October marks National Physical Therapy Month, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate physical therapists for their hard work and dedication. More than 300,000 physical therapists in the United States provide essential, quality care to patients of all needs. Physical therapists support patients’ recovery and help improve their quality of life.
The origins of physical therapy can be traced back to Hippocrates (460 – 385 BCE), when the Greek physician introduced the concept of physical manipulation for pain relief in his writings on joints. In A History of Manipulative Therapy, Hippocrates described “spinal manipulative techniques using gravity” to treat scoliosis. However, it is acknowledged that other cultures (Balinese in Indonesia, the Lomi-Lomi in Hawaii, shamans in Central Asia, sabodors in Mexico, and more) were using manipulation to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions at the same time.
The roots of modern physical therapy can, in part, be traced back to 19th-century Europe and the promotion of massage and manual muscle therapy. Later, physical therapy was used in the US to evaluate and assist polio patients in using their remaining musculature to achieve some mobility. PTs were used in World War I to rehabilitate wounded soldiers with amputated limbs, spinal cord, and head injuries.
Modern Physical Therapy
Today, many common medical conditions are treated with physical therapy, including:
- Sports Injuries
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Back and Neck Pain
- Limited Range of Motion
- Osteoporosis
- Vertigo
- Headaches
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Chronic Fatigue syndrome
- Respiratory Issues
- Joint Replacement
- Ankle Sprain
The American Physical Therapy Association recently released a report showing the economic value of physical therapy versus non-physical therapy-based care and how physical therapy provides health and economic benefits to the patient and the healthcare system in “The Economic Value of Physical Therapy in the United States.”
The study analyzed eight conditions and the net benefit of choosing physical therapy. The highest net benefit was carpal tunnel, with $39,533, and the lowest was falls-prevention with $2,144
- Falls Prevention $2,144
- Cancer rehabilitation $3,514
- Acute low back pain $4,160
- Stress urinary incontinence $10,129
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) $10,739
- Osteoarthritis of the knee $13,981
- Vascular Claudication $24,125
- Carpal Tunnel syndrome $39,533
MPX+
Looking for your next physical therapist travel assignment? MedPro has plenty of rewarding assignments at top facilities across the country.
Founded in 1983, MedPro Healthcare Staffing is a Joint Commission-certified provider of temporary and contract healthcare staffing services to facilities across the United States. Travelers can access MedPro’s premium jobs through the MedPro Experience+ (MPX+) app. MPX+ puts the power in travelers’ hands. Users have 24/7 real-time access to jobs, applications, credentials, assignment details, and more. They’ll get custom job alerts, one-click apply, and can access their timesheets and view details such as base pay, overtime, and meals per diem.
Download MPX+ at Google Store: https://lnkd.in/esAmN5MM or iPhone App Store: https://lnkd.in/eUuEJmXt