The Power of Observation
Modern day technology has provided us with the ability to peer inside of ourselves and look at tissue health. This is a new phenomenon that gives us tremendous insight into conditions we otherwise may never have recognized. Prior to these developments clinicians only had their observational abilities to determine a patient’s health status. Although observation is much more low tech, practitioners became very adept at diagnosing and treating patients merely by studying them clinically. Movement was a tool utilized to assess not only joint mobility and bone/muscle conditions but also organ health.
As a physical therapist I am limited in my scope of practice to clinical observation. Some states are now allowing physical therapists to refer patients for x-rays, but aside from that we are required to develop a keen sense of observation to help patients. An eye for movement can be an invaluable asset that provides a wealth of information. In my assessments I ask patients to complete a series of active movements, this gives me some idea of their preferred strategies. Once they have completed the active portion of the exam, we move to a passive movement assessment giving me the opportunity to not only determine capabilities, but also the quality of the motion.
An example could be measuring hip range of motion. I will have a patient lie on my table, and I will take their hip motion measurements in all well-established directions. Not only do these measurements provide information about the localized region of the hip, but also about the rest of the body’s ability to move when that joint is moved. Organs must reorient to accommodate that range of motion, the spine must turn to allow for the hip joint to move, the opposite shoulder must establish a new position as the spine turns. The entire system is interwoven to such a degree that each and every movement affects all other regions simultaneously.
Observing clients moving in the clinic is my primary skill set. Their movement, cross-referenced with established norms and my interpretation of how nature achieves these feats offers an incredible amount of useful information. Technology has been immensely helpful in identifying health conditions, however the power of observation cannot be understated.
Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist
