Hey Reader!

I wanted to share a quick update to give you a little insight into what I’ve been up to lately behind the scenes.

Recently, I’ve started studying for a board specialty in orthopaedic physical therapy!

The board specialty in our field of practice is called the Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). In simple terms, it’s a rigorous board certification for physical therapists who want to demonstrate advanced knowledge and clinical decision-making in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.

So, what does that actually mean?

It means I’m going back through A LOT of material... from how to properly evaluate different orthopaedic conditions, to determining when someone needs physical therapy versus further medical evaluation, to the best available evidence for the treatment, exercise, rehabilitation, and return to activity for every musculoskeletal condition.

Basically, I get to challenge everything I thought I already knew using the latest research 😂

Why now?

Simply put, I wanted to challenge myself. As doctors of physical therapy, we spend years treating patients, taking courses, reading research, and gaining experience. However, I wanted an outside organization (The American Physical Therapy Association) to really test me on how well I understand orthopaedic care and how well I’m actually taking care of my patients.

The OCS exam is designed to formally recognize advanced clinical competence in orthopaedic physical therapy, so I figured: Why not? Let's see what I've got.

Most importantly, there is the added benefit that everything I learn while studying gets brought directly back into the clinic and, ultimately, into your care.

So, if you notice me drinking way more coffee than usual over the next few months… please remind me to drink some water. ☕💧

Anyway, that is the update! I appreciate all of you who trust me with your health, your training, your injuries, and your goals. You are a huge part of why I continue to push myself to learn and improve as a clinician.

Have a great week!