The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) hosts National Physical Therapy Month, which is observed each October. The goal of National Physical Therapy Month is to recognize how physical therapists and physical therapist assistants help transform society by restoring and improving motion in people’s lives, according to APTA. National Physical Therapy Month is a recognized celebration in the National Health Observances Calendar.

APTA has a variety of tools and planning resources available to help physical therapy professionals celebrate this annual event. Basic resources, including a National Physical Therapy Month fact sheet and 2014 Public Education Campaign document (“Top 7 Myths About Physical Therapy”), are available for members and non-members to view.

In addition, planning resources are available for APTA members, such as event planning guide and event flyer PDFs. Templates for gubernatorial proclamation and mayoral proclamations, including cover letter templates, are also offered. Additional templates for media alert and news release are also available for members to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month and raise awareness.

Podcasts, videos, and PR and marketing tools to reach consumers are also included in the online resources. A news release from APTA notes, “NPTM is a great opportunity to give communities a ‘hands on’ experience of physical therapy by demonstrating what physical therapists and physical therapist assistants really do, and how the profession keeps people fit, active, healthy, and mobile.”

Paul A. Rockar Jr, PT, DPT, MS, the president of APTA, states, “It is my hope that each of you has a safe, happy, and educational National Physical Therapy Month. It’s time to ramp up our efforts to transform society with our skills and expertise!”

APTA represents more than 88,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy across the nation. To view additional information on National Physical Therapy Month, visit www.apta.org/NPTM.

[Source: APTA]