APTA ENDORSES BackTpack®

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 9, 2007 — The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has endorsed the BackTpack®, an innovative carrying system that uses the vertical force of gravity to ensure proper alignment of the skeleton, developed by physical therapist and APTA member Marilyn Miller von Foerster, PT.

School student wearing the BackTpack.

“Physical therapists are acutely aware of the postural problems children face when trying to adapt to a heavy load, such as arching the back, bending forward, or leaning to one side,” said R Scott Ward, PT, PhD, president of APTA. “The backpack was designed so that children and adults may be better able to maintain correct posture while carrying a load,” Ward said. “We are pleased to be able to endorse a product that can contribute to the effort to prevent back pain and improve balance.”

The BackTpack® is available in sizes for children and adults from 4′0″ to 6′3″ tall. Its vertical design allows for proper posture, and the side pockets and cell phone and pen pockets offer better balance, easy accessibility, and overall convenience when standing, sitting, or walking.

“It is crucial for lifelong spinal health to practice good posture habits, especially during the years of rapid and permanent skeletal development,” Miller von Foerster noted. “I am pleased to be able to use my education and training as a physical therapist in this way and to offer the BackTpack® as a new tool to help people of all ages achieve improved posture and reduce the incidence of back pain.”

Miller von Foerster, who has helped patients with back conditions for 35 years, is a native Oregonian and received degrees from the University of Oregon, Duke University School of Physical Therapy, and San Francisco State University. For more information on the BackTpack®, visit www.backtpack.com.

Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) is a national organization representing nearly 70,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research. Consumers can access “Find a PT” to find a physical therapist in their area, as well as physical therapy news and information, at www.apta.org/consumer. For more information about the meaning of APTA’s product endorsement, visit www.apta.org/productendorsement.

Available at ISSA PHYSICAL THERAPY in a number of different styles, sizes and colors.

The BackTpack is perferct for traveling.

Great for parents on the go.

Tallahassee, Florida, October 20, 2008 – Neck pain is one of the top 10 reasons for a patient to visit a doctor. The lead article in the most recent issue Spine reports on the results of a randomized clinical trial which demonstrated that patients who received manual physical therapy and exercise had twice the improvement in symptoms compared to the current guideline group. The subjects in the study experienced both short and long term improvements in their neck pain. The study compared the use of manual therapy and exercise compared to the current guidelines of advice, rest, and range of motion. The results of this study are comparable to those reported by Hoving et al in 2002, which also demonstrated that manual physical therapy and exercise resulted in excellent clinical results in the treatment of neck pain while also providing a significant cost savings compared to usual physician care (Kothals-de Bos et al 2003). Manual physical therapy includes the use of hands-on techniques including joint and soft-tissue mobilization, designed to restore motion and reduce pain. Hurwitz et al (2008) concluded in a systematic review on neck pain also in the journal Spine, “Our best evidence synthesis suggests that therapies involving manual therapy and exercise are more effective than alternative strategies for patients with neck pain.”

Tim Flynn, PT, PhD, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, expressed confidence that, “This study broadens the base and depth of evidence that manual physical therapy is the first line treatment for patients suffering from neck and arm pain.” He continued, “Year after year the physical therapy profession continues to produce high quality randomized, controlled trials that demonstrate conclusively that our profession provides better outcomes for less money, while also being substantially safer than other medical interventions. Wake up America, to a new day without pain.” If you have neck or back pain or the aches and pains of musculoskeletal problems contact your local physical therapist today.