Lucy Said:

How does physical therapy help muscle wasting?

We Answered:

To be a bit more precise, physical therapy addresses the funcitonal limitations that occur as a result of muscle wasting. Specifically, if you have the problem that you cannot stand up without the use of your arms, it is the job the the physical therapist to:
A: Identify the level of impairment and quantify it objectively
B: Determine which muscles are contributing to the deficiency (or loss of coordination, or spasticity, etc.)
C: Develop a treatment plan to address that deficit
D: Implement that treatment program
E: Reassess at a later time to see if correcting the impairment has lead to an increase in function.

In this case, a program of progressive resistive exercise is probably indicated. This increases the amount of connective tissue that allows for proper functioning of the muscle at the cellular level. It may also result in "neuralization" or increasing the amount of nerve branches to allow the brain to more effectively communicate with the muscle. The goal, of PT, however is independence. If what you need to do can be done safely by yourself or in the gym setting (ie, if you have no FUNCTIONAL deficits) the PT can instruct you on which exercises to do or refer you to a personal trainer.

In conclusion, the PT addresses the functional impairments that accompany the condition. It is also the job of the PT to determine when it is appropriate to progress your program. It is not the job of the physical therapist to "watch you exercise" in a routine that can be done in the home or with a personal trainer. That would be a waste of your money!!

Rachel Said:

I need information about an injury done in physical therapy?

We Answered:

First, you need to tell your therapist...did it hurt during a specific movement, or did the pain occur some time later? Is it continuing to hurt? If it was during a specific exercise or motion, they need to know this...especially if it is continuing to hurt more than it normally did. The therapist should document this and usually files an accident report with their supervisor (not of any consequence to you, but for their risk assessments). After telling the therapist, they may need to re-examine the shoulder to determine if a decline in status is present. If it is, your physician should be contacted. I would start with the therapist, however, this feedback is incredibly valuable to providing good care. If it is really injured, the therapist can advocate for you by contacting the physician.

Many people are quick to think that the therapist (or any provider) did something "wrong" and that we should not contact them further. However, there are many things that are a normal part of therapy and well within the standard of care, but that some patients react poorly to. Failure of rotator cuff surgery is not unheard of...even when all the appropriate precautions are taken. However, if you were injured and the procedure performed was outside the standard of care, then yes, the therapist may have done something wrong. In either case, the therapist should know. If they refuse to document the injury or reassess it, I would contact the surgeon directly (and the PTs supervisor) with your concerns.

Becky Said:

Information on Pre-Physical Therapy Programs? How would this aid me to become a Physical Therapist?

We Answered:

I would recommen visiting the www.apta.org website. IT is down this weekend for upgrades. It has a ton of information.

Best wishes.

Jill Said:

I am in a mentor ship program at my high school and I am wanting more information on physical therapy.?

We Answered:

Skills a physical therapist must possess:
1. Compassion
2. Problem solving and analytical skills
3. Effective communication with people...the ability to teach and motivate
4. Understanding the "why"...not just memorization of facts.
5. Physical skills may require prolonged standing, repetitive use of hands, shoulders, etc...the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Educational backround: In the US, PTs are required to obtain either a masters or doctorate level degree from an accredited PT program. Many students declare their undergraduate major as "pre-physical therapy," but it could also include biology, kinesiology, applied health sciences...it really doesn't matter WHAT your major is, as long as you complete the prerequisite requirements for admission into the professional phase of the program. This usually involves 3 semesters of bio, 2 of physics and chem, statistics, trig and/or calc, 3 semesters of psych, anatomy and physiology as well as your general education requirements. Total time of completion of the entry level degree is usually 6-7 years.

Most schools have competitive entrance, meaning only a certain number of slots are available. For instance, most programs have about 30-40 slots open, but receive 100-300 qualified applicants (meaning only 10-30% of those who meet the minimum requirements are admitted).

For articles regarding current trends, I suggest you visit: www.apta.org or www.advanceforpt.com

Some suggestions include:
1. Rehabilitation after bariatic weight loss surgery
2. Rehabilitation after lumbar disc replacement surgery
3. Aggressive versus conservative rehabilitation after ACL repair (depending on the types)
4. Constraint induced therapy for patients who have had a stroke
5. Advances in rehabiliation for patients with spinal cord injuries

Laura Said:

Where is a good place to get my Physical Therapy Certification in my area?

We Answered:

You can go to the education section of the APTA website at: http://www.apta.org and look at the list of schools in California.

All PT programs are now either a doctorate or master's degree. The entrance is competitive and there is a heavy emphasis on the sciences. Most programs take about 6-7 years to complete, but it will depend how long it takes you to complete your undergraduate work.

After graduation, you can sit for the licensure exam in the state you wish to practice.

The APTA website also gives a good overview of the life of a PT student and of a PT

Lydia Said:

Where can I find information on a Physical Therapy college???

We Answered:

The following schools are accredited Physical Therapy schools. To find out more, go to the school websites:

Alabama
Alabama State University
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of South Alabama

Arizona
AT Still University of Health Sciences
Northern Arizona University

Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas

California
Azusa Pacific University
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Sacramento
Chapman University
Loma Linda University
Mount St Mary's College
Samuel Merritt College
University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
Western University of Health Sciences

Colorado
Regis University
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

Connecticut
Quinnipiac University
Sacred Heart University
University of Connecticut
University of Hartford

Delaware
University of Delaware

District of Columbia
Howard University
The George Washington University

Florida
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Nova Southeastern University
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of Miami
University of North Florida
University of South Florida
University of St Augustine for Health Sciences

Georgia
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Emory University
Georgia State University
Medical College of Georgia
North Georgia College and State University

Idaho
Idaho State University

Illinois
Bradley University
Governors State University
Midwestern University
Northern Illinois University
Northwestern University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
The University of Illinois at Chicago

Indiana
Indiana University
University of Evansville
University of Indianapolis

Iowa
Clarke College
Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center
St Ambrose University
The University of Iowa

Kansas
University of Kansas Medical Center
Wichita State University

Kentucky
Bellarmine University
University of Kentucky

Lousiana
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport

Maine
Husson College
University of New England

Maryland
University of Maryland - Baltimore
University of Maryland - Eastern Shore

Massachusetts
American International College
Boston University
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Northeastern University
Simmons College
Springfield College
University of Massachusetts Lowell

Michigan
Andrews University
Andrews University/Dayton
Central Michigan University
Grand Valley State University
Oakland University
University of Michigan - Flint
Wayne State University

Minnesota
College of St Catherine
College of St Scholastica
Mayo School of Health Sciences
University of Minnesota

Mississippi
University of Mississippi Medical Center

Missouri
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Missouri State University
Rockhurst University
Saint Louis University
Southwest Baptist University
University of Missouri-Columbia
Washington University of St Louis

Montana
The University of Montana - Missoula

Nebraska
Creighton University
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Nevada
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

New Hampshire
Franklin Pierce College

New Jersey
Seton Hall University
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey

New Mexico
University of New Mexico

New York
Clarkson University
College of Staten Island/The Graduate Center (CUNY)
Columbia University
D'Youville College
Daemen College
Dominican College of Blauvelt
Hunter College/The Graduate Center (CUNY)
Ithaca College
Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus
Nazareth College of Rochester
New York Institute of Technology
New York Medical College
New York University
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center
State University of New York Upstate Medical University
Stony Brook University
The Sage Colleges
Touro College
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Utica College

North Carolina
Duke University
East Carolina University
Elon University
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Western Carolina University
Winston-Salem State University

North Dakota
University of Mary
University of North Dakota

Ohio
Cleveland State University
College of Mount St Joseph
Medical College of Ohio In Consortium with: Bowling Green State University and The University of Toledo
Ohio University
The Ohio State University
The University of Findlay
University of Cincinnati
Walsh University
Youngstown State University

Oklahoma
Langston University
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Oregon
Pacific University

Pennsylvania
Arcadia University
Chatham College
College Misericordia
Drexel University
Duquesne University
Gannon University
Neumann College
Saint Francis University
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Temple University
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Scranton
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Widener University

Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus

Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island

South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Dakota
University of South Dakota

Tennessee
Belmont University
East Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Texas
Angelo State University
Hardin-Simmons University
Texas State University-San Marcos
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Woman's University
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
University of Texas at El Paso
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
US Army-Baylor University

Utah
University of Utah

Vermont
University of Vermont

Virginia
Hampton University
Marymount University
Old Dominion University
Shenandoah University
Virginia Commonwealth University

Washington
Eastern Washington University
University of Puget Sound
University of Washington

West Virginia
West Virginia University
Wheeling Jesuit University

Wisconsin
Carroll College
Concordia University Wisconsin
Marquette University
University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
University of Wisconsin-Madison