First, please check out a link to my MCG Tech Fair presentation that I gave on March 11, 2009. My topic was Alternative Teaching and Learning Tools. Click to Launch the Podcast.

Next, a link to this week’s Augusta Arts podcast. After a lengthy intro and news update, a good interview with Rob Nordan, Music Director of the Columbia County Civic Orchestra, of which, of course, I am a member. Rob discusses our upcoming concert on March 28th and the Mozart Concerto for Two Pianos.

Enjoy, and attend next week’s free concert if you can!

It’s March in Augusta. Today begins Daylight Saving’s Time, and I’m ready for Spring! Augusta has one of the most interesting seasonal blooms around. Just last week is was frosty and cold, yet there were signs of spring hinting of what was to come. By this week, the buds on the trees are blooming, my hydrangea is emerging from its winter slumber, and it is now 80 degrees. In one short month from now when the world tunes in for the Master’s Tournament, the culminating event of the season, it will seem that we’re already into summer. The azaleas will be going off like botanic fireworks from another land, the firethorn will be burning your eyes, and of course, the wisteria will be providing purple accents in the woods. Spring in Augusta, is simply amazing!

I’m working on a couple projects right now. I’m completing a presentation for the MCG Technology Fair this Wednesday entitled, “Alternative Teaching and Learning Tools”. I’m preparing for my March 28th concert with the Columbia County Civic Orchestra, and I’m entering the final legs of my fellowship program. I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel on that path!

So, Happy Spring, Merry Daylight’s Savings Time, and enjoy your spring! I know I will.

ERIC

Top 5 Things I Learned in Vegas

1. It only takes a few people with a lot of energy to change the way things are done.
2. To say the word “stabilization” in reference to the spine, is to place an errant construct upon it.
3. It’s very cool to skip out on a 2.5 hour dress rehearsal, but still get to participate in an awards ceremony.
4. People playing the slot machines look very similar to those in vegetative states.
5. I really need to visit Las Vegas again when I’m not in work mode…much to do…

I attended some great session, but perhaps my favorite content was presented by Tim Flynn and Kornelia Kulig, looking at clinical applications of radiological images in the context of manual therapy and spine care. Dr. Kulig used MRI’s to observe segmental motion during manual therapy techniques, and Dr. Flynn presented data where fluroscopic images were used to observe the way that proposed “unstable” spines moved. We sure have a lot to learn about the way spines work, but we already know that spinal fusions are a bad idea.

Overall, great week, great people, great trip!

In other news, President Obama may have lifted the APTA’s prized brand just days before the release. Check this screen shot I grabbed from Whitehouse.gov!

It seems Obama is able to get a slogan rolling out quicker than the APTA. Not surprising. It’s all about the resources!

If you’re going to Las Vegas, drop me an e-mail or DM me on Twitter. See you there!

ERIC

I’ve been planning to move the NPA Think Tank blog to WordPress, as this one it.  I’m doing this as part of a larger plan to bring on some guest authors and really get some good content flowing.  Let’s just say, this lights the fire and I’m totally done with hosted solutions.

By the way, if you haven’t, check out the shoulder page at Physiopedia.  There’s some good work being done there.

Later,

ERIC

Once my uncle complained of neck pain.  He probably had a bit of a radiculopathy going on.  He called me for recommendations and I suggested he see a physical therapist.  He went to the PT his physician recommended, but stopped after about 2 weeks as he explained, “They just made me move my head, put on heat and some electricity, which didn’t really help.”

This, of course, broke my heart.  He had found a PT who did not deliver the best care.  Evidence clearly supports some form of manual therapy and exercise for neck pain, not modalities.  From this episode, he now does not believe in the benefit and utility of my profession.  I wouldn’t either.  His experience becomes an influential word-of-mouth advertising campaign against our profession.  I have become the same beacon of negative advertising for many things, and I’m sure you have as well.  One example:  the coffee shop in my town who treated me badly.  I will not go there and I make sure to tell everyone why.

Let’s hope that Rham Emanuel gets a good PT experience as his pinched nerve in his neck is treated.  It would be terribly hurtful for the profession if one of the most powerful men in the country decided to become a beacon of negative advertising for the profession of physical therapy.  What a legislative pain in the neck that would be!

This issue underscores perhaps a bigger issue that we need to address in our profession.  Potential consumers of physical therapy (everyone?) need to be educated about the difference between good PT and bad PT.  It’s a lot more subtle than the difference between good and bad surgical outcomes, but not any less damaging or harmful.  Publicly communicating the difference between good PT and bad, especially via avenues available in “new media” is not justa good idea, it’s a responsibility for every physiotherapist.

Here’s to keeping our fingers crossed that Mr. Emanuel finds himself a good PT and a good outcome.

While the very nature of a website that’s all about me leaves me a bit bashful, that feeling is quickly run off by how very cool it looks!  I owe tons of gratitude to Jessica King , web developer extraordinaire, Word Press 2.7 guru, and my own personal guitar hero for helping to design the site.  Seriously, she does great work and also helps maintain the NPA Think Tank and the Evidence in Motion blogs.  If you’re seeing this site and want her skills, check out her page.

This site is more than just a reflection of personal branding, however.  Actually, it’s less a reflection and more of a step forward.  For some time now, I’ve been gathering projects and working on things hidden away in the dark dusty spaces of my mind.  It’s time for this work to make its way out of my skull, out of my office and into the bright light of the world.  Judge it, like it, or leave it.  Let me know if it’s worth anything.  I, of course, think it is.

I have some changes planned in the near future for my blog site, NPA Think Tank .  I don’t want to get into all of them as their not finalized yet, but there is one change I wish to blab about now.  I’m going to be transitioning from a personal blog to a group styled blog.  As such, I’m actively recruiting bloggers for the site.  If you think you have some interest, shoot me a message.  Fair warning:  I will be very picky about who writes on it.  The biggest requirements will be humorous wit, fearlessness, and bravery in the face of an ever-changing world!

I’m going to use this blog more personally, leaving the big idea posts on NPA Think Tank and using up this space to delve into some more intricate, subtle thoughts.  This is my white space.  I hope you like it!

ERIC