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News Releases
Physical Therapy:
Getting the Most from Life
Physical therapy can make a huge difference in the way a person with arthritis lives their life. For some, getting physical and staying more active may be a better way to manage pain. October is Physical Therapy month and the School of Health Professions at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) has special activities for professionals, students and future students highlighting this dynamic and growing area of healthcare.
"Physical therapists help people with orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis," says Marian Minor, associate professor and chair of Physical Therapy in the MU School of Health Professions, "or with joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and dislocations, even workplace injuries including repetitive stress disorders. The list is very exhaustive. Physical therapists practice in a variety of settings - from hospitals to schools to nursing homes."
More than 180 runners kicked off the month in the School of Health Professions Student Physical Therapy Organization's 9th annual Run for Life. Proceeds benefited the Physical Therapy Student Scholarships in memory of Christopher Griffith, Stacey Bragg, and Judy Kleibocker Frieders.
Ten MU physical therapy students will travel to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to attend the America Physical Therapy Association National Student Conclave. "This is a weekend surrounded by more than 1,500 students from across the country," says Minor. "Students will explore practice areas, preview job opportunities, and network with big names in the profession. It is a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity."
To conclude the month, an open house for all high school and college students interested in the physical therapy profession will be held Friday, October 26th from 1:00 - 4:00 pm in 106 Lewis Hall. Students who think physical therapy might be the career for them, should stop by. A faculty member will be able to provide more information.
The School of Health Professions also has an ongoing research project for people with knee osteoarthritis. If you would like to participate or learn more, visit http://www.marrtc.org/research/projects/proj2.html. It's an exciting month for physical therapists so, why not join us? For more information, visit http://www.umshp.org/pt/index.htm or http://www.marrtc.org.
The Missouri Arthritis Research Rehabilitation and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions. MARRTC's core message is "Disability is everyone's issue."
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