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Reflective Blog Page

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A Reflective Journey Through Health Sciences Communication This summer, I discovered that writing in the health sciences is about much more than demonstrating knowledge—it’s about bridging the gap between technical accuracy and human-centered care. Through blog posts, professional projects, peer feedback, and visual resources, I learned how to write for real people: patients, clinicians, students, and caregivers. This blog page reflects on what I created, revised, and learned, offering insight into my development as a writer in kinesiology, physical therapy, and gerontology. Revising and Expanding My Projects Project 1: Learning to Write Clinically in Kinesiology My first project began as a straightforward case study: a clinical scenario paper based on a 65-year-old swimmer with rotator cuff impingement. Initially, I focused heavily on naming anatomical structures. However, in the revised version Project 1 - Clinical Narrative , I emphasized clinical reasoning, patient-focused ton...
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How To Write A SOAP Note ~ Revised

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  Cover Letter: “How to Write a SOAP Note” Dear Reader, For this project, I chose to focus on the professional genre of SOAP notes—a foundational document type in physical therapy and other healthcare professions. SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, and this structure is used to document clinical sessions, track patient progress, and communicate between providers. I chose this genre because as a kinesiology major with a physical therapy emphasis, I know firsthand how intimidating SOAP notes can feel when you're first introduced to them. I created a one-page cheat sheet titled “How to Write a SOAP Note” to serve as a practical and accessible tool for students entering clinical training. My intended audience is undergraduate or graduate students studying physical therapy or related health fields, especially those just beginning clinical internships. These students are expected to document patient interactions quickly and accurately, often without much hands-...
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Analytic Narrative ~ Revised

  Learning to Write Clinically in Kinesiology Writing in kinesiology is more than repeating facts from a lecture. It’s the process of translating anatomical understanding into clinical application. In ENS 265: Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries , I wrote a clinical scenario paper on rotator cuff impingement. The assignment required me to apply anatomical knowledge, assess movement limitations, and design a realistic treatment plan for a hypothetical patient. This experience helped me understand how to write as a future practitioner. In this narrative, I reflect on the challenges, learning process, and growth that came from writing this paper, as well as the genre conventions I had to learn to gain credibility as a kinesiology student. The scenario featured a 65-year-old swimmer named Bill who had been diagnosed with rotator cuff impingement. The goal was to evaluate anatomical features, identify impairments in shoulder and scapular motion, and propose a treatment plan support...
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Writing in the Health Sciences ~ Revised

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  Writing in the Health Sciences: A Guide for Movement & Aging Disciplines Welcome to your guide for writing effectively in the fields of kinesiology , physical therapy , and gerontology . Whether you’re preparing a research article, reflective blog, lab report, or patient handout, writing in this discipline demands clarity, evidence, and empathy. This guide offers practical strategies to help you communicate complex ideas with confidence, engage your readers, and meet academic or professional standards. Who Is This Guide For? This guide is designed for: Students  (like me) studying kinesiology, PT, exercise science, or aging studies Emerging professionals writing clinical reports or public-facing content Writers communicating across academic, clinical, and community settings Health sciences writing spans a wide spectrum: from peer-reviewed studies and grant proposals to blogs, educational pamphlets, and public health messaging. Regardless of genre, your go...
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What Strength Really Means

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  Rethinking Fitness Goals After 65 What Strength Really Means What does it mean to be strong? For older adults, strength isn’t always about hitting a PR in the gym. It might be about reaching the top shelf, climbing stairs with confidence, or holding a grandchild without a fear of falling. As a kinesiology student with a focus on physical therapy and gerontology, I’ve come to believe we need to rethink how we define strength in later life. The fitness world often centers strength on youthful ideal like: big muscles, high-intensity workouts, and competitive goals. But the reality for older adults is different, and that difference deserves celebration, not stigma. What Older Adults Actually Want from Exercise When we talk about fitness, the focus is often on weight loss, aesthetics, or athletic performance. But for older adults, the goals are practical and personal,  centered on living life fully and independently. Research shows that older adults prioritize movement that ...
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Is Physical Therapy Worth It?

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  Is Physical Therapy Worth It?  When it Helps, Why it Works, and Why it’s Often Overlooked When we hear “physical therapy,” we often imagine athletes recovering from injury or someone learning to walk after surgery. But for older adults, physical therapy is much more than rehab. It can be the difference between living independently and needing full-time care. With the U.S. aging population growing rapidly, understanding when and how to use physical therapy is essential. And yet, PT is often misunderstood, under-prescribed, and underutilized, especially for elderly patients. So this is how we are going to break it down: what is physical therapy really for, when should someone seek it out, and does it actually work? What Is Physical Therapy Really For? Physical therapy (PT) is a healthcare specialty focused on improving how people move and function. It’s NOT limited to post-injury recovery! It can help prevent decline, manage chronic conditions, and even delay or avoid maj...
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Analyzing a Patient Education Handout

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  Analyzing a Patient Education Handout In physical therapy, one of the most widely used professional genres is a  patient educational handout . These documents serve as essential tools for conveying important therapeutic instructions and health information in a format that is easier to understand. For this analysis, I examine the Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program handout published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). This document shows the functional and rhetorical strategies used in clinical settings to educate patients and support their recovery outside of in-person appointments. Content and Author The Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program is designed to communicate a set of exercises specifically made for individuals recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis and other shoulder-related injuries. The document provides an introduction that explains the importance of flexibility and strength in the rotator cuff, followed by a list ...
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