October 2009: National Physical Therapy Month
October 9, 2009 by ACPT Admin
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH
Physical Therapists Nationwide Take “Motion Experts” Message to Local Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2009 Contact: Jennifer Rondon 703.706.3216 jenniferrondon@apta.org
ALEXANDRIA, VA ― National Physical Therapy Month, sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), is a nationwide observance held each October. This year’s theme, “Move Forward: Physical Therapy Brings Motion to Life” reflects the physical therapist brand, “Physical therapists help you restore and improve motion to achieve long-term quality of life.”
”Freedom of motion is vital to our lives,” said APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD. “Motion is anti-aging and something we tend to take for granted until we lose it. Physical therapists are experts in the way the body moves, so we can help improve people’s quality of life by helping them move freely so they can do the things they want to do without pain and discomfort.”
When APTA went out to conduct consumer research to learn about attitudes and perceptions related to physical therapists, consumers made it clear that they were more likely to choose a physical therapist if they knew he or she could significantly improve mobility to perform daily activities and, in many cases, provide an alternative to painful and expensive surgery as well as manage or eliminate pain without medication.
To kick off National Physical Therapy Month, APTA has created an online toolkit with resources for APTA members, the media, and the general public.
Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility – in many cases without expensive surgery or the side effects of prescription medications. APTA represents more than 72,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide. Its purpose is to improve the health and quality of life of individuals through the advancement of physical therapist practice, education, and research. In most states, patients can make an appointment directly with a physical therapist, without a physician referral. Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat and find a physical therapist in your area at www.moveforwardpt.com.