Giving Thanks for PTs Who Make Your Health Their Mission
In this season of gratitude, we’re thankful for our dedicated team of physical therapists who have chosen your health and wellness as their mission. When you’re in pain, suffering from an injury or struggling to move due to your age or condition, it matters who you surround yourself with.
You need a helper. A compassionate carer with the expertise to identify the root cause of your issue, develop a personalized program of care and then work alongside you to improve your recovery and functionality as quickly and safely as possible.
What Sets Physical Therapists Apart?
Like trusting a mechanic to fix a faulty alternator, you need to trust a seasoned PT to fix movement issues because they’ve seen the issue before and know the best way to fix it.
Physical therapists have chosen a life as healthcare professionals who help patients recover from injuries and surgeries. They’re dedicated to helping someone get back to work after an accident or teaching an elderly patient how to regain their independence or helping an athlete return to sport after an injury.
Physical therapists share empathetic traits that make them extraordinary helpers and givers by nature. They didn’t choose the job for its glamor or glory, they chose it for you, the patient. They decided to make your health and wellness potential their mission. And it wasn’t an easy path to get there.
The Steps a Physical Therapist Takes to Provide Patient Care
There are currently over 200 PT programs across the United States, and each program has different admission requirements. However, most PT programs require completion of similar undergraduate coursework, including classes in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for admission into a PT program, and all states require PTs to be licensed in order to practice. To become licensed, PTs must graduate from an accredited PT program and pass a state-administered examination. The main examination for licensure is the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Typically, a physical therapist will spend six years preparing to serve you.
The Personality Traits Driving Patient Outcomes at Park North PT
We’re grateful for our team of physical therapists in Manhattan who committed to the education and determination it takes to serve their community. Specifically, we want to highlight these shared values our PTs implement in every patient interaction:
1. Patience and Compassion
Your physical therapist will be patient with you as you recover from your injury or surgery. They understand that every patient is different and that your progress may not always be linear. Whether you're having a good day or a bad day, your PT will always be there to support you and help you reach your goals. Additionally, they will show compassion for what you are going through and will do everything they can to ease your pain and suffering.
2. Excellent Communication
Physical therapists are excellent communicators. They will take the time to explain your diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis in a way that is easy to understand. They understand that not everyone is familiar with medical jargon and will do their best to ensure you are comfortable and confident with your care. In addition to being great communicators with patients, PTs also work closely with other members of the healthcare team to ensure everyone is on the same page. This includes doctors, nurses, specialists and even insurance companies.
3. Motivational and Encouraging
Your physical therapist will be one of your biggest cheerleaders throughout your recovery. They will push you to reach your goals and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Sometimes the road to recovery can be long and frustrating, but your PT will help keep you motivated so that you can get back to living your life pain-free.
How Physical Therapists Use Their Hands and Minds to Heal
Despite the dedication necessary to become a PT, these healthcare providers are driven to the profession in order to use their hands and minds to heal your pain and restore your functionality.
How Physical Therapists Use Their Hands
Physical therapists are highly skilled professionals who know how to use their hands to provide treatment. For example, they may use their hands to massage the muscles and joints of patients who have been injured. This can help to release tension and increase range of motion. Additionally, they can use their subtle touch to provide feedback on muscle recruitment and postural changes.
How Physical Therapists Use Their Minds
In addition to using their hands, physical therapists also use their minds to help patients heal. They must be able to think critically in order to assess each patient's individual needs. They also need to be able to create custom treatment plans that will address the specific issues of each patient. Furthermore, they need to be able to effectively communicate with both patients and their families. This is important in order to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
This Thanksgiving, we’re reminded that physical therapists have the amazing opportunity to positively impact the lives of our patients every day. There is nothing more gratifying than helping someone enjoy the holidays or any season of life by overcoming an injury or ailment and regaining their quality of life and health potential.
If you’re ready to have a compassionate expert in your corner, contact Park North Physical Therapy today!
