Posted September 26, 2022 | Health & Wellness Blog
Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the joints. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. The hips, knees, hands, and spine are the most commonly affected joints. Arthritis is not a single disease but an umbrella term that includes a variety of different types. Some of the more common examples are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Posted July 24, 2022 | Health & Wellness Blog
Nerve pain is a common symptom of many conditions, including injury and disease. Nerve pain can be mild or severe, short-term or chronic. It can affect one nerve or several at once and can vary in intensity from one person to another based on factors like overall health, activity level, genetics, and more. The good news is that there are many treatments available for the various types of nerve pain—from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to acupuncture—and you may find relief with some simple lifestyle changes too!
Posted February 27, 2022 | Health & Wellness Blog
Is the source of your low back pain a mystery? You’re not alone: Nine out of 10 patients don't know the primary cause of their back pain. The problem is that most people seek treatment after they’ve begun exhibiting symptoms of back pain. While this may seem logical on the surface, we’re here to tell you that there’s a better way.
Posted January 10, 2020 | Health & Wellness Blog
Value Based Health Care has been a hot topic for some time in the world of health policy, and political debates. Regardless of the thoughts on how health care should be payed for, shouldn't it be easy for medical practitioners to provide Value Based Care?
Check out the linked video for some important questions and answers about the challenges of providing Value Based Health care.
Posted September 23, 2019 | Health & Wellness Blog
Over any 3-month period about 25% of Americans will have low back pain. It is the top cause of disability around the world.
Unfortunately, even though low back pain is common, treatment for low back pain often fails to reflect evidence-based guidelines, leading to overtreatment—including unnecessary surgery or opioid prescription.
So what are the best approaches for back pain?
In March 2018, The Lancet noted that the guidelines are evolving: now there is "less emphasis on pharmacological and surgical treatments" and greater emphasis on "self-management, physical and psychological therapies, and some form of complementary medicine."
Posted September 16, 2019 | Health & Wellness Blog
The role of "patient-specific" exercises in managing LBP is controversial. Some people believe that any exercise is good for low back pain, while others believe that the direction and type of exercise prescribed can make a difference in recovery time and pain modification.
While general exercise is not bad at all for most conditions, there may be situations where being more specific may be a good thing.
So why should you care about specific exercise?
Posted July 29, 2019 | Health & Wellness Blog
Think about the last time you made a big purchase, say $1,000 or more. Did you go out and buy the first thing you saw? Take one recommendation from somebody? Or did you research it, learn some things, compare it to other options, and select something that was right for you? Most people tend to be educated and research large purchases like cars, televisions, or the newest iphone. So why do we so often fail to do this with healthcare? By becoming more educated healthcare consumers we can go from passive patients who take the first recommendation that comes from a practitioner to an active consumer who weighs options and makes choices. Here are some questions to talk through with your practitioner the next time a healthcare decision comes up.
Posted July 22, 2019 | Health & Wellness Blog
Most people spend a lot of time researching and weighing options for a large purchase or a decision like changing a job. When it comes to healthcare, however most people don't do much research or consider options at all. A 2010 Gallup poll showed that 70% of people feel confident in their doctor's advice and don't feel the need to do their own research or get a second opinion.
Posted June 19, 2019 | Health & Wellness Blog
VBC means a reorganization of systems around the needs of the patient, necessitating shifts in perspective and culture. Switching medical provision to teams and units that integrate the full cycle of care together is another key element. The integrated practice units (IPUs) are a group of wards that care for patients with similar clinical needs.
A switch to patient-focus drives benefits that patients can see. Sixty-seven percent of Leaders said patients were more satisfied with their care in the past year, versus 39% of Followers; 70% of Leaders said patients reported a better quality of life than a year ago, compared to 46% of Followers.
Posted June 14, 2019 | Health & Wellness Blog
Recent research is showing that surgery might not be needed as often as we think. A large review estimates that 10% to 20% of surgeries might be unnecessary. The reasons for so many unneeded surgeries being performed are varied, but the most common are that more conservative options aren't tried first, or lack of knowledge by the patient and health care team.
For musculoskeletal problems like back and joint pain, sprains, and strains, seeing your PT before a surgeon can help keep you out of the operating room and get you back to life without surgery. Studies have shown that physical therapy can be just as good if not better than surgery for a multitude of conditions and carries less risk. Some examples would include rotator cuff tears, meniscal tears, spinal stenosis, low back pain, and osteoarthritis.
Physical therapy can't fix every problem, and for some patients surgery IS the best choice. However, research is showing that surgery isn't a cure-all, and is sometimes very risky. In most cases, starting with physical therapy is the right choice, and for many patients, PT is the only treatment necessary.