October is National Physical Therapy Month, the annual celebration of physical therapy by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). During this month, the APTA encourages PTs to sponsor clinics and events to increase public awareness of physical therapy and the services that PTs provide.

This year, the APTA’s National Physical Therapy Month public-relations activities emphasize proper bike fit. Promotional materials that focus on this topic for PTs to use in their practices are provided by the APTA on its Web site, www.apta.org. PTs can use these materials to market their roles in evaluating bike fit and posture, and helping to ensure the cyclists’ abilities to meet functional goals, whether they are for comfort and endurance, or for speed and performance.

PTs are advised to partner with a local bike association and to work together to promote National Physical Therapy Month. Suggestions include holding a donation drive for old helmets, bikes, and seats; and then hosting a used bicycle and accessories sale with the local bike association. According to the APTA, this is an effective way to build relationships with other area nonprofits and to interact with the community—this, perhaps, is the most important message about National Physical Therapy Month.

A great way to spread the word about physical therapy and the services that PTs provide is to work together with other related organizations on not only physical therapy initiatives, but also those organizations’ initiatives. In addition to National Physical Therapy Month, October is also Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Bone and Joint Decade Awareness Month, Spina Bfida Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Disability Employment Awareness Month. Since physical therapy plays an important role in each of these conditions, PTs should start creating synergy with local chapters of these organizations to conduct joint events. In addition to supporting this year’s theme of proper bike fit, working with other health organizations this month opens up a wide range of events that PTs can offer to their communities.

Synergy is no longer just a corporate buzzword that glorifies the act of different departments in an organization working together. In today’s marketplace, you have to create synergy with your client base and other products and services they might be using. This means understanding all of the products and services your clients are using to improve their health, and then providing a well-rounded treatment plan.

Some PTs focus their National Physical Therapy Month promotion on topics of specific interest to their communities. For example, at Downeast Rehabilitation, Rockport, Me, PTs are conducting lectures and discussions about the management of low back pain, the role of posture and exercise in managing osteoporosis, and urinary incontinence/women’s health issues. Or take a look at other national health awareness-month observances for event ideas if you need new initiatives.

Teaming up and creating synergy with other health-awareness-month activities is a good way to keep physical therapy on the minds of your community members year round. It is also a great way for your staff to stay abreast of the issues and advancements in other health-related fields. For a calendar of national health observances, visit the resources section on PTProductsOnline.com.