MELANIE - PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

1. How would you describe your work?
I work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in an outpatient clinic by a local neurosurgeon. We get referrals from him and other doctors in the area, when they feel physical therapy is appropriate for their patients. Our physical therapist does an evaluation of the patient’s physical pain and limitations in motion and strength, and comes up with a plan of care. My job is to work with these patients each time they come back for therapy (1-3 times a week) for about an hour at a time, either in the gym or in our therapy pools. I show them exercises and stretches, give massages, ice, heat, or other modalities we have to decrease pain.

2. What are some ways that your work is a reflection of God?
We refer to God as our Healer. I know that I myself don’t have any special power to completely heal patients of their injuries or chronic pain, but I was given some knowledge as to how the body works. It’s always exciting for me even if I show someone a stretch he or she hasn’t done before, knowing it should help relieve tension in a muscle, and see the person experience some decrease in pain. I hope that I reflect God’s care for the physical health of our bodies, as well as His care for our emotional well-being as I work to make our patients feel better.

3. How does your work provide insight into the brokenness of this world?
Some of our patients come to us very hopeless and feeling broken after a hard surgery or injury. We try our best to give them some hope by decreasing their pain and showing them how to maintain some sort of exercise program at home. I personally just try to get to know the people as I work with them. I ask them about family (kids, grandkids, etc.) and often times they’ll open up and move from an attitude of self-focus to outward focus.

4. Jesus commands us to “love our neighbors as ourselves”. How does your work function as an opportunity to love and serve others?
As I treat a patient on my schedule, I try to put my thoughts and issues aside for that time and focus on how I can best use the time to make the person feel better. I know that I have lots of treatment options available to me, and I’ll try not to just use the easiest route. If a person really could benefit from a massage, I’ll try to give one even if it would be easier to just give another exercise. If patients are discouraged and want to just unload some problems or worries, it’s my job to not just physically treat them, but make them feel comfortable and respected and more at ease by having conversations with them. I feel like those things go hand in hand in this job to show God’s love.