To the Editor of the New York Times

 

 

I am writing you to express the outrage of over 5,000 members of the New York Physical Therapy Association regarding the article in the January 7^th edition of The New York Times entitled: “Treat Me but No Tricks Please”.

 

The article is a total misrepresentation of the current practice of physical therapy. To imply that from a single personal experience that all physical therapy consists of is the application of machines, is a gross misrepresentation of our profession. Appalling.

 

Physical Therapy is practiced by physical therapists, many trained at the doctoral level. We are licensed by the State of New York and under the law can see patients without a referral from a physician.

 

We agree that those practitioners who only do these palliative types of treatment for the conditions mentioned are inconsistent with accepted contemporary practice. The NYPTA strongly encourages the use of evidence based principles in our practice.

 

Are you aware that less than half of current health care interventions provided have scientific evidence to back up its use?[1]

 

Dr. Irrgang is a highly respected member of our profession. I must think that he was not fully aware of the context in which the writer intended to place his comments. We take issue with the comment that describes “voodoo” treatments as the common treatment being provided. This is not accurate and misleads the public by making a broad-brush statement about our profession.

 

At this time, I ask the New York Times to provide our profession the opportunity to have an article or articles published in your newspaper that accurately shows the world the true value of physical therapy to patients for many, many years. I hope that through your acceptance of this request that the misrepresentation of our profession can be turned into a positive for both the profession and your readers.

 

 

Sincerely

 

 

Jim Dunleavy PT, MS

President, NYPTA

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