Posts Tagged ‘Physical’

Physical Therapy Treatment for Sports Injuries

June 4th, 2011

Sports injuries affect a number of athletes, both men and women alike. Pain is involved in all injuries that occur while playing games. Studies at the U.S Naval Academy have revealed that sports injuries most commonly occur due to repetitive and excessive use of muscles and bones.

An athlete who is suffering from a sports injury can be effectively treated using physical therapy, one of the effective methods that facilitate speedy recovery and helps athletes to quickly return to sports. Activities like football, baseball, tennis, swimming, and weight training are likely to cause injuries. With physical therapy, various sports injuries including rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder injuries, jumping/cutting/landing injuries, running injuries, fractures, head injuries, neck injuries and tennis injuries can be treated.

Physical therapy is a hands-on treatment procedure used for treating musculoskeletal dysfunction. This effective treatment plan works well to maintain and enhance fitness, health and quality of life. The physical therapy treatment program makes the body strong and increases the blood flow to the affected areas. This is ideal to promote your healing process.

Physical therapy treatment for sport injuries includes a variety of modalities such as hot packs, cold packs, electrical stimulation and ultrasound to heal the injured tissue. In addition, medical massage is incorporated in the physical therapy treatment plan to increase overall circulation and achieve the best possible health. In a healthy lifestyle, the physical therapy treatment administered for sports injuries helps to

•    Decrease pain
•    Increase function by restoring your physical abilities
•    Prevent further injuries

The physical therapists who know to manage pain through physical therapy sessions will treat the patients for about 30 minutes. Depending on the severity of the injury, the physical therapy treatment program varies.

Physical therapy treatment for sports injuries is the best option for athletes who wish to return to their normal sports activities soon. Physical therapists can also give tips on preventing further injuries.

When Do You Need Physical Therapy?

June 3rd, 2011

If you have recently had an injury related to work, a fall, sports, or an accident, or have been hospitalized for a heart related condition, you may be wondering if and how physical therapy can help you. While many states require a physician’s referral in order to see a licensed physical therapist, others do not, but it is a requirement of a number of insurance carriers. However, while your doctor may recommend a physical therapy center for your treatment, it is always important to keep in mind that the physical therapist that you see is always your choice first.

When do you need physical therapy? In order to answer this question, it is first important to understand what it is that a physical therapist does. A person who does physical therapy is a medical professional that specializes in muscle movements and exercises that improve posture and stability, as well as strengthen specific muscle groups in order to promote recovery and healing, as well as reduce the risk of accidental injury. Chiropractic Physicians are licensed to perform physical therapy in many states.

In deciding whether or not you actually need physical therapy, your first line of recourse will always be your Chiropractor or general practitioner. If you have recently been treated for an accident or condition, they may recommend physical therapy to you in your recovery. However, others who have had the same kind of injury multiple times, or have found that recovery is not progressing on its own, may also opt to see a physical therapist in order to promote greater improvement.

People frequently seek out the help of a physical therapist for back and knee injuries, shoulder and neck pain, sprains and pulled muscles, as well as hip fractures. In addition, physical therapy has also been shown to be beneficial to pregnant women, as well as those who have just had a baby or others recovering from surgery. Older people who are also recovering from a stroke are also frequently referred to physical therapists to regain the use of certain muscle groups and recover function that is lost in many areas.

There are many different types of physical therapeutics that can help a wide variety of people from just about any group. For those with back injuries, hip fractures, and those with other types of broken bones, an orthopedic physical therapist can help promote recovery, reduce the risk of injury to the same area again, and also reduce healing time. These kinds of physical therapists also help with a number of sports related injuries.

For older patients, geriatric physical therapeutics can aid in recovery from a stroke or heart attack, as well as help strengthen bones affected by osteoporosis, improve incontinence, and promote better balance. For younger patients and children, pediatric physical therapy can help develop motor skills in those with developmental delays and improve function in those with musculoskeletal disorders such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy. In addition, neurological physical therapy can help those with brain injuries or other neurological disorders, as well as those recovering from a stroke.

Discover the secrets to healthy living and preventative care. Visit http://www.physicaltherapy.southwestfloridachiropractor.com today!

Physical Therapy Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain

May 27th, 2011

Discomfort having an impact on the lower part of the back characterizes the common condition simply called low back stiffness. Usually, low back pain goes away after a few days or weeks. You have acute low back pain if you have been experiencing pain for under 6 weeks.

Physical Therapy Boca Raton

Low back trouble may occur suddenly or continuously. Strain to the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones are the main factors behind low back trouble. [**] what causes the strain differs from one person to another so it best to consult with your physician.
Physical Therapy Boca Raton
For acute low back pain, it’s important not to overexert yourself nor stay absolutely inactive. You will feel just like staying in bed will dump the agony but in reality doctors do not suggest long times of bed rest in this example. It’s best to continue with your ordinary activities but at a gradual pace. [**] after 2 weeks you’ll do some aerobic exercises.

Physical Therapy Boca Raton
If the pain continues for three weeks, it is best to seek professional physical therapy treatment for persistent low back pain. A qualified physical therapist is informed on the precise wishes of a person suffering low back pain and will be in a position to design and administer individualized physical treatment treatment for protracted low back pain.

Physical care treatment for prolonged low back stiffness starts with educating the patient about correct movement and posture. Some physical therapists use methods of therapy that apply heat, electric kick and ultrasound to the area affected. Physical therapy treatment for persistent low back trouble involves specific exercises to boost flexibility and strengthen back muscles especially those that support the backbone.
Physical Therapy Boca Raton

Physical Therapy Boca Raton

in the opinion of some studies, the exercises above are just some of the effective ways to treat chronic low back pain.

Physical Therapy Boca Raton
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Can Cash-Based Physical Therapy Save You Money?

May 24th, 2011

If insurance-related hurdles are preventing you from achieving optimal health, cash-based physical therapy can be an effective solution. High deductibles and co-pays lead many individuals to forgo treatment in an effort cut expenses, while those without insurance often ignore seemingly minor issues until they turn into major health problems. If you’re looking to attain a healthy balance both physically and financially, cash-based physical therapy offers an affordable way to immediately improve your overall health and wellness.

Improve Your Quality of Life and Avoid Costly Medical Treatments

Many people overlook the importance of preventative health measures, ignoring minor aches, pains and weight problems until immediate medical attention is required. At that point, expensive medications or surgery may be necessary to address the resulting health issues. While physical therapy is often associated with rehabilitative treatments, it is also an ideal form of preventative care.

Whether you’ve suffered an injury, are overweight or are simply looking for help in setting and achieving fitness goals, physical therapy can help. A licensed physical therapist will develop a customized health program designed to improve your strength, fitness, mobility and overall quality of life. Physical therapy is a smart alternative to traditional curative care, because physical therapists focus on addressing underlying health and fitness issues rather than merely treating the symptoms. By taking a holistic approach to health and wellness, physical therapy can help alleviate pain, restore full mobility and prevent further injury in patients undergoing treatment, while empowering preventative-care clients to achieve and maintain optimal health and fitness.

Physical therapists are dedicated to helping their clients correct and prevent health issues. To learn how physical therapy can help you, seek out a local clinic that offers a complimentary consultation or free health and wellness classes. If money is a concern, ask about your options – most physical therapists will work with you to find an affordable solution, which may involve insurance, cash-based physical therapy or some combination thereof.

Cash-Based Physical Therapy as an Alternative to Insurance

With today’s skyrocketing health insurance premiums, costly co-pays and high deductibles, the ability to pay cash for life-enhancing physical therapy treatments can mean the difference between living with chronic pain and feeling great again.

For many people, paying for private health insurance coverage is simply not possible; for others, the only affordable healthcare plan options carry deductibles of ,000 or higher – some are as much as ,000. Not only must patients cover the cost of premiums, but they’re also saddled with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses before any insurance coverage begins!

Rising insurance costs and lengthy approval processes shouldn’t impede your access to physical therapy or the immediate health benefits it can provide. Seek out a physical therapy clinic with an experienced billing specialist who will take the time to review your health insurance coverage to determine the most cost-effective, long-term solution. In many cases, an alternative payment option – like cash-based physical therapy – may prove to be your best choice.

Case Study: How Cash-Based Physical Therapy Can Provide Cost Savings

To understand the benefits of cash-based physical therapy, consider the case of one candidate who was seeking an experienced physical therapist in Maine to help him lose weight and get his diabetes under control. His doctor referred him to Results Physical Therapy and prescribed a preliminary evaluation, with an exercise plan to be developed over subsequent visits.

The initial intent was to bill the client’s insurance provider for these multiple office visits. However, a review of the patient’s insurance coverage revealed that his healthcare plan required a co-pay for each visit and carried a 0 deductible.

These high out-of-pocket costs could have led to the client to abandon his treatment; however, Results Physical Therapy worked with him to implement a more affordable alternative: a cash-based physical therapy plan that actually saved him money. By paying cash for the 0 physical therapy evaluation and per month for a Results Fitness Center membership – rather than going through insurance for multiple office visits – the client was able to save money in the long run. More importantly, Results Physical Therapy empowered him to regain control of his health.

Is Cash-Based Physical Therapy the Right Choice for You?

In addition to rehabilitative treatments, physical therapy can provide long-term, preventative healthcare that enables you to achieve peak fitness and lead a healthier life. Rather than prescribing medications to address individual symptoms, a physical therapist will work with you to identify the root cause of the problem and develop a comprehensive treatment plan to correct it.

If you are among the millions of uninsured, or if your insurance plan has high out-of-pocket costs, cash-based physical therapy treatments can be a sensible alternative. Take the time to research your options, and look for a physical therapist who accepts both insurance and cash payments. By comparing your insurance-related expenses with a cash-based physical therapy plan, you can determine the best, most cost-effective way achieve your wellness goals and take charge of your health.

Find a Physical Therapist in Maine With Flexible Payment Options

Looking for a physical therapist in Maine? Results Physical Therapy offers expert services, flexible payment options and three convenient locations: Brewer, Dexter and Dover-Foxcroft.

Our team has extensive experience in a variety of areas, and can provide physical therapy for chronic pain, strokes, orthopedics, sports injuries and preventative care. We treat patients of all ages; our staff includes a pediatric physical therapist and the area’s only certified lymphedema specialist. To help our clients achieve and maintain peak physical health, our Brewer and Dover facilities include a fitness center that is open to the public. Results Physical Therapy is owned and operated by Carol Lane, who is widely recognized as a top physical therapist in Maine.

Whether you are seeking treatment for a specific condition or simply looking to improve your overall health, we can help you achieve your health and wellness goals. In addition to our cash-based physical therapy treatments, all of our services are eligible for insurance reimbursement with a physician’s prescription. We’ll work with you to customize a treatment plan that fits your needs and budget. To get started, contact us today for a complimentary consultation or register for one of our free health and wellness classes.

 

Why Physical Therapy Should Be Part of Your Annual Check-Up

May 12th, 2011

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) every individual should pay an annual visit to a physical therapist along with making an annual visit to a physician for a complete physical check-up. Recent discoveries have pointed to the fact that physical therapy provides a holistic approach to overall health and wellness.

The APTA recently cited an increase in physical inactivity and its consequences of developing obesity, chronic diseases, and other illnesses.

The American Heart Association also recommends physical therapy for patients at risk of developing heart disease and as a preventative measure against heart disease.

The House recently expressed the fact that physical therapy can reverse the increased percentage of physical inactivity in individuals by establishing customized health and wellness programs that will help individuals maintain fitness for life.

The New England Journal of Medicine also recently released benefits physical therapy has on reversing certain common back conditions with non-surgical treatment

Benefits of Annual Physical Therapy Check-Up

Physical therapy should be part of your annual check-up. A licensed physical therapist will closely examine nerve, muscle, skeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems through a holistic approach.  

• Personalized Program:  The physical therapist will also go through your personal health concerns and then work with you on a personalized program so you can actually do something about these concerns.  

• Follow Up:  In addition to putting together a personalized program a physical therapist will help you to follow through with the program by putting together a year-long plan during your annual check-up.  Throughout the course of the year the physical therapist will help you to stick with the plan and make any necessary modifications in physical therapy requirements if you experience a change in your health status during the course of the year.

• Prevent Serious Health Issues:  If you schedule an annual check-up with your physical therapist you will receive an annual plan to help improve your health so you have a higher potential to live longer without any serious health issues transpiring.

• Low Cost Solution to Rising Health Care Costs:  According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, a research study showed that Americans may be spending money unnecessarily for treatments depending upon the health condition. Physical therapists can offer a personalized treatment plan and education for health and well being to provide an effective holistic alternative while reducing the costs of health care for the patient.

Reverse the Aging Process:  A regular yearly plan with your physical therapist can help you to reverse the aging process.  Studies have shown that a regular training program reverses aging at the cellular level.  A physical therapist can ensure that you stay with the program and maintain the proper diet and exercise which helps to slow the aging process.  

More often than not, most individuals get too busy or they are simply too tired to take care of their health.  Often when you come home from work you are too tired so you eat some fast food and then flop down on the couch for the rest of the evening.  If you set up a year-long plan with a physical therapist you will avoid some of the health problems that will develop as a result of living a fast-paced and stressful lifestyle.  You will also be more likely to stick with the regimen if you have a physical therapist to guide you on a regular basis.