Want to get a feel for the reach and diversity of the physical therapy profession? Browse through a few issues of PT in Motion magazine, APTA's award-winning monthly member publication—whether it's an exploration of what physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) need to know about medical marijuana or an investigation into working with particular populations such as combat athletes, articles are packed with information, insight, and most important, relevance.
If you missed out on a story, don't worry—APTA maintains an online archive of back issues you can access any time.
And if you don't know where to start, we can help with that, too. Here are links to the 5 most popular articles from 2018.
A Growing Interest in Medical Marijuana
When it comes to the use of medical marijuana, PTs and PTAs need to understand not only the complicated legal landscape associated with use of the drug, but the ways in which use of medical marijuana may influence physical therapy care.
Improving the Lives of People With Dementia
Although it may seem counterintuitive to some, PTs and PTAs have an important role to play in the care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Working With Combat Athletes
Combat athletes—individuals who compete in sports such as boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and Brazilian jiu jitsu—subject their bodies to intensely demanding situations that can lead to serious injury. But PTs and PTAs can be instrumental in helping them recover from (and even prevent) those injuries and come out swinging—or kicking. Or both.
Pedaling Past Injury
More than 100 million Americans ride a bike each year. No matter the kind of riding they do, all riders face some of the same challenges, such as risk for falling, overuse injuries, and improper alignment due to a poor bike fit. That's where PTs and PTAs come in.
Not 'Small Adults'
PTs and PTAs treating pediatric overuse injuries must approach their work with the understanding that the biomechanics of children can be different from those of adults. And that can get complicated.
