One thing is true in the field of rehabilitation: Change is constant. This has never been more true than at the present time. Within the past year, there have been staffing shortages followed by staffing surplus; needed equipment, but not enough room; along with insurance changes that are limiting patients' ability to obtain necessary help. ...

During this summer ''break'' from school, I have come to realize how appreciative our patients are. I have the best days only because I am lucky enough to hear the praise of our patients about the staff at our facility. Even on the most difficult of days, where a patient calls to ask (again) why haven't I tried ultrasound and pelvic traction to ...

ST. LOUIS, MO -- The 63rd National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia is underway in the Gateway City amid a scorching heat wave. With the temperature outside climbing to 106 degrees (seriously, 106!), one of the most momentous developments here is the inauguration of James L. Thornton, MA, ATC, PES, CES, ...

Our daily routines often get so busy that we overlook the needs of those around us, besides our patients and their families. At any given time, we as physical therapists may be able to extend a gracious hand to assist others, while reaping the benefit of satisfaction knowing that we continue to help, outside our work environment. This is why many ...

I was catching up on some reading this weekend, including some old newspapers and a few websites I had added to my ''must-read'' list but did not have a chance to read until now, before the chaotic holidays begin. I also caught up on some TV shows I taped and a few small projects around the house, including finally hanging some curtains in the ...

Today at clinical, I evaluated a 17-year-old kid from a local high school who is having some problems with shin splints. Considering my crash-and-burn experience during last week's eval, I was so excited for things to be looking up. I went through the exam, picked out some useful exercises, and sent him on his way with a HEP and hopes that I would ...

A healthy, athletic boy had been having neurological symptoms for two weeks when his breathing turned labored. His worried parents called 911 and he was taken to the hospital for evaluation. His mother directed the ambulance to a teaching hospital that happened to be the only facility in town with pediatric neurologists. They did an MRI of his ...

News came out recently about a new initiative in Michigan for state-wide tracking of pediatric BMI (body-mass index) values. The rationale behind the new policy is that physicians will see the data and be more likely to discuss healthy weight and lifestyles with the patients and the children's parents. The only lacking part of the policy is that ...

Dubbed the 2010 PT Fundraising Drive, donations are being collected throughout Rhode Island to benefit the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. With a long history of individual charitable pursuits, Kevin Silvia, PTA, CSCS, of Performance Physical Therapy in Rhode Island, set out to do something bigger and better this year. With an outpouring ...

I spent a portion of my day fighting to swallow the big emotional lump in my throat and choke back tears as I attended the last of a 2010 lecture series at Bryn Mawr Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. Surrounded by health care workers from every corner of the hospital, I squeezed into the last available seat in a row in front of my father, a ...