Kinesio is celebrating National Physical Therapy Month!

What inspired you to decide the career path you chose? *

I work with cancer survivors and did not start out on this path, but the women and survivors that I work with every day inspire me. Cancer treatment can be so debilitating and life altering. There is so much need for physical therapy to help people on the path of survivorship.

Why did you choose Kinesio® Taping Method to help heal your patients? *

It works. So many of my patients use it to address problems of scar tissue, swelling, and muscle function.

What is your perspective, as a medical professional, on the rise of opioid abuse in our country? *

It is too easy to write and take a prescription to manage pain. There is not enough attention on the reasons for taking and not taking pain medication and the long term effects of pain medication on the brain and body.

If more people were able to be treated sooner by a Physical therapist, do you feel there would a decrease of opioid abuse? Why? *

I do feel that early Physical Therapy can reduce the use of opioid pain medication because our focus is on treating the underlying musculoskeletal problems and keeping a person functional and strong rather than descending into a chronic pain cycle.

What inspired you to decide the career path you chose? *

A close friend of mine had a severe skiing accident, and suffered a debilitating Spinal Cord Injury. When i saw what his physical therapists were doing for him, i thought, “I can do that. That’s an honest way to make a living.”

Why did you choose Kinesio® Taping Method to help heal your patients? *

This modality and method has changed the way I practice. My patients get better faster, and don’t cancel on me since no one tapes like I do!

What is your perspective, as a medical professional, on the rise of opioid abuse in our country? *

It’s an unnecessary crisis that can negatively impact patients’ long term quality of life. Not to mention how awful it is that the pharmaceutical industry has profited off of the dependence of those who are looking to manage their pain.

If more people were able to be treated sooner by a Physical therapist, do you feel there would a decrease of opioid abuse? Why? *

Yes. Physical therapists do not only treat physical pain, but we can affect the patient’s ability to manage pain through perception, meditation, and even empowerment by recognizing how they are recovering over time.

What inspired you to decide the career path you chose? *

That’s simple. My Dad chose my profession. I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I guess Father knows best because I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Being a Physical Therapist is very rewarding. You get to help people get their lives back.

Why did you choose Kinesio® Taping Method to help heal your patients? *

Because it works! My passion with Kinesio Taping Method started 15 years ago. I saw how effective it was especially helping people decrease their pain. So I became a CKTP and then later a CKTI because I saw the impact on its effectiveness in pain reduction and improved function.

What is your perspective, as a medical professional, on the rise of opioid abuse in our country? *

We need to put greater emphasis in educating the public and medical professionals on Physical Therapy treatment as an alternative to opioid use. Just because opioid is prescribed does not mean it is the best treatment option for the patient. Opioid is not a long term solution. It only masks the pain. It can potentially lead to dependency issue. Physical Therapy on the other hand, through movement and Kinesio Taping as one of the modalities for pain control, can treat the patient with no dangerous consequences.

If more people were able to be treated sooner by a Physical therapist, do you feel there would a decrease of opioid abuse? Why? *

Yes. Physical Therapy has been proven to help decrease pain and improve function. We can work with their physicians to help wean off use of pain medications and constant education of the dangers of opioid use. If we get them early enough to Physical Therapy, they wouldn’t require opioids.

What inspired you to decide the career path you chose? *

I love human movement and seeing people move with less effort and more ease is fantastic fun!

Why did you choose Kinesio® Taping Method to help heal your patients? *

I think Kinesio chose me sometimes. But I reach for the product and the method daily to help normalize sensation, fluid dynamic or movement. There is no other product or method so diverse as Kinesio. The Kinesio family is well informed and global- this helps us share information and not have to re-create the wheel.

What is your perspective, as a medical professional, on the rise of opioid abuse in our country? *

This has been going on a long time and I meet so many patients that do not want to use drugs anymore- they still have pain as well as side effects. Many patients are asking for something different- and are more open to alternatives. Many other medical professionals- especially orthopedic doctors- are also interested in what else we can try, so why not Kinesio Taping? There is evidence to support using Kinesio Tape in all medical settings to decrease pain and normalize tissues.

If more people were able to be treated sooner by a Physical therapist, do you feel there would a decrease of opioid abuse? Why? *

Early intervention and education by physical therapy professionals is effective to decrease opioid use. The American Physical Therapy Association just published a white paper titled, “Beyond Opioids: How Physical Therapy Can Transform Pain Management to Improve Health” Chronic pain and education on why people still have pain years after an injury is something physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are well suited for- we need to try alternative means before opioid addiction becomes an issue. Also see APTA’s Opioid Awareness Campaign, #ChoosePT.

What inspired you to decide the career path you chose? *

I was always interested and participated with sports growing up and always active and enjoyed participating as a team in many different environments. This is also true in health care. Being part of a team of health care professionals, enjoying what I do, having a lot of fun, and being able to help people keeps me inspired and motivated.

Why did you choose Kinesio® Taping Method to help heal your patients? *

This Kinesio Taping method is backed by over 40 years of science with excellent clinical outcomes. It has stood the test of time. Good things do. Kinesio Taping is an excellent treatment tool to help the body heal and adapt to every day human life. Patients really enjoy being taped, they feel better, function better, and have a lot of fun.

What is your perspective, as a medical professional, on the rise of opioid abuse in our country? *

I think people by nature are wanting a quick fix especially how our society has progressed over the past 20 years. I think there are more options than ever with treating the human body as science progresses. Taking a pill is not always the answer. Physical Therapy offers many different alternatives and solutions with managing people symptoms after an injury.

If more people were able to be treated sooner by a Physical therapist, do you feel there would a decrease of opioid abuse? Why? *

Having many options is a good thing with healthcare. Physical Therapy is one of these. I think if people are exposed sooner to a physical therapist for management of their pain, people would realize there are safer and better ways to manage their issues rather than exposing themselves to greater health risks with dependency on opiates.

What inspired you to decide the career path you chose? *

To be famous with use of my skills to the society

Why did you choose Kinesio® Taping Method to help heal your patients? *

To accelerate the patient recovery duration and ease their pain

What is your perspective, as a medical professional, on the rise of opioid abuse in our country? *

Public needs to be educated to report and to be aware of the opioid abuse

If more people were able to be treated sooner by a Physical therapist, do you feel there would a decrease of opioid abuse? Why? *

Maybe. Patient needs to have tolerance for duration taken for pain relief by physical therapist.