Why Annual PT Exams Matter

In addition to seeing your doctor, it is very important to see your physical therapist for annual exams. By seeing a physical therapist, they can catch small aches or pains that could develop into tears or other serious medical problems. An easy way to ensure that you’re receiving your annual physical therapy exam is through direct access.

    Direct access is a state-based law that allows patients to be treated and evaluated by physical therapists without a referral from a doctor or healthcare practitioner. This law can be very important in saving money by eliminating specialist referrals or unnecessary tests. In addition, self-referral can still be safe because physical therapists are trained to recognize the signs of problems that require more invasive medical procedures. In addition, many states have measures in place to govern the practice of physical therapy, such as only allowing direct access to therapists who have three or more years of experience.

    During an annual exam, your therapist will work with you to assess your strength, balance, posture and flexibility in order to identify any abnormalities that can be addressed with some simple exercises. By making these annual trips to a physical therapist, you can ensure that you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

     We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona.  If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County.  Give us a call today!

Suffering from lower back pain? Your physical therapist can help.

Most people experience some form of back pain. Many individuals experience a mild pain that disappears on its own after a short time. Others may experience a more intense pain that can lead to immobility and a decrease in quality of life. Lower back pain can occur due to strain, overuse, or injury.

Physical therapists can help improve mobility and reduce pain and, in many cases, without surgery or medications. Not all lower back pain is the same and a physical therapist can modify treatment to meet the needs of your specific condition. Physical therapists not only provide custom treatment options but supply education on proper exercise techniques and caring for your back. Therapists can also offer manual therapy, which includes spinal manipulation, to treat pain and increase mobility in joints and muscles.

There are two main types of treatment methods for lower back pain: passive and active. Passive methods of physical therapy include heat application, ice packs, and electrical stimulation. These methods are done to the patient and are used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and decrease muscle spasms.

Active methods focus on exercising with added stretching. Active exercises are done by the patient and help to reduce lower back pain and improve functionality. Physical therapists use this method to assist in helping patients recover from back pain issues and prevent or minimize future issues. Active exercise focuses on lumbar spine support by generating strength and stability. Incorporating proper stretching along with active exercise will help maintain improved mobility and prevent muscle atrophy. Those suffering from lower back pain should not only focus on stretching lower back and abdominal muscles but also hips and legs.

Meet with your physical therapist for an evaluation to create a custom treatment plan that will help solve your lower back issues. You don’t have to let lower back pain decrease your mobility or affect your quality of life.

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona.  If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County.  Give us a call today! 

Victor Cruz, Road to Recovery and Patellar Tendons

New York Giant’s fans watched in pain as wide receiver Victor Cruz tore his patellar tendon against the Philadelphia Eagles. It was announced that he will be out for the season, but what exactly does the road to recovery entail?

The patellar tendon is attached to the bottom of the kneecap to the top of the shinbone. When this injury occurs, it must be dealt with immediately to avoid permanent weakness of quadriceps muscle and difficulty walking and doing other mobile activities. From the time the injury occurs, if treatment starts immediately, it should be about 3 months until normal activities can resume, and about 4-6 months until one should resume strenuous physical exercise such as sports.

Tears can be either partial or complete. Of course, a complete tear is worse, for it means the tendon has separated from the knee cap and straightening of the knee can occur. Even if only a partial tear occurs, it must be treated immediately.

These injuries usually occur during falls, or during jumping exercises. But, before getting nervous over a fall,learn the symptoms to see if you might have torn your patellar tendon. The symptoms include:

-pain and swelling in the kneecap

-bruising, tenderness and cramping in the knee cap

-the kneecap moving up into the thing for it is no longer attached to the shinbone

-difficulty walking and being unable to straighten knee

So what are the next steps in Cruz’s treatment? It is now time for him to heal from his surgery and will begin physical therapy exercises during recovery. Fingers crossed that if all goes well Cruz will have a successful recovery and should be up and running next season!

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona.  If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County.  Give us a call today!

New York Giant’s fans watched in pain as wide receiver Victor Cruz tore his patellar tendon against the Philadelphia Eagles. It was announced that he will be out for the season, but what exactly does the road to recovery entail?

The patellar tendon is attached to the bottom of the kneecap to the top of the shinbone. When this injury occurs, it must be dealt with immediately to avoid permanent weakness of quadriceps muscle and difficulty walking and doing other mobile activities. From the time the injury occurs, if treatment starts immediately, it should be about 3 months until normal activities can resume, and about 4-6 months until one should resume strenuous physical exercise such as sports.

Tears can be either partial or complete. Of course, a complete tear is worse, for it means the tendon has separated from the knee cap and straightening of the knee can occur. Even if only a partial tear occurs, it must be treated immediately.

These injuries usually occur during falls, or during jumping exercises. But, before getting nervous over a fall, learn the symptoms to see if you might have torn your patellar tendon. The symptoms include:

-pain and swelling in the kneecap

-bruising, tenderness and cramping in the knee cap

-the kneecap moving up into the thing for it is no longer attached to the shinbone

-difficulty walking and being unable to straighten knee

So what are the next steps in Cruz’s treatment? It is now time for him to heal from his surgery and will begin physical therapy exercises during recovery. Fingers crossed that if all goes well Cruz will have a successful recovery and should be up and running next season!
We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist. Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet.
- See more at: http://accessptw.com/blog/Victor-Cruz-Road-to-Recovery-and-Patellar-Tendons~547.html#sthash.ZIKa1PNy.dpuf