National Physical Therapy Month

I am both a physical therapist and an athletic trainer.   Maybe you knew that already. 

I spend my days in the where I have my physical therapist hat on most of the time.  I've been practicing (now that's a strange use of the word) physical therapy for almost 34 years now and I really don't have any plans to do anything else anytime soon.  Retirement is for somebody else--somebody that doesn't enjoy their work as much as I do.

I am still thrilled to walk into the room of someone I might not know, examine them, decide how I as a physical therapist might help them, and then set into place a treatment program.  Part scientist, part teacher, part coach, I am only as good as my ability to get you better. 

October is National Physical Therapy Month and in telling you a bit about me, maybe you will learn more about physical therapy.

I graduated from UT Health Science Center in Memphis in 1977 when it was the only physical therapy program in Tennessee.  There are now four others, Belmont, UT-Chattanooga, ETSU, and Tennessee State University. 

In the late 90's, the entry-level physical therapy degree became the doctoral degree.  In other words, everyone that graduates today receives the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.  In 2008, I got one of those too.  Yes, it's technically Dr. Black now but I usually insist that everyone calls me Joe (yet it usually turns out to be joeblack, one word-the curse of single syllable first and last names). 

There are a lot of specialty areas in physical therapy.  Pediatrics, primarily working with handicapped children.  Neurologic Physical Therapists who work with those having had strokes, spinal cord injuries, or head injuries.

There are those that focus on vestibular problems, balance issues, wounds, TMJ problems, lymphedema and the complications often accompanying cancer and cancer treatment. 

There are inpatient therapists that work in a hospital and outpatient therapists that work in clinics and others that work in home health, schools, skilled nursing facilities, and a variety of other settings.

Our biggest specialty area is orthopedics and even in that there are subspecialties.   I fall into one of those as I have specialized in extremity orthopedics and sports.   My day is pretty much filled with taking care of those with shoulder, knee, foot, and ankle problems.  Many of those are our athletes.

Other Orthopedic Physical Therapists specialize in taking care of those with spinal problems.  Over 31 million Americans will seek health care for low back pain this year.   Physical therapists are at the forefront of taking care of those problems, using exercise, education, and manual techniques based on evidence and research.  

We take care of those with minor sprains and those with catastrophic injuries.  We see people before surgery after surgery, and all the way to their return to full function. 

In a nutshell, physical therapists help you regain the life you want.   A life without disability or dysfunction.

I'm proud to be a physical therapist.  This profession has taken me places and provided me with opportunities that were beyond my wildest dreams.  That and I get to help people get and stay healthier.    

How lucky can one person be?