Hydrotherapy, Vertigo, Muscle Pain and More: Nipa Mehta Shares Her Expertise and How She Became a Physical Therapist to Help Others
“I love to not only meet new people every day but also have the chance to make a positive difference to their quality of life and increase functional tolerance in their day to day life.” Today’s woman dreamer, Nipa Mehta is a physical therapist in Boston, at the Northeast Rehab Hospital Network. Nipa shares her expertise on many prevalent topics in the world of physical therapy, including hydrotherapy, vertigo, muscle pain, back pain, and more. Having experienced the power of physical therapy herself, Nipa has been practicing PT for 23 years. For Nipa, “the feeling of being able to help someone is genuinely satisfying and worth every second at the end of the day when you come home!” Check out her insights and her story below.
1) Tell us your story. Why did you decide to become a physical therapist?
I was born and brought up in Ahmedabad, India, and that is where my schooling and college was done. I came to the US in 1997 after completing my degree in Physical Therapy (PT) and after getting married. I now have two beautiful children, and they are 14 and 19 years old. Currently, I work for NRH outpatient orthopedic clinic at the Lawrence location.
I have always been a people person and have had a passion to meet different types of people to get to know, work with, and help them. I love learning about the fascinating human body, its movement, and functions. Along with my desire to work closely with people, the rewarding profession of a physical therapist really attracted me. Looking back, 28 years ago, I still remember when I was shadowing to become a PT- advice that I was told from a professor that really stuck with and touched me was to only become a PT if you desire to serve people.
Apart from being a PT I have a passion for fitness, dance and making new friends. I love working out to condition and challenge my body every day, and it is a part of my daily routine. I am also involved in community service and have served as cultural secretary in IAMV for two years and would like to be more involved in volunteering my time for the community. I have also choreographed several dances and participated in local functions to keep my hobby going.
2) What are some common conditions you see? What are some common and specialized modalities used in physical therapy?
I work in an outpatient Orthopedic clinic. The most common conditions being seen by me are chronic lower back pain, neck pain shoulder pain, knee pain, ankle and post-surgical cases for rehabilitation. I see many knee, hip and shoulder replacements as well as repairs and spinal surgeries. We use different techniques like Myofascial release, deep tissue and joint mobilization techniques as well as taping, stretching, strengthening and range of motion exercises along with different electrical modalities like stimulation and ultrasound for pain relief.
I also have specialized training with vestibular Rehab, so I see a few patients with dizziness, vertigo and balance problems. I see many instant results in BPPV (vertigo) and within 1-2 sessions my patient can be completely cured from vertigo which they may be suffering from years or months. It is extremely rewarding every time.
3) How do you keep patients who have complicated diagnoses and chronic conditions motivated to continue therapy?
As a practicing PT for past 23 years I have seen many complicated diagnosis, especially chronic pain conditions. The main advice I give with chronic pain patients is not to focus on pain, but to focus on improving function. Chronic pain patients mostly get stuck with vicious cycle of pain-spasms (muscle tightness) and weakness. It is particularly important to break the cycle with active movements within your tolerable limit and slowly progressing towards stretching and strengthening exercises. There are many alternative routes to pain management like Aqua PT, modalities, soft and deep tissue myofascial releases and other modalities like TENS and contrast bath but I have seen most success with Aqua PT. I have combined PT with yoga therapy many times with chronic pain patients, as I am also a certified Yoga instructor. The combination of all these methods work well to motivate my patients with complicated diagnoses as well as chronic pain.
I have experienced the magic of PT and exercise on myself as well. I was having strong back/ sacroiliac pain after my pregnancies due to core weakness and posture abnormality. I worked out every day along with yoga to make my posture better and strengthen my core, which I am still continuing. I completely got rid of my pain as well as significantly improved my fitness level by training and completing my first half marathon last year.
4) What is your favorite part of the job?
I love to not only meet new people every day but also have the chance to make a positive difference to their quality of life and increase functional tolerance to their day to day life. As a PT we develop special relationship with patients as we get to see them frequently over the for long period of time. I am sure everyone has experienced an injury or been in pain at some point in their life. It can be consuming, create panic, anxiety, nervousness, anger, and depression - a wide range of emotions a person can experience. I cannot explain how gratifying it is to be able to alleviate a person’s pain so that they can get back to their normal life! Whether it is sitting at a work desk, playing sports, or running a marathon! The feeling of being able to help someone is genuinely satisfying and worth every second at the end of the day when you come home!
Unlike many other health professions, most PT jobs come with lower stress and a good work life balance, as it is easy to find flexible hours. Because of this I always have been able to work mother hours and spend the quality time with my children when they need me the most. I can honestly say that I am grateful, and I love my job!
5) You have specialized training in hydrotherapy. What is hydrotherapy and what conditions it used for?
Hydro or Aqua physical therapy is treatment in a warm pool with the water temperature between 92 to 97 degree Fahrenheit.
Immersion in the warm water increases comfort for patients by increasing blood supply to sore muscles and promoting relaxation.
The waters buoyancy supports body weight and reduces stress on joints and minimize the pain, making it a very safe for inflamed conditions.
I have worked as an Aqua-therapist for 3 years and have seen great results of Aqua PT with post surgical acute pain, chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, chronic knee, back, ankle, shoulder pain, and even with young athletes to keep up with their conditioning post fractures, like deep pool running without weight bearing in pool. Weight bearing exercises and passive stretching in post surgical cases are allowed in water earlier than land to get faster results. When land physical therapy does not give desired results, Aqua PT provides better healing without any additional risk.