October Is National Physical Therapy Month – 5 Fun Facts

1.  PHYSICAL THERAPISTS CAN SPECIALIZE IN MANY AREAS OF PRACTICE!

Like other areas of healthcare, physical therapists will specialize in a specific area allowing them to treat various types of injuries or conditions.

*Gold Coast Physical Therapy has therapists that specialize in the following areas: orthopedic, post-operative care, sports medicine, gait & balance therapy, deconditioning rehabilitation, concussion management, and neurological rehabilitation.

2. PHYSICAL THERAPISTS CAN TREAT DIZZINESS OR VERTIGO!

Positional vertigo, when simply a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear, can be successfully treated in as little as one session with a physical therapist.

3. PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN BE A COST-EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR MANY CONDITIONS!

According to the Health Services Research journal, patients with lower back pain who turned to physical therapy as first line of defense reported an average of 72% fewer costs within the first year than those who did not. For patients with chronic health conditions, like diabetes and obesity, regular treatments may ease some of the costs associated with necessary pain relief treatments.

4. PHYSICAL THERAPISTS GRADUATE AT THE DOCTORAL LEVEL!

When physical therapy originally became recognized as a profession, it required a bachelor’s degree to practice. In the 1990s programs transitioned to a Master of Science degree. Now, in the 21st century, the profession has advanced again and is now at a Doctoral level.

5. PHYSICAL THERAPY HISTORY

PHYSICAL THERAPY began in 1921, partly in response to WWI. The first professional association was known as the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association. One year later, the name was changed to the American Physiotherapy Association. Currently, the U.S. organization goes by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and represents over 95,000 clinicians!