Can Physical Therapy Help with Vertigo? 

If you experience vertigo, otherwise known as the sensation of filling that you or your environment is spinning, then you might have balance issues. So what can physical therapy in Bowie, MD do for you? Well, first let’s talk some more about vertigo.

People who experience vertigo often have the issue of feeling dizzy, or lightheaded. Vertigo and lightheadedness can have different causes and different treatments but often occur together. Vertigo can affect people of all ages but it is very rare among children and very common in adults over the age of 20. However after you’ve hit the age of 65 and over, balance problems along with vertigo are much more dangerous because older people have a lot more balance issues and are more fragile so if they fall it could really hurt them.

Physical therapy can help you manage vertigo and dizziness and help you live your life with a higher quality of life.

Oftentimes vertigo is caused by the vestibular system which is the inner part of your ear that is responsible for your balance. There are a number of conditions that can cause vertigo such as inner ear infections or disorders, migraines, tumors such as acoustic neuroma, surgery that removes or injures the ear or its nerves, a hole in the inner ear, and stroke. This is not a complete list of everything that can cause vertigo as it can have other causes.

Along with vertigo, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, sweating, abnormal eye movements, ringing in one or both ears, and difficulty walking because you are not able to balance.

The most common form of vertigo is a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV is an inner ear problem that causes short periods of spinning when your head is moved in certain directions. Sometimes people have something called visual vertigo which is a dizzy or unsteady feeling in stimulating visual settings; which makes activities like walking and store aisles and driving in traffic hard.

Physical therapy and Bowie, MD like the ones available at the Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab can help you by evaluating what is causing your vertigo and creating a plan. This plan will be tailor-made to you, focusing on your goals as you live life with vertigo. Exact treatment is going to depend extremely on the type of vertigo and the cause.

Your physical therapist is going to help get you moving and manage the vertigo, and treatment is often going to include specialized head or neck movement that you will be taught to do. There will also be exercises to help get rid of your symptoms; and certain types of vertigo and conditions have very specific treatment plans.

If you still have issues after vertigo stops then your therapist can target these problems specifically because they were obviously not caused only by the vertigo. So if performing an activity or a chore at home causes you to become dizzy then your therapist is going to be able to teach you how to do them in a different way to reduce or stop the dizziness.

Back pain can signal many different things. It could be a herniated disc or muscle issues, or it could be the beginning stages of arthritis. No matter what, you need to get it checked out by a back pain doctor, like one from AmeriWell Clinics, as soon as possible. Often, the sooner you discover an issue, the more likely it will be resolved in a simpler way. There are many different causes of back pain, so you should not jump to conclusions and be overly concerned right off the bat. It will be important to get everything checked out by a professional to see how you need to move forward. Here are some of the most common treatments for back pain. 

Losing Weight Can Help Alleviate Back Pain

Carrying around excess weight can put a strain on joints and muscles. If you are overweight and experiencing back pain, it could be incredibly beneficial to get to a healthier weight to see if that helps reduce pain. Losing weight is not always easy, but it is worth it if you are able to eliminate the aches and pains in your back. 

Stretching and Strengthening Muscles Can Reduce Back Pain

Sometimes, tight muscles can cause back pain. They could be the actual muscles in the back, or in the surrounding area that are causing issues. A good back pain doctor will know what kind of stretches and exercises will help you, and what could potentially hurt you. This can be a good long term fix, as you will be able to do this “homework” every day, not just when you are able to see the doctor. 

Find Ways to Treat Your Pain

There are other tactics that can manage back pain as you strengthen and try to fix the anatomy of your back. Acupuncture, dry needling, heat therapy, and massage can all help alleviate pain in the back. Every person is different, which is why treatment needs to be as well. Some people may need muscle relaxers or other medications to help manage pain. This is all something to speak with your back pain doctor about. He or she will be able to give you advice for your specific needs and circumstances. What works for one person may not for another, but you can keep changing things until you and your doctor come up with a plan that works well for you.

Contact a Back Pain Doctor Today

Reach out to an experienced back pain doctor today to figure out the best protocol for you moving forward. The sooner you reach out, the faster you can begin to find relief. It is hard for anyone to be in pain, and back pain can be particularly difficult to deal with. Contact a back pain doctor right away so that you can manage your pain before it gets worse. He or she will come up with a plan tailor made to your specific issues and that will be the best option for your health. 

Can your chiropractor in Bowie MD provide relief from a pinched nerve? Pinched nerves were conditions that caused pinched nerves, a very common condition in a chiropractor’s office. Therefore many of the patients that see chiropractors often ask about ways to relieve their pain and whether chiropractors can help with that.

There are a lot of reasons why you might have a kink in your neck, or why your back may hurt or any part of your body. Chiropractors in Bowie, MD such as the ones available at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab often have a lot of experience in dealing with and diagnosing various types of pain.

In case you do not know a pinched nerve is when tissue presses against your nerve. The pressure on this nerve, known as compression, causes pain signals to be sent to the brain. Bone, cartilage, muscle or tendon can press against a nerve and cause compression error.

Pinched nerves can be caused by a number of things, can be the result of a bone spur, it can be the result of a herniated disc or bulging disc, it can be the result of inflamed joints or something else. What is pinching a nerve will depend entirely on what part of your body the affected nerve is in.

When you have a pinched nerve you may experience a variety of pain and other symptoms; such as tingling, numbness, weakness, and sometimes you might feel pain in an area that is not affected by the nerve but is relaying the pain. For example, you might have a pinched nerve in her lower back and you might feel pain in your back, buttocks and down one leg.

Osteoarthritis can cause your joints to become enlarged and puts you at worse risk for bone spurs, age, posture, body mass and heredity also put you at risk for pinched nerves. Understanding where the affected nerve is helps a chiropractor in Bowie, MD determine the best course of treatment for that specific nerve and they will know how to reduce the pressure.

Chiropractors provide safe and effective treatments for pension nerve pain, and decompression therapy can help to relieve pressure from herniated discs and further help you to ease pinched nerve pain. Your chiropractor may also suggest massage therapy, cryotherapy, and it may offer you exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area so that it is less likely to pinched nerves repeatedly.

If you think you have a pinched nerve you should consult with your chiropractor in Bowie, MD so that they can help you determine what is pinching your nerve, whether it is an underlying issue, the best treatment course for the underlying issue and the best treatment for your pain management.

If you are wondering whether you can get physical therapy (PT) at home, the answer is “maybe.” Some patients can receive in-home health services during which a licensed PT will come to their home to provide therapy. Since telehealth services are very popular now, PT patients also often have the option of receiving “hands-off” treatment during online live streams with a licensed provider.  It’s very appealing to choose the online option if you have difficulty scheduling treatment at an office. But, before making a decision on which route to choose, speak with a physical therapist about your unique needs and circumstances. 

As an experienced Bowie, MD physical therapy provider – including those who practice at MidAtlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic– can confirm, no two patients’ needs are exactly alike. Perhaps at-home PT sounds great but isn’t the best way for you to heal from your specific injury. Or perhaps you’re hesitant to embrace a home-PT option but it would suit your situation well. You won’t be able to make informed decisions about your care until you speak with a provider about your specific needs. 

In-Home Physical Therapy

For in-home therapy, licensed PTs are scheduled to visit your home and provide treatment there instead of a treatment center or rehab. Medical insurance may cover in-home therapy services if you have problems leaving your home. These reasons may include:

• having limited mobility to the extent that you can’t be transported
• leaving the home risks your health due to your injury or subsequent illness
• needing transport

If these limitations don’t apply to you, you can still request in-home physical therapy because you want the convenience, but it likely won’t be covered by insurance.  

You might also need in-home therapy due to certain illnesses or conditions you have. These may include: 

• hip or knee replacements
• fractures
• neurological conditions (Parkinson’s, MS (Multiple Sclerosis), ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
• heart attack
• stroke

Online or “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) Physical Therapy

PTs generally do not recommend self-treatment unless it’s under the guidance of a licensed provider. Unfortunately, there are many websites out there touting exercises and suggestions for individuals to do on their own. This is risky and likely ineffective. Without guidance from a licensed PT, you could:

• overwork your muscles
• do the exercises improperly
• cause more pain
• cause another injury
• waste time doing exercises or purchasing devices you don’t need

There are some things you can do on your own that are not likely to cause issues. You can apply ice or heat to your muscles, or do some gentle stretching. Simply resting your body can be very healing.

Many physical therapy offices now offer virtual sessions, so you might have various options with the provider you choose. The bottom line on DIY is you should seek a licensed and accredited physical therapist to conduct the sessions live stream and one-on-one. Talk to your insurance company if you need coverage for in-home visits, or you can start searching for local PTs who will provide online services to meet your needs.

Top Reasons To Return to Physical Therapy

Most patients undergo physical therapy for a short time. You may visit your physical therapist over the course of weeks or months. However, physical therapy can be a long process. For example, you may finish your initial several sessions and have to return years later to receive treatment for an exacerbation of your original condition. As an experienced Baltimore, MD physical therapy provider – including those who practice at MidAtlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic– can confirm, you shouldn’t avoid returning to physical therapy simply because it genuinely feels frustrating that you need to go through this process again. It is generally a healthier approach to work to a place of acceptance that sometimes old injuries “flare up” after initially healing to the greatest extent possible. 

Your Pain Returns

One of the most common reasons that patients require physical therapy is to alleviate pain. For example, if you have severe pain in your joints, soft tissue mobilization can help ease the pain. The use of taping, ultrasound or electric stimulation can also help with your blood circulation. When you increase your blood flow, you are more likely to heal quicker. In addition, relief from physical therapy is often safer than pain medication.

Your Mobility Decreases

When you finish physical therapy, you may have your range of function back. Often, physical therapy improves your ability to walk, stand or perform other daily activities. However, if you find that you are starting to lose those functions again, you need to see a physical therapist as soon as possible. You may think that an old injury can’t be “re-healed” or that you have to live with the pain, but that isn’t the case. In fact, even old injuries can often improve with flexibility work, endurance training and other strength training activities.

You May Require Surgery

Sometimes, when you suffer from joint mobility issues, doctors may suggest surgical intervention. In some cases, physical therapy can help you avoid the knife. If not, you may still need to have physical therapy to prepare you for the surgical procedure. Having physical therapy following surgery can also help promote healing. You may be able to heal without the use of stitches. Physical therapy can help aid in blood flow which also helps the body to heal itself. A lot of people fear being unable to move the same as before after surgery. If you don’t follow a physical therapy regimen, you could lose even more function.

Follow your doctor’s instructions in regards to physical therapy. Even if you start to feel better, don’t quit therapy before you’re cleared. If you are cleared but the pain returns or your mobility decreases, you may have to return for the old injury. Returning to physical therapy can help you regain independence or live with less pain.

3 Questions To Ask About Knee Pain

If you have recently suffered an injury, had surgery, or experienced a loss of mobility, you might be able to benefit from knee therapy by a Knee Pain Doctor. Your doctor may recommend this to you, but it is entirely appropriate for you to bring it up if he or she does not. Bear in mind that your doctor may not be able to answer all your questions about knee therapy, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask. If your doctor does not know the answer, he or she should at least be able to help you find it out.

If your doctor believes that you could benefit from knee therapy, he or she may recommend that you see a particular therapist. However, this is just a recommendation, and you have the freedom to choose which therapist to see. Before you make your choice, however, it is a good idea to ask some questions first.

1. What Do You Need To Do To Prepare for Appointments?

Knee therapy often involves exercise, so you should dress in comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely for each appointment. If for some reason you cannot go to your appointment dressed in your therapy clothes, you should at least bring them with you so you can change when you get there. You may also undergo some sort of treatment modality, such as iontophoresis. If this is the case, you should wear clothing that allows easy access to the symptomatic area. For example, for the pain in your knee, you may want to wear shorts or sweatpants that are easy to roll up.

If it is your first appointment, you may have to bring medical reports and images. However, in many cases, your doctor’s office can simply forward these.

2. What Can You Expect From a Typical Session?

Knee therapy appointments generally last about an hour. However, the exact treatments you receive depend on your diagnosis. During your first session, the therapist will perform an initial assessment and develop a treatment plan in response.

3. What Is the Knee Pain Doctor’s Experience?

Some knee pain doctors, like one from Austin Physical Therapy, are generalists that treat all areas of the body. Others specialize in a particular type of injury or body part. While you can receive treatment from a generalist therapist, it might be a good idea to seek out a specialist in your particular knee injury. If there are no specialists available, it is still a good idea to ask the therapist about his or her experience with the type of problem you have.

Contact our office with any questions you have about knee pain or to schedule your initial appointment.

Getting relief for chronic pain can take a lot of trial and error. People who have been living with chronic joint and muscle pain for years may be hesitant to try different treatment methods because they think the pain might get better on its own. When the pain gets so disruptive to the point where it is affecting how you move throughout the day or enjoy certain activities, then it might be a sign that seeing a chiropractor that Bowie, MD residents trust, like one from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic. 

Chiropractic care can be expensive and it is often not covered by insurance, so it is understandable that many people do not go to a chiropractor for treatment right away. However, there are several different factors that can affect how much your treatment will be. 

Your Insurance Provider

Having good insurance allows you to receive quality healthcare that is affordable. If you have a comprehensive insurance plan, it may cover at least the first few sessions or part of your chiropractic treatment. Check with your insurance company to learn about what chiropractic services are covered and what you can expect to pay for a few sessions.

Diagnostic Services

A chiropractor uses several tests to accurately diagnose your condition. They need to conduct more in-depth tests to see if your pain or discomfort is due to an underlying, more serious issue. X-rays, MRI scans, electromyography (EMG) and other tests typically can cost several hundred dollars. Other related factors that may affect the cost include the area where you live and the type of medical equipment used. 

Chiropractor Experience

The years of experience that a chiropractor has will greatly affect how much they will charge for their services. A skilled chiropractor with decades of experience may have base fees that are higher. Some chiropractors charge more because they specialize in certain types of treatment or health conditions. A chiropractor may also have higher treatment costs if they consistently have positive reviews or have the latest medical equipment. 

Lifestyle Choices

A person’s lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise and hobbies have a strong impact on their overall health. These factors determine how successful chiropractic care will be for you or how long it will take you to see results. Your chiropractic care may be more expensive if you require more intensive treatment over a long period of time. 

To get a more accurate breakdown of chiropractic care expenses, contact a trusted chiropractor in your area today.

As a medical professional, you are always concerned about keeping your patients’ information safe, secure, and private. So, what is the best way to keep personal information? It is by using a chiropractic billing service, like one from Genesis Chiropractic Software, of course. Why is this safer than other methods? Continue reading to find out. 

A Billing Service Can Survive Natural Disasters

Unlike using a filing cabinet, if you have information saved on the cloud, it is kept safe from natural disasters that could destroy papers in a file cabinet. For example, if there was a flood or a fire, these could completely destroy important patient records that do not have any sort of backup. A billing service is a great tool that offers peace of mind for the medical provider as well as the patient. It creates a good form of backup that can survive many different issues and makes it simple to safely transfer information from one person to another. 

A Billing Service Has Firewall Protection

You may think that something that is online is less safe than information kept on one computer or in a file folder. This is not true. A good billing software will have safeguards in place that protect your patients’ personal information. This will include firewall protection and possible two factor authentication that makes it only possible for those who should be looking at the information on the site. It will back up all of the information so that nothing is lost, even if a computer breaks down, and will keep records safe from hackers for you and your patients. 

A Billing Service Enables Conversation from One Person to Another

A billing service makes it incredibly simple to share information from one source to another. For example, a chiropractor can easily share a patient’s information with the customer or with any of their medical professionals with just a few clicks. This information is safeguarded so that unwanted people will not be able to view the medical records, but so that the right people can view the information with ease. 

Contact a Billing Service Representative Today

Reach out to a professional chiropractic billing service to get assistance in creating a plan that is right for your office today. It does not matter how large or small your practice is. No matter what, a billing service can greatly assist your office and help make everything a more streamlined and organized process. This will help all of your administrative staff, as well as your customers by making information accessible, safe, and easy to use. Your staff can focus more fully on the customer experience in your office and will be able to keep all of their information up to date and secure. Do not hesitate to purchase a reliable chiropractic billing service today. You will be happy that you did and can begin building your office onto the cloud for safekeeping. A representative can answer all of the questions you have and get you signed up as soon as possible. 

Counseling

Life is in constant motion. No two days are alike, even if they often may feel like it. How is one expected to make it through all of the challenges life may bring? Talking things out is one way people find relief from the overwhelming issues of life. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, may prove beneficial for anyone going through many difficulties. Consider these four scenarios where talk therapy may be an effective form of treatment:

1. Getting Through a Life Change

Life changes often come with ripple effects. Even positive ones, such as getting a job promotion, can come with unintended and unforeseen stress. A change in life can be difficult to cope with and may find a person feeling overwhelmed. A difficult element of a life change might include how others around you are dealing with it. Talk therapy can teach ways to navigate the highs and lows life may bring.

2. Feeling Anxious or Nervous

Some people struggle with worrying too much. When a person feels fear in the face of everyday situations, it may be anxiety. Excessive nervousness may have a physical impact on a person by increasing heart rate and respiration. People with anxiety are more prone to depression making counseling imperative. Along with prescription medication, talk therapy can help relieve the symptoms associated with anxiety. Learning breathing techniques and avoiding triggers can prove vital to an anxious person.

3. Struggling With Sadness

A person who often feels sad or down may be dealing with depression. Clinical depression is a medical condition that has to do with a chemical imbalance in the brain. Often, medication is recommended to regulate and balance those chemicals. Situational depression may occur episodically throughout a person’s life. It may be brought on by the breakdown of a relationship or the death of a loved one. Whether a person’s depression is situational or clinical, a therapist can provide an outlet for dealing effectively with the lows.

4. Overcoming an Addiction

Psychotherapy is one of the tools recommended for addicts in rehabilitation. Addiction often takes root in the aftermath of trauma. Whether the trauma occurred in childhood or otherwise, a failure to process and deal with it may lead people to depend on chemicals such as alcohol and drugs to cope. Talk therapy can walk a person through the source of addiction to help curb it.

Cognitive and behavioral talk therapy can prove beneficial for any situation in life. Set up an appointment with a therapist nearby and start making mental health a priority.

There are several reasons to consider the assistance of a counselor such as Lotus Wellness Center for counseling. They are available to offer support and work closely with you to develop therapeutic goals intended to help meet your needs. 

When people think of a physical therapist, they probably imagine a professional who provides treatment to those recovering from a recent injury. But, did you know that physical therapy can be beneficial for those who aren’t injured, too? The multitude of benefits may surprise you. So if you are considering physical therapy, don’t hesitate to contact a clinic near you to have your questions answered and schedule an exam.

Here are a couple of the many surprising benefits that physical therapy can yield for you, whether you are healing from a recent injury or just want to boost your health:

Enhanced Immune System

Physical therapy is one of the most ideal ways that you can enhance your immune system. This form of treatment increases circulation, allowing healing properties to make their way throughout the body. Additionally, physical therapy reduces inflammation, strengthens respiratory health, and improves the cardiovascular system. The immune system is responsible for healing, so receiving physical therapy will help you feel at your very best overall.

Promotes Better Balance

After an injury accident, you may feel like your balance is somewhat off, which may lead to falls and further physical injury. Physical therapy provides you with exercises, stretches, and other useful tips to improve your coordination and balance.

Outlet for Avoiding Surgery

Did you know that physical therapy can prevent someone from having to undergo surgery? For some people, the idea of an operation and anesthesia can be terrifying. And depending on the condition, surgery may not be the only method of treatment. Many patients find that physical therapy has enabled them to reach a place of health they have imagined, as if they had gone through surgery. Except now, they can avoid the post-surgical side effects and other potential complications.

To learn more about whether physical therapy in Bowie, MD is right for you, contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today.