Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association Announces Initiative With Physiotherapy Associates, Inc. to Improve Patient Treatments

EXTON, Pa., Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, a national non-profit for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorder, announced today an initiative with renowned outpatient rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics service provider Physiotherapy Associates, Inc. (PTA). The initiative will focus on developing improved patient treatments for CMT through an educational module that was developed by the CMTA, and will be delivered by PTA's clinicians. 

"Physiotherapy Associates is uniquely positioned to provide services to patients affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease," said Pat Livney, CEO of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. "Through a committed relationship with Physiotherapy Associates and their clinicians' ability to implement the educational program, the CMTA is working to improve the quality of life for CMT patients across the country."

An estimated one in every 2,500 people – 2.6 million worldwide – has CMT. It is a progressive disorder that causes the nerve cells leading to the body's extremities to slowly degenerate, resulting in the loss of normal use of the hands/arms and legs/feet. It may also lead to a loss of sensory functions and structural changes. CMT strikes people of all ages, genders, races and ethnicities, yet sometimes is overlooked and not routinely diagnosed in patients.

"From my physical therapy treatment background, I see this relationship with CMT as a powerful tool to help patients affected by CMT. Our licensed clinicians offer one-on-one care to all our patients, and now CMT patients across the U.S. will benefit from an increased knowledge of this condition," states Pete Grabaskas, PT, COO, Physiotherapy Associates.

This shared education and program development arrangement will help patients who are seeking clinical providers for CMT services and treatments. For more information, please visit www.cmtausa.org. To find the most convenient Physiotherapy Associates clinic for a loved one with CMT, please visit www.physiocorp.com.

About the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA):

The CMTA, headquartered in Pennsylvania, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1983. The CMTA's goals include providing patient support, public education, promotion of research, and ultimately the improved treatment and cure of CMT. Scientific and technological advances have enabled the Association to implement an initiative, known as the Strategy to Accelerate Research™ (STAR), which is designed to lead to new treatments for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder (CMT) within three to five years and possibly to a cure within ten years. For more information on CMTA, please visit www.charcot-marie-tooth.org.

About Physiotherapy Associates:

Physiotherapy Associates is the nation's foremost provider of outpatient rehabilitation services. Physiotherapy Associates employs an industry-leading team of physical therapists and healthcare practitioners who are dedicated to high-quality patient care. The company provides physical therapy, industrial rehabilitation and orthotics and prosthetics services to thousands of patients across the United States. With more than 650 clinics, Physiotherapy Associates is national in scope, local in care. For more information, visit www.physiocorp.com, follow us on Twitter (@physiocorp) or become a Physio fan on Facebook.

SOURCE Physiotherapy Associates