PT = Exercise
As physical therapists, we teach our patients every day the importance of remaining active, of increasing our endurance, the never-ending benefits of exercise. But, do we practice what we preach?
On average, I ascend between 17-25 flights of stairs every day. I run between several floors to treat patients, and it is more convenient and much faster to take the stairs. Likewise, I am also on my feet all day. I sit during my documentation time, but otherwise I spend my day doing a fair amount of manual work. When I ask a patient to perform therex, I sit by their side and perform it with them. I have several total assist patients on my caseload each day- an exhausting task in itself.
In addition, I TRY to run 2-3x/week, usually between 2-3 miles each time. I really have to push myself to do this, because I am exhausted at the end of my day. Every time I run I think of my patients who can't run, and it motivates me to push myself farther.
While I blabber on and on to my patients about exercise and healthy lifestyles, in the back of my mind I know it's a difficult commitment to make. The American day is short- we are busy people with thousands of tasks to complete once the work day ends. However, it would be difficult for anyone to take advice from an inactive therapist, which is why I do my best to stay in shape.