Blog Down Blues
So my blog, NPA Think Tank, is down right now. Stuff like this gives me, well….angst. I have no idea how long it’s been down or what the problem is. Let’s hope it’s not a big deal. In the meanwhile, if you’ve happen to stumble here, my apologies.
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
When Neck Pain is a Pain in the Neck
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.
Take Off!
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