A day in the life of a Physical Therapist By: Chaney Horton

I woke up to the annoying noise of my alarm clock at 6:00 a.m just like every other day

before work. I ate my normal breakfast, a fruit smoothie with my protein mix in it. After I finished

my breakfast I read the newspaper. My husband got up at 6:45 and kissed me goodbye as I

walked out the door. I left a little earlier than usual so that I could be there by 7:45 because, I am

scheduled to be there at 8:00 and I like to be the first one at the clinic. I open the office and make

sure the rooms are clean and ready for patients.

Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods

such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery. It is also the

career I have chosen to do for the rest of my life. I love to help people and make them feel better.

Physical therapy is not only interesting but it is perfect for me. Every day I look forward to going

to work to see what I can do treat peoples pain and injuries.

The first patient was a new person with a hamstring strain. Acute hamstring strains are a common injury in sports. My patient plays soccer and has a hamstring strain, hamstring strains

cases are especially common where there is sprinting. The hamstring strain treatments options are:

Ice Packs/Hot Packs Maintain ROM (range of motion) and strength Train for crutch use if needed ROM/Stretching Strengthening Massage/Soft Tissue Mobilization Ultrasound

To understand a hamstring strain, you need to be familiar with its anatomy. The hamstring

muscle group, consisting of the semimembranosus, semitendinosus and biceps femoris, is a

biarticular set of muscles that span the entire length of the posterior thigh. Originating from the

ischial tuberosity, the hamstrings course inferiorly to attach to the proximal medial portion of the

tibia (semimembranosus and semitendinosus) and the head of the fibula (biceps femoris) and

act concentrically to produce hip extension, knee flexion and knee internal and external rotation,

respectively, when the knee is flexed. The hamstrings also work eccentrically to decelerate hip

flexion and knee extension, an essential motion for high speed running. To help my patient the

first phase will be the acute phase that is 1-5 days most of the treatment is toward decreasing

the inflammation and maintaining range of motion (ROM). The initial treatment is protection, rest,

ice, compression, and elevation. After the pain has decreased I may begin painless gentle

passive ROM and active-assistive range of motion. Muscle strengthening, balance, and stretching will be used to help prevention of a recurrence.

The next patient came in and it was the same routine. This patient was only scheduled

for a half an hour. She was having more pain today, which is pretty typical for Mondays because

unfortunately people tend to overdo themselves over the weekend. We addressed the areas

where she was having more discomfort. I made some modifications so that she would not be

hurting as much. I followed up with a pain modality called interferential stimulation. It helps

decrease pain and guarding in the muscle area. I then did soft tissue work and some passive

stretching to the upper quarter and neck muscles and to the shoulder girdle area. She was

having some specific upgraded home exercises to help resolve that pain.

My next patient had a Cervical TMJ problem. We utilized out PT techs at that point so I

could catch up on paperwork and note writing, I take a lot of notes. The PT techs got her started

on a modality called ultrasound combo. Them I went in for a half hour of soft tissue work and

stretching. We also did some neuromuscular reeducation for the jaw muscles and ended with

some strengthening exercises. My day continued with patients every half hour or so until my lunch hour at 2:00 p.m. I went to Flaming Amys and got a delicious burrito. After I finished eating I got back to the office to

finish my note writing and spell checked and word checked the notes we had dictated on the

evaluations we had seen last week. My lunchtime usually consists of meeting with staff and

answering any questions and concerns they have, catch up on paperwork, and get progress

notes faxed or mailed to the referring physicians. I saw four more patients, only having one new one all day. I stay at the office until about 8:30-9:00 p.m. During this time I catch up on paperwork, type my progress notes for the physicians and finish everything I need for the next day. This concludes my VERY LONG and tiring day of a physical therapist.