For the first edition of Meet the Staff, we are introducing you to Tara Bach-Martinez, Doctor of Physical Therapy. Tara is Mobile Health’s new physical therapist and is overseeing our new Functional Capacity Evaluations. Born in Mobile, Alabama but raised in Vermont and Alabama, Tara was a ski racer and professional dancer for many years. Her lifelong passion for health and fitness has led her to study a wide range of Eastern and Western techniques and philosophies, ie. yoga and Pilates.
Tara was first introduced to physical therapy while being treated herself for sports and dance injuries. Having seen the amazing possible frailty of a body in motion, Tara decided to pursue her studies and career in the medical art of physical therapy and exercise physiology.
To Tara, a body in motion is much more than just a medical science – it is a medical art. Her unique approach to physical therapy is one that compliments a person’s entire well-being inside and out. The right blood pressure is a good start, but Tara quickly zeroes in on a person’s ability to function at their job safely.
After years of treating athletes and dancers for injuries, Tara joined a NYC home health agency as a physical therapist and saw firsthand how employees were injuring themselves while trying to perform the tasks required of a home health aide. She shares on her experiences:
“My home health co-workers were hard working people, doing important things for their agency and clients. Unfortunately, not all aides were physically able to do their jobs. There was a client recovering from open heart surgery whose aide would not be able to pick him up if he fell down. It places both the aide and client in a very difficult unsafe position.”
Following a 3-month leave of absence due to three family deaths, Tara decided to realign her career and help prevent the home health aide injuries she was treating.
Upon joining Mobile Health, Tara took ownership of our Functional Capacity Evaluations, helping design the actual exams and developing a caring relationship with her patients. “Many people come to me scared and nervous, but after a few breathing exercises and polite conversation they realize the importance of the exam and are willing to participate in their individual test”.
Although most do pass, Tara also notes that she’s had a few who were unable to complete the tests such as carrying a heavy box or having full range of motion in their shoulders. At these times, she does empathize, but realizes that these individuals will hurt themselves if hired to perform these functions.
Most times, she sees patients who are completing their pre-employment exams which mostly deals with internal health. To Tara, this is only half of the story. “A TB test is very important for an employee in healthcare, but that is no guarantee that this person can repeatedly lift their arms above their heads without pain or transfer a patient from the bed to bathroom”, Tara shares.
In regards to the future of the Functional Capacity Evaluations, Tara is looking forward to expanding into other Mobile Health locations. Currently it is only offered in the Manhattan medical office. She is also looking into adding specialty equipment to replicate the functional strength, endurance and range of motion required for her patient’s employment. Do you have a question for Tara? Click here to send her a message.
