Neck Injuries

Neck, headaches, whiplash

Telehealth: Virtual PT

Telehealth: Virtual PT 389 129 Jennifer Lane

As we continue to navigate into uncharted waters, I have been looking for ways to stay connected with existing clients and future ones too. The virtual world is where many people are turning to stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues. Kids are taking classes on-line, work outs are being broadcast so you can stay at home, and happy hours are being conducted on sites like Zoom. Netflix even has created a way for you to watch your favorite show with a group of friends at the same time, which my daughter loves!

In the world of healthcare, there is a growing category called telehealth. “Telehealth is the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies. It allows long-distance patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions (Wikipedia’s definition)”.

How does this work with Physical Therapy? Well, there is much that can be accomplished via conversation with an experienced clinician. This is where my 18+ years of experience pays off for you! When I question patients about their current issues, complaints, limitations, I can formulate a good working hypothesis on what is going on. From there, the physical exam is performed to corroborate the hypothesis created during the interview. For the PT with years of experience, can then set a plan of care based on the therapy goals set.

When utilizing Telehealth for PT, the same interview process is done, and copious notes are taken. This is followed by a visual objective exam using a secure video platform that is HIPAA compliant. Both the PT and the patient can see each other via webcam from a computer or smartphone. Movement, posture, gait can all be assessed by this method. Following the evaluation, an appropriate home exercise program, as well as extensive information on how to manage the existing issue will be developed for you.  As is typical with in-person sessions, at the subsequent visits, treatment is modified according to how you are responding to the initial suggestions.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is working diligently to get policies changed so that health insurances will reimburse for this. Colorado Medicaid has already authorized that telehealth can be used for its clients. The hope is that private insurance companies like Cigna, Anthem and United Healthcare will all follow suit and pay for these services. In the meantime, my cash pay rates apply. If you are a patient of mine that is currently receiving care, there will be discounted rates for follow-up visits. Please contact me directly via email, phone call or text if interested in seeing if a Telehealth visit would work for you.

What can be treated via Telehealth? Most everything that can be treated in person: Back pain, shoulder dysfunction, knee, hip or ankle issues, vertigo and pelvic floor therapy too. Contact me today to schedule an appointment.

Colorado is a Direct Access State

Colorado is a Direct Access State 1000 1000 Jennifer Lane

What does direct access mean? It means that you as a patient, can access PT without a referral. In other words, you do not need a prescription from your doctor to receive out-patient physical therapy. This is an important consumer right because it enables you to seek out the care you want to receive based on criteria important to you.

What should you be looking for in a PT? Well, some of the very basics (but still important factors) are location and cost. If you require therapy services, 1-3 times per week, having a conveniently located PT clinic near work or home removes a lot of the stress around getting there. And does that clinic accept your insurance? If not, you may be paying out of pocket more than you expected.

Keeping location and cost in mind, I think it is still most important to find a physical therapist that is skilled in the area in which you need help and has the training to help you get better faster. We don’t just take our cars to any old mechanic or garage, you ask for referrals and read reviews to make sure other people have had a good experience there. Why would you go just anywhere to take care of your health? There are good and bad PT’s out there and you don’t want to end up at the latter’s office.

Have you had a good experience at Holistic PT? Make sure to tell your friends and family so I can help them too!

New Year’s Resolutions: How to be successful!

New Year’s Resolutions: How to be successful! 619 330 Jennifer Lane

Happy 2019! If you are like most people, you are reflecting on 2018, successes and failures, things tried, goals that you accomplished and some that you fell short of meeting. You are also looking forward to 2019. What goals are you setting for this year? What resolutions do you have for yourself? Or have you decided to not set any goals or resolutions because you have never had any success meeting them? It’s not worth setting them, because by week 3 of January you’ve given up.

Here are some of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. They should sound familiar… Lose weight, exercise regularly, quit smoking-drinking-eating dessert. What about setting more realistic goals that are measurable and attainable and that you can get help achieving?

What usually gets in the way of you accomplishing your goals? What I hear frequently is “well, I started running to lose weight but then my knee started hurting again, so I quit“. Or, “I signed up for an monthly unlimited package of yoga classes but I tweaked my back again“. Or, “I was working out with a trainer and thought I could handle more weight but now my shoulder really hurts. I can’t even put my jacket on without pain!

Here is my challenge and offer to you. I want you to set the goal of getting rid of that nagging pain or chronic issue that always gets in the way of your wellness goals. And I want to help! As a physical therapist, I help people set goals and then work to meet them. Come in for an evaluation and treatment so you are set up for success in 2019. Using manual therapy skills, functional dry needling, therapeutic exercise prescription and much more, I can help you get pain-free and moving in a positive direction! Don’t put it off another day!

Once you have addressed the underlying issues, you can meet those other goals of losing weight, exercising much more easily. Don’t let your chronic ankle instability, nagging low back pain or recurring hip issues get in your way of success.

Start 2019 off taking care of yourself. Holistic PT can help you eliminate the obstacles that derail you from success.

Trigger Point Dry Needling

Trigger Point Dry Needling 575 383 Jennifer Lane

I will be certified in trigger point dry needling (TDN) as of December 9th. What is TDN and what does it treat? Dry Needling is a technique physical therapists use (where allowed by state law) for the treatment of pain and movement impairments.   The technique uses a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle. The needle acts as an extension of the finger, being able to access muscles much deeper.

Other terms commonly used to describe dry needling, include trigger point dry needling, and intramuscular manual therapy.

Dry needling is not acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine principles and supported by research. Learn more about dry needling.

Can you get PT for free? Yes!

Can you get PT for free? Yes! 1200 800 Jennifer Lane

Have you Met Your Insurance Deductible this Year?

Do you have a family insurance plan? Have you had surgery this year? Have you used your insurance more than usual? If you answered yes, you are more likely to have a $0 balance remaining on your out-of-pocket expenses. This means the cost could be minimal or completely covered by your insurance plan.

Do you have unused money on your HSA account? Close to having met your insurance deductible for the year? Now is the time to come in for physical therapy! Are you feeling aches & pains? Need to work on your core? Les us help you get a head start going into 2019, before your deductible renews again.

See Jenn Lane, PT at Holistic PT for:

  • Pelvic Therapy
  • Vestibular Rehab
  • Manual Orthopedic Therapy
  • Post-op/Post-Injury Rehab
  • Wellness Consultation

 

Causes of Headaches

Causes of Headaches 704 366 Jennifer Lane

There are several types and causes of headaches… tension headaches, migraines, sinus headaches. Physical Therapy treatment can help reduce and eliminate headaches. Like with any injury or dysfunction, it is important to first figure out what is causing the headache. After the subjective exam has been completed, a physical therapist assesses active motion of the cervical and thoracic spine to determine if there are any limitations of movement. Joint mobility and soft tissue tightness is also tested. There are a group of headaches that arise from joint dysfunction in the upper cervical spine.

Is your headache located in your forehead? This may come from limited mobility at C2 vertebrae. Does your headache wrap around your ear like a rams horn? This may indicate a restriction in the OA (atlanto-occipital) joint on the same side as the pain. Is your headache located at the top of your head? This could mean a problem at the AA (atlanto-axial) joint. Chronic, recurring headaches may be caused from poor posture placing strain on ligaments and muscles of the posterior neck. Have you suffered whiplash injuries? Repeated, high velocity injuries to the neck can set you up for headaches too.

Physical therapy is a great non-pharmaceutical way to treat and manage your headaches. Instead of treating the symptoms, a PT will help you get to the bottom of the cause! To learn more, contact Jenn Lane at Holistic PT.  Contact Jenn here… Contact Form.

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