There are seven areas of clinical specialization within the profession of Physical Therapy. These areas of specialized clinical practice are established by the Board of Specialization of the American Physical Therapy Association and include the following care types: Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Cardiopulmonary, Neurologic, Electrophysiologic and Sports Physical Therapy. In addition to these, there are other subspecialty programs within the field such as hand therapy, wound therapy or vestibular rehabilitation.
Becoming a specialist means an individual has completed additional training in the form of advanced education and clinical experience and passed board certification testing through the APTA. These individuals are typically leaders in their field and senior clinicians in their working environments. They are regularly involved in continuing education in order to advance their clinical and patient reasoning skills. They are considered experts in their respective areas of practice.
Brian T. Wessel, MPT, OCS - Orthopedic Spine Specialization
Brian is recognized as one of few Orthopedic Clinical Specialists in the Santa Barbara area. He passed board certification in 2005 and has eleven years of experience examining and treating the orthopedic patient. He is recognized by the community of therapists to be an expert in the conservative treatment of spine related dysfunction for the purpose of functional recovery or improvement. He has dedicated his practice to the spine patient recognizing that the greatest clinical outcomes are accomplished from focused and complete attention. He has lectured to local therapists on various spinal topics and has completed advanced training with specific spinal focus. He is the only Physical Therapist in Santa Barbara to offer complete dedication of clinical practice to spine treatment.
Brian has demonstrated proficiency in the following treatment techniques:
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Graded spinal mobilization/manipulation
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Positional acute release
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Manual Spinal traction
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Muscle Energy Technique
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Functional Mobilization®
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Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
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Spinal Stabilization Training
Lectures given:
Manual Therapy Assessment and Treatment of the Cervical Spine 2001
Manual Therapy Assessment and Treatment of the Lumbar Spine 2002
Evidence Based Practice in Physical Therapy 2005
Manual Therapy Assessment and Treatment of the Thoracic Spine and Costal Cage 2006
Congestion in the Cervicothoracic Junction: Indications for Manual Therapy 2006
Integrating Grade V Mobilization into Clinical Practice 2008
Memberships:
International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine-US
American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
American Physical Therapy Association-orthopedic section
California Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Special Interest Group
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