In A Student’s Words… By Allyson
I have noticed in the SNF environment it is easy, as a PT, to have patients perform lower extremity strengthening exercises. While this is an important and essential part of therapy, as I have written previously, I try to challenge myself to come up with new exercises for patients as they progress. This clinical experience is constantly reminding me to draw on a variety of tools/techniques in order to develop a patient’s plan of care. This week I had the opportunity to attend a continuing education class on spinal manipulation presented by Peter Gibbons and Philip Tehan of Australia. The course was very informative and I feel confident in my ability to identify patients that would benefit from this intervention.
Although, in the SNF setting I know I will not use this skill often, as a physical therapist it is important to have a variety of tricks up your sleeve. Being able to pull ideas from general techniques such as motor learning/exercise prescription and from specialized techniques such as MDT/NDT therapists are able to provide individualized treatments that progress patients toward their desired functional goals. In school we briefly touch on each of these topics. It is through continuing education classes and clinical experience, such as this, that one develops the ability to effectively incorporate these skills into clinical practice.
- Allyson, University of Oklahoma DPT 2011
