Wills Lawyer

One of the reasons why so many people are hesitant to create their estate plans is that they are under the impression that once they have created a will or another type of estate planning document, they cannot change whatever they have written. In reality, wills are so-called living estate documents. This means that they can generally be changed as often as the creator needs to alter them.

There are some exceptions to this general rule. They usually come into play in the event that the creator no longer is in a position to execute changes with their full mental faculties intact. For example, a patient with Alzheimer’s may not be in a position to change the terms of their will unless qualified medical professionals can confirm that such changes were made when the patient was fully lucid. With such limited exceptions, the creator of a will can generally alter the terms of that will as often as they need to.

The Process of Updating or Changing the Terms of a Will

As an experienced Knoxville, TN wills lawyer – including those who practice at Carpenter & Lewis PLLC – can confirm, the process of updating or otherwise altering the terms of a will varies based upon the state in which the will creator is living. Each state sets its own guidelines and regulations for how wills and other estate planning documentation must be drafted, altered, processed, and executed. As a result, it is important to speak with a local lawyer when looking to update your will or other estate planning documentation.

Failure to check with the lawyer about how you must go about changing the terms of your will or otherwise updating it can leave that document vulnerable to misinterpretation. Additionally, if your will was to be challenged in probate, the court may not honor your most recent updates or alterations if they have not been attended to in specific ways. For example, some states may honor an alteration as long as it is initialed by the will creator and dated. Other states may question whether such updates are sufficiently documented in ways that can be verified. It is far better to be safe than sorry, so it is a good idea to check with the lawyer about how to go about updating your living estate documentation.

Reasons to Update or Change the Terms of a Will

The court is not generally empowered to make assumptions on your behalf. Therefore, you cannot rely on logic when it comes to updating your will. Say that you have a current draft of your will ready to go in the event of your death. The terms of your will provide for each of your children. If you have another child before you die, you will need to update your will to reflect that you wish to name that youngest child as a beneficiary of your estate. The court will not simply assume that you wanted to include that child in your will unless certain provisions of state law come into play. As a result, if you have any reason at all to update your will, you will need to do so explicitly.

Many doctors prescribe physical therapy to help their patients recover mobility following injuries or to help them overcome the physical limitations due to chronic medical conditions. Therapy sessions usually take place over weeks or months, with costs easily exceeding some patients’ budgets. 

What Are The Goals of Physical Therapy?

Patients may undertake physical therapy to achieve various outcomes, including:

• Chronic pain management
• Balance improvement
• Injury recovery
• Fall prevention
• Paralysis recovery
• Mobility improvement

Physical therapists may apply various treatments, including hot and cold compresses to improve flexibility and reduce swelling, manual manipulation to stretch muscles, and ultrasound or electrical stimulation to improve blood flow and reduce pain. 

Will Insurance Cover Physical Therapy?

Coverage for physical therapy sessions depends on various factors, starting with a policy’s terms. For example, although most policies do cover physical therapy services in Bowie, MD, like ones offered at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, individuals may need to submit a doctor’s prescription indicating that treatment is medically necessary before they can receive benefits.

Few insurance providers cover the total cost of physical therapy, but they may require patients to choose among providers within a pre-arranged network to ensure any coverage. Some insurance providers will still cover some of the cost of using out-of-network providers, but to a lesser extent than when patients select providers from their preferred networks.

Insurance policies often require patients to meet pre-determined deductibles before their coverage activates. Deductibles are payment thresholds that insured individuals must meet out-of-pocket and may differ when using in-network and out-of-network providers. Once patients complete their deductible obligations, they may pay for a percentage of each therapy session or a flat fee per session. 

Some insurance policies indicate a maximum out-of-pocket amount that patients must pay before their policies cover the total cost of physical therapy. Policies usually require insured individuals to submit periodic doctors’ evaluations or new prescriptions to prevent the high costs of unnecessary visits. Failure to provide updated doctors’ feedback can lead to coverage denials.

Physical therapy involves weekly commitments from patients and therapists; however, patients may sometimes experience scheduling conflicts that require them to cancel sessions. Although rescheduling or canceling sessions typically does not affect coverage, failure to show up to a session without alerting a therapist could result in non-coverage for the session.  

Most insurance companies provide physical therapy coverage to help people live pain-free and mobile lives. Be sure to know the terms of your policy to ensure that you receive the full extent of your policy’s coverage.

Physical therapy is a way of treating pain and movement disorders primarily using exercise and treatment modalities rather than drugs. It can be effective at treating a wide range of complaints and is often a major factor in rehabilitation from an injury or surgery. Because your physical therapy plan is tailored to you, your therapist has to have a good understanding of your condition and what is causing it. The first appointment is very important to helping your therapist understand your condition. Therefore, the examination will be more detailed than at subsequent visits, where you and the therapist will concentrate more on putting the plan into action.

Subjective History

Your physical therapist will start out your first appointment by asking you to describe your condition subjectively. He or she will ask you to describe what symptoms you are having and whether anything makes them better or worse. You will be asked when the pain began and what you think could have caused it. If you don’t know what is causing your pain, it’s okay to say so. Your therapist is just trying to collect all relevant information. Any information you can provide may be helpful, so just answer as completely and honestly as you can. If you have imaging studies to give to your therapist, this is the time to give them to him or her.

Objective Examination

Your physical therapist will then perform an objective examination. This involves palpation of tender areas with his or her hands to gauge pain level, measuring range of motion, and performing tests. Based on the results of this objective examination and the subjective history, the therapist can get an idea of what is causing the pain.

Assessment

Your therapist’s assessment is like a diagnosis. Based on the information gathered from the history and objective examination, as well as any imaging studies and doctor’s records, if applicable, your therapist identifies your condition and its likely cause.

Plan and Goals

During your first therapy appointment, you and your therapist will work together to identify goals that you want to achieve over the course of treatment. These should be specific and measurable so your therapist can track your progress and determine when your goals have been met. Your therapist will also give you a plan for your treatment course. This will identify what you will do during sessions as well as what you will have to do outside of therapy appointments.

Subsequent physical therapy appointments in Baltimore, MD, like ones you can make at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic focus more on the treatments you receive than the diagnostics. Contact our office to schedule your initial appointment.

Stem cell therapy is a regenerative medical procedure that harnesses the power of the body’s natural healing capacity. As a knee pain doctor can explain, stem cell therapy uses the body’s own unique and versatile stem cells to encourage whole-body healing. If you’re wondering how this cutting-edge treatment can help you, read on.

What are Stem Cells?

A stem cell is a unique kind of cell that can adapt into specialized cells. Each part of the body has its own individualized cell type and structure. For instance, liver cells are only useful in the liver; brain cells are only needed in the brain, and so forth. However, stem cells have a significant difference. They can adapt and differentiate into different types of cells. 

So, once injected into a certain are, a stem cell can become a liver cell, a brain cell, a knee cartilage cell, etc. No matter where they are injected into the body, they will adapt and divide, supplying a source of healthy cells to that specific area of the body. Injecting stem cells into a particular part of the body can help to rebuild and regenerate damaged tissue. Stem cells continuously divide, so a single injection can bring ongoing benefits.

Where Do Stem Cells Come From?

Pluripotent stem cells are “master” cells. They have the potential to produce any cell or tissue the body needs to repair and regenerate. They are typically extracted from embryos and fetal tissues. However, due to ethical concerns, most stem cell doctors use adult stem cells, which are usually found in the bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue.

Adult stem cells are extracted from primarily two areas. They can be taken from the bone marrow in the hip area. They can also be obtained from the abdomen. Bone marrow extraction of stem cells usually yields fewer cells than those gathered through abdominal liposuction. 

What Conditions Do Stem Cells Have the Potential to Treat?

Due to its versatility, stem cell therapy can be useful for treating a broad range of health issues, including:

• Joint damage
• Damaged cartilage
• Bone damage
• Spinal cord injury
• Autoimmune disorders
• Torn ligaments and muscles
• Baldness
• Arthritis
• And more

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Help Arthritic Patients?

Arthritis is a disease that many people suffer from. Some people only suffer mild pain and discomfort, while others may have issues with mobility and sustaining their active lifestyles. Many who experience more severe forms of arthritis may have to alter their work schedules or refrain from their home and leisure activities.

Numerous forms of conventional treatment options are available for arthritic patients. Anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid shots, physical therapy, and painkillers—all of these may still lead a patient to joint replacement. However, stem cell therapy is a viable option for many of these patients. It can actually serve to help them avoid major surgical procedures.

If you are suffering from arthritis or another issue that could respond favorably to stem cells, you owe it to yourself and your aging body to use stem cell therapy to regenerate tissue, rather than replace it with an artificial implant. To find out more, contact a knee pain doctor in your local area for a consultation.

There are many occasions when it’s smart to consult physical therapy in Bowie, MD. An expert physical therapist can help diagnose any issues you may have and prescribe treatment that will get you back on the right track, improving your overall health. However, you may find yourself wondering how the entire process works. Luckily, our staff at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic can answer any lingering questions you may have!  

Who Is Physical Therapy For? 

You might believe that physical therapy is only something prescribed/recommended by your doctor following a serious injury or medical condition. This is a common myth and while in those scenarios, physical therapy is often recommended, there are other reasons to visit a physical therapist. These reasons may include preventing any future injuries, reducing general or chronic pain, and improving overall health and wellness. For example, it’s not uncommon for athletes and older patients to incorporate physical therapy sessions as part of their routine. 

If you believe that you could benefit from physical therapy, your physician will work with you to construct a specialized plan based upon your goals and needs. This plan will be adjusted as needed between sessions. 

How Will a Physical Therapist Help? 

When you enlist the services of physical therapy in Bowie, MD, there are a variety of ways that your physical therapist can help. The treatment they administer may depend upon your specific needs, but generally, a therapist will have a series of physical exercises and techniques that help their patients alleviate/prevent injuries. They may even use specialized equipment such as exercise bands and weights. As you become more comfortable with the exercise routines, (and after monitoring any changes or progresses in your overall health) your doctor may then incorporate more varied exercises. 

Of course, while physical therapists are required to obtain certifications for their training and thus are great at detecting whether or not an exercise routine is working, don’t be afraid to communicate with your physician. If a certain exercise is too taxing on your body or you simply believe it’s not working, you can let your therapist know. 

What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy? 

There are many benefits that physical therapy can offer. In addition to helping rebuild your muscles and body following a serious injury, physical therapy can also help prevent future injuries. This can especially be crucial as some injuries may lead to irreversible damages that may need intense medical treatments such as invasive surgery or the prolonged use of medication. Physical therapy will also give you the tools to learn practical exercises that you can continue to utilize at home. Paired with other treatments such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and alleviating stress, physical therapy can help foster a long, fulfilling life. 

Contact Us Today

Physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits. If you or a loved are in need of physical therapy in Bowie, MD then you should contact Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today!