Biography
<b>PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, MTC, Cert-DN</b><br><br><b>Experience</b><br>Dr. Watson
joined the Department of Physical Therapy in fall 2002 as assistant professor in orthopedic
physical therapy. Dr. Watson has continued to practice orthopedic and sports medicine
physical therapy while teaching and conducting his research agenda. He received his
certification in manual therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 1999. He became
a Diplomat of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and was Board Certified
as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS) in 1999, and re-credentialed
in 2009. He also became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical
Therapists (FAAOMPT) in 1999, and again re-credentialed in 2009. Dr. Watson is an
attending clinician in the Western Carolina University (WCU), Doctor of Physical Therapy
student run pro-bono clinic (MAPHealth), and takes students to Central America (Honduras)
each year on a two-week medical mission <b>international service learning travel course</b>.<br><br><b>Education</b><br>Postdoctoral
Research Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University (2002)<br>Doctor of Physical Therapy,
Clinical Residency/Fellowship, University of St. Augustine (2000)<br>Bachelor of Science
and Master of Physical Therapy, Idaho State University (1989 & 1991)<br><br><b>Personal</b><br>Dr.
Watson resides in Asheville with his wife, and his hobbies include distance running,
travel, and scuba diving.
Teaching Interests
Dr. Watson teaches entry-level physical therapy students, focusing on examination
and intervention of musculoskeletal conditions in PT 951 (spine) and PT 952 (extremities).
He has also taught a basic physical therapy science course. He co-directs a doctoral
project (PT 899) in the Physical Therapy Department with Dr. Jessica Graning which
currently is a community based participatory research project addressing health disparities
in rural Honduras. Finally, he teaches an elective faculty-led study abroad international
service-learning course, PT 880 (Addressing Global Health Issues in Central America).
Research Interests
Dr. Watson recently completed a study demonstrating improved performance on measures
of dance, balance and muscle performance following an intensive 9-week core stability
program. Currently, Dr. Watson is leading an international service-learning course/study
project to provide basic health education to the director, trainers and participants
of an existing hypertension and diabetes prevention program in Taulabe, Honduras under
the guidance of program administrators and licensed physical therapists. He is also
studying the effectiveness of a student-created and publicly disseminated video education
series to the people in this community on topics related to exercise and chronic health
conditions.<br><br><b>Recent Publications</b><br>Watson, T., Graning, J. E., Eckard,
T. Communication and clinical reasoning benefits of an international service-learning
course in Honduras for Doctor of Physical Therapy Students: a single blind case-control
study. <i>J Clin Ed in Phys Ther: Under Review.</i><br><br>Watson, T., Graning, J.
E., Eckard, T. Fostering clinical reasoning through critical reflection in Doctor
of Physical Therapy education using international service-learning in Honduras. <i>
<i>Adv Pub Health Community Trop Med</i>. 2020;2(110):1-8.</i><br><br>Watson T, Graning
J, McPherson S, Carter E, Edwards J, Melcher I, Burgess T. Dance, balance, and core
muscle performance measures are improved following a nine-week core stabilization
training program among competitive collegiate dancers. <i>Int J Sports Phys Ther</i>.
2017 Feb;12(1):25-41.PMID:28217414.<br><br>McPherson S, Watson T, Pate L.Establishing
immediate reliability of ultrasound imaging measurements of transversus abdominis
in asymptomatic adults performing upright loaded functional tasks in clinical context
without delayed recorded measurement. <i>J Ultrasound Med</i>. 2016;35(8):1681-1691.
doi:10.7863/ultra.15.09065.<br><br>McPherson S, Watson T.Training of transversus abdominis
activation in supine with ultrasound biofeedback translated to increased transversus
abdominis activation during upright loaded functional tasks. <i>Phys Med Rehab</i>.
2014;6(7):612-623. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.11.014.<br><br><b>Recent Scientific and
Professional Presentations: </b><br>Graning J, Watson T. Influence of a 10-week dynamic
core stabilization training program on dance-related injury rate. APTA Combined Sections
Meeting. January, 2019; Washington, DC.<br><br>Watson T, Vidal B. Use of Real-Time
Ultrasound Imaging in the Treatment of Lower Back Pain. South Carolina Physical Therapy
Association Meeting, Pelham Medical Center. September 2018; Spartanburg, SC.<br><br>Watson
T, Graning J. Competitive collegiate dance team injuries: A prospective study. APTA
Combined Sections Meeting. February 2018; New Orleans, LA.
