Please Let Me Introduce Myself...

In case we haven't been formally introduced, let me introduce myself.  My name is Joe Black but it is usually spoken as though it were only one word, as in JoeBlack.   Growing up, I never got to be called "Joe."  It was always my full name.  Such is the life of someone that goes by a single syllable first and last name.

I am a physical therapist and an athletic trainer.  Among that bucket load of acronyms after my name is "SCS," which stands for Sports Clinical Specialist, something that physical therapists can get after working in a sports setting for several years and passing a day-long exam (I took it 30 years ago and don't really want to take it again).

Also in that list is "DPT," which stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy.   Until 2003, most physical therapy degrees were Masters degrees.  In 2003, those changed to the Doctoral level program.  At 52, I entered the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Doctoral program, graduating in 2008. 

So yes, it is now Dr. Black but about the only time I invoke that one is when a patient is being particularly difficult. 

Throughout my career, sports have been the primary focus of my practice.  I've worked with the Maryville College athletic department since 1982 and with Maryville High School since 1984.  My sub-specialty has been extremity orthopedics.  For most of the last 20 years, most of what I have seen has been  knees, shoulders, and feet and ankles.

Oh, in sports, you have to treat everything so I've seen my share of concussions, hip problems, and yes, back and neck problems.  And that's where I'm going with today's column.

I have been taking care of Blount County folks since 1977 (with a 2 year gap to go to West Virginia) and have appeared in this spot for 29 years.  I've spoken to dozens of civic groups and have been a part of athletic health care for many, many years but there are still a lot of folks that simply don't know what I do.

Just last week, I got stopped in a restaurant (I'm always getting stopped in restaurants) and asked a question about a young athlete.  This parent told me that the young man, a football player, was having back problems and wanted to know where he should take him.

This fellow is a local physician but didn't seem to know that back care is a big part of what physical therapists do.  In fact, the #1 problem seen by physical therapists is back pain.

This may seem like a self-serving piece but  I would like to suggest that it is simply educational.  There are just too many gaps in what people know about physical therapy.  And the bottom line is that physical therapists are highly trained in the care and treatment of those with back and neck problems.

Although some might like to reduce us to the modalities that we sometimes use, my profession is SO much more.  We use a wide variety of techniques, all based on evidence--evidence that proves that physical therapy is an effective approach to treating back and neck problems.

Exercise is a huge part of what we do but manual therapy techniques, biomechanics, and education are all important parts as well.  Our goal is to get you better and then to give you the tools to stay better. 

I work for Blount Memorial and manage our Total Rehabilitation outpatient clinics. At each of our clinics, we have one person that is designated as a "spinal care specialist" but in reality, the basic training for all physical therapists covers care of the spine.

 I also don't mind telling you that there are now several other physical therapy clinics around here that do good work.  And the #1 diagnosis that we all see is back pain.   I'd believe that it's because we get good results.  

So the next time that you are looking for a place to take care of your back or neck problem, let me respectfully suggest that you consider the physical therapist.