Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Fayette Community Hospital celebrates National Physical Therapy Month

Physical therapy is a dynamic profession dedicated to improving functional mobility and restoration of optimal physical function. Every day physical therapists help millions of people to restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness, health and optimal functional skills.

Chances are you have heard of physical therapy and may even have an understanding of what PTs do. You may know someone that has received physical therapy to alleviate low back pain or shoulder pain or improve someone's walking skills following a stroke. Do you know where physical therapy started? Do you know where you may find a physical therapist working? Are you familiar with all the various diagnoses physical therapists can treat?

Physical therapy truly began to develop in the 20th century during World War I. The "reconstruction aides" as they were called were trained to work with soldiers returning from the war and some were even sent to the hospitals in France to assist with rehabilitating the wounded soldiers. Physical therapists played an important role during the mid-century polio epidemic. PTs' vital role was to assist in minimizing the paralyzing effects of polio.

Physical therapists' education background requires a master's or bachelor's degree in physical therapy. They are required to take a national examination and be licensed by the state in which they practice. Some PTs seek certification in a clinical area. Some of those areas include cardiopulmonary, pediatric, geriatric, orthopeadic and neurologic specialities.

A physical therapist is able to supervise a physical therapy assistant and physical therapy aide as well. A PTA must complete a two-year education program and a physical therapy aide is a non-licensed worker who assists a PT and PTA under their direct supervision.

Physical therapists are experts in evaluating and treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular deficits that affect a person's functional mobility. Additionally, PTs also facilitate prevention and wellness services for health promotion. They work in a collaborative effort with other healthcare professionals including orthopeadic and neurologic surgeons, family physicians, podiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, nurses, and administrators as well as insurance providers.

You may have seen a PT or PTA in a hospital or an outpatient based clinical setting but did you know they also work in rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, skilled nursing and extended care facilities, schools, industrial/work place environments, fitness and sports training facilities, and research centers?

Physical therapists treat a variety of diagnoses, including:

Shoulder, arm, wrist or hand pain.

Neck or low back pain.

Hip, knee, ankle, and foot problems.

Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Joint sprains or a muscle strain.

Osteoporosis, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis.

Cardiac rehab.

Stroke rehabilitation, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury.

Difficulties with balance, vertigo.

Incontinence.

Pre-postnatal problems.

Newborn and pediatric difficulties.

Orthotic and prosthetic training and wheelchair management.

Chronic pain.

Fibromyalgia.

Temporalmandibular joint pain.

Wound care for diabetes or work related injury.

Respiratory problems.

Range-of-motion and strength problems.

Work related injury along with ergonomic evaluation and education.

The American Physical Therapy Association, the national organization representing the physical therapy profession believes it is important to share the role PTs and PTAs play in the health care arena and the unique services that can be provided. Ask your PT or PTA what they enjoy about the profession. If you have further questions please contact Fayette Community Hospital Physical Therapy at 770-719-7026.

Fayette Community Hospital, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Piedmont Medical Center and a member of PROMINA Health System, is located on Highway 54 in Fayetteville. Services of the 100-bed community hospital include: 24-hour emergency services, medical/surgical, critical care, diagnostics, (including laboratory, radiology and mammography), cardiopulmonary, physical therapy and rehabilitation, outpatient surgery and comprehensive outpatient services and Minor Emergency Care. Visit the Hospital's Web site at www.fayettehospital.org for more information on its services.