Chris Dahlhoff: Awareness for Physical Therapy Month

Although less popular than Breast Cancer Awareness month, October is also National Physical Therapy month. During this month we are charged by our association and peers to promote awareness of our profession, dispel myths about what Physical Therapy is and is not, and describe how we can help people with physical impairments achieve their performance goals. To that point, as of January 1st of this year, California law AB1000 went into effect, which allows direct access to your Physical Therapist, without a prescription from your physician.

Governor Brown signed the bill last year because research indicates that direct access to PT improves outcomes, saves time and money, and does not increase risk to the patient. This new law also recognizes the professional education (most universities graduate doctor level therapists) and competence required to be a primary healthcare provider. As such, wouldn’t it be fantastic if the Sun-Star would recognize our efforts in helping to keep our community healthy by including a “Best Physical Therapist” category in its readers choice program?

This story was originally published October 23, 2014 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Chris Dahlhoff: Awareness for Physical Therapy Month."