As for how i cope etc, i too have 30mins appointments. I don't use electrotherapy unless i really have to (i.e. a patient who feels that getting better in 10mins isn't good enough because they want their "value for money"!).

I try to nail the problem down straight away, being mindful of being holistic. I think i am getting enough experience to pick up on common patterns these days. Then i try to pick on a few "key" signs (or * signs) for reassessment. Then focus the treatment to correct things i find aren't working right. Then reassess the key signs and give one exercise to start with.

Nothing new here i know I have thought about this a little. I used to try to be very different to other physios but i think we are really all trying to do the same thing. I think the point of difference is in the way we communicate. I have seen really good physios suck at getting patients better and i have seen ordinary physios somehow have patients get better and bring their friends and family along to get better too! Why? I think if you can effectively earn their trust, it goes a long way to getting them better.

So i cope by trying to get them significantly (and realistically) better within 3 treatments (goals and deadlines help me work better). I don't massage or do Maitland mobes unless i am stuck for ideas. When my hands get sore for whatever reason, the U/S gets used or they have to do lots of exercises during the session!

Hope that helps, if you want to chat more, you can PM me and leave your email address... THanks