Does Insurance Pay For That?

With the cost of health care rising and the number of approved physical therapy visits decreasing, patients often have to be discharged prior to full resolution of symptoms. To be honest, insurance companies don't care if you can't run in that 5k or go ballroom dancing anymore. In their eyes, if you can dress yourself, feed yourself, and walk a few blocks then you don't need physical therapy. To that end, patients can either sit around and complain how unfair insurance is (though writing in to your insurance company/local officials is a good idea) or they can take their health into their own hands, dig a little deeper into their pockets, and get back to EVERY activity that they want to perform.

As previously stated, for most patients, insurance coverage will only take them so far. Insurance will not cover maintenance therapy or sessions to help make you a faster runner. Insurance companies want to see that you can function at a very basic level and could care less about that upcoming golf trip you have planned. The good news is, Duffy & Bracken offers wellness programs that bridge the gap, fill in the holes, and address those issues that insurance companies deem superfluous. Want to PR in your next race? Try our new running program. Consider yourself a runner but don't know what PR means? Even more reason to check out our running program. Want to improve your tennis game? Consider signing up for a sports performance analysis. Want your feet to stop hurting? Definitely invest in our Happy Feet program.

A few months ago, while perched atop my soapbox I wrote an article about what we as physical therapists have to offer. Our unique skill set enables us to create specialized programs that directly address the needs of patients regarding nearly any physical activity. However, this extensive knowledge base only benefits patients when patients realize the value of the service being offered and choose to invest in their well-being. I always find it interesting how willing people are to pay personal trainers hundreds of dollars, yet balk at the idea of having to pay a $25 copay for a physical therapy visit. No judgement, no guilt trip, but the services that good physical therapists offer are worth it. 

The therapists at Duffy & Bracken hold doctoral degrees, personal training certifications, and manual therapy certifications. This advanced training allows us to not only optimize the gains made during the allocated physical therapy visits, but to implement after-care programs that get patients back to 100% functionality. Would it be great if insurance covered visits to make us run faster, jump higher, and drive that golfball farther? Of course. Is that going to happen anytime soon? Absolutely not. That in mind, patients need to invest in themselves and check out the after-care programs that Duffy & Bracken has to offer. We're worth it. Your health is worth it.

C. Shante Cofield, PT, DPT, CSCS

What Kind of Old Person Do You Want to Be?

My husband Paul and I have quite the long and active bucket list, which we have been busy checking off. Now, we are not dying but given the inevitable, we decided to make a list of things we wanted to do before that day. As a physical therapist, I have an understanding of the aging body that has made me realize we should set a time line. I have also seen a great variety in this aging process and it is not all genetics but also very active-dependent. 

So about 10 years ago, after noticing that my husband was ignoring my workout suggestions (as husbands do), I finally pushed the right button. I said, “Paul, with all your plans for the next 50 years, I was wondering what kind of old person do you want to be?” This got his attention! He wanted to know more. So I explained what sitting at a desk for 10-12 hours a day would do to him. I went on to describe how working out only certain areas of this body (pects, lats and rectus abdomens with push ups, pull downs and sit ups, plus 20 minutes on the stair mill 3-5x a week) although good in many ways was also causing imbalances in his body. These imbalances would probably end up in joint problems in his neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees and feet and eventually hip, knee, shoulder or back surgeries and maybe even joint replacements. These life-changing events might get in the way of his biking, skiing, water skiing, tennis, golfing, climbing and hiking.

I definitely had his attention and Paul, agreed to let me help him get properly evaluated and instructed in a balanced exercise regime which included a FMS (functional manual screening), sports performance improvement program, functional training, strengthening, balance and stretching. This has resulted in performance improvements and a couple of minimal injuries, which consisted of a minor calf strain and a few fractured ribs showing off how low he could get to the water while water skiing.

Without these improvements Paul may not have been able to fully experience Kilamanjaro, the Everest base camp, Fitzroy and Torres del Pain in Patagonia, the Milford pass in New Zealand or 54 holes of golf at St. Andrews in 12 hours this past August for his 54th b'day just to name a few. I am sure as he continues his program he will complete this ever-growing bucket list and be the kind of older person he envisioned. 

 How does this story affect you? 

Well, along our travels we met some people who were unable to accompany their partners up the mountain due to injuries or they were just not fit enough. Bad knees and backs now limit others we know who thought they were fit. Unfortunately, now that they have the time to travel they are no longer able to climb up to see the sites or are unable to play golf without a golf cart. 

How can you be the kind of older person you want to be and when should you start thinking about this? 

Now is the answer and Duffy & Bracken can help you design a customized program. 

• An FMS delivered by a highly skilled physical therapist will give you the knowledge to empower you to get on the right path. 

• A performance improvement program - if you play a sport - will give your body the right tools to begin performing the skill you have been having trouble with, no matter what sport or coaching you have tried. 

• GTS classes will give you a balanced exercise program and teach you how to exercise in a balanced way, push yourself and get results. 

• Happy Feet will evaluate and teach you how to take care of your feet by wearing the right shoes for you. 

• An Ergonomic review for your home or office desk will help you get the right set up to avoid straining your body 8-12 hours a day. 

Let us help you, help you!

Ann Duffy, P.T., M.A

If you would like to read another story of the importance of a FMS evaluation, balanced exercise programs, balance and stretching click on this link and see how these same principles are being used to reduce Standford’s football team injuries from 18 to one a year. …