What if I could?

Daniel Pink is the author of multiple bestsellers, and in his new book "To Sell Is Human," Pink believes you and I are in the business of moving others everyday. You might think you don't sell anything, but you do. Everyday, you and I are selling something: at work, home and in our community. We sell what we believe in and what we value. We sell our ideas, our dreams and the things we are devoted too. Sometimes we don't even know we are doing it, but we are selling the things we are passionate about.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the four key health behavior targets for our country that we should be looking at are: lack of exercise/physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use and the overconsumption of alcohol. These key health behavior targets predict high-risk groups that are susceptible to disease and long-term health issues. These are things that we have control over, and these are things that we can find low-cost solutions for to help those in our community.

As a physical therapist, I was a part of a low-cost program through the Loma Linda University Department of Pediatrics, with a group of other health care providers called Shapedown. It was a program for children and their families with Type 1 diabetes. It was set up to teach them about how to manage their diabetes and prevent long-term health issues. We had a family psychologist, a nutritionist, a social worker and myself. We were a team of providers that had a primary goal in mind: to be a support system to families and children that were challenged with this health issue, and to educate them in all the components of their care. We were a safe place where parents, other siblings, and the children themselves learned new coping skills to live with the new life they were confronted with each day. The program was very successful, and the health intervention was a tool to make a difference in the lives of these families.

This month is National Physical Therapy Month and physical therapists have long believed they could make a significant difference in the lack of exercise/physical activity component of the CDC's four key health behavior targets. Thankfully, now with the ability in the US to have direct access to our services in all 50 states, we can make a big difference in this arena.

You, as the patient, are now allowed to see a physical therapist without an MD's referral. Of course, some of your insurances require pre-authorization, so a visit to the MD is needed, but you still are allowed at least an initial evaluation to determine if our services are indicated; then via our initial evaluation paperwork to your MD, we can obtain care for you. Most all insurances cover some component of physical therapy, and most all therapists have a discounted cash pay option.

Physical therapy is now available to everyone, and it is time for people to enjoy the health benefits of it. Often people do not attend physical therapy because it is thought to be painful, however this is not always the case. Physical therapists actually seek to decrease your pain and discomfort levels and assist you in healing. They work to improve your movement and return to activity so further surgical intervention is unnecessary.

Physical therapy is not only for injuries and accidents, but also to decrease the likelihood of more serious health related issues; such as preventing a painful back strain from becoming a chronic issue, or possibly preventing a rotator cuff strain from having to have surgery. Only a licensed physical therapist and their assistants can perform physical therapy interventions, all other people claiming to do physical therapy are not allowed to say they are doing physical therapy.

Many people desire to do their own rehab and they go the gym and attempt to get well. My suggestion is for you to have an evaluation with your physical therapist first. Leverage their expertise and specialized education, then work together with them and the gym to set your goals and make an individualized plan of action.

I have been a physical therapist for 30 years this year and if I could, I would make sure everyone knew and understood the benefits of our profession for their physical health goals. A physical therapist should be an integral part of your life. I know of no person who has not had some type of physical health-related problem. Remember, your therapists are your movement experts, and they can take care of all your movement-related problems. They understand normal movement patterns, and when they see dysfunction, they know what to do to make it right. That's their specialty, so take advantage of it. Make an appointment to see your physical therapist today, your bodies will thank you.

Sheree DiBiase, PT, is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy. She and her staff can be reached in their CDA office at (208) 667-1988, and in their Spokane Valley office at (509) 891-2623. Physical therapy is our passion, and we want you to be well!