October is National Physical Therapy Month — a time to celebrate the profession, spotlight the many benefits of physical therapy, and showcase the impact that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants have on improving the health of society.

This year, under APTA's ChoosePT consumer brand, APTA is launching a new theme and consumer awareness campaign: PT For Future Me. The campaign highlights how physical therapy promotes resilience by supporting strength, mobility, and overall wellness throughout the lifespan.

Whether your patients are recovering from injury, managing a chronic condition, enhancing their mobility, or investing in long-term independence, PT For Future Me illustrates how physical therapy helps people thrive in all aspects of work, life, and play.

Download Marketing Assets From the ChoosePT New Member Toolkit

To help you share these messages, APTA created a new member toolkit in the APTA Public Relations and Marketing Center. Inside, you'll find ready-to-use resources, including:

• An FAQ to address common questions about the theme
• A customizable press release for local outreach
• Downloadable social media graphics with suggested social media copy for easy sharing
• A downloadable infographic

• A patient toolkit, including:
  • Information about physical therapy, PTs, and PTAs
  • Educational fact sheets organized by life stage
  • A discussion guide to help patients prepare for their first visit
• Infographic
• A new landing page, ChoosePT.com/future-me, with resources, guiding visitors to the Find-a-PT locator
• Additional initiatives to help amplify our collective reach: An animated video will be available later in October. Stay tuned for more highlights, including media interviews, our annual presence in Rockefeller Plaza for the "Today" show, and a national satellite media tour.

APTA National Physical Therapy Month Social Media Contest

Join us in highlighting physical therapy's role in enhancing movement and function and promoting resilience through every phase of life. Help us spread the word about why physical therapy is important at every age and stage.

How to participate:

1. Create an Instagram post that shows how physical therapy supports lifelong health at every age and stage. In your post, do at least one of the following:
   1. Tell a patient story from any life stage — childhood, young adulthood, midlife, or older adulthood.
   2. Explain how physical therapy addresses the unique needs of people at different ages.
   3. Show how your specialty helps patients stay active, independent, and doing what they love.

Make it clear: Physical therapy isn't just for recovery — it's essential for thriving at every stage of life.

2. Include the hashtags #PTMonth and #PTForFutureMe, and #ChoosePT.
3. Tag @official_apta in your post.

What you'll win:

• APTA will randomly select one submission each week, starting the second week of October, for a total of four winners.
• We'll share your post on the @official_apta Instagram.
• At the end of the month, you'll be sent a $50 gift card to the APTA Store!

Attract new patients and clients with Find a PT. Member PTs and their practices can benefit directly from increased public awareness during National Physical Therapy Month and all year with an active Find a PT profile.

Millions of Americans visit ChoosePT.com annually, and nearly 1 million of them have used APTA's Find a PT Directory this year alone to search for a member physical therapist near them. Traffic to the website is expected to increase during October. If you are willing to be contacted by consumers seeking care, make sure your Find a PT profile is up to date and accurately reflects your practice focuses, experience, and expertise so consumers and referral sources can find you. View the instructions and update (or create) your Find a PT Profile today.