Face of Modern Physical Therapy is Changing

A recent survey showed that more than 50 percent of people think physical therapy is solely for the injured or disabled.  The modern day physical therapist does more than you think.

Physical therapists have long been considered the professional your physician would refer you to for rehabilitation for injuries and disabilities. While this is still true, physical therapists are professionally trained to offer many other services which help people focus on specific health concerns. “Today's physical therapists are taking a proactive role in helping people stay healthy and fit,” says Dr. Kevin McGovern, founder of McGovern Physical Therapy Associates and Game 7 Sports Training (TM). “Visiting a physical therapist can not only help you recover from an injury, but can help you improve your sports endurance and performance, and can reduce medical costs by helping you avoid expensive surgery.”  

Part of what is changing the face of the physical therapy profession is direct access.  Direct access means that individuals can visit a physical therapist directly to seek a personalized health evaluation.  Direct access is available in most states, and not only saves money, but makes health care accessible to all people.

Dr. McGovern says that the modern physical therapy is set apart from some of the old perceptions of what physical therapists do. Physical therapists are independent clinicians highly skilled in the evaluation and treatment of muscular, skeletal and neurological disorders; they are also trained to identify symptoms and conditions that may require referral to a physician or other healthcare practitioner.  For this reason today's physical therapists are capable of getting better results for their patients with a different philosophy on treating injuries.  

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates has had patients who have been to two or three doctors and when they come to the practice the physical therapist finds things related to the injury that were not previously addressed with the patient.
 
To troubleshoot this issue patients undergo functional testing which is what sets McGovern Physical Therapy Associates' Game 7 Sports Training (TM). According to Game 7 founder Dr. Kevin J. McGovern, “this testing allows us to see any biomechanical dysfunction in the body leading to an end product where the client gets better results, with less chance of injury.” Each client is initially tested with a comprehensive, functional exam. The exam has 3 levels of testing: Core, Dynamic and Elite. Each client will properly fit into levels named Game 1 through Game 7, a core beginner to an elite athlete, ensuring that people always perform the appropriate exercise for their ability level.

The professionals at McGovern Physical Therapy Associates are available for long hours with a 10:1 therapist to therapist assistant ratio instead of the practice being filled with physical therapy assistants.  There is a 90 percent chance a patient will see a physical therapist and they will diagnose and treat the body as a whole.

Dr. McGovern says, “The philosophy of helping people restore their health through the science of movement and keeping them healthy through Game 7 starts with the basics of human mobility. If the attic gets put in before the basement, this places individuals at high risk for injury and they're not going to improve. Doing things in a step by step scientific way is what helps patients get great results.”

About Dr. Kevin McGovern
Dr. McGovern is the founder 3 growing companies:
* McGovern Physical Therapy Associates, one of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies in the U.S. recognized by Inc. Magazine;
* Game 7 Sports Training (TM), a physical-therapy-designed strength and conditioning company; and
* Velocity Rx, a physical-therapy designed rehabilitation & instruction program for athletes.

Dr. McGovern is also the inventor of the McGovern Movement Score (MMS), which measures the quality of basic human movements and can score how well one moves to help predict possible future injury.

Dr. McGovern has been analyzing the biomechanics of golfers and baseball pitchers for over 15 years in order to improve athletic results.  As a sports enthusiast and athlete himself, his passion is helping people get in the best possible shape for a healthier, happier life.  Visit www.mcgovernpt.com.

About McGovern Physical Therapy Associates:
Combining innovation, experience and excellence, McGovern Physical Therapy Associates has been a leading provider of outpatient physical therapy care for over 10 years, providing customized treatment programs designed to fit each patient's needs in an optimal healthcare environment where true patient recovery exists.

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates is a 2010 recipient of the Inc. Magazine 5000, a list of the 5000 top growing companies, and was voted Best Physical Therapy Practice by ADVANCE magazine. Visit them at www.mcgovernpt.com.

About Game 7 Sports Training (TM):
Founded by McGovern Physical Therapy Associates, Game 7 Sports Training (TM) is a physical-therapy-designed fitness center with programs customized for individual needs. Through an innovative and scientific manner, Game 7 is an effective method for preventative-injury care and maintaining overall optimum health for any fitness or age level.  Visit www.game7sportstraining.com.