PTA Daily

05/20/2026

Comment below if you have one. Here’s mine:

“Only the INDEX finger gets its own INDICIS”

Think: E.I. = Extra Independent

The index finger is the boss finger — it has its own dedicated extensor while the other fingers share.

That’s why you can point without extending your other fingers.

Save this before your next neuro or MSK lab.

05/14/2026

Finkelstein’s Sign for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis — let’s lock this in. 🔒

Here’s your cheat code:
🤙 Step 1 — Patient tucks thumb inside a closed fist

↩️ Step 2 — You passively ulnar deviate the wrist

⚡ Step 3 — Pain along the radial styloid = positive test

What you’re stressing: the APL and EPB tendons in the first dorsal compartment.

Remember it this way:
“Fist the thumb, bend toward pinky, feel the scream.”

This shows up on the NPTE. It shows up in clinicals. It shows up in real life.

Know the anatomy. Know the mechanism. Know the test. ✅

Save this for your musculoskeletal unit 📌

05/09/2026

🧠 You NEED to know these cerebellar terms before your boards

If you’re in PTA or PT school and you’ve ever blanked on the difference between ataxia and dysmetria — this one’s for you. The cerebellum controls coordination, balance, and smooth movement, and when it breaks down, the signs show up EVERYWHERE. We’re talking how your patient walks, talks, swallows, and even moves their eyes. 👀

Knowing these 10 terms cold will make you a better clinician AND save you on the NPTE. Swipe through, save it, and run through them before your next neuro lecture. 📚

Here’s what we cover:
🔹 Ataxia
🔹 Dysmetria
🔹 Dysdiadochokinesia
🔹 Dysarthria
🔹 Intention Tremor
🔹 Nystagmus
🔹 Hypotonia
🔹 Asynergy
🔹 Titubation
🔹 Dysphagia

Drop a 🧠 in the comments if your neuro exam is coming up — I got you.

03/21/2026

03/20/2026

Review of some knee special tests!!

01/04/2025

🌟 Rise and Shine: Elevating Your Confidence! 🌟

Are you ready to boost your confidence and take charge of your journey as a PT/PTA student or clinician? 🚀 In today’s PTA Daily article, we’re diving into practical tips and mindset shifts to help you rise above challenges and shine in your profession. 🌞✨

Confidence isn’t just a skill—it’s your superpower. 💪 Don’t miss out on this empowering read!

👉 Link in bio to read the full article and start elevating your confidence NOW.

💡 Pro Tip: Share this with a friend or colleague who needs a little boost today!

01/01/2025

🎧 NEW ARTICLE: "25 Physical Therapy Podcasts for 2025" - Your Guide to PT Learning On-the-Go!

We know how busy PT life can get, but staying current with industry trends and expanding your knowledge is crucial. That's why we've compiled a comprehensive list of some of the best physical therapy podcasts to enhance your professional journey in 2025!

Whether you're:
✓ Preparing for the NPTE
✓ Looking to sharpen your clinical skills
✓ Interested in private practice ownership
✓ Seeking continuing education opportunities
✓ Want to stay updated with industry trends

There's something for everyone in this carefully curated list. From evidence-based practice discussions to business strategies, these podcasts will transform your downtime into valuable learning opportunities!

Click here to read the full article: https://open.substack.com/pub/cstewart/p/25-physical-therapy-podcasts-for?r=286hp5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

💡 Pro Tip: Save this post to reference later and share it with your colleagues who might benefit from these resources!

What's your favorite PT podcast? Share in the comments below! 👇

12/28/2024

85% of jobs are filled through networking—a clear reminder that building relationships can open doors that skills alone might not.

Check out the latest issue of the PTADaily Newsletter to learn more about the impact of networking for physical therapy professionals.

https://open.substack.com/pub/cstewart/p/networking-strategies-for-physical?r=286hp5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

08/31/2024

🚶‍♂️Move in All Directions: Master the Three Planes of Human Movement! 🚶‍♂️

Understanding the three planes of human movement is essential for anyone diving into physical therapy or exercise science. 🌟 Whether you’re a student, professional, or just someone who loves fitness, these planes help you understand how the body moves and how to optimize training for better results. Swipe to learn more about the Sagittal, Frontal, and Transverse planes and how they play a crucial role in your everyday movements! 💪

👉 Sagittal Plane: Think forward and backward—walking, running, squats.
👉 Frontal Plane: Side to side—jumping jacks, lateral lunges.
👉 Transverse Plane: Rotation—twists, throwing a ball.

Understanding these planes is key to designing effective workouts, preventing injuries, and enhancing overall movement efficiency. Stay tuned to the PTADaily Newsletter for deeper insights! 🧠

01/13/2024

🧠Best way to remember the direction of spinal cord tracts🧠

You’re studying neuro and you’re struggling to remember whether a spinal tract goes up or down.

Well, here’s a 💥tip💥 to help you remember every time. It’s all in the name.

🎯For instance, the spinothalamic tract goes from the spine, which is located in the trunk and neck to the thalamus, which is inside the brain. Therefore, this tract is an ascending tract.

🎯Try another one. The corticospinal tract runs from the cortex of the brain to the spinal cord. Thus this track is a descending track.

😀 This technique should work for all tracks except for the dorsal column tract.

❔ Why is this important? Well, ascending tracts carry sensory information and descending tracts motor information.

#️⃣ Follow and for more neuro tips.