Health Blog

You Are More Than Your MRI

Feb 7^th  2017 

If I could tell every patient one thing before they step foot in our clinic it would be this: you are more than your MRI.

We see countless patients who undergo MRIs for low back or neck pain before beginning physical therapy, and the vast majority feel that as long as they’ve got their disc bulge they’ll always have their neck or back pain. Unfortunately, this is one of the most outdated and dangerous medical myths out there.

How to Begin Physical Therapy

Oct 5^th  2016 

Starting physical therapy can be a scary and stressful process. When your physician recommends beginning PT, many people are unsure what to do next. Hopefully this will help answer some common questions about how to set-up therapy and what to expect from PT. Today we’ll cover the initial phone call—Patient Activation.

1. Physician’s Referral:

Most insurances (medicare, motor vehicle, workers compensation, to name a few) require a signed prescription from a licensed physician (MD, DO) within the past 30 days to begin PT, which you will need to bring to the initial evaluation.

Aquatic Physical Therapy in Media, PA.

Jun 22^nd  2016 

Aquatic therapy is a widely used technique using both the thermal and mechanical characteristics of water.  This low impact technique is effective in minimizing joint compression, in maintaining cardiovascular fitness and in strengthening muscles. This therapy is commonly applied to patients with disabilities.

The popularity of aquatic therapy is due to its multiple benefits.  It promotes cardiovascular fitness although the heart does not have to work as hard.  This is due to water pressure and aids in blood circulation.  Aerobic exercise done in water up to the chest is likely to elevate the heart rate lower than it would in land.

Top 5 Physical Therapy Myths

Jun 15^th  2016 

Physical Therapy, everyone has either had it, knows someone who has had it or at least has heard of it. But knowing isn’t always understanding it fully or getting the whole picture.

PT is one of the fastest growing and most popular professions in the healthcare world. However there are still are a number of myths about PT and here are our top 5.

Myth # 5: You need insurance to get Physical Therapy

Your physician and insurance carrier might tell you this but the truth is there are many out of network providers that will give you 5 star quality care and give you the best patient experience while dealing with all the insurance complications for you.

A Primer on Strengthening

Jun 2^nd  2016 

Whether you’re the next Arnold Schwarzenegger or the next Betty White, it’s likely that strength training will be part of your physical therapy program. Now, not all strengthening activities are created equal. Based upon your goals and presenting condition, a skilled therapist will implement varying degrees and types of strength training to help you achieve your goals. Here are a few common methods used by PTs to improve strength and stability.

Concentric/Eccentric Training:

Despite the fancy names, these are the most commonly used and more generic methods of strength training.

Improve Health with Just Breathing

May 18^th  2016 

We as Americans clearly  struggle with a nationwide epidemic of poor health.  This epidemic is followed swiftly by an unwavering movement towards creating health amongst every person, everywhere.  What impacts our health?  Poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, stress, lack of sleep, and heredity issues are just a few in a long list.  I support and will never dispute the need for proper nutrition, exercise, and routine check-ups from a physician.  Why not start with a basic and fundamental approach to changing our lives in a healthy direction?

Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis

May 11^th  2016 

“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream…”- C.S. Lewis
Two of the things we strive to address in our Physical Therapy clinic are education and prevention. These two pillars can help empower our patients to live their life actively and independently, constantly setting and achieving new goals.

Unfortunately, obstacles can arise, especially as we age. With advanced age, not only does our risk for osteoporosis increase, but our fall risk can increase as well.

Sports Rehabilitation

May 4^th  2016 

Sports Rehabilitation is the process of deciding when an injured player may safely return to practice or competition. Injuries can occur in any sporting activity, and sports injury rehabilitation is a very important part of the athletes sport life. All athletes over time, professional or not, are prone to injuries due to the excessive wear and tear associated with the demands of competitive sport. The right exercise program to maintain strength, flexibility and stability can help athletes recover quickly after an injury, empowering them to resume athletic activities.

America’s Drug Problem: Pain Medication

Mar 23^rd  2016 

In 2012, 259 million opioid pain medication prescriptions were written, enough for every adult in America to have a bottle of pills. ¹

It’s gotten to the point where even during the Super Bowl— the pinnacle of television watching—there was a commercial for opioid induced constipation. As a nation we’ve taken so much opioids that we’ve created an entirely new problem, and most people think the solution is to take more medication.