What is considered optimal movement? The answer to this question for an elderly grandfather who wants to pick up his grandkids may differ from an olympic weightlifter seeking improvement for overhead press movements. Regardless of the activity, physical therapists are expected to have a sound understanding of biomechanics and kinesiology to optimize human movement. Through sound understanding of the musculoskeletal system, continuous research with the latest technology, and better education programs, the physical therapist is able to provide the expertise to increase decrease the probability of injury and provide faster, better rehabilitation programs.
Stephanie from New Leaf Physical Therapy noted an interesting study on the website
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Through technology, research can produce better modalities to decrease common ailments such as running related issues, lower back pain, and lower limb injury. Breakthrough sometimes come through unexpected ways, such as the case of Brian Kolfage. Brian, a military veteran who lost his right hand and both legs in a mortar blast while serving in Iraq, endured an arduous, long rehab period. He was determined and worked hard to regain his mobility, but his walking was limited due to painful skin reactions from the prosthetics. The answer to his issue came from an unexpected source in Clearwater, Florida, connecting the war veteran to the famous dolphin, Winter. Winter was an amputee dolphin who lost its tail in a crab trap. The prosthetic tail created for winter contained a fat like material that protected Winter's sensitive skin from the prosthetic. This concept was applied to Brian's lower limb prosthetics, which resulted in one of the most inspiring rehabilitation stories as Brian would successfully learn to use his prosthetics and live his life again. The physical therapy field continues to evolve as innovative research delivers better modalities based on evidence to help maintain human movement and deliver high quality rehabilitation programs throughout all