How Your Therapy Business Can Support the #ChoosePT Movement This October

The opioid epidemic continues to challenge healthcare providers and communities across the country. For rehabilitation organizations, whether outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living, or occupational health programs, the question is: How do we provide safe, effective, patient-centered alternatives to opioid prescriptions?

That’s the heart of the #ChoosePT movement, led by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The campaign raises awareness of the benefits of physical therapy as a first-line approach to pain management and highlights how rehab providers can help patients avoid the risks of opioid use.

This October, your therapy business has an opportunity to join this national conversation and show your community how physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology (SLP) services support better outcomes. As an advocate for rehabilitation providers nationwide, NARA encourages members to get involved. Here are actionable ways your organization can support the #ChoosePT movement this fall.

Why Your Rehab Business Should Get Involved

Supporting the #ChoosePT campaign isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s also a chance to:

• Elevate your reputation as a trusted, patient-centered provider.
• Educate your community about safe alternatives to opioids.
• Align with national advocacy to strengthen the rehab industry’s collective voice.
• Boost visibility for your business through signage, events, and social media engagement.
• Reinforce your mission of helping patients regain independence and quality of life.

By taking part, your clinic or agency not only advocates for safer pain management but also demonstrates leadership in advancing the rehab profession.

Actionable Ways to Support the #ChoosePT Movement

Here are practical, high-impact strategies your team can implement in October.

1. Patient-Facing Education

• Signage and Handouts: Display posters and distribute brochures that explain #ChoosePT and the dangers of opioid overuse. APTA offers free downloadable resources that you can customize.
• Waiting Room Materials: Place handouts with FAQs on PT’s role in pain management. Use simple, patient-friendly language.
• Mini Sessions: Host short “Ask a Therapist” workshops in your clinic where patients and caregivers can learn about non-opioid pain management.
• Discharge Education: Train staff to include #ChoosePT talking points when discussing long-term pain management with patients.

2. Social Media Engagement

Your clinic’s social platforms are powerful tools for extending the #ChoosePT message.

• Use Hashtags: Incorporate #ChoosePT and #PainManagement in every October post.
• Share Campaign Graphics: APTA offers ready-to-use images and videos.
• Highlight Success Stories: With patient permission, share testimonials of individuals who found relief through PT instead of opioids.
• Engage Your Team: Encourage staff members to share posts on their personal pages to expand reach.

Example Post Idea: “Did you know patients who see a PT early are less likely to need opioids? This October, we’re proud to support the #ChoosePT campaign. Learn how therapy helps you move past pain safely.”

3. Community Outreach

Take the message outside your clinic walls.

• Health Fairs: Participate in local events with a #ChoosePT booth, offering fall prevention screenings or mobility checks.
• Partnerships: Collaborate with primary care providers, orthopedic clinics, or senior centers to co-host educational talks.
• Schools and Employers: Offer short workshops on safe movement, ergonomics, and injury prevention with a #ChoosePT focus.

These activities not only spread awareness but also build new referral relationships.

4. Staff Training and Provider Engagement

Make sure your team feels confident talking about the #ChoosePT movement.

• Role-Play Scripts: Practice how to explain the risks of opioids and the benefits of PT in patient-friendly language.
• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Encourage OTs and SLPs to incorporate non-opioid pain management strategies into their care conversations.
• Empower Staff: Give therapists and front-desk staff easy phrases they can use when patients ask about pain management.

The Role of Rehab Providers in the Opioid Crisis

Supporting #ChoosePT isn’t just about branding; it’s about addressing one of healthcare’s biggest challenges.

Rehab professionals:

• Provide safe, evidence-based care that targets the source of pain.
• Reduce the need for opioids through early intervention.
• Support patient independence and quality of life in every setting.

This message resonates across outpatient therapy, SNFs, inpatient rehab, home health, assisted living, and occupational health. No matter your setting, you have a role to play in reducing reliance on opioids.

How NARA Advocates for You

At NARA, we represent thousands of therapy providers nationwide, advocating for fair reimbursement, reduced administrative burden, and increased access to therapy services. By supporting campaigns like #ChoosePT, we amplify the collective voice of rehab providers on Capitol Hill and in communities across the U.S.

NARA members benefit from:

• Advocacy updates on legislation impacting pain management and opioid alternatives.
• Educational resources and webinars on compliance, documentation, and clinical strategies.
• Specialized Interest Groups (SIGs) for collaboration and shared solutions across settings.
• Networking opportunities to strengthen your organization and improve outcomes.

Learn More About NARA’s Efforts

Be Part of the Movement

October is the perfect month to get involved in the #ChoosePT campaign, but the message extends far beyond one month. By implementing these strategies, your clinic or agency can:

• Educate patients on safe alternatives.
• Strengthen your community presence.
• Align your business with national advocacy efforts.
• Contribute to reducing opioid dependency across the country.

Together, we can ensure that rehabilitation providers are recognized as essential leaders in patient-centered pain management. Join NARA today to access advocacy tools, education, and a community of providers dedicated to shaping the future of therapy.

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