Last Updated May 2013
Appreciating what you have and acknowleding everything that you have received is a key to a happier life. A dose of gratitude can also improve health since it lowers your stress level. When things don't go your way in your therapy career, ask yourself how you can benefit from what you already have. PutMeBackTogether contributor Dr. Erson Religioso III, DPT, FAAOMPT shares the five things he is grateful for as a physical therapist.
- Getting to know patients and vice versa
I strive to make each visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. I'm also confused when a patient tells me they went to physical therapy but can't remember the facility, much less the actual name of their health care provider. Getting to know the patient not only familiarizes you and your facility but makes the patient feel more at home, less anxious and more likely to refer friends and family.
Some of my patients who have come back after a few years ask me how many kids I have now. That's good tracking for when I last saw them. I left my old job more than a year ago and do not have access to their old records (don't really need them either, but always good to know how long they remained out of physical therapy).
- Better education
I am sure there are many examples of the contrary, but at least in Buffalo, N.Y., there are at least two Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists involved in each 
program. One school has six! The students are also more likely to question what you are doing because of learning the evidence in school. I also feel there are more quality options out there for continuing education in therapy, especially online.
- The Physical Therapy online community
I've only been writing for less than two years but have already made so many contacts and learned a lot more than I had in the past three to four years. I envy current therapy students and new graduates. You guys get all of our experience, knowledge, and case studies without making as many of the mistakes that we did.
From #solvePT on Twitter, to Facebook, to traditional blogs, to sites that aim to bring us together such as PutMeBackTogether, we are able to disperse information and learn just as quick as we can post. Thanks to everyone for participating in social media, for posting and sharing your knowledge, wisdom and experience.
- Direct access
DA seemed like a joke when we first got it here in New York state. 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first, then refer to the primary care physician? Fast forward, six years later, all of the HMOs in the area cover DA visits, and our laws are liberal enough to get another 30 days or 10 visits if there is a new condition (verified that ambiguity with someone at the New York State Office of Professions). Because around 60-70 percent of our cases are self-referred, every visit is a marketing opportunity.
- My readers
I am eternally grateful for being discovered by other bloggers in the industry like Mike Reinold, Jeff Cubos and Harrison Vaughn, who shared my therapy blog and gave me exposure. My blog, The Manual Therapist, has been a great 
outlet for me as teaching and mentoring are my professional passions.
Once you look for things to be grateful for, you will start appreciating simple pleasures that you took for granted. Become a master of gratitude for a positive experience of life. What are you thankful for in your therapy career?
Click here for more information on Dr. Erson Religioso III.
Therapy professionals, if you enjoy writing or would like to share your expertise and are interested in becoming a PutMeBackTogether contributor, please click here.