As a follow up to my last post, I though it appropriate to share this excellent video produced by APTA called “You Can Be Me: A Career in Physical Therapy.”  It is an inspiring look into the lives of several different PTs, in different work settings.  Though just under 10 minutes, it really speaks volumes to the many ways in which our profession positively affects people’s lives everyday.  Kudos to APTA and to Physical Therapists in general for their incredible work.

Happy New Year!!

It seems that recently I have had more and more inquiries from undergrad or even high school students interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy and looking for more information and opportunities to get to know the profession better.  Excellent!

The APTA has a page on their website dedicated to resources for students interested in a career in PT.  It not only gives some of the history of the profession and the Association, but includes a list of all credentailed PT and PTA programs in the country and provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the journey toward becoming a PT.  Using this information and some of our own, Therapeutic Associates recently developed an Introduction to Physical Therapy handout for our therapists to take when speaking to school groups or individuals about the profession. 

I always encourage students to get some hands-on experience in the field as well.  Many PTs are introduced to the profession (and first develop a passion for it) as patients.  Regardless of whether or not you have experience from this perspective, I think it’s a great idea to shadow a few clinicians and conduct some volunteer observation hours in a clinic.  Consider visiting several different types of settings (hospitals, private practice outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, etc.) to get a feel for their differences.  Maybe even schedule an informational interview with a PT who you admire.  Inquire about his/her own professional journey and gather any advice and/or inspirations you can

I am always happy to talk to this ‘next generation’ of therapists and excited to know that more and more people are considering a career in our rewarding profession.

One of our broadly offered specialty services is ASTYM.  The ASTYM System is an advanced form of soft tissue mobilization which enables clinicians to effectively improve the status and function of soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia).  Treatments are performed with ergonomically designed instruments, which help to identify adhesions and other restrictions in dysfunctional tissue, and then break down this tissue to allow for functional restoration to occur.  ASTYM treatments are done in combination with exercise education and manual therapy and we have seen many successes from this treatment.  Therapeutic Associates is a member of the Performance Dynamics Network, a nationwide association of respected rehabilitation providers with clinicians certified in the ASTYM system.  The majority of our clinics offer this service; you can find a full list of provider facilities and read more about ASTYM on our website.

Incidentally, two of our physical therapists from our clinic at The Athletic Club of Bend - Chris Cooper, PT, MS, CSCS, and Laura Cooper, MSPS, CSCS –  recently spoke with Kristi Miller on Good Morning Central Oregon (on Bend Broadband Cable TV) about the benefits of the ASTYM system.  This is a great overview of what it is and how it benefits patients, and includes excellent footage of a treatment in session so you can see what it’s all about.

Please share any success stories or other comments if you have either provided ASTYM treatment or experienced it as a patient.

Nicole Smyth, PT, DPT, OCS

At the recent Physical Therapy Association of Washington (PTWA) conference,  a new round of Delegates to represent Washington state was elected into office.  Congratulations to Nicole Smyth, PT, DPT, OCS, Staff Therapist at TAI-Fairwood PT in Renton, WA who was elected to her first term as a PT Delegate, and to Jennifer Lesko, PT, MS, who is currently PTWA Vice President and Director of TAI-Queen Anne PT and was elected to the highest position of Chief Delegate for the State. 

Jennifer Lesko, MS, PT

Nicole and Jennifer are joined by fellow TAI therapists Steve Allen, PT, MS, OCS, FAAOMPT and Bart Hawkinson, PT, DPT, OCS and just 10 other PTs from across the state who make up Washington’s Delegates to participate in APTA’s House of Delegates. The House of Delegates is the highest policy-making body of the Association.

Thanks to alot of great education and promotion by APTA and many PT schools across the country, there seems to be a buzz right now about physical therapist residency and fellowship programs.  As I described in a post last year on TAI’s credentialed Ortho Residency Program, this journey of post-graduate education and mentorship really follows the medical model and may eventually become the desired and common path for most PTs after completing their DPT programs.

I am often asked – especially by 1st and 2nd year PT students – about the difference between a Residency and a Fellowship Program.  Generally speaking, Residencies are intensive postprofessional education programs that broadly strengthen a therapist’s skills in a specific area of practice.  Fellowships are also structured educational programs for post-graduates, but they focus more specifically on a specialty or subspecialty and are intended for therapists who already demonstrate clinical expertise and may have completed a Residency Program or are specialist certified.  APTA’s website has a lot of great information on these programs, including this FAQ page that explains in greater detail the differences between these two Programs.

APTA also lists all current credentialed Residency and Fellowship Programs on their website.

In case you need more proof, here is another article (this one from Business Week) stating that Physical Therapy is a growing and fruitful career.  The arguments laid out here are not new – especially as Baby Boomers continue to age, and while concepts of “wellness”, and “preventative care” grow more and more popular in our nation, Physical Therapy will continue to be a sought-after approach for health and rehab of the musculoskeletal system.  If you find other articles supporting this claim or otherwise, please pass them on.

On a related but different note, I attended the APTA National Student Conclave last week and was thrilled to meet so many enthusiatic and dynamic PT students.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth.  It’s exciting to consider all of the wonderful people who are on their way toward a career in PT.  Of course, as a health care profession we rely on people who are not only critical thinkers and ethical, but as a particularly ‘human services’ driven field within healthcare, we need therapists who have compassion, excellent listening skills, and a way of relating to their patients.  I left the Conclave feeling inspired that so many of our future therapists absolutely seem to fit that mold.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you already know that October is national PT month.  Sponsored by APTA,  it’s a way to observe and honor our profession, but it also provides us with a great platform for continued education about Physical Therapy to the general public.  According to the APTA, this year’s theme, “Move Forward: Physical Therapy Brings Motion to Life” reflects the physical therapist brand, “Physical therapists help you restore and improve motion to achieve long-term quality of life.”

The APTA has been celebrating all month, with educational campaigns, media opportunities (apparently some PT students from NYU were on the Today Show this morning, introduced by Al Roker…still looking for a video clip of this!) and, of course, political action (APTA has been actively “at the table” during all phases of the current health care reform bill’s development).  Next week, APTA will host its annual National Student Conclave where hundreds of physical therapy employers (like Therapeutic Associates!) have a chance to meet PT students from all over the country.  I look forward to this event every year and consider it an awesome way to wrap up this exciting month

While our clinics are promoting National PT Month in different ways, one of the biggest things that our company has done this month is launch a brand new website!  Same address – www.therapeuticassociates.com – but an updated design and many new features, including several new patient education elements that fit right into some of the goals of National PT Month.  Check it out…and please share your feedback and comments!

One of our PTs in Bend, Oregon passed along this video they produced about their practice – TAI Central Oregon PT @ the Athletic Club of Bend.  It gives you a good sense not only of how they work in the clinic, but also how they play outside of the clinic   If you have never been to Bend before, this might paint a clearer picture of why so many active outdoor lovers have flocked there in droves in recent years…it’s a beautiful and magical setting, full of things to do year-round.  Enjoy!

I recently received the latest PTWA newsletter and immediately noticed the headliner article “Lorengo Honored as Emerging Leader”.  Jenn Lorengo, PT, DPT, OCS is a staff therapist at our Liberty Lake clinic in the Spokane area.  She has been with TAI since 2005, spending the first several years of her time with us at our West Kennewick practice.  Jenn has always challenged herself to advance clinically and in other professional ways.  She currently serves as PTWA Secretary and her history with the state association dates back to 2005 where she started as a delegate, later served on committees, and founded the Tri-Cities District in 2008.

APTA’s Emerging Leader Award is an annual honor bestowed upon one member of each APTA chapter annually.  We are so proud of Jenn as this year’s recipient.  When I contacted her directly to congratulate her, her response was humble and grateful and in every way typical of Jenn and her leadership style: ”Honestly we have a lot of wonderful mentors within TAI that have helped to inspire me – I think it’s a credit to our entire company.”

Thank you, Jenn, for being a great role model in so many ways!

I’m always on the look-out for helpful resources for physical therapists (present and future ).  I recently stumbled across a few great links that I want to share:

1.) This “elevator pitch” promo video was apparently the winner of last year’s First Annual Elevator Pitch Competition held by Evidence in Motion.  It successfully summarizes the vision and sentiment of our profession right now and I admire its simple and yet powerful, effective message.

2.) ADVANCE  produces a number of products and services (perhaps most notably, print and web publications) that focus on healthcare professions.  Through their website I found three great blogs:

• A Day in the Life of a Student PT is written by Veronica Haywood, a PT student in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The topics she addresses seem not only meaningful to other students, but also shed light on the kinds of issues and conversations that are relevant to our profession now and in the future.
• Life with a New PT Grad takes this concept once step further and is written by a recent grad who just started her career journey, working in an acute care setting.  Her posts share, in a very sincere fashion, the challenges, thrills, and everyday thoughts of a new therapist.
• Toni Talks about PT Today is written by an experienced PT in Texas.  Her experience lends to a breadth of post topics – everything from technical advice, to ethical ponderings, to philosophical debates.

If you come across interesting physical therapy resources, I’d love to hear about them – please share!