SERC Physical Therapy

Every year, December brings us holidays and wintry weather and every year in our clinics we encounter patients who have fallen while walking on the snow and ice. The incidence of falls often is higher in the elderly. Statistics show that about one-third of the elderly population over the age of 65 fall each year. To prevent slips and falls this winter: 1) Take your time to get to your destination 2) Wear footwear with rubber soles to help provide better traction... 3) Take small steps to maintain your center of balance 4) Avoid carrying heavy bags, especially on steps. Having both hands free helps to maintain balance 5) Hold onto the car for support when getting in or out See more

In many parts of the country, we are in the throes of winter’s cold weather. For many people, cold weather is more than inconvenient; it causes a very real increase in pain. Whether you have a chronic, systemic condition, a long-standing orthopedic problem, or just the aches and pains that come with aging, cold weather can magnify the associated pain. But why?

Despite unified warnings from lawmakers, specialty providers, and other stakeholders, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) plans to move forward with deep, across-the-board payment cuts to more than 30 specialties including an alarming 9% cut to physical and occupational therapy services on January 1, 2021. Fortunately, Congress is working to stop these severe cuts from taking effect. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) rece...ntly introduced the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act (H.R. 8702), which would provide much-needed relief to dozens of specialty providers that are scheduled to incur severe Medicare reimbursement cuts by keeping funding levels for affected specialties at 2020 levels over the next two years. Your lawmakers need to hear from you about the urgency of stopping these devastating cuts before the end of the year. Please email your lawmakers now and ask them to oppose Medicare cuts to specialty providers by supporting H.R. 8702! https://www.aptqi.com/take-action/

Adhesive capsulitis, commonly referred to as frozen shoulder, occurs when the joint capsule and soft tissues surrounding the shoulder become inflamed, swollen, and contracted. This causes bands of scar tissue to restrict joint mobility, which leads to stiffness, a limited range, and gradual loss of overall motion in the shoulder joint. This loss of motion can ultimately lead to loss of function for the entire upper extremity, especially with reaching and overhead activities. If you are suffering from frozen shoulder, physical therapy can help! #PTHumor #PTMonth

The hand is a complex and delicate part of our body that we use for all aspects of our daily activities. One of the most common diagnoses is carpal tunnel syndrome. Did you know occupational and physical therapy can help with carpal tunnel syndrome? Recent evidence has suggested that occupational and physical therapy are just as effective as surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome when manual therapy is utilized. The use of manual therapy can improve hand and wrist function and improve pain and result in lasting outcomes making it an excellent first-line choice for treatment.

Today’s #SaturdayStories is inspired by the more than 2,500,000 U.S. Veterans that have been diagnosed with PTSD. One of our clinics in Soddy Daisy, TN wanted to find a way to make a difference so they orchestrated a fundraiser, Cents for Service Dogs, to raise $300 for Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, Inc. Warrior Freedom Service Dogs is a non-profit organization with the primary focus of providing an avenue for combat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to ...gain a Service Dog free of charge while reconnecting to the society they fought for. We are inspired by our associates every day that strive to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Pillars has matched the Soddy Daisy team’s fundraising effort with a grant that brings the donation total to $600 for the Warrior Freedom Service Dogs. #PillarsWithPurpose #UpstreamFamily

It is not too late to be heard! Use your voice to help us prevent devastating, proposed Medicare cuts that reduce patient access to physical therapy! Click the link to #FightTheCut www.urpt.com/FightTheCut

How does Telehealth work? Through the use of a video conference, our therapists perform an evaluation of your injury and limitations and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. When we come to where YOU are virtually, we can work with you one-on-one to assess your condition and provide real-time feedback, modifications and recommendations on current programs and exercises. ... We believe that one of the most powerful things therapists can do is listen to and observe their patients! THIS is Telehealth. Do I need a referral? How does the video conference work? Visit our frequently asked questions page: https://serc.urpt.com/telehealth-faqs/

While there is no strong evidence that it prevents people from getting COVID-19, exercise may help to limit the risk of fatal coronavirus complications. The ACSM has found that our bodies produce immune boosts by mobilizing millions of cells during whole-body cardio exercises. As blood circulates, it carries these boosts throughout our organs, where the immune cells look for foreign, potentially infection-carrying cells to fight. Read on to learn how many minutes of cardio per week the American College for Sports Medicine recommends: https://serc.urpt.com//exercise-may-protect-against-deadl/

The proposed 9% Medicare cut to physical, occupational and speech therapy will undermine patient access and lead to negative downstream consequences for seniors & healthcare delivery system costs. Ask your lawmakers to #fightthecut: https://www.APTQI.com/FightTheCut

Outpatient therapy can play a vital role in helping the adult population continue to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. By providing services such as orthopedic rehabilitation, wellness programs, pre-habilitation, fall prevention, and pelvic health services, our trained clinicians can help improve independence, strength/conditioning, balance, and overall general well-being. Proposed Medicare cuts could limit your access to these very programs and services that keep you active and healthy. Help us #FightTheCut by visiting urpt.com/FightTheCut

By focusing on being the best, we deliver an experience that exceeds our patients’ highest expectations. #PTMonth #TuesdayTestimonial

People that have been affected directly by the coronavirus or who have limited physical activity due to self-isolation may have similar issues increased fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing, decreased endurance, and reduced balance. The good news physical therapy can help! We take an individualized approach with each patient and perform a thorough evaluation that includes vital monitoring (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing function, etc.), balance testing, strength... and flexibility testing, and activity tolerance. These tests and measures establish a baseline of function. We then develop a plan to progress safely to the highest level of function. HOW WE DO THIS: Capacity Testing Musculoskeletal Evaluation Manual Therapy Corrective Exercise Balance and Gait Training Goal-Oriented Functional Activities Safe-Discharge Planning Evidence has shown that manual therapy, followed by corrective exercise, improves overall lung function. We teach strategies to minimize stress on the heart and lung systems and the rest of the body. Our ultimate goal is to return patients to their prior levels of function, improving their quality of life by getting them back to normal. #PTMonth

This week's #SaturdaySpotlight, in honor of #PTMonth, is on Lyndsay Myers, Clinic Director in Belton. Lyndsay became a physical therapist because she's always had a passion for sports, exercise, and helping people. She knew early on that she wanted to be in healthcare and to find a job where she could make a difference. Lyndsay says the best part of her job is the people. She loves the fact that she can help make a positive impact in someone's life through health. She explains "It’s very rewarding to get to work directly with patients, see them progress through their rehab, and help them meet their goals."

For athletes facing injury, the ultimate goal of physical therapy is to get them back in the game as quickly and safely as possible. However, athletes who return to sport too early risk the chance of reinjury. We take a multi-disciplinary sports medicine approach to treatment with our athletes by including coaches, athletic trainers, and physicians in the process, carefully guiding the athlete’s rehabilitation to ensure a full and safe recovery. Physical Therapy Benefits for... Athletes Include: Functional baseline testing Decreased soft tissue inflammation Relief of spasms Improved tissue healing Increased balance and coordination Personalized exercise program to improve mobility Regaining lost strength Targeted sport-specific exercise to return to pre-injury function Preparation to avoid recurrent injuries See more

Core strength enhances both balance and stability which can help prevent falls and injuries as well as reduce pain. Physical therapists can show you which exercises are best to properly engage your core and achieve your goals. #PTMonth #PTHumor

Manual therapy is one of the most important and beneficial treatment techniques used among physical therapists. Manual therapy is a personalized 'hands-on' approach aimed at improving the mobility of the joints, muscles, and neurovascular structures. It includes specific, evidence-based techniques to treat soft-tissue injuries and joint limitations to improve efficiency of movement. The below diagram shows conditions that can be treated by one of our skilled physical therapists using manual therapy techniques. #PTMonth