National Influenza Vaccination Month

The importance of vaccination is increasing, especially while we approach the flu season.  This year, the week of December 6th-12th is National Influenza Vaccination Week, meaning there is no better time to get vaccinated than now!

The National Influenza Vaccination Week was first created in order to signify the importance of being vaccinated before, after, and all throughout the holiday season. People with a higher risk of getting the flu and developing complications from it include children, people with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, pregnant women, and citizens over the age of 65. Those who inevitably catch the flu virus should be advised to stay away from other people, especially ones who are at higher risk of complications.

It is necessary to remember to get vaccinated each year in order to protect against new strains of the virus as they are always changing. Luckily, there are multiple kinds of vaccinations in order to protect against the various types of flu viruses. The traditional flu vaccine was made in order to protect against three different kinds of flu viruses as well as another vaccine made to protect people from four different flu viruses.

Even though vaccination is essential and the best way to prevent the flu, it is also important to remember to stay healthy through other means as well. Though most people will diet and try to stay fit during the winter, it is recommended that keeping a regular, healthy diet aids in preventing sickness during the flu season. The virus also thrives in conditions with dry air, which means a humidifier can help fight the spread of the flu. As well as being vaccinated, keeping your surroundings clean, washing your hands frequently while also avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, eating well, getting enough exercise, and getting enough sleep can help ensure a healthy winter season without the flu.

Is your practice in need of additional referrals? We specialize in making your phone ring and getting you new evals each month. Give us a call or email us for more information on how to become a partner on the Physical Therapist Finder website.

American Diabetes Month

The month of November has brought us many reasons to be thankful. Whether it be happiness, successes, family, and even our health, we make an effort this month to give thanks. November is American Diabetes Month. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases affecting about 30 million people in the United States alone. Whether it is diagnosed or undiagnosed, one in ten americans will face this disease. In the United States, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death.

What exactly is diabetes? Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin because of heightened levels of sugar in the blood. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when the body is unable to produce insulin and is an ongoing health problem in which the individual must take insulin injections each day for the rest of his or her life. People with Type 1 diabetes also need to monitor and regulate their blood sugar level.

Type 2 diabetes is when the body is unable to create insulin to properly function or the cells of the body do not react to insulin at all. Type 2 diabetes is typically a progressive disease, which is why it is important to maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active.

It is common for diabetics to push their limits further when staying physically active. A physical therapist can be of great help as they are experts in exercise testing and have had much success treating patients with Type 2 diabetes. Through the process of safe, progressive therapeutic exercise programs custom to your health needs, physical therapists can monitor, simplify, and help you adjust to lifestyle changes.

If you decide to seek physical therapy treatments, you will receive a physical fitness evaluation, including muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and posture assessment. Your physical therapist will take this information and develop a personalized exercise program designed to help you with your diabetes.

If you are looking for a service to expand your Physical Therapy Practice with more referrals, look no further. PT Finder can ensure that potential clients find their way to your practice. Utilizing search engines and getting your practice listed at the top, we can direct patients in the right direction, to the best possible Physical Therapy. To find out more or start using Physical Therapist Finder today, call (631) 268-4112.

Clean up the yard without Hurting Yourself

It’s that time of year again when mother nature starts to provide you with more tasks that need to be completed. Even though the leaves that fall on your property are beautiful, you will do everything possible to maintain your property. Get out your leaf blowers, mowers, rakes and hop to it, but be sure not to injure yourself while in the process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 42 million people seek emergency room treatment for yard work-related injuries each year. Fall clean up tasks such as raking and cleaning gutters can cause muscle strain because of repetitive movements. The following are some recommendations by physical therapists to prevent being a statistic.

First, warm up and take breaks. While you are obviously not going to the gym, you will be lifting, bending, and on the go for a few hours. Warming up allows blood to flow to your muscles and raises your body temperature and stretching helps prevent your shoulders, neck, and back from being strained.

Always use equipment that suits you. For example, use rakes that are comfortable for your height and strength. If you are using machinery that may be to heavy, consider a manual method or call a landscaper. It is also advised you wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dirt particles as well as earmuffs to protect your hearing from loud machinery.

Be sure to keep appropriate posture and movements. Working on the yard requires arm strength and switching arms often can keep the muscle use on both sides equal. Lastly, remember not to over work yourself. Doing too much too soon can do more harm than good.  Even though crossing this hassle off your to do list will make you rather happy, will you be enjoying the next few days in bed from the pain? Doubt it. Being that you will be doing this throughout the next few weeks, it is better to take precaution and watch out for the health hazards that may arise.

Is your practice in need of additional referrals? We specialize in making your phone ring and getting you new evals each month. Give us a call or email us for more information on how to become a partner on the Physical Therapist Finder website.

National Physical Therapy Month

Forms of physical therapy date back to ancient times where physicians encouraged using massage, manual therapy and hydrotherapy to treat different ailments. Physical therapy has had such a big impact on health and wellness that we are recognizing its amazing benefits on the body throughout the month of October. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants play a huge role in decreasing the pain of their patients by restoring motion and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Immobility due to pain or certain neurological issues can cause problems with your balance, strength, and range of motion, significantly impacting quality of life. Physical therapy is a great way to manage or eliminate pain without medication or surgical procedures. Mobility is the key to aging gracefully by remaining active and independent.

Your physical therapist will examine your condition and can develop a treatment plan to restore function and reduce pain. The goal of physical therapy is to work toward function. A physical therapist will use their education and experience to develop an individualized treatment plan for each individual patient.

Physical therapy helps a variety of patients anywhere from children to the elderly. They help elderly patients to live independently, athletes to return to their field after an injury, and anyone in between suffering from pain from all types of ailments.

There are many ways a physical therapist helps their patients accomplish their goals. Your physical therapist may use ice or heat to reduce pain and swelling as well as incorporating manual therapy, aquatic therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, exercise, stretching, weightlifting and walking.

We will continue to acknowledge and spread the awareness of how beneficial physical therapy is to patients and how working with a physical therapist can help you to live a healthier lifestyle throughout the month of October. It is a time to thank these professionals for choosing a demanding yet rewarding profession!

Is your practice in need of additional referrals? We specialize in making your phone ring and getting you new evals each month. Give us a call or email us for more information on how to become a partner on the Physical Therapist Finder website.

Reputation Management—What Does the Public Think of You?

Your company’s public image is crucial to its survival. With the high availability of information on the internet, businesses must be vigilant to remain competitive. How your company is portrayed and the actions you and your team take both digitally and through traditional avenues all add up to your company image.

The first area to examine is your first impression. Whether it is your office or your website, both must be professional, comfortable, and appropriate. For example, if you specialize in pediatric care, you will want the waiting area and website to be representative of this. The decor should be bright and kid friendly and your website should be cheerful and warm. All of these factors give your clients an impression which will ultimately affect their personal recommendations and digital reviews.

The second area you must consider is how your information is disseminated. Services offered, insurances accepted, and pricing and payment policies should all be clearly accessible and stated. Miscommunications often lead to disgruntled customers. It is easier to be transparent from the beginning than to face the wrath of a scorned customer who may discontinue going to your establishment, advise others via negative reviews online, and tell their family, friends and coworkers the poor experience they had.

The third area you must consider is your issue resolution system. If a client is upset about a situation or miscommunication, responding quickly and effectively is key to salvaging the relationship. Customers want their grievances to be heard and fixed and most customers will not take further actions in destroying a company’s reputation if an appropriate response is taken. You will want to monitor your digital presence for any reviews or comments and take all customer complaints seriously.

All of these factors come down to good customer relations. Creating a friendly, effective, and transparent environment for customers will lead to increased referrals and positive reviews which will drive business further. Digital and print marketing can be effective but limiting but without happy customers.

Is your practice in need of additional referrals? We specialize in making your phone ring and getting you new evals each month. Give us a call or email us for more information on how to become a partner on the Physical Therapist Finder website.

Why You Need to Have a Good Home Exercise Program for Your Patients

There are many components to the healing process from a traumatic injury. Whether surgery is necessary or not, physical therapy is often the solution to long term success. Although the work completed in each session plays a huge role, what a patient does at home is equally as important.

Some patients are not used to maneuvering the correct way. A common mistake is trying to default to the way they would move prior to incurring their injury, making a bad situation even worse. Educating your patients on the correct movements will prevent both setbacks and additional pain.

Providing your patient with at-home exercises is crucial. When a patient begins to feel pain, providing exercises assuaging this pain will help reduce body tension and increase their comfort. If you instruct your patient on the correct movements for their needs, they will be less apt to seek out exercises from non-credible sources. By giving your patient some at-home exercises, they can also continue the physical therapy process in between sessions as well as help them build exercise habits promoting a lifetime of good health.

Remember, an important part of your patient’s longevity and happiness is tied to the success of their physical therapy. By providing them personal control over their journey with at-home exercises, you are increasing the likelihood of compliance as they begin to see results. The personalized attention from their in-person sessions in conjunction to a personalized exercise regimen will provide optimal results.

Is your practice in need of additional referrals? We specialize in making your phone ring and getting you new evals each month. Give us a call or email us for more information on how to become a partner on the Physical Therapist Finder website.

Is your practice in need of additional referrals? We specialize in making your phone ring and getting you new evals each month. Give us a call or email us for more information on how to become a partner on the Physical Therapist Finder website.

When You Should Visit a Physical Therapist

Visiting a physical therapist is often an important step on the road to recovery and understanding when it’s appropriate to visit one is very simple.

Anytime you experience prolonged discomfort doing everyday activities, or your range of motion is suddenly or gradually being hindered, it may be a good time to visit a physical therapist. Pain that is recurring or constant could be a sign that it is time for professional help. Depending on your insurance and the state you live in, a physical therapist can be contacted directly or you can obtain a prescription from your medical doctor. Either the physical therapist or medical doctor can advise you on further treatment.

Often times your medical doctor will recommend a physical therapist when you are experiencing pain or discomfort. The physical therapist will be able to help minimize pain by going through exercises with you. A physical therapist can diagnose other issues you may have and help prevent those from getting worse. The physical therapist will be able to pinpoint the root cause of an issue based on your work and leisure activities and can also teach you how to avoid reinjury or injury escalation.

A physical therapist can help you when you have traumatic injuries as well as help you with conditions that develop with age such as arthritis. While some issues are unavoidable, a physical therapist can help ease the pain by providing exercises easing the tension in the area of discomfort and helping build you a personalized regimen for pain relief at home.

Often, the treatment and preventative work a physical therapist provides can help you avoid painful surgery as well as huge medical bills down the road. Physical therapists are here to help us; why let pain or discomfort rule your life?