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The physical therapy field is moving faster than anyone expected

The physical therapy field is moving faster than anyone expected featured image

Physical therapists are most likely among those who are not searching for a job these days. In fact, "physical therapist" is near the top of virtually every "fastest growing jobs" list. This strong demand is a direct result of how fast the field is moving and the increasing reliance on physical therapy/ occupational therapy treatment. The fact is, the health care landscape is constantly changing -- and the top physical therapy companies are not only keeping up, they're staying ahead of the curve.


Ivy Rehab
's President of Northeast Operations Erin Kenney, MPT, is steering the organization through today's era of change and the demand for more effective and efficient patient care. She recently spoke with NJ Advance Media about the field of physical therapy and its expanding role in maintaining our nation's health.

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via shutterstock.com

Q: What's the main thing individuals may not know about physical therapy?
   A: Probably that patients don't need a prescription to visit a physical therapist. In New Jersey, anyone can go straight to a physical therapist for an evaluation and treatment without having to visit another doctor first for a prescription. This law (called Direct Access) has helped people get care faster and avoid unnecessary co-pays.

Physical therapists treat a wide array of conditions -- more than most people realize. Think about it -- not only do physical therapists have to be skilled at treating every area of the body, but they also must have a deep understanding of virtually all medical conditions in order to implement the proper treatment plan for each person walking through their doors. It takes a lot of formal education and training to develop the skill set needed to bounce between rehabbing a patient who just underwent shoulder surgery to treating a patient experiencing dizziness and then to performing soft-tissue mobilization for tendonitis ... all within a normal Tuesday morning. In fact, the vast majority of physical therapists at Ivy Rehab have doctorate degrees.
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Q: What role does technology play in physical therapy?

   A: Great question -- and the short answer is that technology plays a much larger role in physical therapy than anyone realizes. Over the past few years, we've implemented a wide range of cutting-edge tools to improve patients' experience and their overall results from treatment.

Physical therapists are known for being experts in movement, which is why we've implemented Video Motion Analysis software in our clinics. This software helps our clinicians not only assess a patient's movement patterns and catch things not apparent to the naked eye, but also gives the patient immediate feedback to help coach and re-train to movements that place less stress on joints and soft-tissue structures. 

Another key piece of technology that we've implemented tackles a component of the treatment process that has always been difficult to monitor -- home exercise programs. The effectiveness of physical therapy is dependent on mutual input by the therapist and patient in the clinic and while the patient is at home.

Bariatric_HILO_MEDICAL.jpgTo speed the recovery process and prevent re-injury, physical therapists always provide therapeutic exercise programs and self-care strategies that patients perform at home. Rather than sending a patient home with vague instructions or hard-to-read printouts, we utilize a video-based home exercise platform where patients can watch videos explaining their assigned exercises.

Q: What should patients consider when choosing a physical therapist?
   A: It's all about doing the research and finding a clinic and physical therapist that he or she is comfortable with. At Ivy Rehab, we're laser focused on providing an exceptional patient experience, which is why we offer appointments within 24 hours, free injury screenings and more than 35 locations in New Jersey. We always encourage patients to come in, meet our team and make sure they are 100 percent comfortable taking this journey to recovery with us.

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The original article appeared here.

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