PhysicalTherapistSource.com Articles

Geriatric

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:25:58 GMT

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

I can still remember going to visit my grandmother in her new residence, a nursing home not far from my home, and walking past a room where a number of residents were performing exercises. They really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Both my grandparents were residents of the same nursing homes although they resided there at different times. My grandfather was the first resident living there for 10 years, most of the time with alzheimer's. My grandmother entered the nursing home 5 years after his death. In that space of time I definitely noticed a change in the way the residents occupied their time. For example, I never saw anything close to the "excercise" class, which I later found out was tai chi, offered when my grandfather entered the home. I remember thinking, "my 85 year old grandmother is doing tai chi?!" I came to find out that tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art consisting of a series of slow, gentle, continuous movements, and is particularly suitable for older people as it helps them to develop stronger muscles and better balance and concentration.

Once, while in the nursing home, my grandmother inured her hip and had to undergo physical therapy. The physical therapist who came to attend to my grandmother at the nursing home was one of the nicest and patient people I know. Those who specialize in geriatric physical therapy focus on helping the elderly population recover from injuries and maintain their range of motion by developing their muscles and physical capabilities. They may develop specialized programs to help restore mobility, reduce pain, increase fitness levels and more. Conditions that may be treated through the use of geriatric physical therapy are arthritis, balance disorders, osteoporosis, hip replacement, joint replacement, and more.

One of the newest forms of therapy being utilized by geriatric physical therapists is tai chi which has been proven to reduce the risk of falling in patients. Propopents say it helps bring elderly patiens more independence. A tai chi class held at a nursing home would primarily focus on using a variety of slow stretching exercises and moving the residents� arms and legs while performing gentle crouches. Of course residents are encouraged to do as much or as little as they feel comfortable doing. Some perform the exercises while standing while others stay seated.

Nursing home residents who take part in a structured program of tai chi have found that their balance and physical strength improve, which in turn reduces the risk of falls, according to a study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Researchers found that the physical fitness of the exercise group showed significant improvement, with stronger ankle and knee muscles, improved flexibility and mobility and better balance.

Often times, older people who experience a fall end up with a serious injury such as a fracture. Regular exercise becomes even more important as we get older, since we start losing muscle strength at a rate of up to two percent per year once we reach the age of 65. The use of tai chi by geriatric physical therapists with nursing home residents allows the residents to improve their overall flexibility while giving them a fun approach to staying healthy.

Best Career

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:24:05 GMT

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

An annual report published by U.S. News & World Report (Dec. 2008) listing the best careers for 2009 has included physical therapists as one of their top choices.

Their list of best careers where judged on the following criteria:

Job outlook, which takes into consideration the new presidency, the increasing focus on a green economy and the current and percieved future state of the economic downturn

Average job satisfaction
Difficulty of the required training
Prestige
Pay

The physical therapist role received a grade of A under job satisfaction and market outlook and were given a grade of A/B for prestige and B/C for the amount of training required.

The physical therapist career has just missed being including in the best careers list in past years due to its stringent training requirements for one, but had a higher score this year because two national surveys rated this career field as very high in job satisfaction (scoring only less than the clergy). In fact, more than 75% of the physical therapists surveyed by the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center stated they were "very satisfied" with their occupation. Another survey conducted by the Wall Street Journal's Career Journal found that physical therapy was one of the eight best careers.

Some of the reasons behind these conclusions are that physical therapists often have more automony in how to solve a patients' problems, there's a variety in your day to day work, you get one-on-one time with patients, and the satisifcation in getting to see real progress with your patients as well as the ability to work in a variety of work settings.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, the job market for physical therapist is projected to remain strong as aging baby boomers end up getting more weekend-warrior injuries as well as other serious problems.

In addition, the article noted several specialities within the physical therapist career that appear to have a steady client base which include assisting amputees, sports physical therapy and working with professional dancers.

Traveling Physical Therapists Wanted

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:56:13 GMT

Traveling Physical Therapists Wanted

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

Have you ever considered switching careers to becoming a traveling physical therapist? These jobs are exciting and rewarding career options for healthcare professionals who have the appropriate qualifications and especially enjoy working in different locations, meeting new people and of course, living out a passion for travel. At www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com. you can not only search for traveling physical therapist positions, but also post your resume and be found by employers who want you. This saves you time and energy and gets you working at the job you want, where you want, and at the salary you want, faster and easier. With just a few clicks, you can view potential jobs at all kinds of healthcare facilities in cities and towns all over the country. And when you complete the Rapid Apply Form on www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com/members/rapidapply.php, hundreds of employers will be able to access your information and contact you to express their interest and give you a chance to ask questions.

Traveling physical therapist jobs give you flexibility, independence and the ability to discover new places, enjoy various seasons and stay current on the latest technology. Moreover, these jobs give you the chance to expand your skills in your desired field, allowing you to realize the maximum potential in your physical therapy career and obtain your career goals.

Traveling physical therapist jobs allow you to go on a working vacation in different areas of the country. Say you want to spend the fall in Vermont, summer in Virginia, winter in Colorado or spring in California. All of these options and more would be available. You may want to work in a major hospital in a large metropolitan district where you have a variety of shops, museums and restaurants. Or perhaps you'd like to savor a more quiet atmosphere working in a small nursing home in a rural town where you spend your days off going for nature walks or visiting a local farm. The possibilities are endless. Most travel job assignments are available for 4 - 52 weeks. Healthcare professionals who are interested in such assignments can get the best placements on contract or temporary work, and short or long term jobs, in a variety of prestigious facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, rehab centers, schools, in-home care units and acute care centers. Once appointed in these settings, you can administer to disabled patients, belonging to all age groups.

Traveling physical therapist jobs entail treating disabling conditions such as fractures, back pain, head injuries and cerebral palsy. The physical therapy job seekers looking for a traveling career must have the required skills and abilities to utilize therapeutic exercises, traction, massage and manipulation to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of the physically disabled patient; treat patients with musculoskeletal disorders and extreme injuries; and have the ability, flexibility and means to travel to distant locations.

Salary packages may vary depending upon the place of employment, education and years of experience. Individuals seeking traveling physical therapist jobs should have strong verbal skills and interpersonal skills. They must also be willing to take up the various challenges that are part of the profession.

With the increasing requirements for traveling physical therapist nurses in the healthcare industry, getting a job in this fast growing field is now easy and accessing the extensive database at www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com is a sure way to get started towards obtaining the best position that meets your requirements.

Therapist Job Overview

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:58:00 GMT

Therapist Job Overview

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

The field of therapy is both a rewarding one and in growing demand. There are many various options available in the therapy field and at www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com you can access our comprehensive database of employment opportunities to help match you up with the best therapist position that meets your skills and interests. Physical Therapists, Speech Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Respiratory Therapists are some of the more popular positions in this field where the demand is increasing. These therapy jobs are highly rewarding and are indeed a good career option as they enable people to overcome difficulties and lead an independent life.

Therapist jobs are available on per diem, long term, short term, part time, full time, permanent, temporary and travel basis. Perhaps you want to explore new places by choosing to work as a travel therapist. Or maybe you want more flexibility by working on a per diem basis. You may want to explore your opportunities working with children, elderly patients or military personnel. Therapist jobs also offer an array of bonus packages and medical benefit options. Permanent therapist jobs usually carry a very high salary.

Physical therapists and occupational therapists are employed in outstanding private and public hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, child development centers, schools, universities, geriatric centers, community healthcare centers, home health agencies, hospices, and research facilities. Physical therapists are also required in colleges, sports and organizations.

Qualified occupational therapists can be employed as occupational therapy assistants, counselors and athletic therapy assistants in general medicine and surgical hospitals, orthopedic centers, and in elementary and secondary schools. Occupational therapists mainly deal with behavioral issues and learning impairments. They can handle premature babies in pediatric hospitals, children having disorders like cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. They also help people suffering from stoke, traumatic injuries, Alzheimer's disease and mental health problems. Therapists can really change people's lives by making this world a better place to live in.

Speech Language Therapists work with patients whose speech may be affected by a number of issues such as injury, birth defect, or disease. Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) or Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) aid in people's communication problems, vocal issues, swallowing difficulties and language needs through speech therapy through schools, hospitals, and through private practice.

Respiratory Therapists can be found throughout the hospital environment in emergency rooms, neonatal units, operating rooms, delivery rooms and/or assisting medical flight teams. They deal with an array of respiratory issues such as assessment and treatment of chronic lung problems, more acute multi-systemic problems such as heart attacks, stroke or trauma, and overseeing airway management, and/or mechanical ventilation for the patient. Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) may also work in a homecare setting, but since there are fewer technical sources available, one in this position must rely more on clinical assessment and experience when evaluating a patient's condition.

Perhaps you are undecided where you want to work or in what role. As you can see, there is a vast array of options open to you and by accessing our database at www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com, you can narrow down your search to find the best match between an employer and yourself.

Therapist job salaries depend upon a number of factors such as education, years of experience, type of practice, qualifications, and the job location. Advanced training and years of experience can give therapists an annual salary around $63,000. Depending on the employer, additional benefits can include:

* Extra pay
* Referral bonus
* Completion bonus
* Relocation allowance
* Free housing
* Life insurance
* Healthcare insurance
* (401)k retirement savings plan

So, once you've narrowed down what kind of Therapist you want, in what kind of facility and in what locale, how do you find those jobs? Therapists are in agreement that going it alone is not the best approach. You will get the job you want and get to work faster when you use the up-to-the minute database at www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com. Here, you can not only search for therapist positions, but also post your resume and be found by employers who want you; a process that saves you time and energy and gets you working at the job you want, where you want, at the salary you want, faster and easier. With just a few clicks, you can explore Therapist jobs at all kinds of healthcare facilities in cities and towns all over the country.

And when you complete the Rapid Apply Form on
www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com/members/rapidapply.php, hundreds of employers looking for Therapists with your background and skills will be able to access your information and contact you to express their interest and give you a chance to ask questions. Maybe the perfect Therapist job is one you never even thought of, but it could find you when your resume appears on an employer's search for Therapists on www.PhysicalTherapistSource.com.

Occupational Therapy Overview

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:59:19 GMT

Occupational Therapy Overview

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

When people ask me how my step daughter is doing I tell them she has recently graduated from college with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Of course, I get some nods along with confused looks and I must admit, although I'd heard of the field before, it took me a while before I truly understood what this field of work involves. So what is my step daughter doing in her new role as an Occupational Therapist?

She finally explained the details of her new career choice so I could better explain it to others. An easy way for me to offer an explanation is thinking about the word "occupy", i.e. how one occupies their time, either by taking care of oneself (such as sleeping, eating, etc.), working or doing something one enjoys during leisure time. So basically any task or ways we choose to spend our time falls into one of these three categories. We are occupying our time alone or with others, functioning and interacting with the world to the best of our ability.

Now, if, at any point in our lives, an injury, illness, or disability occurs which prevents us from functioning in one or more "occupational" areas of our life, then this is where an Occupational Therapist, or OT can help. Their role assists the patient in helping to regain that level of function or make accommodations for any deficits to ensure they are living their life in the most successful, functional and independent way.

Often when I explain my step daughter's chosen career path, I'll get a comment such as "Oh, is that like Physical Therapy?" Apparently, there are some aspects of Occupational Therapy that overlap with Physical Therapy, since OT clients often have several conditions to be addressed which are best treated through a team approach. While Physical Therapists do exercises purely for exercise's sake to increase range of motion and/or muscle strength, Occupational Therapists will take the therapy a step further by determining how working with a particular issue will best benefit the client in their lifestyle. For example, while a Physical Therapist may have the client do repetitions of certain arm exercises, the OT may have them trying to increase their strength by practicing "bowling" if they determine the client enjoys that activity in their spare time.

Of course, there is a wide variety Occupational Therapy roles in healthcare ranging from working with the elderly, children who need assistance with manual dexterity, someone recovering from a brain injury, or a client with mental illness who may need help with day to day tasks. The list of possibilities for assisting people goes on.

Perhaps you or someone you know has also recently graduated with a similar degree and are looking forward to starting your new career. Here at www.PhysicalTherapySource.com is a great place to start, and by providing your information on our Rapid Apply Form your profile will be instantly be available to our database of healthcare employers.

Therapy Niche Uses Horses

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:00:09 GMT

Therapy Niche Uses Horses

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

Last week I accompanied by friend to watch her daughter take riding lessons. As the session ended, I heard her daughter ask why a particular girl, who was riding a few hundred yards over, had so many helpers, while she had only one. Apparently, that girl was not there taking equestrian lessons, but undergoing physical therapy, using a most unusual tool, the horse.

One reason hippotherapy is so effective is that the horse's gait actually mimics the way a human walks, in that a horse takes the same number of steps per minute as a human does and the steps are proportioned similarly. The horse's repetitive, rhythmic movement works to move a patient's trunk and helps to re-train the patient's motor responses. The therapist uses the horse's movement in combination with other treatment strategies to reach their desired therapy goals. Riding also helps to greatly improve posture, strengthen muscle tone and stretch leg muscles, and assists with reducing spastic movements typically associated with patients who have multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.

Patients benefit from hippotherapy not only because of the physical integration but they realize the positive emotional and psychological affects as well since horses are well loved animals and successful riding experiences help to build their self confidence while having fun.

Fun Ideas for Speech Therapists Working with Children

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:01:23 GMT

Fun Ideas for Speech Therapists Working with Children

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

One of the great things about working with young children is that you can teach them something and even though they are learning, they are having fun. Perhaps, as a Speech Therapist working with kids, you are looking for new ideas to add to your bag of tricks. Why not try some of these suggestions:

1.

Fill up a backpack or paper bag with objects that can be easily identified, having the child take one out at a time. Some ideas for objects include a brush, toy car, mirror, car, spoon, doll, hat, etc. Kids will be even more eager if you keep the bag closed and have them put in their hand without looking so they can feel around the bag first, then pull something out. You might say, "OK, pull out something soft and tell me what it is", etc.
2.

Have the kids go play shopping with a child's shopping cart. Use plastic food and have the children name the items they 'buy'.
3.

Get out the play doh and cookie cutters, play kitchen and food and have the kids create a meal. Have the name all the foods they make that are yellow, all the foods that are fruits, etc.
4.

Play doctor with stuffed animals and dolls, using real bandaids and a toy medical kit, naming the parts of the body that need to be fixed up.
5.

Have the kids go on a scavenger hunt with objects, treats or prizes. They should tell where they are looking, and where the item was, or other you could have other kids speak some of the clues.
6.

Around the holidays, you could have one child hide a seasonal object like a small ornament or pumpkin, and have the child give the other children clues to describe where the item is.
7.

Here's a word game you can play with any number of children. You can start off by saying something like "I can think of something bigger than a pencil". The first child should name an object, for example a banana. You can respond with "I can think of something bigger than an banana", and the next child will think of another bigger object. Keep this up and see how many objects the kids can come up with. You can switch it around by starting with an object that is smaller, hotter, colder, etc.
8.

Here's another easy game that requires no materials and deals with vocabulary and discriminating sounds. The leader will choose a sound such as /d/ and come out with a small list of words. The player must clap every time they hear a word that begins with that same sound. You can have them repeat the word after they clap. To make it a little more challenging, you may have them listen for the sound in the middle and at the end of words.

Don't be afraid to give a child to be the chance to be a leader in some of these games. Often being the 'leader' or 'teacher' can be more of a lesson than just following along. Have fun!

Bringing Some Fun Into Recovery With Wii

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:02:28 GMT

Bringing Some Fun Into Recovery With Wii

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

Physical Therapists all over the country are starting to see the benefits of using the Nintendo Wii video game as part of their regime. It's a wonderful addition to their instruction because, not only does the game, which uses a motion sensitive game controller, allow the patient to practice repetitive movements such as a golf or tennis swing, but it brings some lighthearted fun into their rehabilitation session.

While video games are often blamed as one of the culprits responsible for leading people into a lifestyle of obesity and laziness, the Wii game system is different in that the player uses a motion-sensing wand that allows players to mimic actions performed in real life sports such as swinging a baseball bat or rolling a bowling ball. The game also includes other sports such as tennis, golf, and even boxing. A separate balance sensor that players on, allows them to simulate sports that use leg muscles more such as skiing.

Physical Therapists see the Wii as helpful in treating patients with chronic pain, as well as patients recovering from surgery and other conditions that require them to work on balance and strengthening. Another advantage is that the program also tracks a player's progress, allowing them to play games at a higher levels as they improve. One of the great things about using the Wii is that patients become so engrossed mentally in the game, they almost forget they are in a rehab setting. Even though they are playing against an image on the screen, the natural tendency to outplay and win has the patient inevitably working harder to improve their physical condition. In addition, it helps give patients a sense of accomplishment by doing things that they did prior to an injury. Hospitals also love the fact that the game system has a relatively low cost, only several hundred dollars, compared to thousands for traditional equipment. Patients love it because this is something they can do at home as well, continuing their recovery in the comfort of their home.

Why choose to work as a Respiratory Therapist?

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:03:30 GMT

Why choose to work as a Respiratory Therapist?

By Sue Antinoro PhysicalTherapistSource.com

Why do some of use know exactly what we want to do for a career when we're five years old and for others, we stumble into a career in mid-life. I've always thought it fascinating to find out how people got into their chosen career. When these Respiratory Therapists from an MSN message board were questioned why they chose this field, they responded with a wide variety of reasons:

* "My family had pressured me into being a nurse because my mom and grandma both were. Then when I went to a nursing orientation and I was ready to say forget it with the medical field entirely. I looked through what other programs my school had and I found the RT program. I like the idea of being specialized in one thing and also not being confined to a small area of the hospital."

* "I was a paramedic for 13 years. Part of my clinical training required spending 3 days with an RT. I learned more from him in the 3 days I shadowed him than from anyone else during the entire clinical. I had basically had enough of EMS and it seemed the logical way to go."

* "I worked in another industry for years whichwas affected by 9/11. Three quarters of the workforce were laid off, so I had to find a new career. Medical seemed like a good field, one that I wouldn't have to worry about losing my job again. I've had asthma since childhood, and I've been intubated once for 15 hours because I let an attack go too long. I thought I was halfway there with Respiratory because I know what not breathing feels like. HA! Was I wrong! I had a lot to learn.The learning possibilities are great, depending on what you want to put into it. I am proud of the work that I do. The pay is decent. The hours are good. The overtime opportunities are very good. The re-location possibilities have great potential."

* "I've always known I wanted to work in the Medical field but life took me to other places and I ended up working in a meaningless job that I hated. I was part of a massive layoff at my company and decided to make a move into something meaningful where I could actually feel like I've accomplished something important at the end of the day. I looked into Respiratory, did a shadow experience, and I knew right there that I had found my niche. I absolutely love working with the patients in Clinical, especially the elderly. I graduate in August and I can't wait to start working..."

* "I chose Respiratory Therapy because when I was little I was in a near drowning incident. If it weren't for lifeguards, paramedics, nurses, doctors and RT, I would probably wouldn't be typing this to you. That is why I chose Respiratory Therapy as a career."

* "I knew of the profession in high school. The curriculum was interesting. It has pre-requisites that interested me and lacked the courses I didn't like (lots of chemistry). While it seems specialized to those not in the field, there is much diversity to keep someone intersted in the job for the long haul (28 years in the field and counting). Working with adults or peds or neonates, working with long term patients or pulmonary diagnostics..there are a great deal of different clinical skills in each area. That keeps it interesting for me."

* "I have been a real estates office receptionist for 9 years, and I've been divorced for 6 years. About 2 years ago, I realized being a receptionist was not going to get me ahead in life My aunt, who was an instructor of the nursing program at a local community college, suggested Respiratory Therapy. I told her that I wanted to try something new, maybe medical and didn't think I'd be able to be a nurse. So she told me about the RT program. I looked into it and decided to do it. I'm so very glad that I did. I think I'm going to LOVE being an RT."