Editor's note: A complete feature on physical therapy will be printed in Tuesday's edition of the Forum.

The St. Francis Hospital's Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine department will have their first open house from 3-5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 13.

October is National Physical Therapy month and St. Francis physical therapists agree it's  a good time to reach out to the public and educate them about the department and what services they offer.

Jason Haer, a physical therapist, orthopedic certified specialist and Maitland manual therapy technique certified lead physical therapist, said there will be exercise stations set up for the public to try them out, and therapists will be available to answer any questions they might have.

"We just decided to do this, not only to provide a service to the community," he said. "But also, we want to recognize our physical therapists we have here on staff and what a good job they're doing."

When a physical therapist sees a patient for the first time, he or she examines the person and develops a plan that promotes the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability.

Physical therapy is one of the best conservative options for headaches, neck, back, arthritic, chronic pain, body stiffness, weakness, incontinence, pediatric developmental delays, balance problems, dizziness, repetitive stress disorders, Parkinson's disease, sports injuries and so on.

For more information on a specialized therapy concerning women's health and to learn more about what St. Francis physical therapists can do, they ask that you join them for their first open house. Refreshments will be provided and anyone from the public is invited to attend.