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Hi Kimberly,
Your body was designed for movement—and with renewed strength comes renewed opportunities to serve, love, and live well.
When I was planning out the lifestyle medicine pillars, I knew I had to save physical activity for October—it’s National Physical Therapy Month, after all. I first decided back in 8th grade that I wanted to become a physical therapist, and now, 18 years later, here I am. Crazy, right?
So much has changed in that time—from paper charts to electronic medical records, and from traditional rehab to newer approaches like dry needling. Many people think of PT as “just exercise,” but the truth is, it’s about so much more. It’s about restoring function, reducing pain, and helping people step back into the life—and the calling—they were made for.
The Power of Physical Activity
While techniques may change, the purpose of physical therapy remains the same: to restore function and improve quality of life through the power of movement. In physical therapy we break down exercises and activities into categories of which the following are a few of the most common:
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Therapeutic exercise builds range of motion, flexibility, or strength.
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Neuromuscular re-education helps restore balance, coordination, and healthy movement patterns by blending the nervous system with muscle activation.
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Therapeutic activities focus on everyday movements—standing from a chair, turning in bed, climbing stairs, lifting, or carrying.
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Manual therapy—like soft tissue massage, trigger point release, dry needling, or passive range of motion—help manage symptoms so that exercise becomes more effective.
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Modalities such as heat, ice, and electric stimulation can provide some temporary symptomatic relief.
At its core, physical therapy is about combining these approaches to restore independence and confidence. It’s not just about “doing exercises”—it’s about being able to care for yourself, serve others, return to meaningful work, and move freely through life's everyday tasks.
Tip: Choosing Your PT
Did you know you usually have the right to choose your physical therapist? Here are a few basics:
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Medicare, Medicaid, and some Tricare require a physician referral, but you can still choose who you want to see that accepts your insurance.
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Workers’ compensation typically directs you to a PT chosen by your insurance and/or doctor.
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Direct access (varies by state) allows you to see a PT without a referral for a set time (often 30 days) before you may need to follow up with a doctor.
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Private insurance only possible limitation would be if the PT is in-network, otherwise you may pay out-of-network costs.
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Self-Pay is when you choose to see whomever you want without insurance, this is usually a flat rate per visit.
Knowing your options helps you take charge of your care—so you can find the right provider to restore your function and renew your purpose.
What’s Next
As for me—only God knows what’s ahead! Right now, I’m working with a few PT clinics locally while also creating more space for balance in my own life. It’s a new season of listening, learning, and following His lead.
My passion is helping people find health with less pain and inflammation, so they can live with more energy, greater function, and the freedom to serve with joy. If you’re part of a church or small group, I’d love to connect and share how lifestyle medicine can guide us toward greater wholeness together.
Let’s Connect
Want to chat about physical therapy, lifestyle coaching, or simply catch up?
You can check out my calendar and pick the option that fits best.
Until next time, what’s one way you can add a little more movement into your day?
We’ll dive deeper this month into the pillar of physical activity—and why movement really is medicine.
Remember one of our PT mottos: “Motion is lotion!” Simple, but so true.
Keep moving,
Kim
Your steward to energetic health, restoring function and renewing purpose.
Hope and Healing Lifestyle Coaching, LLC
https://hopeandhealinglifestyle.com
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