(Part 2) Best products from r/physicaltherapy

Yes, I took it on July 5th. I used this book for practice tests mostly the week before the GRE. Every day I used this 5 lb. book of practice problems to go over math concepts I needed extra work on and these flashcards for vocab. It seems a little overkill in retrospect, but I was damn determined not to take it twice. All of these helped me enormously, probably about equally. By combining them I was able to raise my scores about 25 percentile points each between my diagnostic test to actual test day.

Best of luck! Just study hard and keep your cool and you'll do just fine.

We can't really give specific medical advice in this sub. However, I would recommend getting yourself a copy of "How to Treat Your Own Neck" by Robin McKenzie. The techniques within the book are from a school of classification and treatment known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) or the McKenzie Method. The method certainly isn't the be all end all of treating neck pain, but it can often be useful and is a simple way for you to treat yourself.

Otherwise, I would recommend that you see a qualified medical professional.

How to Treat Your Own Neck

On a professional level, I would recommend something related to anatomy. This is one of the toughest courses in any curriculum and any advantage will be useful.

On a more personal note, I would recommend reading something that gives a patient's perspective -- something that helps us understand what it's like to be a patient or have a disability. Here are a few of my faves:

1. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot by John Callahan
   
   
2. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
   
   
3. Moving Violations by John Hockenberry.
   
   and anything by Oliver Sacks (though The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat is my fave).
   
   Enjoy!
   

This book is fantastic and completely worth the money.

Trail Guide to the Body

I also recommend the anatomy coloring books, and surprisingly, if you search Pinterest there are a lot of really nice charts and pics.

Not a strictly educational read, but a very entertaining and enlightening exploration into something you'll probably become very familiar with in your near future...

Stiff by Mary Roach

How are you with Anatomy? If not so great, first get this and learn as much in there as you can. Especially the neuro-musculo-skeletal stuff.

Now that you kind of know a little about anatomy, you'll need to learn how all those parts work. I recommend this kinesiology textbook.

Now that you know all the pieces and how they're supposed to work together, you'll need a text that talks about musculoskeletal dysfunctions and how to go about managing some of those conditions with exercise and other forms of treatment. I recommend this text for that.

Good luck!

I've only had it for a year so I can speak for longevity but I have this and it seems to be plenty durable for the price. You can probably find sturdier, but for the price I've been impressed. It was recommended to me by a couple colleagues. I will say the bag is pretty flimsy so I just don't bother with it (table has carry handle) and the bolster is pretty lousy (wasn't really a surprise).

I love this video set. I have seen great results with this style METs.
Muscle Energy Techniques Medical Massage Video 2 DVD Set - Volume 1 Pelvis Sacrum & Lumbar Back, Volume 2 Cervical Neck, Thoracic Spine & Ribs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EBOSO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.MF7BbWGZ095Y

Musculoskeletal Anatomy Flashcards https://www.amazon.com/dp/0323057225/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.HcZCbYTT1WCF

I used these physical flash cards but I'm sure most found on Amazon would work. More about the daily process of going through material so it gets pretty ingrained into your memory.

Six year program? As in a 3 plus 3 program? Nice!

I too am in the same boat and have asked the same question. From many responses that I've gotten, I'm preparing by by Netter's Atlas, I've heard it's a great supplement to any class.

Netter's Atlas here

If you scroll down you can also see the items that it's frequently bought with...I also purchased the flash cards and the coloring book....when was the last time you could say as in an adult you have an excuse to color in a coloring book!?

If you can, get an aide position in a neuro rehab unit. This will give you incredible exposure to assessment/treatment/handling. There’s a lot of neuro patients who need more than one person to handle (e.g., two people and a hoist to move, three people to stand or walk). For this reason aides get a lot of hands on experience in neuro given the therapist will teach them how to safely assist with the transfers/assessment/treatments. It’s cheaper to have one therapist and one aide versus multiple therapists working on the one patient.

This is a very good pathology based textbook and this is very good for PT based intervention and assessment.

Born to Run is a great read about human performance reads like a novel. I'm making my way through The Story of the Human Body it's more an evolution perspective of the body and I have to say it is going slow but interesting.

Run, Don't Walk: The Curious and Courageous Life Inside Walter Reed Army Medical Center by Adele Levine. It's a hilariously true read...would recommend to PTs and non-PTs alike! https://www.amazon.com/Run-Dont-Walk-Curious-Courageous/dp/1583335552

My program uses Physical Agents In Rehabilitation by Cameron. I think it's pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/Physical-Agents-Rehabilitation-Research-Practice/dp/1455728489

This book is good for that:

Kinesiology: The Mechanics and Pathomechanics of Human Movement

And here is another good book for learning muscle testing techniques:

Muscles: Testing and Function, with Posture and Pain

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

guasha stone

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^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

You can use both thumbs side by side to block one another and avoid excessive hyperextension. You can also try to use the non-thumb side of your palm. You can also use different tools like a guasha stone for pretty cheap. She can maybe even ask the clinic to buy a bunch for her and other clinicians.