PhysicalTherapy & Chiropractor News

Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Forest Hills: Healthy Living

The Healthy Living Formula

Healthy living involves discipline and a strategic approach towards exercise and nutrition. It requires small, consistent changes every day to increase your metabolism and fuel your body with the right types of nutrients.

Here are some simple ideas to help you live a healthier life:

Take frequent breaks when sitting for long periods of time. Avoid staying in one position in front of your computer or television. Change positions at frequent intervals so you’re not sedentary all day.
Get on your feet and move an hour or two a day to decrease cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure. Moving around gets your blood flowing and your body working.
When you’re on the phone, try to walk around while you’re talking.
Park further away from your destination so that you will be required to walk a little bit more than usual.
Get a good night’s sleep (at least 7 hours). Your body relies on rest to rejuvenate and heal itself.
Eat only when you truly feel hungry or consume small portions every 2-3 hours instead of 3 large meals.
Drink plenty of water.
Cut down on smoking and drinking.
Relax with a regular routine of yoga and meditation.

Nutrition For Healthy Skin
Nutrition plays an important role in helping maintain and improve skin tone. Smooth and healthy skin is a sign of good health. The phrase “you are what you eat” holds true as far as the health of your skin is concerned.

The following foods will facilitate healthy skin:

Antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants play a key part in the prevention of diseases like heart disease and cancer. Some of the foods in this group include blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, plums and apples.
Foods rich in Vitamin-E. Vitamin-E protects against cardiovascular diseases by defending against plaque formation in the arteries. Some of the foods that are rich in Vitamin-E include various members of the nut family, including peanuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Other types of food included are spinach, broccoli, kiwi, mango and tomatoes.
Selenium-rich foods such as fish, brazil nuts, liver, and sunflower seeds help to keep the skin fresh and looking youthful.
Foods rich in Beta Carotene. Some of the foods that are rich in beta carotene include hot peppers, kale, carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach.
Most of these foods can easily be found in your local grocery store. There are many ways to introduce them in your diet. Please remember that all foods should be eaten in moderation, and it’s best to combine healthy foods with an exercise program for best results. A physical therapist will be able to help you with an exercise program that compliments a healthy nutrition program.

Stress Management With Exercise

Stress is a part of day-to-day life, but the manner in which you handle your stress is a key factor. Stress management is the best way to minimize strain on your cells and live a healthy life.

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the increasing demands of life. At some point, everyone experiences stress. If you are uncertain about how to handle stress, begin with a positive mindset. Surround yourself with family and qualified health professionals. A physical therapists, for example will provide support, expertise and design exercise programs (muscle relaxation techniques, for example) to help you deal with stress.

Learn to relax physically and mentally. A massage can help you release muscle tension, and it’s best to ask your physical therapist if a massage is right for you. In many cases, this can help reduce stress, leaving you relaxed and rejuvenated. A massage is just one component of stress release, and it can be used in addition to full body strengthening and relaxation program.

Call us today for an appointment and we’ll quickly get you on the road to a healthy and stress-free lifestyle.

Forest Hills Rehabilitation

Phone: 718-520-8480
Web: http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com

Physical Therapy Forest Hills Post: Insurance

In network versus out of Network Insurance

What does “in network” and “out of network” insurance mean when talking about visiting your physical therapist?

In network means that your physical therapist has agreed to accept a reduced rate for services from your insurance company. It also means that the provider will follow any necessary guidelines created by the insurance company such as getting pre-authorization for care, or limiting your care to a certain number of visits, or services.

Out of network generally means that the physical therapist does not accept the reduced rate, and restrictive guidelines imposed by the insurance carrier.

So which is better?

Well there’s no simple answer to this, because there are a lot of variables to consider. Each situation must be examined case by case, but let’s take a look at a few scenarios.

In network plans are most commonly associated with a copayment for each visit. This means that the patient will pay a set fee each visit, no matter how many services are provided for that visit. (This is not always the case, but it is the most common).

When talking about physical therapy, it is also quite common to require “preauthorization” for treatment. What this means is that you will need to visit your physical therapist for an examination, and pay a copayment for this service. The physical therapist would then have to submit the exam findings to the insurance carrier in attempt to get authorized for a certain number of sessions which may take a few days.

It is important to note that even if authorization is granted, the insurance carrier is not guaranteeing payment for these services and may still reject the claim for any number of reasons. The authorization simply states the most the insurance carrier will pay for a certain case.

The authorization is often limited to only a few sessions over a short period of time, and “by code” or individual service, such as one unit (8 minutes is the threshold) of exercise or manual therapy for example.

So, in this case, the insurance company would authorize 8 minutes of exercise per session, for which the patient would pay a set copayment.

Look at a few specifics:

GHI in network allows a maximum of 16 physical therapy visits per calendar year, before requiring pre-authorization. GHI will pay a Maximum of $27 each visit minus the copay (example if you have a $20 copay, GHI will pay $7 maximum per session). GHI will not pay anything past the first code which is met at 8 minutes.

Most other carriers like Blue Cross, Aetna, Oxford for example will require some type of preauthorization after the initial exam, carry a set copay, and limit to a maximum payment of one code per session as well (8 minutes). These carriers generally also require ongoing authorizations at least every 30 days. (some plans vary, but this is a very common scenario).

In each of this situations, the physical therapist is not going to get paid past the first 8 minutes of therapy.

I don’t know of too many conditions that a patient would consult a physical therapist for that would respond well to 8 minutes of care.

So in-network may provide a slightly lower out of pocket cost for the patient in the short term, but may likely result in very limited care. Over a longer care plan, or more involved case, a patient may find it more beneficial to use out of network benefits.

Out of network plans work differently.

Typically if your insurance carrier offers out of network coverage, you can use any physical therapist you like and do not have to follow all of the restrictive guidelines of in network (although even this is changing).

With out of network plans, you will typically have a deductible (which varies widely plan to plan). The patient will pay for each visit out of pocket, and this amount paid will be applied to the deductible until the deductible is met. For ease of calculation, assume a $1000 deductible, and a visit to the physical therapist is $100. The patient will pay the physical therapist $100 each session for 10 sessions.

After the deductible is met, the insurance carrier will often cover a percentage of the physical therapy bill, typically 70% or 80%. This means the patient is responsible for the remaining percentage. In the above case of a $100 per visit cost, and 80%/20% coverage, the patient would pay $20 each session (20% of $100) after the deductible is met.

However, the physical therapist would not likely need to get preauthorization for the first visit, so the patient would be able to receive treatment that day.

Additionally, the physical therapist would not be limited to a set number of codes per session, and would often not be limited to a set number of sessions.

Let’s take a look at a more detailed example.

Assume the physical therapist’s fee is $100 per session, during which time he/she will provide electric stimulation with hot pack, manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. The patient’s condition requires 24 visits.

The in network copayment is $30 (common) and the out of network benefit is 80/20 with $1000 deductible.

In network authorizes 10 visits. In this case the patient will be allowed 10, 8-minute sessions (hot pack for example) for $300. The next 14 would be paid out of pocket (since not authorized) for an additional cost of $1400 (14 X $100). Total cost: $1700

If the patient utilized the out of network benefits, he/she would likely be able to receive full treatment day one, and therefore likely finish the care plan sooner. This patient would pay $1000 for the first 10 sessions, then $280 for the next 14 ($20 X 14). Total cost: $1280.

In this case the out of network is not only less expensive, but would allow significantly more comprehensive treatment that the in-network plan.

Although this is not always the case, the patient with out of network insurance will often find that they will be able to receive more care, at a similar cost to the in network benefit when it comes to physical therapy especially for more involved cases, and cases requiring longer term care.

It is important to discuss your benefits with your physical therapy billing specialist and compare the long term costs of in versus out of network before beginning a physical therapy program.

For more information about your specific insurance benefits give us a call today at (888) 595-7282. We will be happy to verify and discuss your insurance benefits prior to starting care.

Forest Hills Rehabilitation
108-14 72nd Ave, 4th Flr
Forest Hills NY 11375
(888) 595-7282
(718) 520-8480

http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com

Chiropractor Queens: Chiropractic Treatments for Neck Pain & Headaches

Health Update: Neck Pain

The Neck and Headache Connection

Patients with headaches also commonly complain of neck pain. This relationship is the rule, not the exception and therefore, treatment for headaches must include treatment of the neck to achieve optimum results. The term, “cervicogenic headaches” has been an accepted term because of the intimate connection between the neck and head for many years. There are many anatomical reasons why neck problems result in headaches. Some of these include:

The first 3 nerves exiting the spine in the upper neck go directly into the head. They penetrate the muscles at the top of the neck near the attachments to the skull and therefore, any excess pressure on these nerves by the muscles or spinal joints will result in irritation and subsequent pain.
The origin or nucleus of the 5th cranial nerve called the Trigeminal, innervates the sensation to the face and is located in the upper cervical region near the origin of the 2nd cervical spinal nerve, which innervates sensation to the back of the head up to the top. Therefore, problems located in the upper neck will often result in pain radiating up from the base of the skull/upper neck over the top of the skull to the eyes and /or face.
The 11th cranial nerve that innervates the upper shoulders and muscles in the front of the neck arises from the top 5 to 7 spinal cord levels in the neck. Injury anywhere in the neck can result in spasm and pain in these large muscle groups.
Other interconnections between the 2nd cervical nerve and trigeminal/5th cranial nerve include communication with the 7th cranial / facial nerve, the 9th cranial / glossopharyngeal nerve, and the 10th cranial / vagus nerve. These connections can affect facial muscle strength/movements, taste, tongue and throat movements, and stomach complaints such as nausea from these three cranial nerve interconnections, respectively.

When patients seek treatment for their headaches, a thorough examination of the neck, upper back, and cranial nerves is routinely performed for the above reasons. It is common to find upper cervical movement and vertebral alignment problems present in patients complaining of headaches. Tender points located between the shoulder blades, along the upper shoulders, on the sides of the neck and particularly, at the base of the skull are commonly found. Pain often radiates from the tender point over the top of the skull when pressure is applied in the upper neck/base of the skull area. Tenderness on the sides of the head, in the temples, over the eyes, and near the jaw joint are also common. Traction or pulling the head to stretch the neck is often quite pain relieving and this is often performed as part of the chiropractic visit and can also be applied at home with the use of a home cervical traction unit. Chiropractic adjustments applied to the fixated or misaligned vertebra in the upper neck often brings very satisfying relief to the headache sufferer. Exercises that promote movement in the neck, as well as strengthening exercises are also helpful in both reducing headache pain and in preventing occurrences, especially with stress or tension headaches.

courtesy: Forest Hills Rehabilitation
http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com

Physical Therapy Forest Hills: Get the Most From Your Physical Therapy

How To Get The Most From Your Physical Therapy Appointments

An appointment with a physical therapist is an excellent step towards improved function and injury prevention. To make the best use of your time, please use the following guidelines:

Wear comfortable clothes. Jeans or long sleeves are not advisable during your initial evaluation since the therapist may need to evaluate your joint stability.
Make sure to arrive on time or a few minutes prior to your appointment in case you need to fill out some forms.
Elaborate on the things you are unable to do, or the level of function you would like to achieve with the physical therapist. This will help the therapist to serve you as effectively as possible.
Provide information about when the pain started, the nature of pain (sharp or dull), what caused it, and what aggravates it.
Remember that you and your physical therapist are part of a team with a common goal - to get you better as quickly as possible. Do your home exercise program exactly as instructed and try not to miss any appointments in an effort to reach that goal.

Preparing for Physical Therapy
When you visit a physical therapist for the first time, we understand that you may not know what to expect. Here are some things to consider before you seek physical therapy:

Ask your physician about your condition and if physical therapy is right for you.
Talk to your friends and ask if they have worked with a physical therapist and what their experience was.
If you have health insurance, contact your provider and educate yourself about your benefits and physical therapy coverage.
Become familiar with your medical history and medications and discuss them with your physical therapist during the first appointment.
If possible, try and define your goal. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish and share them with your therapist.
Remember, a physical therapist is an expert on strength and mobility so if you have any questions related to aches and pains, it’s likely that your physical therapist may be able to assist you quickly and effectively.

Physical Therapy Instead of Surgery?

There are several conditions in which physical therapy is a good treatment option, and knee osteoarthritis is one of them. Individuals who experience knee osteoarthritis respond well to physical therapy, especially in the early stages. A well planned physical therapy program has been shown to improve the body’s ability to function by improving strength and coordination. This may reduce the need for surgery.

The President of the American Physical Therapy Association, Scott Ward, PT, PhD has said, “Physical therapy is effective and should be considered not only by patients themselves, but also the primary care doctors and orthopedists that are treating them.”

Physical therapists recognize and correct abnormal movement patterns, and create a comprehensive treatment approach each patient.

This was just one example of what physical therapy can do for you. For more information on how we can help treat bones and joints (and improve wellness), please contact us. We’ll answer any questions you have about what physical therapy can do for you, and if you need to come in, we’ll see you as quickly as possible.

If you or someone you know is considering surgery, ask your physician if physical therapy is right for you. In some cases, physical therapy can indeed be a viable alternative to surgery.

Forest Hills Rehabilitation
108-14 72nd Ave, 4th Flr
Forest Hills NY 11375
(888) 595-7282

(Source: ForestHillsRehab.com)

Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Forest Hills: Neck Pain

Health Update: Neck Pain

What Is This Pain in My Neck!

“When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t move my neck! Every time I try to move it, I feel sharp pain on the left side of the neck shooting down into the shoulder blade. It just came out of nowhere!”

Chances are, you are suffering from a common condition called torticollis, which literally means, “twisted neck” after the Latin terms of “torti” (twisted) and “collis” (neck). The common name for this is “wry neck,” and it’s basically a painful muscle spasm, like a “Charlie-horse” but located in the neck muscles. Usually, a person wakes up in the morning with this and the cause is often related to sleeping with the window being open or a fan or air conditioner blowing on you. It can also relate to a “cold settling in the muscle” after a cold or flu virus. Trauma such as falling or a car accident can also cause torticollis. However, most of the time, patients with torticollis are not sure what caused the abrupt onset of symptoms.

Usually, torticollis will gradually improve over a 2 week time frame. However, it only takes a few days to a week (at the most) if you receive chiropractic adjustments. Most importantly, without treatments, the sharp pain can last a week and can severely limit your activity, often prohibiting work as well as your desired “fun” activities. Hence, most people prefer having this treated as opposed to “waiting it out.” In some cases, it can last longer than a month and in rare cases even longer, so getting this treated is highly recommended. Also, try to get in for a treatment immediately before the muscle spasm really sets up. We find this to be the most effective approach. Here are a list of symptoms and treatment suggestions for torticollis:

Acute Torticollis Symptoms
Muscle spasms
Neck and shoulder pain
Neck and spine contortion (neck twisted to right or left side of body)

Pain Relief Treatments for Acute Torticollis
Chiropractic neck and spinal adjustment
Physical Therapy
Stretching
Analgesics
Heat packs
Muscle relaxants
Rubs and ointments (Icy Hot, BioFreeze)
Massage with essential oils

courtesy: Forest Hills Rehabilitation
http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com

Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Forest Hills: Keep Your Bones Strong

Forest Hills Rehabilitation: Keep Your Bones Strong

A healthy skeletal system is important for several reasons. Bones have several functions in the body. These include the protection of organs, structural integrity and calcium storage. Bones also serve as anchors for muscles.

As one grows older, the ability to build bone is decreased. Staying healthy and starting early are ways to keep your bones in good shape. Bone health is affected by the following factors:

Race, body frame and family history.
Hormone levels, including thyroid hormone.
Physical activity levels.
The amount of calcium in your diet. Low calcium contributes to early bone loss, diminished bone density, and increased risk of fractures.
Gender - Women tend to have less bone mass compared to men.
Men with low testosterone levels can experience a decrease in bone mass.
Excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use.
Eating disorders and other diseases. People who have bulimia or anorexia are at risk for bone loss.
Age: As you age, your bones become thinner and weaker .
Use of certain medications are damaging to the bones.

The Healthy Bone Formula
To keep your bones healthy, start as soon as possible. Here are some guidelines to help keep your bones healthy.

Eat high-calcium foods. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are good sources of calcium.
Consume plenty of vitamin D.
Avoid excess protein and sodium.
Avoid smoking and limit alcoholic intake.
Bone-boosting medications may be an option, after consulting with your physician.
Women may consider hormone therapy. Estrogen, especially when started soon after menopause, can help maintain bone density, and this should be discussed with a physician.
Exercise daily.
When exercising, change your routine often to surprise your body and challenge your bones.
Play sports and spend time outdoors. Challenge your body with movements that provide the impact necessary for bone stimulation.

Physical Therapy and Bone Health

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that mainly focuses on the muscular and skeletal systems. Physical therapy in this field deals with diagnosing, managing and treating injuries in the muscular and skeletal system and the associated rehabilitation.

A physical therapist specializes in the treatment of bone-related conditions (fractures) and joint injuries, among other conditions.

Strength training, joint mobilizations, hot or cold packs, and electrical stimulation are some techniques used by physical therapists. Other methods include:

Stretching and strengthening exercise protocols to encourage muscle balance during recovery.
Hot and cold therapy to increase blood circulation and assist with healing.
Ultrasound machines: The use of high or low frequency sound waves to facilitate healing.
With a unique training background and the right set of skills to help you strengthen your bones and joints, a physical therapist is best suited to help you recover from injuries and strengthen your bones at the same time.

Call us today - taking the time to strengthen your bones is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make to improve your health, and we’ll help you every step of the way.

Forest Hills Rehabilitation
Our Website: http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com

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