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Archive for the ‘PT Blogs’ Category

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Golfers Keeping Physical Therapists Busy

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

I recently had my first golf lesson by my significant other. His major critique was that I should stop swinging the club more like a baseball bat (what can I say, it’s my favorite sport). Other than that, there was no serious damage done and no injuries or pulled muscles that would send me screaming to a doctor or in, increasingly more cases of sports injuries, a physical therapist.

Many physical therapists and traveling physical therapists are likely to see an increase in golf related injuries this time of year, due to that sport’s peak popularity in the summer when the sun is shining and the lush greens start to beckon. When the amateur golfer, especially the “weekend warrior” golfer, is not in proper shape, they are in danger of sustaining a variety of injuries from the swing of the club. One bad swing (not “bad golf game” bad either) can lead to lower back, shoulder, knee and hip injuries. This is because one golf swing greatly multiplies the stress that the body weight places on the spine.

I credit my injury-free day to some good luck and also to my regular fitness routine, which incorporates total body conditioning. This is important in the sport of golf, which uses basically every major muscle group in the body, from quads, gluts and abs to delts, pecs, triceps and biceps. Physical therapists and travel pts can cite evidence of this in the types of specific injuries seen in golfers including: back pain, tennis or golfer’s elbow, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome (from repetitive use), tendinitis, knee pain, wrist impaction, tendon subluxation and hand and wrist fractures. Physical therapists, traveling physical therapists (especially ones on attractive assignments to golf resort areas), and others working in sports and fitness training, recommend a good solid regimen of stretching before play and a fitness regimen in between that includes core work, squats and push-ups. Happy golfing!

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Posted in Allied Travel Jobs, PT Blogs, Physical Therapy | No Comments »

Therapists Help People Manage Stress, Avoid Illness

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Traveling physical therapists and travel occupational therapists working in clinical settings across the country surely see it every day – especially during these challenging times.  Accumulated stress, sleep deprivation, a compromised immune system and a set of generally unhealthy body movements and approach to activities of daily living, lead many Americans to seek medical help. In fact, research has shown that up to 90 percent of doctor’s office visits are stress related in some way. Some people are diagnosed with chronic stress related illnesses such as back pain, headaches, sleeping disorders and even hypertension and digestive dysfunction. Others are saddled with “chronic pain” and a plethora of prescription and over the counter medications to manage their lives. Most patients suffering from stress related symptoms and illnesses, however, may be surprised at the potential positive impact of physical or occupational therapy.

Physical therapy can be incredibly effective in providing relief for chronic pain, while restoring functionality and flexibility throughout the body. It is also a healthier alternative to long term regimens of prescription painkillers and even some over the counter medications. This is especially important since the American Geriatrics Society has issued warnings regarding the chronic use of NSAID medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin in the elderly. Physical therapy for pain relief does not come with the life threatening side effects of those drugs, such as ulcers, uncontrollable blood pressure, impaired kidney function, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Occupational therapists play a vital role in assessing potentially harmful patterns in a person’s daily routine and teaching them healthier ways to function, manage stress and live their life.

Stress may be an inevitable part of life, but the illness, injury and pain that it can lead to, are not. Traveling physical therapy jobs and occupational therapy travel jobs are in demand in clinical settings across the country to spread this message and teach people strategies and techniques for living a healthy life.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Fun Forms of Physical Therapy

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Floating in the pool, going for a horse ride or walking a dog may not exactly sound like the most formal methods of physical therapy and occupational therapy.  However, when proven therapy techniques and the skill of a rehab therapist are combined with these activities, they become aquatic physical therapy, equestrian therapy (or therapeutic riding) and pet therapy. Attention therapists, traveling physical therapists and travel occupational therapists looking for a fresh way to apply your skills and expertise: One or more of these practice areas may be for you.

Aquatic Physical Therapy
The basic premise is physical therapy with conventional physical therapy goals, carried out in an aquatic environment. A water environment such as a swimming pool offers properties such as natural buoyancy and resistance that would require special equipment to achieve on dry land. Physical therapy in water benefits a variety of conditions including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and more in all ages of patients.

Pet Therapy
Specially trained animals are used many different ways in therapeutic patient interventions. Overall, it has been proven the petting an animal releases endorphins, the calming, miracle chemical produced by the human body. From a therapy standpoint, this helps physical therapists with rehabilitating patients who would rather not go for their daily walk around the nurse’s station. Therapists have found that stubborn patients have a much harder time saying no to a dog than to them. Nothing against the therapists I’m sure.

Equestrian Therapy
Occupational therapists and physical therapists are a key component of equestrian therapy, also called “therapeutic riding.”  This form of therapy, carried out at special rehabilitation centers with specifically selected and trained horses, has been proven very therapeutic in patients with brain or spinal cord injuries as well as developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy. The motions of riding a horse imitate the same physical movements involved in walking and therefore can retrain the muscles of the trunk and upper body to move this way.

Music therapy has also been known to help special needs children improve their memory attention and motor abilities.

Therapists with a taste for learning something new and an urge to break free from hospital settings, even if just on a part time basis, may find a whole new set of learning experiences in these cutting edge forms of treatment by beginning a career as a traveling physical therapist.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Physical Therapy in Managing Scoliosis

Monday, June 1st, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

When I was first diagnosed with scoliosis as a young teenager, chiropractic “exercises” were initially prescribed for me, in lieu of a brace or other more traditional care. This was largely because my mother was a long time chiropractic patient and fan of this alternative medicine practice. I remember the exercises basically as variations of bending at the waist. I have nothing against chiropractic medicine, but the exercises did not work and a few years later I ended up undergoing Harrington Rod surgery to correct my much more severe curvature. The exercise regimen I received after the surgery by my physical therapist, however, was incredibly effective in strengthening the muscles around my new hardware and improving my flexibility.

The “surgery vs. brace vs. other” treatment solutions for scoliosis have been debated for several decades. Physical therapists and traveling physical therapists may also find themselves involved in that debate. A physical therapy method called the “Schroth Method,” developed in Germany during the 1960’s, is a sequence of targeted exercises and posture intended to slow or halt the curvature of the spine caused by scoliosis. The physical therapist works with the patient while they are sitting, lying down and hanging from a bar. The idea is apparently to reprogram the body’s natural symmetry and ultimately reduce pain, improve posture and prevent the need for surgery.

You may guess correctly that I personally have my doubts about the effectiveness of procedures like this. However, as physical therapists and traveling physical therapists I would like to hear from you and get your take on such “alternative” scoliosis treatments.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Travel Therapy Company Focus: Medical Connections Part II

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Following, is the conclusion of my conversation with Ann Marie Ruggiero, Director of Travel Therapy and Recruiting at Medical Connections. Here, Ann Marie discusses other aspects of a career in travel therapy including how current health care trends may affect this field.

Which areas hold the most opportunities for travel therapists right now?

The majority of assignments are in skilled nursing settings like assisted living facilities, outpatient settings and of course in acute hospital settings. There is a pretty even need between physical therapy travel jobs, occupational therapy travel jobs, and travel speech therapy jobs.

How much experience is ideal for the aspiring travel therapist right now to get hired?

All therapists who aspire to travel need is one year of experience after graduation. The reason for this is that there is often a very minimal amount of orientation on a new assignment.  You may be hitting the floor by 10am on your first day.

In your opinion, how are current healthcare trends affecting travel therapy?

The increase in baby boomers will increase the need for travelers, especially in the skilled nursing facilities that we have contracts with throughout the United States. Even with the economy the way it is, we have found that therapy has slowed down slightly but there is still a big demand for traveling therapists at this time.

In light of this demand, we recommend that our therapists have multiple state licenses to make themselves more marketable and be able to accept a new assignment quickly. These are therapists who do not have a problem finding work at all. One of our benefits is 100% licensure reimbursement.  If you are contemplating going into travel, get at least one or two other state licenses.

Anything else we should know about Medical Connections?

We have wonderful benefits at Medical Connections as well as several solid clients we work with throughout the U.S.  We have recruiters available every day, even on Saturdays.  You can also go to our website (www.medicalconnections.com) to ask a question or submit an application through our website. Most important, I want travel therapists (or those considering this career) to know that we have so many travel therapy jobs right now that we can’t even fill them.

Medical Connections
www.medicalconnections.com

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Posted in Allied Travel Jobs, OT Travel, Occupational Therapy, PT Blogs, Physical Therapy, Speech/Language Pathology | 1 Comment »

Role of Rehab Therapy in Preventative Medicine

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

If an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure than physical therapists, occupational therapists and traveling rehab therapists in these fields have many reasons to be optimistic. It is important for rehab therapists including traveling physical therapists and travel occupational therapists to remind the public that it’s not necessary to wait until something is broken, pulled, strained, dislocated or twisted before seeking the services of a therapist.  Here are some specific patient demographics for traveling therapists with a passion for patient preventative education to target for assessments and consultations.

Elderly Patients: Fall prevention, balance and core stability are key preventative measures for this age group. Traveling occupational therapists can also focus on risks that elderly patients encounter in their activities of daily living.

Weekend Warriors: Teach these ambitious folks to seek out therapy before they find themselves sprawled on the basketball floor or at the bottom of a ski slope. They can benefit from ROM assessments, teaching about proper warm up and stretching techniques and an assessment to determine their health level for desired sports and activities along with recommendations for maximum exertion levels.

Office Workers: Therapists are a valuable source of info for employees at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive use injury and other ergonomic issues.

Child Athletes: Physical therapists are an excellent resource for young athletes and their parents to learn about how to prevent injuries and assessments for any movement, alignment or balance issues that place the child at a higher risk for problems.

All of the Above: All individuals suffering the regular aches and pains of life can benefit from a therapy assessment to learn how a more conservative therapy approach may benefit them more than their medications or other forms of current relief.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Back Pain Patients Prefer Physical Therapists

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Physical therapists aren’t the only ones touting the benefits of non-surgical and alternative therapies for back pain.  An article in the May 2009 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine reports that 55% of the 14,000 back pain sufferers interviewed were highly satisfied with physical therapy as a treatment for back pain.  Ranking lowest on the satisfaction scale for back pain treatment was the care these patients received from primary care physicians (34%).

This data may be a revealing glimpse into patient perceptions of pharmaceutical care for pain (most often dished out by primary care doctors) versus a more hands-on approach utilized by physical therapists, rehabilitation therapists, acupuncturists and other therapeutic practitioners.  Since nearly 80 percent of American adults report suffering from some level of back pain at some point, this is encouraging data that will most likely drive more back pain sufferers to physical therapists.  It’s no wonder that U.S. News & World Report recently ranked a career in physical therapy as number one, of “5 jobs that may be your best shot at finding work.”

Physical therapists and traveling physical therapists have seen the debilitating effects of chronic back pain in their patients.  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has expressed their optimism about the Consumer Reports data, particularly in regards to back pain patients looking at conservative treatment approaches first.  Orthopedic surgery and narcotics are of course viable solutions for many patients, however, seeing a physical therapist first may be a wiser approach for patients seeking more conservative treatment.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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“Dancing with the Stars” A Physical Therapy Goldmine

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

A few seasons back on the popular television show “Dancing with the Stars”, a friend of a friend tore his bicep muscle while competing. I really didn’t know much about ballroom dancing at that point, apparently in opposition to the rest of America. That was the moment that I realized Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers may have been bonafide athletes after all, prone to all the same types of injuries. The list of celebrity injuries on the show is mounting by the season – injured ankles and feet, scratched eyes, ruptured Achilles tendons, and fractured knees and shins. Are celebrities really this accident prone and out of shape or are they just unprepared for the physical rigors of ballroom dancing on such an intensive schedule?

The good news for physical therapists, other than the increased business for those in Los Angeles, is the publicity. Physical therapists and by association traveling physical therapists, are getting the praise they deserve for their hard work in rehabilitating these types of injuries. In virtually every article concerning yet another “Dancing with the Stars” injury, the celebrity mentions their rehabilitation treatment with a PT. This show is taking the “weekend warrior” trend to a whole new level.

As the show’s popularity increases, along with other physically demanding reality shows like it, there will undoubtedly be even more injuries for the public hear about and hopefully learn from. How much stress, strain and repetitive movements is the human body expected to endure, especially in a body not used to it? Stay tuned!

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Therapy Equipment Spotlight: Primus RS

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

(Blogger disclaimer: this information is intended to report a trend in rehabilitation therapy and does not constitute a product endorsement of any kind).

Traveling physical therapists and traveling occupational therapists may have noticed a new type of rehabilitation system called the Primus RS during the course of their travel assignments. The Primus is a computer-based piece of therapy equipment that produces 3D images to chart the performance of physical therapy, athletic training and exercise therapy patients. The system can replicate daily personal and work related functional activities, has testing and treatment capabilities, and allows the rehabilitation therapist to customize their patient’s treatment regimen. Hospitals, nursing homes and other rehabilitation therapy settings across the country are reportedly installing the Primus to keep pace with the rapid progress of rehabilitation therapy and remain competitive with other facilities and programs.

Travel therapists ultimately benefit from this type of healthy competition, enjoying the perks of using the latest and greatest in rehabilitation technology with their patients. Equipment in all areas of medicine is going digital, becoming increasingly fine tuned, multi-functional and providing instant feedback for the therapist and patient. Computer driven systems like the Primus allow rehab therapists to chart patients progress, monitor results in real time and share data with the rest of the patient care team including the physician. As medical technology advances, physical and occupational therapists could potentially see better patient therapy outcomes than ever before.

Traveling therapists: Have you encountered the Primus RS or similarly cutting edge rehabilitation equipment? Share your experiences with technological advances in your field that excite you the most.

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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Video Games in Physical Therapy

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh RN, BSN

I have a confession to make. Up until recently, I was rather dismissive and condescending towards video games. Let’s put it this way – the last one I remember playing involved a little Italian guy in painter’s overalls up and down ladders. I never saw any benefits, only the time wasting potential and possible risk for epileptic seizures. Fortunately, many physical therapists are more progressive and open-minded about the potential benefits and healing power of video games.

A longtime challenge for physical therapists has been motivating patients recovering from injuries and patients with chronic conditions and disabilities requiring regular physical therapy. Patients often find their required physical therapy regimens to be tedious, boring and painful, adding a cheerleading role to the therapist’s job description. Video games break through the predictable therapy routine with games that provide instant feedback, distraction from pain and positive reinforcement while providing similar outcomes to traditional physical therapy like increasing mobility, balance and strength.

The most popular video games used in physical therapy cover a broad range of areas, with more games being developed constantly in response to the positive response by the physical therapy and medical
community.

Top Games*:

  • Wii Boxing (encourages physical activity and coordination
  • Motor Vehicle Therapy (helps motor vehicle accident victims cope with trauma)
  • PCGamerBike (a device to help motivate patients to take their training to the next level)
  • IREX (a virtual reality game that helps improve balance; has had success for children with cerebral palsy)

With new physical therapy techniques like video games being continually researched and developed, the time to consider a career in travel physical therapy has never been more ideal. Be sure and visit our “Apply Now” page to find out how you can experience all the latest and greatest developments in physical therapy in a variety of clinical settings across the country.

*Source: USPharmD

Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.

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