Ask the Expert: Kavita Patel, PT, DPT, CCI
Kavita Patel is a Physical Therapist Advanced Clinical Specialist at Kessler Rehabilitation Center (KRC) in Clifton, NJ. Kavita also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Kavita has been a practicing clinician for more than 25 years.
What would you like people to know about your work as a physical therapist with a special interest in bone health?
My interest in bone health stems from personal experience. I have a strong family history of osteoporosis, and with close family having suffered fractures and bone stress injuries, I, too, was at risk. Therefore, I focused on studying interventions and strategies to improve my family’s bone health. I now apply this knowledge to all my patients -- of all age ranges -- screening them for the risk of low bone density, fractures, and falls. I work closely with my patients to help them achieve their goals, whether it is to improve their posture, return to their favorite hobby or recreational activity, or just to remain active and independent with their activities of daily living. Upon discharge, each patient is provided with a comprehensive home exercise program matching their abilities which focuses on bone strengthening, balance and agility, and posture re-education.
Tell us about the type of patients you treat. What seems to be their most common health issue(s)?
I treat patients of all ages and with various conditions, mostly orthopedic conditions such as neck and back pain, sports injuries, work-related injuries, arthritis, pre- and post-joint replacements, balance impairments, and post-fracture management. Pain, limited functional abilities, and loss of independence are some of the main reasons people seek out a physical therapist. Sometimes it can be difficulty walking, negotiating stairs, getting up from a chair, lifting groceries, or picking up their grandchildren that make people realize they need to see a physical therapist.
What are your patients most interested in learning about?
Most patients are concerned about being able to remain active and independent in all activities of daily living. They want to learn ways to move with less pain, become stronger, and minimize injuries. Many of my patients are interested in learning exercises that don’t take too much time, can be performed anywhere, require minimal equipment, and are effective and fun at the same time. They don’t want to spend hours in the day exercising. They also do not want “boring” exercises. This is where I love the challenge of finding the right exercises that address several components of strength, balance, posture, and weight-bearing in combination.
As a BoneFit™ master trainer for BHOF, will you please share your insights about the program?
This program is for physical therapists and fitness professionals, and teaches the latest evidenced-informed interventions for individuals with low bone density, including principles of resistance training, balance exercises, back extensor strengthening, aerobic exercise, and spine sparing strategies for safe movements. The program guides exercise trainers on safe and appropriate exercise instruction while enhancing a clinician’s problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills to prescribe safe and appropriate therapeutic interventions -- all to achieve rehabilitation goals including preventing and/or managing fractures.
Please share your most important recommendations for “safe exercise”.
POSTURE IS EVERYTHING!
Ensure good alignment and form during the performance of each exercise, in any position, whether you are lying down, sitting, in quadruped, or standing.
Ensure good alignment and form while changing positions or poses, as well as when reaching for or returning weights to their starting positions.
Incorporate proper breathing patterns.
Don proper footwear.
Clear your exercise space. Make it free of clutter. Keep items nearby to assist you with floor transfers and for balance activities (i.e., a sturdy chair).