Previous Anatomy Experience?

[SingingPT]

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Hey guys, this is a question I would like answered by some current DPT students. I am applying for DPT programs at the moment, and have all of my requirements done. Finally. Now, here's the thing that has been burning my mind day and night...

Because I did not graduate in a science related field (hence the name SingingPT, hint-I'm a trained vocalist), I did not receive the greatest education in some of my required courses. Mostly, I'm talking about Anat/Phys. Due to time and monetary constraints, I had to take Anatomy online during a summer session 😕. I learned absolutely nothing 🙁. We had only a few days to learn each subject, and I had to cram and dump everything. I know nothing about the muscles, the skeleton, and the arteries and nerves. The only thing I learned was that I actually did learn the skull and brain very well in my previous psych courses. I guess that's worth something!

So, my question is, will this affect me next year in DPT school? Should I go back and use my free time to review this material? What about actually devoting the time that I could and should have to actually study and memorize for good this time? Or, is it better to just show up for class and learn it once we get there since most professors want you to learn it their way?

Any advice would be appreciated. Right now, I am leaning towards studying it myself with my materials and applying what I learn practically at my job at the clinic I work in everyday.

Thanks guys!

 

[Vbkbguy]

Hello SingingPT,

My undergraduate degree was in Musical Theatre, so I understand where you are coming from. I am, however, a New York licensed Massage Therapist with over 1,000 required hours for licensure, so I do have some background.

I start the P.T. program in January. Although I am not currently a PT student, I recommend learning the names and anatomical markings of all the bones, the major muscles and their actions. I am also going to review the cranial nerves (Ohh, Ohh, to touch and feel vir_ _ _ .......... or perhaps you prefer another mnemonic) as well as some of their innervations. As far as origins and insertions, I will wait for class to see what the professor expects.

Any other current students have any comments/suggestions? I want to try to make the 1st semester a little less overwhelming, is that possible?

 

[SingingPT]

I too actually have a degree in Music Theatre! Awesome! and thanks for the response. I think that's a good idea, as it can't hurt to learn this stuff and is totally accessible even without instruction. It is just memorization after all! Thanks again.

 

[TheOx777]

I honestly do believe that having a solid background/foundation in Anatomy and Physiology will only serve to strengthen your academic success in DPT school. You have some time between now and when you start your program, so I would recommend doing some prep so that you can feel more comfortable. You will hear about origins, insertions, actions, and innervations until you are blue in the face. Might as well start the process now, because this will prepare you for your academic career but also your professional career as a physical therapist.

 

[DancerFutureDPT]

If you have the time and and the money, maybe try to take a review course (like A&P I ) at a community college...since you're already accepted into PT school (I think? That's what it sounds like in your OP) grades won't count, and you can be taught it properly. Or, maybe you can ask if you can audit the class since you don't need the grade, and then get a discount on the tuition.

Don't kill yourself over memorizing O, I, N, A, because those professors do want a certain way. But, having an overview of the subject so you're at least familiar with everything is helpful...A&P are definitely the most important prereqs in my opinions, and some of the hardest (yet most interesting) PT classes.

If nothing else, get yourself a good A&P textbook and read through it/study it like you're taking a basic class...I got the one with the yoga/dancers on the cover (I think Martini is the author) for an anatomy class I took at a CC and it's pretty solid. It's not super advanced, but it's a good intro. You can get an older edition (which is what I did) for pretty cheap on Ebay...I think mine was $10 at the time.

I also come from a performer background in college, but I was able to sneak in anatomy before I graduated (mainly because I loved the class and wanted to take it regardless of the PT thing). Since you're a musical theater person, I'm assuming you've had some dance training...if that's something that interests you, there are several good anatomy of dance books, which I bought and reviewed prior to PT school...for me, relating muscle actions/origins/insertions to dance positions/movements helped me learn it (i.e. I learned the sartorius as the "retiré passé" or a front attitude position muscle when I took a dancer anatomy class in undergrad, and it's stuck with me ever since). Then it's also something that's more interesting than just reading through a plain anatomy text.

Good luck!

 

[markelmarcel]

I'm not a performer, but I do come from an unrelated background and just had my first anatomy lab yesterday (1st semester DPT)-- a LOT of my classmates were yelling out muscle names asking "Is this ___ or ___?" "Where's the ____ if this is the ____?" while I stood there dumbfounded because I took anatomy 2 years ago!

Needless to say, I spent about 3 hours yesterday heavily going over the hip/glute area (bones and muscles) so that I could begin to comprehend the origin/insertion/innervation that I need to learn...

In short, I can definitely tell I'm going to have to work extra hard to get this stuff, so I'd definitely either do some review yourself or take a course because I'm sure it would be really beneficial!!!

 

[goyo1010]

I agree with the earlier posts. Having a strong background in A&P will do nothing but assist in your Human Gross Anatomy class. However, since you're worried about your knowledge about the subject, I would get an clinical level anatomy textbook (or the text your school will use) and go over it. Don't go crazy and try to remember every little thing, as you will get these in class. Just remember main features, general location and function. Don't stress about the proximal or distal attachments (origin/insertions) so much or the innervation and all the little actions (i.e. superior and inferior trapezius superiorly rotates scapula). You'll learn all the specifics when you start class!

 

[dptstudent2014]

I am currently in DPT school and I must say that the anatomy is very intense. You are expected to learn every muscle (origin, insertion, action, nerve innervation, blood perfusion), bone, and organ system. It is easier for me to solidify the concepts because I had a strong undergrad anatomy course. With that being said, there are several people in my DPT class that did not major in a core science during their undergrad education. They are all successful in the program and are able to handle the anatomy. They are just having to work a little harder and spend some extra time in the class and with the cadavers.

 

[SingingPT]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I definitely don't want to be spending every waking minute once I'm in school with cadavers or looking at photos of muscles while worrying about failing, so I think all of this advice is great. I do plan on just buying a cheap A&P book online (nice advice on an old version!) and just reviewing the basics. Like I said, I can apply the stuff I am learning to what I do everyday at work. Placing patients on stim, helping with exercises, etc...would all be better if I actually knew the muscles and nerves that I was having them work on. Thanks again guys! Good luck in all of your endeavors.

 

[DancerFutureDPT]

If you're working in a PT clinic, I'd also suggest to grab an anatomy atlas (all PT clinics should have a few on hand) when you have some spare time, and look up the relevant info for the patients you're working with...I would do that when I was between patients, or waiting for someone to come off of stim or heat or whatever. It's a nice refresher. That way when I was teaching the patient internal/external rotation with therabands, I could be reviewing what muscles do that action in my head.

 

[SingingPT]

Heck yeah! I only show that exercise roughly 100 times a day. Sounds great. Thanks for the nice tip.👍

 

[DancerFutureDPT]

😀 No problem. Like I said, find something that works for you to help you remember it. I put muscle actions into dance positions/movements, or tried to integrate them into what I was teaching patients. If you do it enough, then you'll really learn it.