Ever since I was a student in junior high school, I was enthralled with the complex workings of the human body and the ability of medical practitioners to effect healing. At the time, I was in my eighth year of competitive gymnastics classes, and I was beginning to experience intense joint pain in my ankles and wrists. When conventional analgesics no longer proved to be effective for pain management, I turned to a local physical …showed first 75 words of 502 total…

…showed last 75 words of 502 total…model and teacher in the field of wellness, just like my physical therapist so long ago. I see the role of the physical therapist as an ongoing, front-line practitioner of wellness, working to help the body repair itself and function in the aftermath of tissue and muscle damage due to accident or everyday stresses. One day, I want to be a healer, counselor, and role model, just as my therapist was to me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**