Greetings! I hope this October day finds you well. When I was in high school, running for my fourth year as class president, one of my classmates asked me, "Why should they vote for you over the other very capable candidate?" At that time, I had no answer. I answered, " I don't know, I think he is a great and capable person."

Jumping ahead, 53 years later, I have been asked a very similar question. The question being "What is the difference between McDonald Physical Therapy and other places?" For years, I have found it challenging to answer because I have never liked verbally comparing another facility to ours. I’ll give you an example, though, which may begin to help you see some of the differences.

Several years ago, after closing at 7:30 pm, one of our physical therapists was driving out of our parking lot, heading for home after a long day at work. Just before she turned, she noticed her 5:00 pm patient sitting on the bench out in front of the McDonald Physical Therapy entrance. She stopped, turned around and asked the patient how she was getting home. The patient said her ride was supposed to have been there at 6:00 pm when her treatment had ended.

This particular physical therapist lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Her patient lived in Osceola. The fact that this physical therapist had worked a full day was not a factor, nor was the distance she had to drive, as the only thing that mattered to her was getting her patient home safe and sound. Our physical therapist drove her patient home at 7:30 that night because she knew it was the right thing to do. Putting our patients first is something we preach and strive to put into practice every day! People with this attitude are the type of people we look to hire. It is the very essence of who we are and what we believe in. I believe strongly that THAT is the answer; that is what sets us apart. This is only one of many stories that happen at our clinic every day, and it's why we love going to work. We truly know we make a difference because our belief, our core value, is that we are here to truly help our patients in any and every way possible.

I have heard that physical therapy is the same everywhere you go. This upsets me as I know that not to be so.

I know that the physical therapy culture at McDonald Physical Therapy is unique, and I know what makes it unique. Like any organization, whether it's an exceptional business, school, music group, or sports team, they are exceptional because they have exceptional leaders, principals, teachers and/or coaches who see the picture a little more clearly and uniquely than most. With their vision, they also tend to work more consistently on the significant fundamentals necessary to make a bigger difference!

I truly believe, because we are privately owned and continue to work together to take responsibility for every one of our patient's back, neck, shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle injuries, that we are unique in the care we give. We take it personally and will get you back to the life you hope to lead as you heal. If we can't, we will do research and get you to the physician who can help you. 

So, if you ever hear someone say that all physical therapy is the same, please stop and re-think the question.

Have a great week and continue to strive for the best in all you do!  



Enjoy the journey,

Fran McDonald President/CEO

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to raise awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy and celebrate the profession.

This year, the American Physical Therapy Association is emphasizing the vital roles physical therapists and physical therapist assistants play — across all specialty areas and patient populations — in falls awareness, prevention and recovering from falls-related injuries.

How To Avoid a Fall: 5 Tips To Support Quality of Life

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 out of 4 older Americans fall each year. Falling once doubles the chances of falling again. Sadly, every 19 minutes, an older adult dies as a result of a fall. A fall can result in unwanted outcomes, including injury, loss of independence, and a decreased ability to do the things most important to you.

There is good news, though. Research shows that, with a bit of work, the risk of falls can decrease.

Many things can lead to falls, especially as we get older. Poor eyesight, loss of balance, and certain medicines are a few common causes. Lack of strength or flexibility, poor footwear, and clutter in the walking areas at home also can cause falls.

Taking Action Can Preserve Quality of Life and Save a Life

Two important factors in falls safety are:

• Prevention. This means addressing any risk factors that could cause a fall.
• Intervention. This involves making the body more durable and tough and learning how to fall. The goal is to reduce the likelihood that an impact will cause harm.

Regular physical activity that includes endurance, muscle strengthening, and balance training can reduce your risk of fall-related injuries. According to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, physical activity, including exercise, reduces falls by 13% to 40% in community‐dwelling older adults.

In addition, since the odds are that most people will fall, it is important to condition the body to absorb the shock of falls. According to the Journal of Bone Mineral Research, resistance and impact training can improve bone mineral density, thus protecting you from falls.

Check out these five tips to help limit your chances of a fall that could lead to injury, a hospital visit, or worse.

1. Maintain mobility and improve strength. Stay active by doing physical activities that you enjoy. Take part in tai chi, yoga, or walking. Doing so will help you maintain strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. It also can reduce your fear of falling. But check with your doctor or physical therapist first to see what types of activities are safe for you. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends physical therapy (with exercise) focused on balance, stability, and the ability to perform everyday tasks to help prevent falls.
2. Get a falls screening. Ask your physical therapist or primary care provider about a falls screening. A physical therapist or other trained health care provider can assess your falls risk and work with you to find ways to decrease your risk of falling. Tell them if you have any dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble seeing. Make sure to tell them if you fell in the last year. They may even recommend that you attend a falls safety class to learn how to fall safely.
3. Mind your medications. If you take more than four medicines (prescribed or over the counter), your risk of falling is higher. Many drugs can cause you to be dizzy, lose your balance, have blurry vision, and much more. Review your medications with your pharmacist if you have any of these symptoms. Then, talk to your doctor about whether a change is right for you.
4. Eliminate hazards around your home. Look around your home with a friend or family member to identify anything that could cause you to trip or slip. Stairs with no railing, throw rugs, clutter, poor lighting, and even wobbly furniture or handrails could cause a fall. If you cannot fix or remove the items yourself, ask a friend or family member to help.
5. Improve home safety. Add a secure grab bar in the tub or shower and next to the toilet. A bar will give you sturdy support to hold on to when the floors or your feet are slippery. Check with your doctor or physical therapist about programs that offer home safety assessments. Your area agency on aging or the National Council on Aging may be another source of help or support.

If you have experienced a fall or have a fear of falling, a physical therapist can help you assess your falls risk factors and develop a plan to address them. A physical therapist also can help you build balance and strength to prevent more falls or recover from a fall-related injury.

 **choosept.com

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Be part of a legacy of excellence! McDonald Physical Therapy is the largest and longest lasting private outpatient physical therapy practice in the Michiana area, and is respected nationwide. McDonald Physical Therapy believes in exceeding patient expectations using consistent, progressive, innovative care, and teamwork. We are a fast paced, fun environment with an emphasis on orthopedic and sports injuries.

Patient Service Specialist, Physical Therapist, Accounts Receivable Specialist

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