The PostureWorks

10/10/2024

As we celebrate PT Month 2024 here are some fun facts about physical therapy in the United States.

A GROWING FIELD: Physical therapy is one of the fastest-growing healthcare fields in the U.S. The demand for physical therapists is projected to increase by 21% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

VETERANS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY: The U.S. military and Veterans Affairs (VA) system were pioneers in promoting physical therapy as a critical part of rehabilitation, especially for injured soldiers during and after World War I.

EXERCISE OVER MEDICATION: Physical therapists emphasize exercise as a key tool in treatment, which can help patients avoid medications and even surgery in some cases.

Thank you for trusting us with your care and for being part of the physical therapy journey.

Let’s keep moving forward—together!

10/02/2024

PTs and PTAs help people achieve their
highest levels of mobility, strength & function

Your clinical knowledge & professional skills truly Add Life to Days!

The PostureWorks recognizes all that you do to improve lives and make the world a better, more dignified place.

Thank you!!!

04/22/2024

Happy OT Month to all of our OT & COTA friends!

Thank you for all that you do to help people attain their highest levels of function & independence.

Please share our best wishes with your entire Occupational Therapy team!

04/15/2024

Proximal Stability Leads to Distal Mobility

Effective Wheelchair Seating Promotes Function & Independence:

- Self-feeding
- Grooming
- Dressing
- Engagement

......and so much more!

03/20/2024

Women's History Month Trail-Blazing Healer:
MARY MCMILLAN

Mary McMillan is a trail-blazing nurse who stepped outside of the box to learn and apply new healing techniques, starting with patients paralyzed with Polio.

She was recognized and appointed the first-ever "Reconstruction Aide" of the US Medical Corps, introducing physical therapy and massage techniques that are still used today.

Mary forever changed the way patients rehabilitate!

Mary was the founder and first President of the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association (AWPT) in 1921, the modern-day APTA. Her courage and intelligence enabled her to develop protocols and teach other nurses to care for wounded soldiers during WWI at Walter Reed Hospital.

Mary instilled hope and enabled function for recovery

After establishing and leading the AWPT, Mary journeyed overseas to create the first physical therapy training center in China, where she lived from 1933 to 1941.

Mary's leadership, compassion, courage, and innovation laid the groundwork for the transformative work that is being done by the 300,000 + PTs who improve lives throughout the US every day.

Thank you, Mary!

The PostureWorks improves safety, comfort, and dignity for people in wheelchairs with numerous advanced seating and positioning products.

03/20/2024

Women's History Month Trail-Blazing OT Healers:
Elenor Clarke Slagle
Susan Cox Johnson
Isabel G. Newton

In 1917 the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was founded by three women, and three men. Four years later this organization would be renamed the
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

It's incredible that 3 woman were instrumental in the formation of this important organization at a time when they didn't even have the right to vote!

The 3 amazing women founders are:
Eleanor Clarke Slagle - the director of the occupational therapy department at Phipps Psychiatric Clinic at Johns Hopkins. In Chicago, she established the Henry B. Favill School of Occupations, the first professional training school for occupational therapists.

Susan Cox Johnson was an arts and crafts teacher in Manhattan and director of occupations committee for the New York state. She taught occupational therapy at Columbia University and advocated for “using crafts to redirect thoughts, strengthen bodies, and regain confidence” (AOTA, 2017).

Isabel G. Newton was the third female founder of the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy and served as its first Secretary.

Their leadership, courage and innovation laid the groundwork for the transformative work done by the 125,000 + OTs who improve lives throughout the US every day.

Thank you Eleanor, Susan and Isabel!

The PostureWorks improves safety, comfort, and dignity for people in wheelchairs with numerous advanced seating and positioning products.

03/20/2024

Women's History Month Trail-Blazing OT Healers:
Elenor Clarke Slagle
Susan Cox Johnson
Isabel G. Newton

In 1917 the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was founded by three women, and three men. Four years later this organization would be renamed the
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

It's incredible that 3 woman were instrumental in the formation of this important organization at a time when they didn't even have the right to vote!

The 3 amazing women founders are:
Eleanor Clarke Slagle - the director of the occupational therapy department at Phipps Psychiatric Clinic at Johns Hopkins. In Chicago, she established the Henry B. Favill School of Occupations, the first professional training school for occupational therapists.

Susan Cox Johnson was an arts and crafts teacher in Manhattan and director of occupations committee for the New York state. She taught occupational therapy at Columbia University and advocated for “using crafts to redirect thoughts, strengthen bodies, and regain confidence” (AOTA, 2017).

Isabel G. Newton was the third female founder of the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy and served as its first Secretary.

Their leadership, courage and innovation laid the groundwork for the transformative work done by the 125,000 + OTs who improve lives throughout the US every day.

Thank you Eleanor, Susan and Isabel!

The PostureWorks improves safety, comfort, and dignity for people in wheelchairs with numerous advan

03/20/2024

Reduce Falls in 2024!

Ever find yourself in a wheelchair closet hoping to pick the right cushion for a patient at risk for a fall?

Here are 5 guiding questions to take the luck out of finding fall interventions:

#5 Is the pt trying to stand secondary to pain?
If so, start on the mat to check for a postural abnormality.

#4 Is your patient sacral sliding?
Resist treating the symptom, start on the mat to address the biomechanical etiology of sacral sitting.

#3 Is the current cushion bottomed out?
Check to ensure there is at least 2" of immersion for pressure redistribution over ischeal tuberosities. If there isn't, the patient will experience pain.

#2 Is the patient trying to self-mobilize?
If so, check to see if the patient has the ability to self-mobilize without sacral sitting or sliding, which can cause a fall. If they are not self-mobilizing, check to ensure that feet are fully loaded on the floor or on leg rests.

#1 Is the hammock seat stretched out?
A hammocked seat can cause IR/ADD which is painful.

For more about great fall reduction interventions call us at (866) 860-5200
or email us at MyFriends@ThePostureWorks.com

09/13/2023

TOGETHER we improve clinical outcomes & lives

TOGETHER we help people sit upright & dignified to engage in the world around us. That's Engage love 💙

TOGETHER we help people heal wounds and sit confidently & comfortably. That's Matrix love 💙

TOGETHER we help people be their very best.
That's teamwork 🫶

08/30/2023

11% of Post CVA Patients D/C to SNFs have Pressure Injuries *

- People with pressure injuries received less OT
- People with pressure injuries received less PT

Effective wheelchair seating makes all the difference:
* Reduce pressure to protect & heal skin
* Increase sitting tolerance to receive more therapy
* Improve ability to socialize and engage with their surroundings
______________________________________

Great wheelchair seating protects skin!

Great wheelchair seating enables access to treatment!

Great wheelchair seating & positioning promotes
engagement & independence!

08/16/2023

August is Happiness Happens Month!

Great wheelchair seating helps people sit safely & comfortably and allows them to participate in activities that bring HAPPINESS!

- Visiting with friends and families
- Enjoying the great outdoors
- Dining with friends
- Participating in activities

Visit www.ThePostureWorks.com for cushions that promote function & happiness!

07/11/2023

5 Functional Outcomes from Improved Seating & Positioning

# 5 - Improved Swallowing
# 4 - Improved Respiratory Function
# 3 - Improved Distal Mobility - ADLs
# 2 - Decreased Falls
# 1 - Improved Pain Scale Rating & Quality of Life

Great wheelchair seating supports improved function.
Improved function supports Independence & improved Quality of Life.

Questions? Visit www.ThePostureWorks.com
or email us at MyFriends@ThePostureWorks.com