Daemen’s approach to Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy has helped people in all different aspects of their lives from major accidents, surgeries, injuries and more. It is not only the job of a physical therapist to “fix” the problem, but to take a more holistic approach to treatment and recovery as well. 

Jennifer Bogulski, PT, DPT, shared with us how Daemen’s faculty are providing a unique approach to teaching within the physical therapy program at Daemen. 

“Physical therapists have always looked at the patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis or a body part. Unlike other medical professions, PTs spend a lot of time with their patients getting to know about not just their injury, but their job, family, friends, hobbies and life. As a result of this important therapeutic alliance between the patient and the PT, we realize that the patient’s mind and body connection is an integral part of their recovery, ” said Bogulski.  

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also acknowledged this important component of patient care and has created the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model. This model requires the clinician to evaluate the ways in which a patient can live and function in their environment; determine which parts of the body are contributing to their function; and examine the personal and environmental contextual factors that may impact both positively and negatively their ability to participate in daily life activities. More areas of health care practice are requiring practitioners to use the ICF tool to examine the entire patient and not just the disease process or injury.

Our program is building curriculum, events, and opportunities for students in a smaller setting to learn from faculty who teach, practice, and conduct research within their area of expertise. Mind and body connection is one of the many holistic techniques students learn at Daemen. They will not only learn, but put to practice the different treatments and practices they have learned as well. Our students have been published, and have presented at local and national levels based on their experiences and findings because of their ability to connect as part of a close, family like-community, as Bogulski would say.

To learn more about our physical therapy program, speak to an admissions counselor today.