It is a daily battle we all wage: the fight against gravity. In order to participate in life on the planet, we are subjected to mechanical loading – all day, every day. It never goes away, regardless of functional activity or sport technique.

Our ability to adapt to the demands of mechanical loading imposed upon us defines our capacity to function – or not.

Much attention has been given to the importance of “pain science” with many authors suggesting a move away from a traditional biomechanical model. But I can tell you one thing – as long as there is gravity, there will be a need to understand mechanical loading and embrace it as a systems approach, not a micromanagement model.

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There was a college football game yesterday in College Station, one of great social implications if you live in the state of Texas. Actually, there were two games being played. For those who may have missed the excitement, here are the scores of the games:

Texas 27, Texas A&M 25

Big Money In College Football 1, College Football Fans 0

There was plenty of action on the field, as there always is during the Lone Star Showdown. But what is most important in all of this is the latter score: how money won out and a 118 year-old rivalry lost. It is a sad day in college sports – the football fan and the student athlete both lost today.

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My thought for today started with an insightful and thought-provoking blog post by Dr. John Childs regarding the APTA’s proposed new vision statement – and the discussion it inspired. In that discussion, there was a phrase mentioned that nicely summarizes one of the greatest problems facing Consumer Direct Access to Physical Therapy: “It’s all in the language”.

The majority of states have what is termed “Restricted Direct Access”. If this isn’t an oxymoron – much like “jumbo shrimp” – I don’t know what is. No wonder that patients and clinicians, including the gatekeepers themselves, are confused.

The solution lies in the language itself.

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Today’s Rhubarb Report really isn’t about rhubarb. Come to think of it, it really is about rhubarb, the kind you would consume on a day like today – Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in Canada is actually Columbus Day in the United States. Many things remain the same: turkey dinner, time with friends and family, and pumpkin pie. Don’t forget the football games.

Back in my youth, we would often spend Thanksgiving with my father’s parents. My grandmother would always create a huge meal. Fresh vegetables would come from her own garden. Dinner was always tremendous, but dessert was second to none.

Of course, when in the United States, do as your fellow Americans do, and that means celebrate Thanksgiving in November. And as I would always say, if it means an extra turkey dinner, celebrate it on Canadian Thanksgiving as well.

Seriously though, this day is about so much more than just turkey and football. It is about giving thanks. So let’s throw away the standard format for the Report, and get down to what is really important on a day like today.

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