Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/258661
FEBRUARY 12-18, 2014 UCW 17
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
What Is a Physical Therapist?
by JENNIFER HAMILTON
In 2004, the North Carolina General Assembly created the North Carolina
Military Business Center; the only statewide military business center in the
U.S. A statewide business-development organization and a collaborative effort
between North Carolina businesses and the N.C. Community College System, the
NCMBC leverages military and other federal business opportunities for economic
development and quality of life in North Carolina. Since opening in January
2005, NCMBC business development specialists have supported N.C. businesses
in identifying, competing for and winning more than 1,724 contracts, worth at
least $3.81 to $12.15 billion.
Throughout the year, the NCMBC hosts multiple
strategic, industry-specific major events to help educate
companies on the upcoming trends, opportunities and
current and future needs of the military. These events also
provide the opportunity to network with major defense
contractors and Department of Defense buyers and
government agencies to build future teaming relationships
and to learn more about defense procurement processes.
2014 N.C. Federal Advanced Technologies Symposium. Senator Richard
Burr, the NCMBC, the North Carolina Military Foundation, the University of
North Carolina and the Institute for Defense and Business are pleased to host
the 2014 N.C. Federal Advanced Technologies Symposium at the McKimmon
Conference & Training Center at N.C. State University in Raleigh on June 4-5.
The Federal Advanced Technologies Symposium will focus on the future advanced
technology needs of the DoD and other federal agencies within the state.
13th Annual Defense and Economic Development Trade Show. Hosted since
2001 at Fayetteville Technical Community College, the N.C. Defense and Economic
Development Trade Show is the premier defense trade show in North Carolina.
This event includes a one-day trade show, extensive networking opportunities
and government procurement workshops for both prospective and current federal
contractors. Senator Richard Burr, Senator Kay Hagan, the NCMBC and FTCC are
pleased to announce the DTS will be held in Fayetteville on Aug. 5.
2014 NC Aerospace Supplier and Advanced Manufacturing Summit.
Senator Richard Burr, the NCMBC, the North Carolina Aerospace Alliance
and the North Carolina Department of Commerce will host the 2014 N.C.
Aerospace Supplier and Advanced Manufacturing Summit in Winston-Salem
on Aug. 7. The ASAM Summit is a statewide, business development and
teaming event focused on current and future defense, commercial and general
aviation business opportunities. An expansion of previous N.C. Aerospace
Supplier Conferences, ASAM will showcase North Carolina companies
engaged in advanced manufacturing and will connect
North Carolina suppliers and service providers with
national aerospace primes, first tier subs and both
military and civilian aerospace customers.
2014 N.C. Federal Construction, Infrastructure
& Environmental Summit. Senator Richard
Burr and the NCMBC are pleased to host the
2014 N.C. Federal Construction, Infrastructure
& Environmental Summit at the Wilmington
Convention Center on Oct. 15-16. FEDCON brings together more than
650 representatives of the Corps of Engineers, Fort Bragg, Marine Corps
Installations East, Department of Veterans Affairs, General Services
Administration, other federal agencies and installations, general and
specialty contractors and designers and construction suppliers in North
Carolina. The FEDCON program will focus on new federal construction
opportunities; sustainment, restoration and modernization opportunities;
energy-related construction opportunities; environmental infrastructure
projects; and federal contracting processes.
For more information
on the NCMBC and the
above events, visit http://
ncmbc.us/index.php
N.C. Military Business Center Calls FTCC Home
by COURTNEY SMEDICK
Do you know what a dentist does? A chiropractor? How about
a physical therapist? Hmmm, stumped on that last one? You're
probably not alone. Why is it that the general population is not
more familiar with the PT profession? Maybe it's because not all
PTs do the same thing or work in the same environment.
Our friends and families think we give massages. When we tell
someone what we do for a living, the most common thing we hear
is, "Can you give me a massage?" No I can't. I can recommend
a good massage therapist, though. But to be truthful, we do do
massage. Just not the kind you want. We can perform soft tissue
massage/mobilization to an isolated area to decrease tightness
and promote improved tissue mobility and decrease pain. Boring,
right?
Even some "medical professionals" don't know what physical
therapists actually do. Dr. Oz featured physical therapy as part
of "cutting-edge solutions for back pain" in an episode last
year. These "solutions" prompted the President of the American
Physical Therapy Association to write a letter to the producers
informing them that PT is able to "offer long-term solutions rather
than temporary, intermittent relief. "
A lot of what we do in the PT world is based on the latest
research. Recent reports indicate that therapy is just as effective as
surgery in those with meniscal tears of the knee and degenerative
disc disease of the lower spine . Research also shows that early PT after the onset
of acute low back pain is more cost effective and leads to quicker recovery. This
same research also shows a trend by physicians and other medical professionals in
continuing to use ineffective and often unnecessary treatments, such as narcotic pain
medications .
People often think that they must first go to their doctor when they experience any
ache or pain. This is a myth. In all but two states, a person is able to seek physical
therapy services without the need for a physician's referral. This is called Direct
Access and the laws regarding it vary by state. Upon graduating, physical therapists
receive a degree as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. As part of our education,
we receive training in differential diagnoses that allows us to determine
signs and symptoms that may require further assessment by a physician in
patients who are not appropriate for PT. In fact, a study published in 2005
revealed that PTs and PT students were superior to physicians (except
orthopedists) in their knowledge of musculoskeletal conditions .
PT is a common treatment approach utilized with low back pain, joint
replacement surgery and arthritis. But did you know that PTs are able
to treat vertigo, headaches or even incontinence? There are so many
diagnoses and conditions that can be easily managed by PT and I wouldn't
bore you by listing them all out right now. Are you wondering if your aches
and pains could be managed by PT? Schedule an appointment today and
find out.
References
1 Cutting-Edge Solutions for Back Pain." The Dr. Oz Show. WRAZ, Raleigh, 13
Jan 2013. Television.