NEWSLETTEROctober, 2018Featured in this Issue:It's National Physical Therapy month, and we're answering some of our patient's frequently asked questions about physical therapy!
You're a Physical Therapist Assistant? What does that mean?Our team of Physical Therapist Assistants get asked this question quite frequently, so here is the complete answer! Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) are licensed professionals who have graduated from the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) educational program. They have participated in extensive classroom and clinical education and have taken and passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. PTA licenses must be renewed on a regular basis, with mandatory continuing education as a requirement for renewal. PTAs work alongside of Physical Therapists and under their general direction and supervision. Our PTAs are a valuable part of our AFPT team, as they help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Care provided by one of our PTAs may include teaching and supervising patients with appropriate exercises for mobility, stability, strength, balance and coordination, and training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers. They may use modalities such as ice, heat, ultrasound, e-stim, kinesiotaping and much more. They perform hands-on manual techniques including various forms of joint mobilization, massage, passive stretching, and other specialty areas/techniques for which they are specifically trained. They may also assist the PT in measuring changes in the patient's performance as a result of the physical therapy provided. Our fabulous team of PTAs who graduated from the CACHE PTA program includes : Holly Newquist, Lauren Guest, Joy Lewis, Chelsea Williams, and Debbie Cameron. What is the difference between "aquatic physical therapy" and "aquatic exercise"?
For more information on our aquatic therapy program, please contact Joy at aquajoylewis@gmail.com What’s the Difference Between a Chiropractor and a Physical Therapist?The main differences between Chiropractors and Physical Therapists are their treatment philosophy and clinical expertise. Treatment PhilosophyWhen it comes to treating patients who are experiencing pain, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists take slightly different approaches. A Chiropractor focuses on conditions of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system and the effects caused by these conditions. Chiropractors use a hands-on approach that includes examination, diagnosis, and treatment. They use their diagnostic skill set to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling. Chiropractors use a technique called Spinal Manipulation in order to restore mobility in areas with tissue damage, which decreases pain and muscle tightness and allows for healing. Physical therapists, on the other hand, evaluate, diagnose and provide treatment to decrease pain and restore movement and function such as strength, range of motion and balance. They use their knowledge and evidenced based practice to develop an individualized rehabilitation program for conditions caused by factors such as aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Physical therapists are also involved in promoting health, wellness, and fitness through risk factor identification and preventative care. Clinical ExpertiseAlthough both Chiropractors and Physical Therapists are specialists in diagnosing and treating their patients, they do have some differences in their areas of practice. Chiropractors are experts when it comes to spinal adjustment and manipulation. This includes soft tissue mobilization and joint adjustment. Chiropractors use their knowledge of the musculoskeletal system to develop therapeutic modalities end exercise regimens to treat pain in their patients. Physical Therapists are experts when it comes to human movement and the restoration of all movement related processes (i.e, the likely contributing factors to pain and dysfunction). When it comes to treatment, a Physical Therapist's area of expertise lies in manual therapy, joint and soft tissue mobilization, neurologic rehabilitation, sports performance, muscle coordination and cardiovascular rehabilitation. Physical Therapists diagnose movement, musculoskeletal and functional related conditions. Please join us in congratulating Lauren Shoul, PTA, from our Severna Park location as well as our aquatic therapy team, on her recent marriage to Brandon Guest. As you can see, Lauren was a very beautiful bride!It's fall, and nothing says October more than football and food! No matter what team you are cheering for, you will always have a winning tailgate or party with great recipes from the links below: |