The benefits of successful physical therapy treatment can be enjoyed long-term when adopted with a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise and eating right. Below are some FAQs from our therapists to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
How can physical therapy help me?
Why would I choose Karen Holmes PT over other Physical Therapy Clinics?
What is your affiliation with Latitude Fitness Center?
What does a free 15 minute Orthopedic Screening entail?
Do you accept my insurance?
How long will my visit last?
What will I need for the first visit?
What should I wear to PT?
Will you communicate with my physician regarding my PT treatment?
Why does my heel hurt?
Do I have a bone spur?
What can I do about knots in my shoulders and neck?
Can Physical Therapy help my headaches?
Should I use ice or heat for a swollen joint?
Should I use ice or heat for a swollen joint?
Typically, ice with elevation is the best solution, and you'll hear many doctors or therapists suggest the "R.I.C.E." protocol - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. So next time your knee is swollen, use deep tissue massage to reduce swelling, and Rest, Ice and Elevate.
Can Physical Therapy help my headaches?
Depending on the cause of your headaches. . . Individuals with increased stress and/or poor posture tend to have tighter muscles in their neck and shoulders. These muscle imbalances can put added pressure on the head and cause a headache. Physical therapy can help to relieve you headaches through manual therapy, massage, heat, stretches, posture exercises. The therapist will also teach you how to prevent and manage future headaches with a home exercise program.
What can I do about knots in my shoulders and neck?
If the "knots" are chronic in nature, it is usually a sign of some underlying joint dysfunction or stabilizer weakness in which the knots are actually trying to protect the neck and will usually not release until the underlying problem is resolved through a skilled, qualified physical therapist.
Why does my heel hurt? Do I have a bone spur?
Plantar fascitis and heel spurs are very common in this century thanks to pavement and hard surfaces. Our lower extremity was designed to be used on a soft flexible surface. So if you have an underlying deformity such as flat feet or wobbly ankles, then you are prone to heel spurs later in life. Walking on a hard surfaces with an unstable foot and ankle will create tight calf muscles. This progressive tightening of these postural muscles will pull at the heel and can create a bone spur from the tension. So how do we treat heel pain? Physical Therapy will include deep tissue massage to the calf muscles and bottom of the foot, ice, ultrasound and electrical stimulation, taping of the bottom of your foot and applying a resting night splint to reduce the calf contracture, hence relieving heel tension. The next step will be to have your foot evaluated by a podiatrist to assess your foot structure for orthotic fitting. Overall, your heel pain can be relieved and prevented with proper physical medicine management.
Why would I choose Karen Holmes PT over other Physical Therapy Clinics?
Karen Holmes Physical Therapy stands out from the competition by always providing quality care in a patient-centered atmosphere. Longer treatment sessions with more personal attention is what sets Karen Holmes apart from other physical therapy providers. While some area clinics book three patients per hour, Karen's policy is to never book more than 2 patients per hour. She also ensures that a full hour is reserved for the initial evaluation, (not 30-45 minutes like other facilities).
What is your affiliation with Latitude Fitness Center?
Karen Holmes Physical Therapy and Latitude Fitness Center are two separate business entities which occupy the same building space and have a mutually beneficial, collaborative relationship. Karen's patients can try a 1 month membership with no further obligation, for thirty dollars. They can join Latitude's at a lower monthly rate and with a significantly reduced joining fee.
What is a free 15-minute Orthopedic Screening?
An Orthopedic Screen is a free service provided by the licensed Physical Therapists at Karen Holmes Physical Therapy to answer any questions you may have about your physical health. During this screening the physical therapist will do a brief Physical Therapy evaluation and provide a recommendation for treatment and/or follow-up care. This 15-minute screening should provide you with quick answers to your questions and recommendations for treatment. If necessary, it might be recommended that you see a physician or schedule a physical therapy visit for a more comprehensive physical therapy evaluation and treatment.
Do you accept my insurance?
Karen Holmes Physical Therapy is contracted with all major insurance networks, and therefore we most likely accept your insurance. Please check our list of accepted insurance policies to double check your plan. If you have any questions please call us at 978-499-1870 to discuss the specifics of your plan with our front office staff.
How long will my visit last?
Our services encompass a tailored and comprehensive evaluation which typically takes 60 minutes. It will include time for your therapist to properly diagnose your injury and to get to know you so that they may better understand your level of functionality and limitations. Some initial treatment will usually be provided, as time allows. For future visits, appointments are scheduled on 30 minute intervals for 2 weeks in advance. If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, we require 24-hour notice in order for you not to be charged a $25 cancellation fee (for the time).
Appointments are typically 30 minutes to 1 hour unless otherwise specified.
What should I wear to PT?
For your initial physical therapy visit it is important to wear (or bring) clothing that will allow us to evaluate your injury. For example, if you have a knee injury please bring shorts, if you have a shoulder injury please bring a tank top.
If your therapy consists of exercise, please wear or bring closed toe shoes and appropriate exercise clothing.
Will you communicate with my physician regarding my PT treatment?
Karen Holmes Physical Therapy therapists are in frequent communication with referring physicians.
After your first physical therapy appointment a typed evaluation will be faxed to your MD. We will re-evaluate your condition approximately once per month of treatment and send progress notes to your doctor accordingly, please advise us if you have a follow-up visit with your doctor and we will ensure that a progress note awaits your doctor before your appointment so that they are up to date on your physical therapy progress and current status.
How can physical therapy help me?
A licensed therapist will thoroughly evaluate your condition and identify the source of your discomfort or dysfunction. An individual treatment plan will be designed which will usually include extensive education about your particular situation/problem, manual therapy intervention, the use of exercises, modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hot packs), and also biomechanical re-education to treat the problem area. Education on proper body mechanics and posture are also key elements provided to prevent re-injury.
What will I need for the first visit?
Please come a few minutes earlier to fill out new patient paperwork or download and bring forms with you. Please bring your insurance card, prescription from your physician, and call your PCP for proper referrals. If your plan requires pre-certification for the visit, please inform your carrier of your out-patient physical therapy needs.
