Iit's January 1 and I was thinking that it might be a good idea to start the year on the right foot ... so let's just say that it's going to be Mighty Fine in Oh-Nine. I like the optimism that the phrase holds.

It is the Year of the Ox (not quite such an appealing title), though it does represent a "sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work" ... so I guess I can go with it. It is also the International Year of Reconciliation, so I guess that's a positive as well. Oh, and let us not forget it's the beginning of President Obama's first term in office - which does seem to have the feeling of hope attached to it.

The passage of time ... oh how our perspective on this changes with age. 

When I was a child, it always seemed like it was an eternity before the first snowfall, or my birthday, or Christmas, or the first summer day. Time would just drag by, slow as molasses in January (ever tried pouring molasses in January in Canada? I rest my case). But I can also remember my mother once telling me that I shouldn't be concerned, because as I got older, time would go by faster, so fast in fact that I would want it to slow down. I can also remember thinking that was just crazy talk from an adult.

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April 20, 1931 was an important day in history. But perhaps it wasn’t important for the reasons that you think.

This is the date of birth for one Robin McKenzie, a physiotherapist from New Zealand. Mr. McKenzie’s astute clinical observations lead him to develop the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis And Therapy. In 1981, he published his first text on MDT as it applies to the assessment and treatment of the lumbar spine, and since then has released books on MDT applied to the spine and extremities. He has contributed a unique and innovative approach to patient classification (and focus on self treatment) which has continued to gain research support over the years.

Not only has McKenzie laid the foundation for an assessment and treatment paradigm, he has provided the world with the first true “patient-centered” competent self care approach for musculoskeletal problems.

This didn’t come without great challenges and resistance from many angles, from outside his profession and from within.

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The power of self-expression takes many forms - it could be writing, it could be art, it could be poetry. There is some surreal element to any form of creativity that grabs your heart or turns you on your head. And so much of the response is purely timing - your mind is ready, primed, and waiting - and BAM it hits you like a ton of bricks. And it changes your world forever.

One of those prime examples for me is the band Living Colour. This is a band that made a resounding echo in my soul, for reasons that defy explanation.

At first glance, I probably wouldn't have discovered them on my own. They formed in 1983 in NYC and were a wild mix of reggae, funk, free jazz, punk, hip hop and hard rock. This all-African-American "funk metal" band was in the same genre as Jane's Addiction, Faith No More, Primus, and (the great) 24-7 Spyz. At the time, it wouldn't have been a band that I would have thought that I would have gravitated towards - until one day ...

In 1988, they released their first album, "Vivid" (released May 3, 1988) - and one of the videos, "Middle Man", was in regular rotation by MuchMusic VJ Michael Williams (MuchMusic being the Canadian "equivalent" to MTV).

As fate would have it, my friend (and fellow musician) Terry picked up the album - and I won't forget the first play of it. Good gawd - that was something that definitely grabbed me by the throat, spun my head around, and turned my musical ear on it's proverbial ear! It was a perfect example of hearing the right music, in the right frame of mind, at the right time in life.

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A landmark event in the history of Texas physical therapy and consumer advocacy nationwide is upon. HB 637 – Patient Direct Access To Physical Therapy – has moved to the public hearing stage for the first time. Texas HB 637, authored by Rep. Craig Eiland, has made it’s way to a public hearing with the House Public Health Committee. The public hearing is scheduled for April 20, 2011 at 8:00 am.

This bill is a significant one for health care consumers in Texas. The bill does not change or alter the scope of practice of physical therapists in Texas. It simply removes the referral requirement for treatment by a PT. As the law stands right now in the state of Texas, a physical therapist can perform a patient evaluation without a referral, but must then attain a referral from an authorized referral source (i.e physician or chiropractor) regardless of insurance plan. HB 637 would allow patients to have direct access to a physical therapist for evaluation AND immediate treatment without a referral. This will be a significant cost savings for consumers and will provide greater access to appropriate and necessary care.

The hearing provides an open forum for the public to provide testimony, which is limited to three minutes per person. Those present who are not wishing to speak can fill out a “card of support” in favor of the bill. The presence of consumers and physical therapists affected by this bill is hugely important. This is an opportunity for Texans to gain access to care and decrease the cost of care.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing but wish to support consumer direct access, please email one of the Representatives on the Public Health committee.

More information on Direct Access to Physical Therapy can be found here. The following articles will also provide further information on the importance and meaning of direct access to physical therapy:

Direct Access To Physical Therapy: You Have It, Or You Don’t

Patient-Centered Health Care Begins With Access To Care

Direct Access To Physical Therapy (from 2009 Legislative session)

Photo credits: Wikipedia