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Schmitz: Physical therapy helps Arizonans with chronic health issues

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October is National Physical Therapy Month and 2021 commemorates 100 years of the American Physical Therapy Association as a member association for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students.

This month, we’re celebrating all things physical therapy and the many ways our PTs and PTAs help improve quality of life.

We believe movement is medicine and that physical activity is key to good health and feeling your best. If pain or a medical condition is holding you back, we’re here to help.

There is so much to share about the benefits of physical therapy and the highly trained clinicians who provide it. Physical therapists are movement experts who team with physical therapist assistants to treat people of all ages and abilities.

We are licensed health care providers who help you avoid surgery and prescription drugs, maximize your mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, and improve your physical function and fitness. APTA Arizona is proud to represent nearly 7,000 PTs, PTAs and students in Arizona.

I encourage you to visit to learn more about the services provided by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and to find a PT near you. Our vision, to transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience, is our commitment to patients and consumers to provide a safe and effective care that improve your quality of life.

To improve the health of society, we need the public to understand and acknowledge the value of physical therapy in the health and well-being of all Arizonans. Regular physical activity is one of the best things that you can do for your health.

Unfortunately, more than 80% of adults and young people don’t get enough of it to meet physical activity guidelines, which consists of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week and at least 2 days for muscle-strengthening activities.

This month, during National Physical Therapy Month, I encourage all of you to participate in regular physical activity to prevent and improve many chronic health conditions. Arizona, it’s time to get moving, and physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are here to help.

In addition, I urge all Arizonans to participate in APTA’s 100 Days of Service initiative during the last 100 days of our centennial year to make a collective impact on our communities by performing various service activities. Please do something positive, big or small, in your local community to improve the human experience.

If you’re interested in attending our fall conference, it is being held Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler. Registration for the golf tournament is available at aptaaz.org/events and you do not have to be a PT or PTA to participate.

Editor's note: Brian Schmitz is president of APTA Arizona: A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. Visit choosept.com/az.