October is National Physical Therapy Month. This is an annual event the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) holds to promote the profession and raise awareness in the community and among other healthcare professions.
This year, APTA is focusing on the importance of optimizing movement and function throughout the lifespan. Not only do physical therapists and physical therapy assistants concentrate on restoring function, the profession is also dedicated to promoting and boosting wellness and mobility in all aspects of life participation. As a physical therapist dedicated to hand and upper extremity intervention, I recall my first exposure to PT when I was a child. My mother suffered from profound rheumatoid arthritis and participated in physical therapy at the University of Michigan and I attended her sessions. The way the therapists were able to help her improve her quality of life through strategies incorporating functional fine and gross motor activities has always resonated with me. She never developed an ulnar drift!
In the field of hand and upper extremity therapy, we work together with our OT colleagues to achieve all of the points APTA is making. We address restoring function and work to encourage mobility in work, play and recreation. We work together to prevent injury and safely have our clients participate in the activities that contribute to optimal quality of life. ASHT is promoting pediatric intervention and this resonates the message of National Physical Therapy Month this year, which is promoting wellness throughout the lifespan. I am grateful to be a part of a dynamic community of therapists that work together to enhance the quality of life for so many diverse populations.
Happy National Physical Therapy Month!!!!!