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Longtime NPTA member to represent Physical Therapy profession at National Conference

NPTA member Brad Sidener has been treating a performing artist (viola)
and high school music teacher for the past two years.  The patient had to stop performing for several years due to a chronic, excruciatingly painful muscle disorder of his left levator scapulae and supraspinatus muscles related to playing an oversized viola for 2 years. He had received care from several sources but ultimately saw Brad Sidener in Reno beginning about 2 years ago. The patient reports that thanks to Brad's physical therapy treatment, he has slowly returned to being able to play the viola again.

This patient submitted a proposal to the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) 2008 National Conference. The proposal was accepted. The patient and Brad will be co-presenters for an educational platform session at the ASTA 2008 National Conference. They will discuss and explore a variety of injuries common among string musicians and performers, and how physical therapy can be essential in helping in rehabilitation and recovery.

The patient has asked the Nevada Chapter of the APTA to help Brad defray some of the costs of attending this session.

The Board of Directors (BoD) of the Nevada Chapter, APTA discussed this request at their last meeting. They feel that they cannot allocate Chapter funds (ie. Member funds) for this purpose as it might set a precedent that would result in serious financial stress to the Chapter.

However, the BoD feels that this opportunity for Brad to co-present with his patient at the ASTA 2008 National Conference is a wonderful opportunity to share the value of physical therapy for Performing Artists. As a result, the BoD recommended that we share this opportunity with you, our members, on our website.

Would you, as members of the Nevada Chapter of the APTA, be willing to help support Brad in attending this educational conference? It would be a wonderful opportunity, for you, as a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nevada Chapter, to let the American String Teachers Association know about the contributions physical therapy can make to performing artists who are injured. If you would be willing, please send your personal check to:

Bradley Sidener, PT
15 McCabe Drive, Suite 101
Reno NV 89511-4815

Thank you for your support of Brad's attendance in this educational conference where he will be a co-presenter.  And, thank you for your support of our profession and our professional association.