Texas Physical Therapy Association

06/11/2026

The TPTA website has a fresh new look!

Several key areas of the site have been updated to make it easier for members, students, educators, and future physical therapy professionals to find the resources they need.

Explore what’s new:
• A refreshed homepage with clearer pathways
• Updated Committees page
• Updates to the Practice Essentials resource page
• Pivot Point, a new student hub with sections for future students, current students, and educators/program directors
• A designated resource center for PTs and PTAs

Take a look around and explore the updates:
www.tpta.org

06/11/2026

Balance is something we use every day, whether we're walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, exercising, carrying groceries, or simply moving through our daily routines. Like strength and flexibility, balance can improve with practice.

Research suggests that the ability to balance on one leg can be an indicator of overall physical function and healthy aging. The good news? Balance is a trainable skill at any age.

One easy way to work on it is to stand on one leg while brushing your teeth. Aim for 30 seconds on each side and use a steady surface if needed for safety.

Why it helps:
Improves stability and coordination
Strengthens muscles around the ankles, knees, and hips
Enhances body awareness and control
Supports healthy movement and may help reduce the risk of falls

Small habits can make a big difference over time.

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

Register today!

tpta.org/registration

06/05/2026

A better experience is on the way.

06/04/2026

Together we are building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society.

06/04/2026

Did you know your calf muscles are often called the body's "second heart"?

Every time you walk, climb stairs, or perform a calf raise, these muscles help pump blood from your legs back toward your heart.

If you spend long hours sitting, try standing up once an hour and performing 20 calf raises or 30 ankle pumps.

Benefits:
Improved circulation
Reduced stiffness
Less swelling in the lower legs
Better support for daily movement

Small movements throughout the day can make a big difference.

05/29/2026

Studies suggest approximately 60–80% of amputees experience the unpleasant sensation known as Phantom Pain or Phantom Limb Pain. This occurs when the brain and nervous system continue receiving or interpreting signals as if the missing limb were still present. The sensation can range from tingling or pressure to severe, disabling pain.

Physical therapy can help reduce symptoms through techniques such as mirror therapy, desensitization training, movement retraining, graded motor imagery, strengthening, and mobility exercises. Research has shown many patients experience meaningful improvements in pain, function, and quality of life when these therapies are incorporated into rehabilitation.

Physical therapy is about more than just injury recovery. PTs also help patients manage neurological conditions, chronic pain, mobility limitations, balance disorders, post-surgical recovery, and complex conditions involving the brain and nervous system.

Did you get it right? Have you ever treated phantom limb pain or experienced it personally?

Congratulations to Mike Connors, our last quarter’s Therapy Thursday Trivia winner! Please email [email protected] to claim your FREE PTTX26 conference registration.

05/28/2026

It’s Therapy Thursday and here’s another trivia question!

Take a guess for your chance to win a FREE PTTX26 conference registration.

Drop your answer below, then come back tomorrow to see if you were right and find out who last quarter’s winner is.

Some patients who have had a limb removed experience an unpleasant sensation in the limb that was amputated. The discomfort can become completely disabling. What is the sensation called?

05/27/2026

Seeing a physical therapist first, without a physician's referral, is allowed in the United States, and it is called direct access. Not only is it safe and effective, direct access can help you recover faster, among other benefits.