Movement Systems: ​
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Serve as a movement system expert who exemplifies contemporary best practice to improve QoL
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Illustrate leadership as primary care providers that model professional core values
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Apply evidence-based clinical and practice management that exhibits value-based patient/family centered care
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Movement Systems Course Series:
Description: In conjunction with our Fundamentals class, the movement systems series began with understanding the intricate components involved with movement. This includes kinematics, kinetics, muscle activation patterns, and joint movement across everyday activities and exercise. When transitioning into movement systems II, we learnt how to apply these principles to analyzing gait, coordination, and postural control. Using evidenced based practice, we then developed our
ability to integrate these components across a lifespan, and toward principles of aging in relation to balance and gait. In movement system III, we were then able to integrate these layers of knowledge in a way that challenged our clinical reasoning. We further developed as students in understanding how to navigate around interdisciplinary group dynamics and our role as physical therapists in emergency medical settings.
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How this influenced my development as an SPT: ​
Becoming a movement systems expert is our professional identity as physical therapists. This series has influenced my development as an SPT by providing me with the building blocks to the core of our profession. It has given me the ability to take this knowledge and translate it into a clinical setting where I can break down movement and movement dysfunction and reason my way through what may be causing it based on mechanical restraints, or other contributing factors.
Perry – Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp
Description: Perry Mansfield is a dance, theater, and equestrian camp located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It is a nationally recognized legacy of excellence in dance education and an opportunity to work with some of the nation’s finest dancers. During my time here I had the opportunity to work with dancers from the Jose Limon Dance company which has been the vanguard of American Modern dance since its inception in 1946. Over the course of about 8 weeks, during my clinical at Johnson and Johnson Physical Therapy we volunteered to provide 20 min treatments to these dancers 1-2x a week. We also worked a fundraiser to help Perry-Mansfield raise money to help maintain this beautiful property, as well as build and expand their ability to host these dancers.
How this influenced my development as an SPT:
This experience has broadened my examination, evaluation, and treatment skills that go beyond the level needed to treat the more general population. Being a high-level athlete and and performing at high demands for 12+ hours a day places different demands on the body than your average person. For example, what may be an optimal range of motion for the general population, can greatly inhibit the performance of a dancer. They are naturally very strong individuals and are very aware of their bodies, body mechanics, and ways to protect their bodies during dance pieces that consist of different types of jumps, bends, twists, and the other techniques. I now have a broad understanding of the needs and type of treatments that such dancers need to maintain their bodies, and the knowledge to educate them and provide them with ways in which they can treat and mobilize themselves when on the road.
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Performance is what drives us as humans, and when this is impeded by dysfunctional movement or injury it can lead to unwanted detrimental effects. As a future physical therapist it is my job to educate patients on how to use their full potential in the most effective way. This includes incorporating a holistic approach to care that patients can relate with in order to prevent injury, use proper body mechanics, rehab an injury, and understand the mechanisms involved behind pain neuroscience. This provides an opportunity to build a bridge that connects what is happening at the cellular level, and translating it in a way that patients can learn and develop a healthy mind-body connection and see movement as medicine. Being a movement system expert it is my job to improve health outcomes and educate my patients on how to sustain these gains and support health promotion.
Special Olympics- Vermont:
Description: As stated by the Special Olympics Organization “The revolution is inclusion.” The Special Olympics created a movement that works toward creating an inclusive environment for individuals with intellectual difficulties. It was founded in 1968 and has since paved a way for these individuals to participate in sports and athletic competition in various Olympic type sports. This allows these individuals to explore and develop their strengths, abilities, skills, and success in a way that allows them to feel empowered. It provides them the opportunity to develop and build on their physical fitness, form a sense of community with their family and friends, as well as other Special Olympic athletes. It contributes towards a friendly competitive environment with not only other athletes, but competition with oneself through measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth. These components combined then allow them to develop a greater sense of confidence and self-image that can then carry over into other domains of their life such as their homes, classrooms, and social circle.
How this influenced my development as an SPT:
How this has influenced my development as an SPT is the flexibility and creativity that comes with working with these individuals. It taught me how to engage them in a way that interests them and how to utilize their friends and family to motivate them. It has taught me patience and on the spot improvisation an important skill to have when working with individuals with varying learning needs. It has taught me how to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities across a lifespan, which I have since been able to carry over into the clinical setting. This includes working with little kiddos, to older adults and being able to interact with each of them appropriately and confidently. It taught me how motivated these individuals truly are and how much potential each one of them possess to be the best version of themselves and live healthy active lives. It was so heartwarming to see their enthusiasm with regards to their progress and and being able to exceed their previous goals.
Challenges that I faced that developed me as an SPT was when I had to do the tests and measures via telehealth my second time working with the Special Olympics. This created other barriers in trying to build rapport with my athlete and engage them in ways that may not have been as easily done as it would have been in person. Nonetheless, even via telehealth they still demonstrated resilience and a passion and motivation to compete and obtain a medal at the end of their competition period.
Health Outcomes
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Collaborate w/ patients/clients, families, and professional colleagues to optimize health outcomes, maximize patient experience, and facilitate cost efficiency
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Apply evidence based clinical practice management that exhibits value-based patient/family centered care
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Advocate to improve health outcomes and increase the overall functioning and well-being of our society
Musculoskeletal Course Series (MSK)
Description: The MSK course series allowed us to take what we learnt in the movement systems and apply it toward how to screen individuals with MSK related conditions. This includes learning and being able to explain pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, as well as to develop an understanding of other forms of care such as medical and surgical management. We learnt how to apply pain science and pain management strategies when performing patient examination/interventions, and how to then appropriately evaluate individuals with movement dysfunction. This further guides us toward a targeted plan of care that incoportates patient centered treatment and goals using a biopsychosocial model. Furthermore, we developed a basic understanding of diagnostic imaging and its correlation to dysfunction and how to further educate patients on the sensitivity and specificity of imaging.
How this influenced my development as an SPT:
The MSK series developed my ability to clinically reason through determining a diagnosis, appropriately prioritizing examination techniques, developing a prognosis, and creating an appropriate intervention plan. It gave me the tools and knowledge needed to screen my patients using clinical practice guidelines to help further guide my decision making to ensure value based care to my future patients. I have developed an understanding of return to sport protocols, tissue healing, and management, and can ensure my more athletic patient population safe return to sport while educating them on injury prevention and management during the healing process based on evidenced based care.
Pushback for Parkinson’s Disease
Description: Pushback is an exercise program designed for people with Parkinson’s. It is consistent with evidence-based practice, provides a supportive environment, and is adaptable to each individual's tolerance to activity. Participants of Pushback are called “Players'' and the leaders are called “Coaches.” The program consists of a set of exercises that work toward improving posture, torso mobility, hip tightness, foot and leg strength, and balance. In addition to the physical components, the program also focuses on the emotional and psychological components that come with having Parkinson’s. Pushback has created a community of like individuals who can share their experience and allow them to pushback at Parkinson’s together. It is a supportive environment where everyone holds each other accountable while having fun.
How this influenced my development as an SPT:
There is no better way of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and experiencing the feelings and thoughts of these individuals than physically being a part of their process in fighting Parkinson’s. You learn so much from their stories and being able to watch them grow and become stronger. You get to see first-hand how this disease affects people physically and
emotionally. We know people with Parkinson’s have difficulty with movement, and develop deficits in strength and balance, and we as movement system experts are in the most optimal position to help with these components. This experience took knowledge from a book and turned it into an experience that a book could never teach.
UVM’s MS-IDEAL (Individually Designed Exercise for Active Lifestyles) – Multiple Sclerosis
Description: This program was introduced over 18 years ago by Susan Kasser, Ph.D. due to the lack of exercise opportunities for Multiples Sclerosis (MS) patients. She also used this opportunity to advance and conduct her own research with a speciality in postural control and fall risk in adults with MS. Her scholarship focuses on identifying the underlying mechanisms of postural dyscontrol and evaluation of exercise-based interventions aimed at mitigating balance impairment and reducing falls in those with the disease. She found that patients with MS can tolerate challenging exercises and as a result, it has shown to improve their fitness, function, and quality of life. A later study conducted showed that participants had demonstrated improved components of balance, mental health and sense of well-being, perceived fatigue, and ambulation disability. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic Susan Kasser has since shifted her classes to an online format in which they meet weekly and continue to exercise and develop their strength and abilities. She has two classes based on level of disability and activity tolerance while ensuring the health and safety of her participants.
​How this influenced my development as an SPT:
This has influenced my development as an SPT in seeing the passion that Susan Kasser has for studying Multiple Sclerosis, and how she has dedicated her entire career to follow that passion. This experience impacted me in a similar fashion as working with those with Parkinson’s. It is something you must experience first-hand to truly realize and understand the impact of the disease and how it affects people. It provides a means of applying what we learn in school to a real life setting and how we can work together to help these individuals improve their quality of life and battle this disease with the love and support of the community around them.
Neurological Management Course Series
Description: The neurological series gave us the tools to screen for individuals with non-orthopedic conditions. It provided us with the knowledge needed to distinguish between similarities and differences in physiological mechanisms associated with peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous system damage, and its neural response to injury. It allowed us to relate the concept of neuroplasticity, and its relevance to rehabilitation intervention, recovery, and motor learning. We learnt how to perform a thorough neurological examination including muscle tone, coordination, sensory and motor function, cranial nerve function, and reflexes. It gave us a means to be able to identify
movement system deficits with regards to a neurological population, and proper rehabilitation with regards to gait, transfers, assistive devices, wheelchair use, pressure wound prevention, and patient education. In this series we also learnt about wound care and management, and proper dressing use. Lastly, we learnt how to address these various conditions across a lifespan.
​How this influenced my development as an SPT:
Understanding the mechanisms behind our nervous system and the presentations of these various neurological conditions broadened my scope and knowledge regarding how to meet the needs of the individuals I was working with when doing Pushback, IDEAL, Adaptive Kayaking, and the patient I worked with who had Cerebral Palsy. It further provided me with the means to treat a more broadened area of patients outside of just orthopedics. This series also showed me the reward and gratitude associated with working with this population to the point where I would like to obtain further knowledge toward this side of PT. This would further allow me to have the skills necessary in my toolbox in the chance that one day I choose to pursue a path in neurological rehabilitation.
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Sustainability
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Engage in community and professional activities that demonstrate social responsibility through a variety of experience and assessments