Legislative Impact Day 2009

Colleagues,

 

The WA Chapter held its chapter rally/lobby day this morning at the state capitol today in support of its legislation (SB 5230) to remove the current spinal manipulation prohibition which was inserted into the WA PT Act back in 1988. 

 

There were 625 PT participants at the rally – which is HUGE for state lobby day (I am unaware of any state chapter ever holding a capitol rally as big as this!)  The WA Chapter really did an excellent job.

 

Today’s event has garnered a lot of media attention.  Be sure to check out the online story the Seattle Times website:

 

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/politicsnorthwest/2009/01/22/the_campus_is_heating_up.html

 

Scroll down to bottom where there is a video and pictures of today’s event! 

 

ACTION REQUIRED – please submit comments in the ‘comment section’ underneath the news article, i.e. refuting the chiros claims that PTs don’t have the education to perform manipulation, as well as their concerns over “safety.”  Also please highlight the benefits to the patient and how removal of this prohibition is good for health care, good for provider choice, and is good for cost containment, etc.. It would nice to generate a lot of “pro-PT” comments for this news article as it is sure to make the rounds over the next days on the internet.  State legislators will be reading this in days to come!

 

Key points to make if you submit comments to the article:

 

* The removal of this will benefit patients in WA state by providing choice

* PTs do have the education to perform manipulation– the Normative Model requires curriculum in manipulation for a PT school to be accredited.

* There is no documented safety issue with PTs performing spinal manipulation.

* PTs do a majority of the research on spinal manipulation.

* Washington is only one of two states that have this ridiculous prohibition.  The prohibition was put there decades ago as part of a political deal, not for any logical reason.

 

Please share this with your friends and colleagues!

 

 

Timothy W. Flynn, PT, PhD
President, AAOMPT

Election Results!

Congratulations to those brave souls who have agreed to become next years SOMPTA Officers!

C0-Chairmen :  Brandon Bennett & Shelby Gihring

Co-Vice Chairmen: Adam Henson & Chelsea Athing

Secretary/Treasurer: Mandy Olney

Thanks for stepping up and being leaders among your peers!

PT and Neck/Arm Pain

-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
 PHYSICAL THERAPY AND EXERCISE PROVEN A BETTER ALTERNATIVE FOR NECK AND ARM PAIN SUFFERERS.

Tallahassee, Florida, October 20, 2008 – Neck pain is one of the top 10 reasons for a patient to visit a doctor. The lead article in the most recent issue Spine reports on the results of a randomized clinical trial which demonstrated that patients who received manual physical therapy and exercise had twice the improvement in symptoms compared to the current guideline group.   The subjects in the study experienced both short and long term improvements in their neck pain.  The study compared the use of manual therapy and exercise compared to the current guidelines of advice, rest, and range of motion.  The results of this study are comparable to those reported by Hoving et al in 2002, which also demonstrated that manual physical therapy and exercise resulted in excellent clinical results in the treatment of neck pain while also providing a significant cost savings compared to usual physician care (Kothals-de Bos et al 2003).  Manual physical therapy includes the use of hands-on techniques including joint and soft-tissue mobilization, designed to restore motion and reduce pain.  Hurwitz et al (2008) concluded in a systematic review on neck pain also in the journal Spine, “Our best evidence synthesis suggests that therapies involving manual therapy and exercise are more effective than alternative strategies for patients with neck pain.”

 

Tim Flynn, PT, PhD, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, expressed confidence that, “This study broadens the base and depth of evidence that manual physical therapy is the first line treatment for patients suffering from neck and arm pain.”  He continued, “Year after year the physical therapy profession continues to produce high quality randomized, controlled trials that demonstrate conclusively that our profession provides better outcomes for less money, while also being substantially safer than other medical interventions. Wake up America, to a new day without pain.” If you have neck or back pain or the aches and pains of musculoskeletal problems contact your local physical therapist today. 

Meeting Minutes 9.22.08

SOMPTA
(Student Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Association)
Meeting Minutes
9/22/2008

 

I.                   AAOMPT (American Academy of Manual Physical Therapy)

a.       National Organization formed outside of APTA

b.      Only MT group in the nation in IFOMT (International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Therapists)

c.       AAOMPT and SOMPTA is more than just MANIPULATION!

d.      MT is also soft tissue, mobilization, myofascial techniques, etc...

e.       SOMPTA is a SSIG (Student special interest group) of AAOMPT

 

II.                Manual Therapy

a.       MT and exercise is proven to be more effective than other treatment options

b.      This group is for people who enjoy using their hands and their manual skills

 

III.             SOMPTA Membership

a.       Each SOMPTA member MUST be a member of AAOMPT ($15 registration fee) –requirement of APTA in order for SOMPTA to be a sSIG

b.      $10 annual fee

                                                              i.      Please make checks to SOMPTA and either drop checks off in the SOMPTA box in the chart room or turn them into Yoshi

                                                            ii.      Due 10/6/08

 

IV.             2008 AAOMPT Conference

a.       Oct. 29^th –Nov.2^nd

b.      Student registration fee - $145

c.       Pre-conference is on Thursday from 1-6pm – no registration fee

d.      SOMPTA will provide some funding.  Specific amount will be determined based on amount of students who are registered to attend the conference.

 

V.                How Spinal Manipulative Therapy Works: Why ask Why

a.       JOSPT

b.      See attached

 

VI.             SOMPTA Elections

a.       November

b.      Open to 1^st and 2^nd Year members

 

VII.          Rally Day

a.       When: January 22, 2008

b.      Where: Olympia

c.       What: Meet legislatures and talk to them regarding current legislative topics

d.      Why: Great experience, get our names out there, know the ropes

 

 

VIII.       Open lab

a.       Every other Monday

b.      C-114 will be open to practice any manual techniques

 

IX.             Funding

a.       Email any fundraiser ideas to BJ (bradleystockton@gmail.com), Karin (ktownsend@ups.edu), or Yoshi (ryoshizu@ups.edu) 

Manipulation Legislative Battles, Advocacy and Practice Protection

When:      October 30, 2008  1-6pm; followed by a reception with legislators 

Who:        William Boissonnault, Steve McDavitt, Ken Olson, Melissa Johnson
Where:     Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Seattle
                American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists

How:          www.letsmeet.net/forms/aaompt/aaomptReg.aspx

Calling all Washington State Physical Therapists to seize this critical opportunity to learn about and support our legislative effort to erase language prohibiting spinal manipulation in our state!  Register now www.letsmeet.net/forms/aaompt/aaomptReg.aspx  and attend this landmark occasion with national leaders of our profession coming to Seattle to support our efforts.

AAOMPT sSIG Leadership Committee

AAOMPT-sSIG members!
Please give a very warm welcome to your incoming sSIG Leadership Committee!!

President - Rebecca Hardy, Regis University
Vice President - Stephen Brittain, Texas Woman's University
Secretary - Angela M , Regis University
Treasurer - Pending..
Member at Large - Rachel Stockdale, University of Kansas Medical Center

AAOMPT –sSIG Executive Elections

Now Requesting New Platforms!!!

The purpose of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy – student special interest group (AAOMPT-sSIG) is to serve its members by fostering active student involvement in the AAOMPT. This will be done by facilitating the advancement of the orthopedic manual physical therapy practice and enhancing the use of current evidence-based manual physical therapy practice.

Goals of the AAOMPT-sSIG
-To provide extra opportunities to grow as a student PT
-Promote discussions between students, faculty, and fellows
-Accelerate decision making skills and processes
-Networking with future colleagues

The AAOMPT-sSIG will start requesting platforms for executive positions on June 2nd and will run until June 16th. Platforms will be posted for active student members to view and elections will be held on the 23rd. If you are interested in running for a position please send platforms kwong2@kumc.edu by June 16th. See below for instructions on elections process.
-Executive Committee Positions two year term – the first year will consist of learning and assisting; the second year you will play the active role and mentor the incoming committee.

Requirements
-AAOMPT student member ($15 to join at aaompt.org)Starting the 2nd year of PT school (to allow for a 2 year term)
-Manual therapy experience (education background and/or clinical rotation background)

Description of Positions:
President: The President shall be responsible for preparing agendas and conducting all meetings of the AAOMPT-sSIG Leadership Committee. He/she shall report biannually to the AAOMPT-sSIG membership. The President will play a supervisory role to ensure the promotion and action of the AOMPT-sSIG Mission. He/she shall serve as a liaison between the Leadership Committee and the members of the sSIG. He/she shall be the chief liaison between the Leadership Committee and the AAOMPT Executive Committee
Vice President: The Vice-President shall assist President in all duties and assume those duties in the President’s absence. He/she shall assume responsibility for maintaining internal relations among members of the sSIG.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for managing the funds allocated to the SSIG by the AAOMPT and any funds collected through fund-raising events. He/she shall be responsible for accessing funds in accordance to the decisions made by the Leadership Committee. He/she shall maintain accurate and complete records of financial transactions and make these available to the SSIG or AAOMPT upon request. The records of transactions shall be reviewed and audited by the Secretary at least on an annual basis. He/she shall be a source for understanding the financial system within the AAOMPT-SSIG in regards to purchase orders, check requests, deposits, etc. He/she shall assume duties of Secretary in the Secretary’s temporary absence.
Secretary: The Secretary shall conduct the election of AAOMPT-SSIG officers The Secretary shall be responsible for taking, recording, and distributing minutes from each leadership meeting to members of SSIG within 10 days. He/she shall compile and distribute agendas for future meetings. He/she shall act as the auditor of the financial transactions of the AAOMPT–SSIG and shall review these records at least on an annual basis. 
Member at Large: The Member at Large shall be responsible for representing student members of the AAOMPT within the Leadership Committee. He/she shall bring ideas from the member base to the Leadership Committee table for discussion. He/she shall serve as liaison between the Leadership Committee and the members of the SSIG and shall coordinate regular communications/ updates with the SSIG.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the election process please contact:
Kelli Wong, SPT, AAOMPT-sSIG President
University of Kansas Medical Center DPT class of 2009
kwong2@kumc.edu
913-907-9887