We are now into year 12 of the APTA’s 20 year “Vision 2020” mission statement. With the APTA National Conference right around the corner, I think it is important to assess the accountability of the organization in meeting the goals of Vision 2020. I would like to believe that the association exists to serve the membership, and thus here is one member’s personal report card.
For those that need a refresher, here is what the APTA’s House Of Delegates put forth in 2000: “By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental barriers related to movement, function, and health.”
So with that said, let’s take a look at where we stand on all of this, 12 years down the road.
The United States of America has a rich tapestry of cultures. The country’s heritage and history is firmly rooted in the influx of immigrants who have come to the United States and helped to make this country what it is today. Some have come here seeking solace from religious oppression. Some have come here seeking freedom. And some have come here with a simple desire to live a better life.
Today, May 21, is Victoria Day in Canada. It is the date on which Canadians celebrate the beginning of summer. Victoria Day has been celebrated since long before Confederation in 1867.
Today, May 21, is also Naturalization Day in the United States, or, perhaps more accurately, Allan’s Naturalization Day. Today, I officially became a naturalized US citizen. I don’t have a tale of religious persecution, nor am I running away from political oppression. My tale isn’t dramatic like that, but with that said, it is a tale of naturalization nonetheless.
It started off as just a pristine black and white photocopy, but over time it has slowly become a faded yellow piece of paper. It isn’t very big, with just a few words printed on it. This piece of paper has occupied a place on my refrigerator for many years now. It has been with me on my journey from Brockville to Austin.
On it are the words to a wonderful piece of writing by none other than Robert Frost. It is entitled “The Road Not Taken”.
It is a constant reminder of what happens when we make that first step forward and dare to do so. It could be in life, in love, in the pursuit of happiness, in growth, in self discovery.
This is the 16th in a series of RunSmart videos. The series is on-going, with a new video released on a biweekly basis. These videos complement the material presented in the book “RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach To Injury-Free Running”. The full series of videos can be found here. A compilation of the first 10 videos will be available on Vimeo as well.
For those of you that are interested in a more interactive learning environment, consider attending a Level One (half day), Level Two (one day), or Level Three (two day) RunSmart program. The Level One program is 4 hours and focuses on basic training principles, running mechanics, and injury prevention. The Level Two program is 8.5 hours and focuses on performance optimization and training program development. The Level Three program is a two day, 15 hour program that includes a comprehensive approach to running injuries. The next Level One program will be offered in Austin on June 30, 2012. The next Level Three program will be offered in Austin, Texas on August 17 - 18, 2012.
In this video, I discuss the reality of running injuries. The statistics are abysmal. The scientific research indicates that injuries are not related to biomechanical mal-alignment or that sort of issue. The key element to running injuries? Training.
The 101st birthday of bluesman Robert Johnson last week got me thinking about the man and his music. It also got me thinking about how “the crossroads” is a recurring theme in life.
In a previous post, I mentioned my now-legendary discovery of “Crossroads Blues” at an early age while sitting in the back of our Toyota Celica. Then, many years later, my curiosity got the better of me. In death, as much as in life, Johnson was a man of epic proportions, yet of great mysticism and legend. I wanted to learn more about the legend.
So what did I do? There was one obvious choice: to travel to Mississippi in search of the legendary crossroads at the intersection of Highways 49 and 61.
On April 24, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy took part in a Federal Advocacy Forum on Capitol Hill. I for one applaud the efforts of this group in that they were able to present one small (yet at least united) voice to Congress. We certainly need a stronger voice in today’s health care world.
With that said, and with my annual APTA membership due for renewal, I am having my doubts about the direction that the profession is heading in this country these days, and the rate at which it is heading there.
I have now practiced in the United States for almost 22 years. The APTA’s Vision 2020 – the official vision statement for the profession – has now been in existence for 12 years. But when you look at the issues that are front and center with our Federal Advocacy Forum, you have to wonder where our priorities truly lie.
It is amazing how time flies by so quickly and how easy it is to lose track of what is going on in the news. Over the past few weeks, I have been preparing a two day course, with the final product being presented in Reno this past weekend. Even with the barrage of digital data that pervades our existence these days, it is still pretty easy to lose sight of what is happening in the world when you are on the road.
During my travels I was able to explore Desolation Wilderness, just outside of South Lake Tahoe, and revisit that thing called peace and quiet – otherwise known as solitude. It is still possible to remove the digital leash in order to be one with the analog world.
And then, I came back to the real world – where rhubarb is plentiful once again. Here is Episode 40 of the Rhubarb Report – a smattering of rhubarb from the worlds of sport and politics.
Up to 60% of runners will sustain an injury within any given year. Poor running mechanics, in conjunction with poor, ineffective and outdated training methods, can pose a significant injury risk. "RunSmart" was written to address these issues in the running community.
"Running Injuries: Etiology And Recovery- Based Treatment" (co-author Bridget Clark, PT) appears in the third edition and fourth editions of "Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: A Team Approach" by Charles Giangarra, MD and Robert C. Manske, PT.
Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.
Top 5 finalist in three categories: "Best Overall Blog", "Best PT Blog" and "Best Advocacy Blog".
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