PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES

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DID YOU KNOW WE OFFER PYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES?

Chances are, you have already heard of physical therapy. You might have heard from a friend how physical therapy helped get rid of his or her back pain, or you might know someone who needed physical therapy after an injury. You might even have been treated by a physical therapist yourself. But have you ever wondered about physical therapists--who we are and what we do? Read on.

Essences of Physical Therapy
Although the use of certain techniques of physical therapy goes back to ancient times, the modern profession of physical therapy developed in the twentieth century, in the wake of World War I. The very first modern American physical therapists were trained to work with soldiers returning from the war, and several groups of "reconstruction aides," as they were then called, actually were sent to military hospitals in France to institute early rehabilitation with wounded veterans.

Today's physical therapist is a direct descendant of these brave women (and a few men). Physical therapists now practice in a wide variety of settings, with patients from all age groups. In today's health care system, physical therapists are the experts in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems that affect peoples' abilites to move the way they want and function as well as they want in their daily lives.

Why do you need a physical therapist?
Here are some of the most common reasons to see a therapist:

· Low back pain
· Neck Pain
· Shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand problems
· Knee, ankle, or foot problems
· Sprains and muscle pains
· Problems with balance
· Recovery from surgery or illness
· Athletic injuries

Movement, function, and treatment
The ablitily to maintain an upright posture and to move your arms and legs to perform all sorts of tasks and activities is an important component of your health. Most of us can learn to live with the various medical conditions that we may develop, but only if we are able to continue at our jobs, take care of our families, and enjoy important occasions with family and friends. All of these activities require the ability to move without difficulty or pain. Because physical therapists are experts in movement and function, they do not confine their talents to treating people who are ill. A large part of a physical therapist's program is directed at preventing injury and loss of movement.

The cornerstones of physical therapist treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to "hands-on" care, physical therapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, physical therapists may also "mobilize" or "manipulate" a joint (that is, perform certain types of movements at the end of your range of motion) or massage a muscle to promte proper movement and function. Physical therapists also use methods such as ultrasound (which uses high frequency waves to produce heat), hot packs and ice.

Most forms of physical therapy treatment are covered by your insurance, but the coverage will vary with each plan.

Whatever the reason that brings you to a physical therapist, professional care to restore your movement and promote your ability to function at the highest level possible is available. Just ask your physical therapist.

Education and Licensure
Because physical therapists are required to understand a vast array of problems that can affect movement, function, and health, all physical therapists are college graduates. The majority of physical therapist education programs graduate students with a master's degree, and a few schools offer a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. All physical therapists also are required to take a national examination and be licensed by the state in which they practice.

Although other kinds of paractitioners will offer some of these treatments as "physical therapy," it is important for you to know that physical therapy can only be provided by qualified physical therapists or by physical therapist assistants, who must complete a two-year education program and who work only under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.

Our physical therapists are Kathleen Kasben, PT and Marion Ellis, PT. Stop by and meet them sometime!

(Adapted from Andrew Guccione, PT)
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OPEN ACESS -- the solution to "I'm sorry, the doctor can't see you today"
It's 7:59a.m.; you and your sick child have been awake most of the night. You watch the clock until it strikes the magic hour of 8:00a.m., the time your child's doctor's office begins taking calls. After several busy signals your call is answered and you explain that you and your child have been up all night and you really need to see a doctor, today! You are transferred to a nurse who listens patiently as you recall the last several sleepless hours. You are thinking, I'm going to miss work and my child is going to miss school...again! The nurse is very sympathetic but after listening to your problems, explains that this is not an emergency. You hear "I'm sorry, the Doctor can't see you today".

Unfortunately, the above scenario happens every day in most primary care offices. I certainly do not mean to criticize other offices because in the past the same thing has happened at this office. We, however, are changing the way we schedule patients. We are implementing an open access approach where most of the time you or your family member will be seen the same day you call for an urgent care appointment. Of course, due to circumstances beyond our control, there may be times that a same day appointment cannot be offered. But our commitment to you and your family is simple; if you call for an urgent care appointment before noon, you will be seen that day.

Our intent is to meet your requirement that you see the Doctor when you want to see the Doctor. Our target will be that we meet your same day appointment needs great than ninety percent of the time. We will keep track of our efforts and results will be tabulated and displayed in our lobby on a regular basis. We will also institute periodic patient surveys to assess our efforts at improving our clinic.

Weaverville Family Medicine is very serious about dramatically improving our access. In the past, we were hampered by a lack of providers available to see patients. To prove our commitment to improving access, we have added four new physicians in the past fourteen months. We look forward to meeting your needs.

Please join us this spring, for the next edition of the Weaverville Family Medicine Newsletter.

Do you have questions about The Weaverville Family Medicine Newsletter? Please contact us at 645-3066.

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