Transform and restore your body's health with physical therapy

10/09/2012

Sioux City, IA - By Erik Nieuwenhuis MS, PT St. Luke’s Health System Industrial Athlete WorkSmart and WELLness Services 712-279-1842 nieuween@stlukes.org

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to recognize physical therapists as your “movement specialists.”

Physical therapists are experts in restoring and improving the motion of your body, crucial to your quality of life and vitality at work, home, school and play. As you make important health care decisions for you and your family, it is great to remember physical therapists.

Here are just a few things that physical therapists can do for you and your family’s movement and quality of life:

*Physical therapists treat patients to improve joint mobility and range of motion, relieve pain, increase strength and balance, improve coordination and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from musculoskeletal injuries or disease.

* Physical therapists restore, maintain and promote overall fitness and health.

* Their patients may include accident victims from motor vehicle accidents and slip, trip and fall injuries and individuals with disabling conditions such as lower back pain, arthritis, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, fractures, total knee and hip replacements, cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and more.

* Physical therapists determine the patient’s ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after an injury or illness. A physical therapist’s goal is to improve how an individual functions at work, play and at home.

* Physical Therapists may use manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilization, myofascial release, muscle energy technique, friction massage, trigger point release, positional release and soft tissue mobilization. Manual therapy techniques are used to speed the rehabilitation process by reducing pain and stiffness, improving range of motion, restoring proper joint biomechanics and restoring quality of life and function much faster.

* Physical Therapists also use modalities such as Iontophoresis, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cold and hot packs and ice massage to relieve pain and inflammation and to reduce swelling..They may also use mechanical or manual traction or deep tissue massage to relieve pain from facet joints or bulging discs.

* Therapists teach patients how to use assistive and adaptive devices to improve their safety and independence.

Where Do Physical Therapists Practice?

APTA website June 2010 www.apta.org

* Outpatient clinics or private practice—41.5%

* Outpatient hospitals—14.5%

* Acute hospitals—13.1%

* Patients home (home health)—7.9%

* Skilled nursing, extended care, or sub-acute facilities—5.6%

* Academic institutions—4.8%

* Schools (pre-school, primary and secondary)—4.1%

* Inpatient rehab facilities—3.5%

* Hospices

* Industrial, workplace or occupational environments

* Fitness centers, health clubs, sports training facilities

* Research

* Other

Employment Outlook for Physical Therapy

The U.S. News and World Report added physical therapists to its list of best careers for 2009. Physical Therapists are ranked 4th in a list of 100 “Best Jobs in America” featured in the November 2010 issue of CNNMoney.com. There is a high demand for physical therapists in the workforce despite the economic downturn.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30% from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities should be particularly good in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings because the aging population or baby boomers receive the most treatment in these settings.

Widespread interest in health promotion and the obesity epidemic in America should increase demand for physical therapy services at the worksite and health clubs too.

A growing number of employers in the Siouxland area are using physical therapy services proactively to evaluate worksite ergonomics, workplace setup and teaching employees how to WorkSmart using a “staggered stance” to protect their lower back. This improves their safety habits, helping to reduce musculoskeletal injuries, lost and restricted time claims and days and their associated health care costs.

For more information on physical therapy, call St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Services at (712) 279-3178.

Sources:

1. American Physical Therapy Association Website at www.apta.org and www.moveforwardpt.com 2012.

2. US News and World Report 2006.

3. APTA Consumer Survey October 2010.

4. Erik Nieuwenhuis MS, PT “My Life and Career as a Physical Therapist” Powerpoint presentation updated September 2010.

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About St. Luke’s:

St. Luke's Regional Medical Center is part of St. Luke's Health System, an integrated delivery system serving the tri-state Siouxland area. Our focus is - and will always be - patient-centered care to improve the health of the people of Siouxland. With 1,200 employees and nearly 85,000 patients cared for annually, St. Luke’s is an anchor of support for the Siouxland community.

St. Luke's offers full-service healthcare with a range of inpatient and outpatient services, specialty and family healthcare clinics, and healthcare screenings and community benefit programs. St. Luke's is also planning for the future of healthcare through its affiliation with St. Luke’s College. With a strong focus on safety and quality, St. Luke’s has built a long-standing reputation of improving lives through advanced treatment and health education.

For more information, visit www.stlukes.org.