The indentity crisis in PT

Let me preface my comments by saying I like Marilyn Moffat and have absolutely no personal gripe (I feel compelled to offer these disclaimers for any 'peace gene' PTs who think that anything close to resembling criticism equates to personal hatred). However, articles like this always make me pause. I would be curious to hear from any PT who makes his or her living exclusively (or even large majority of income would work) providing health and wellness, fitness, etc. services to consumers. I am as big a fan of health and wellness as they come, but our health care system by and large doesn't care about health and wellness. I am not suggesting that it shouldn't. I just question the disporoportionate emphasis on the 'feel good' side of PT, very little of which puts a dime in a PT's pocket day in and day out. I frequently speculate that the public's confusion about the difference between a physical therapist and a personal trainer is our own fault. I know for certain that consumers know the difference between personal training and a health care professional that provides high quality neuromusculoskeletal care. I just have serious doubts as to whether PT would be the first response (or even in the top 5) of the average consumer on the street if asked about which health care professional can provide the most cost effective care for his or her neuromusculoskeletal condition. I hope that John Barnes (1st act of board business should be to approve a motion to help him change his name for obvious reasons), our new APTA CEO, appreciates from the outset that one of the biggest crises in PT is one of mistaken identity. He could spend his entire tenure at APTA addressing this one issue alone and would not run out of opportunity to make inroads into the public's consciousness and awareness of the value of going to see your physical therpaist.

John