National Physical Therapy Month (NPTM) is just around the corner. Are you ready?
October is the profession's opportunity to amplify and promote the benefits of physical therapy, and APTA is here to help you get the message out. This year, #ChoosePT has expanded to include all the benefits of physical therapy, how it is effective for a wide range of conditions including chronic pain, and that connecting with a physical therapist (PT) can be as easy as visiting APTA's Find a PT directory.
Getting involved in NPTM is easy. Here are 5 ways to share the ChoosePT message:
1. Help consumers choose you.
The best way to promote the profession is by increasing the public's engagement and positive experiences with physical therapy—in other words, by doing what you do best. But before you can make that very personal case, the public has to know you're out there and ready to help. APTA's Find a PT directory, a physical therapist member benefit accessible through our consumer website, ChoosePT.com, makes it easy for consumers and other providers to filter results by practice focus or specialization. Take the time to create your profiile—or if you're listed already, make sure your information is up-to-date. You can even add a headshot to enhance your profile.
2. Let the public know about ChoosePT.com.
APTA's consumer website has a new name and a new look. ChoosePT.com includes the Find a PT directory, symptoms and conditions guides, health tips, podcasts, and more. Get the word out on what the site has to offer—it's easy to navigate and full of resources designed to help the nonclinician understand the value of physical therapy.
3. Get social.
This one's easy: use #ChoosePT in your social media posts, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
4. Spread the word with handouts and flyers (and look awesome doing it).
APTA’s updated ChoosePT toolkit offers downloadable handouts and graphics that help you get the word out. And because it just wouldn't be a celebratory month without swag, we're also offering new ChoosePT t-shirts that allow you to keep the message close to your heart (scroll to the bottom of the toolkit page to order).
5. Celebrate Global PT Day of Service on October 12 by helping out in your community.
PTs, physical therapist assistants, and students have a strong track record for being community-minded all year long, but October 12 is a special day set aside for letting the profession's dedication to community service really shine. Visit APTA's PT Day of Service webpage to find out more, participate in challenges, and find local projects to join.
Questions? Contact APTA's public and media relations staff.