What is PT Month?

By: Melisa Hoffman, DPT

National PT month is celebrated every October. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and Physical Therapy students who have made an impact in our lives by helping us to restore motion and improve pain. National PT month started in 1981 in June. However, after it conflicted with the American Physical Therapy Associations annual conference it was moved to October in 1992.

Physical therapy is a safe and effective alternative to medication for the treatment of pain. It is considered one of the most effective ways to treat chronic pain and recover from injuries. It also can help to prevent falls and maintain overall health. 

Physical Therapists treat people of all ages and abilities. Here are a few ways physical therapy can help:

• Optimizing your movement: Physical Therapists are experts who can help identify and treat movement problems as it relates to weakness, malalignment and limited range of motion.
• Help improve your recovery: Physical Therapists work with other providers to help individuals achieve their physical goals.
• Avoid Medications: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging health care providers to reduce the use of opioids and use safer alternatives like physical therapy.
• Delay/Prevent Surgery: Before someone decides to have surgery, Physical therapy has shown to be effective to help prevent and/or delay surgery.

Melisa Hoffman, DPT is a Physical Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation at CAO OrthoMaryland. Melisa oversees the physical therapy and occupational therapy department at the practice's Baltimore area locations.