Realistically, the concept of physical therapy predates the written record. Even our primitive ancestors were not estranged from the advantages of rehabilitation. But as a viable institution on paper, physical therapy boasts a compelling history worth telling. Nationalists and zealous historians of the like will of course claim that it was born of their people, but most unbiased parties agree that physical therapy was probably started by the ancient Greeks. Thus the concept of physical therapy, which was at its founding more or less of a few staple guidelines, was unveiled to the rest of the world.

The history of the physical therapy that we know is best exposed through the epidemics and wars that took place during the early and mid 20th century, as they were the very events that necessitated its revival. Britain had allegedly adopted physical therapy as a nationally recognized profession just before these events, in the latter decades of the 19th century (although there was already a "small" poliomyelitis issue before then). The majority of the participants in the field were women. Other industrialized nations, including America, followed suit soon after.

The upper east coast of the United States was hit hard by a poliomyelitis epidemic in the early 20th century, giving rise to a prominent boom in the physical therapy industry. The men and women of the industry rose to the challenge and exposed the true rehabilitative power of physical therapy. This in turn prompted the government and the people to encourage the growth of such a useful trade through supportive legislation and public approval.

Popularity aside, burgeoning physical therapists knew that their job security depended on the general public realizing that physical therapy was more than just a useful reaction to a crisis situation. Their need for permanence was satisfied after the World Wars and the Korean War, where their services were called upon heavily once again. From that point on, especially after the poliomyelitis was eradicated in the early 60s, physical therapy was engrained into American society. The professionals in the field now face their biggest challenge yet, the baby boomers.

You want a job as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and you have scheduled an interview. What now? How can you prepare yourself so you can project yourself ahead of other candidates? In today’s job market, there is likely to be many people vying for the same position. Some candidates will be disqualified early, but there will be others who will become your competition. A well- planned and rehearsed question and answer session prior to the interview will allow you to showcase your best attributes without stumbling for words.

Of course, by now, the interviewer will have your well-written resume. That is priority number one. Priority number two is to be on-time, dressed appropriately. Plan to arrive fifteen to twenty minutes early, so you can just relax and get it together after your commute. When ushered into the interview room, greet your host with a smile and a handshake. Wait until offered to be seated. These are no-brainers. The interviewer will be making the first assessment upon first meeting you. Questions will be asked that will allow the interviewer to gauge your job knowledge, people skills and how quickly you can articulate your thoughts. Be prepared with answers for questions, such as:

“Tell me about yourself. “
Here, you want to be prepared with a short synopsis of why you chose this profession and your education leading up to this point, and not an autobiography.

“What do you like best about being a Physical Therapist Assistant?”
This should be easy. Helping people feel better emotionally and physically and witnessing improvement firsthand are good answers.

“What do you like least?”
Here, you might say something like, “Physical therapy takes time and I would prefer that my patients progress faster than usual.”

Do you consider yourself a ‘people person’?
You had better or you are in the wrong profession!

“How would you handle a patient who is unfriendly?”
Point out that you realize how your positive, upbeat attitude may be just what this patient needs to endure the repetition and discomfort of physical therapy.

“What are your career goals?” might really mean, “How long do you plan to work here?”
Be careful with your answer. No employer wants to take the time and expense to train someone who is only going to around for a short time.

“Do you have any questions of me?”
Please don’t ask about the length of breaks, vacations, or how often the employees get raises. If you are offered the position, you will get these questions answered. It is ok to ask about hours of work, benefits and dress codes.

Once you are prepared, relax, be alert, speak in an animated but moderate tone, make eye contact, and smile! Show your confidence in yourself and your interviewer will have confidence in your ability to handle the job.

Will I be required to sign a long term contract?

When working with Ardor Health you will never be required to sign a long term contract. Typically every assignment is different in terms of length. However, for most travel assignments you can expect around a 13 week assignment. Your recruiter will always work with you on whether or not if you want to work a shorter assignment or a longer assignment. Your specific recruiter will be able to walk you through their agreement and any legal wording you need clarification on. Whether your preferences change between each assignment doesn’t matter because Ardor Health will always work to find the perfect assignment for you.

Did you know this about Ardor Health Solutions?

Ardor Health Solutions Itinerary Planner System has launched! In an effort to better help you manage your travel plans; Ardor Health is pleased to announce its new Travel Therapist Itinerary Planner! This is a tool that you can use to plan your Travel Destination and Travel dates. Once the information is entered into your profile we will automatically send you job opportunities based on your Itinerary, making it easy transition to the next job. Work with Ardor Health to plan your itinerary for the rest of the year! Register at http://members.ardorhealth.com/

Ardor Health Solutions is hiring now!

If you are a Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant or a Speech Language Pathologist, Ardor Health Solutions likely has a travel or a permanent placement position for you.

Tiger Woods knows by now that he took himself out of the last tournament he played in due to neck pain. To the average golfer, this may seem like an excuse for playing poorly, but professional golfers spend countless hours on the driving range and putting greens. They have to stand over the ball with head extended downward and then torque the neck upwards as they strike the ball. Doing this about 500 times per day on a regular basis places undue stress on the neck muscles, ligaments and cervical disks. You may also recall that Tiger did claim that he strained his neck in his infamous car accident, and he may not have fully recovered from that incident by the time he began practicing for the Masters. All Golfers should have access to a physical therapist who can assess their physical abilities and provide individualized training programs.

A golfer will extend his neck forward as he stands over the golf ball, causing the "C" shaped curve in the neck to decrease. This is also called loss of cervical lordosis, and this position can increase the stress placed on the muscles, ligaments and disks in and around the neck, and be a cause of cervical pain.

Each pair of vertebrae in the neck has two facet joints which allow for motion between them. Nerve roots extend from between the facets. Pain occurs when the facets grind together. Osteophytes, or bone spurs which are degenerative, can develop and encroach on the nerves.

The usual therapy for neck strains is heat from a hot pad or even a hot shower. Anti-inflammatories are prescribed and the patient is advised to avoid the activity that produces the pain and to use an orthopedic pillow to keep the curve in the cervical spine in the proper position to alleviate the pain.

Stretching exercises that allow the head to hang forward with some pressure applied for about 10 seconds, and turning the head and holding the stretch for about six seconds are recommended. There are strengthening exercises one can do by placing your hand or hands on either side of your head and holding the contraction for several seconds. There are variations to these procedures.

Any golfer should be aware of the stresses the game places on certain muscles, and would do well to properly warm up and take proper action in the event pain does result.

Due to the current crisis caused by the earthquake, physical therapists are in high demand in Haiti. While the news media seems to focus on doctors, nurses, and high tech medical equipment, little is said about the physical therapists needed to help rehabilitate the countless injured residents.

The current health crisis in Haiti, compounded by the devastating earthquake, revealed to the world a country in which health care is vitally important. The influx of volunteer medical professionals from around the world is incredibly admirable, but the lack of physical therapists could mean many Haitian nationals are being treated for their illnesses and injuries and not evaluated for rehabilitative courses. 

With the earthquake upsetting all facets of life in the work and home spheres, an ignored physical injury could lead to more hardships down the road. Even without the possibility of employment, the loss of homes in many areas means dangerous terrain for injured individuals to navigate in order to reach sources of food and water. With the high number of orphans created by the earthquake, guiding children that have sustained injuries through physical therapy treatment could make the difference in teaching them self reliance and personal strength as their body heals.

Physical therapists offer one of the best ways for people living in Haiti to take control and lead happy, healthy lives. Rehabilitating everything from serious injuries to preexisting conditions like arthritis or degenerative diseases provides a method for physical and emotional recovery in a still turbulent environment.

Physical therapists can also work closely with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals in order to ease the congested system and provide better care and greater resources to patients in Haiti. With the aid of more physical therapists, more volunteers will be able to work with more people affected by the disaster, and professionals will be able to see more patients and give them quality care.

Though it might not seem like physical therapists are high on the demand list to help in Haiti, the massive injuries left by the earthquake and the unstable environment the population must now navigate means that the Haitian people are in dire need of physical therapists. With quality and tailored personal care, rehabilitation, and management programs, physical therapists can make a difference in Haiti.