Wesley Wang

Physical therapist specializing in ACL & sports rehab

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Referring out does not discredit any rehab professional. It’s a matter of recognizing the limitations and adjusting as needed.

If I ever got a referral for a UCL injury, I 100% would refer out. I would be doing a disservice to the patient as it’s not something I’m confident with

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Whenever I cotreat with another facility, I always ask about the rehab. I ask what lifts they’re doing, how heavy/difficult and what they thought was effective.

This allows me to build off and collaborate. I don’t care if they go somewhere else but we should be on the same page.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

We’re expected to be able to treat almost everything while barely getting exposure to it in school.

If you don’t know something and care enough, go learn it.

If you don’t care to learn, please refer out, this can massively impact someone’s life.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

It’s ok to refer out if a patient either exceeds your expertise or facility. I used to do it at my old job because we didn’t have space or equipment to fully return athletes back to sport.

I understand not everyone has the ability, but if it’s possible and appropriate, we should

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Rehab professionals who are checked out, going through the motions and selecting random exercises are ultimately hurting the patient.

This applies even more so complex injuries.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

I don’t know the PT so I’m not here to judge. However, I do believe as a field, we need to do better at referring out when appropriate.

If you don’t know how to treat a specific injury, either actively learn about it, or refer out.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

There are 2 likely explanations for the poor rehab program.

1) They lack the knowledge to properly load & progress patients at this stage - you don’t know what you don’t know.

2) They generically select exercises without properly assessing the patient - you don’t care

Or both?

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Again, context matters. This person had no pain, full range and weakness was the primary issue.

Bosu ball squats and chair scoots won’t help her get back to college sports. She needs to be progressively loaded and challenged to keep making progress.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

However, it’s frustrating when the rehab program is poor. This really affects the patient and their progress, or lack of progress.

At 8 months post ACL, this patient was given chair scoots, body weight bosu ball squats, wall sits, 15 lb lunges and single leg balance for 30 sec.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Whenever I cotreat with another facility, I always ask about the rehab program. I ask about what lifts they’re doing, how heavy, how difficult and what they thought was effective.

This allows me to build off and collaborate.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

I was reminded of this with a patient of mine that is also going to another PT facility due to logistics. She primarily rehabbed at school prior to coming home.

She is college athlete that is 8 months post op, full range, no pain, no swelling, primary issue is weakness.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Proper programming is one of the most important aspects of rehab. We need to progressively load to restore full strength, power and function.

A bad rehab program gives a false perception of progress. They’re “rehabbing” but not really progressing.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

This includes, eating out less + eating cheaper, meal prepping, not buying brand name clothes (nobody needs Lulu, Alo, Vuori, etc), not buying an expensive car/new phone and traveling less.

We need to be conscious of our budget which of course includes our income and spending.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

In summary, living below your means and budgeting allows you to save money to be aggressive in paying off your loans AND invest to build long term wealth.

Finding a balance will be important and a personal decision as “personal finance is personal.”

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

It’s not rocket science but if you are eating out all the time and buying expensive things, that likely is a big reason why you don’t have enough to pay off loans & invest.

This can be uncomfortable but paying off your student loans when you’re 50 is even more uncomfortable.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

None of this is meant to be specific financial advice but rather shed light on a topic I believe we as a whole aren’t taught.

Research and assess your own risk tolerance to determine what works best for you.

Start sooner rather than later, stay consistent and play the long game

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Remember that historical average returns on investing into the S&P 500 is around 10-11% since 1957. That is a massive return and money people are missing out on.

Some basic terms to know:
-emergency fund
-dollar cost averaging
-compounding interest
-index/mutual funds/stocks

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Additionally, regular contributions into your taxable brokerage account.

If you’re risk adverse and don’t know much, pick historically safe index/mutual funds such as VOO, VTSAX, VTI. There are bond funds which are even more risk adverse.

Picking stocks is more risk & reward.

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

Take the time to learn about finances as I truly believe it is life changing.

Some podcasts I listen to are, “Your Money Guide On The Side,” “Rich Habits Podcast,” “The Rundown Daily Market Update,” and “Prof G Markets.”

[Wesley Wang @WesleyWangDPT]

I also get it, we aren’t taught this in school unless at any level unless you’re a finance/business major.

However, we’re told we need to take on $125,000+ in loans and never taught how to manage it and pay it off in a reasonable manner.