Hard Truths, Real Recovery Surviving Spinal Cord Injury with Daniel West

In this candid interview, physical therapist Daniel West argues that “slow and safe” rehab often traps patients in stagnation. Instead, he champions honest feedback and early, focused movement as the real path to recovery. Drawing on his own car accident and years in hospitals—including the tragic case of a young patient lost to over-cautious bedrest—West says true informed consent means explaining the dangers of immobility, not offering false reassurance.

He challenges the rehab culture that limits people with labels like “complete injury,” sharing stories of patients who regained function in days. Rejecting flashy gadgets, West relies on precise load, leverage, and intent, keeping a small caseload to protect outcomes. His blunt, results-first model also exposes a tough truth: when recovery comes fast, profit slows—and the system resists change.