Jean Beatty Jean Beatty of Wiscasset celebrates National Physical therapy Month, encouraging folks to ask for services when they feel that first twinge of pain, but if the truth be known, Beatty celebrates every month by making an effort to make her community better. (Photo Barbara Martin)

October is National Physical Therapy Month. The American Physical Therapy Association describes it as "an opportunity for members to educate their communities about who physical therapists are and what they do."

Physical therapists are the medical professionals who come in after that bad hip break or car accident or fall down the stairs and help get us back on our feet. They are trained to help people improve their quality of life by increasing their capacity for movement no matter what their limitations.

The national association chooses a specific health problem to focus on each year during their month of outreach. This year the focus is on the prevention of obesity, which has become a nationwide epidemic and often the cause of a long laundry list of health problems.

Unlike many health service providers, physical therapists have a major role to play in prevention of medical problems. The association's literature describes their dual role in the campaign to prevent obesity: "The first role is in developing fitness plans that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, and increase function… for people who already are overweight they balance the progress of an exercise prescription with the need for safety during exercise."

The slogan for the association is "The art of caring and the science of healing." Physical Therapist Jean Beatty, the owner of Sheepscot Bay Physical Therapy in Wiscasset and Waldoboro, could be a "poster therapist" for that slogan - it's quickly apparent that she shines at both the science and the caring.

Born in Damariscotta and raised in Wiscasset, Beatty said she loves her job and community and does much more than just pay lip service to that sentiment.

"It's a dream come true to be able to help people in my own home town to feel better and help them to be independent after our work together," Beatty said.

Beatty also manages to fit additional extra-curricular activities into her lifestyle aimed at serving her friends and community. She is a paramedic and a volunteer with the Wiscasset ambulance service, on call two nights per week. She is also a member of the Wiscasset Fire Department, and, as is the case for all volunteer fire fighters, is on call 24-7. If you have any doubts, just check out the firefighting equipment that never leaves the back of her car.

"I always wanted to be a firefighter. I looked up to them," she says.

Beatty's training in physical therapy mixes very well with her two civic involvements. "It's so helpful to be aware of how to move someone safely who has been hurt," Beatty said. She has also done some information sharing with firefighters about exercising to prevent injuries. When they hear that emergency dispatch and have to go from zero to 60 physically to answer a call, there couldn't be a better opportunity to strain or pull a muscle or two.

"Both the paramedics and the firefighters are a great bunch of people and have great directors," she said.

Beatty's mother Anne lost her husband when Jean was just two years old, leaving her with two young girls to raise. Anne Beatty still lives in Wiscasset and is remembered for her public service. She held positions ranging from Town Treasurer and Clerk, Budget Committee member and School Board member and more. Jean's sister and her family also live in town.

Beatty said that she can't do budget committees as her mother did, so she chose a few other ways to contribute to the hometown crowd.

"Physical therapists have the opportunity to become much more involved with their patients because we often meet with them two to three times per week. It is a great opportunity to get to know someone and to be able to assess how the treatment is progressing and affecting their daily life," Beatty said.

"I love it when someone comes in and says, `Oh, you're Anne's youngest,' and it is also very gratifying when a patient has developed enough trust to come back after treatment with questions about a re-occurrence or new problem," she added. "You know that they are confident in asking for your advice."

If you think we've come to the end of Beatty's to do list, think again. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and runs two classes per week. She is certified to perform work site evaluations. She frequently goes to a company for an existing patient or works with companies that want a professional assessment of their workplace with an eye towards preventing injury and promoting safety.

And folks, just for the fun of it, she has again started taking ballet lessons. She took ballet for about ten years at the Mid-Coast Dance Studio in Newcastle and has come back for more after three years off. "I'm still not graceful, but I like it," she says.

She manages to share her busy life with her two dogs, seven cats and four birds. She recently added her second dog when her two year old rottweiller, Nicky, fell in love with a puppy at the doggy day care that she goes to on occasion. However, when Logan gets into trouble, as all puppies will, Nicky just looks, wanting no part of the blame for his juvenile manners.

Beatty said that most of her clients are recovering from orthopedic surgery and back injuries. "I love working with athletes, also, helping them get back on the playing field."

Asked if she is doing anything directly about the obesity initiative, she said she'd love to, but sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day - that's a surprise. She'd like to plan some wellness work and admits to being able to feel the pain of the overeater given her love affair with chocolate.

"I have a very busy life and am grateful that I can still say that I enjoy every day at work," Beatty said. And don't worry about her high speed pace. "I still find time to watch the Red Sox," she said.