if you do well on your own, or what to do if you don't do well and you have pain. then you end by electrical stimulation of the injured parts, and someone makes sure that if you have more questions, they'll be answered.
i can't convey how indebted i am to carl and his co-workers. i've recovered my strength, my function, and my peace of mind. seriously. i love this place - i don't want to stop going until i can hike the appalachian trail and cycle another century ride! i can't say enough about how fabulous this therapy business is - i don't even know how i could offer to improve the service you get here. it's just superb. don't waste your time elsewhere, this is the place to be.