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Physical Therapy, Health, Society

January 19, 2021 – The profession of physical therapy does not exist on its own. Just like the medical, dental, and pharmaceutical industries, physical therapy has an association that provides a stronger voice and a collective movement working to give physical therapists some much needed support. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) provides many resources to physical therapists and patients about the profession and role of physical therapy.

Recently, the APTA changed one of their messages to state, “We are building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society”. I feel like this is a very strong and important statement, especially about “improving the health of society” and I want to share what Witte Physical Therapy does to support that part of the statement.

Witte Physical Therapy strives to be a vital member of the community. We work hard as a business to support the other businesses and organizations found in our communities. We achieve this by volunteering for boards, utilizing local goods and resources, and financially supporting local nonprofit groups. We also work hard to support our patients. We take the time to go the extra mile to make sure they are getting the care they need and deserve.

How do we work to improve the health of society? At Witte Physical Therapy we have tried to implement several programs to help improve the health of society.

1. 1. First, we offer free consultations to our communities. These consultations can be used to ask about why they are in pain, what a physical therapy plan for them may look like, to provide a glimpse into how their current fitness level is or is not working in their lives, and other similar reasons. These consultations can be used to ask about what type of physician and who they should go and see for further evaluation, to discuss general health and wellness questions, and other things of that nature.
   2. Second, we have put more money and resources into out sister company, Witte 24/7 Wellness. Its purpose is to allow people to “Get In. Get Fit. Get On With Life.” We have this facility to offer our patients a chance to continue with their exercise program to maintain their gains made with our physical therapy programs and to further their health and wellness. We have this facility for our local communities to have access to a variety of equipment and resources that can help them work on and maintain their fitness goals any day and at any time. In this facility we have the ability to come across the hall and as therapists work with people. In this facility we have a personal trainer who will meet with you and assess your goals and help develop a plan for you to reach these goals.
   3. Lastly, we work hard to provide education within our physical therapy clinics and outside of it. We have and continue to work with local schools and organizations to provide educational opportunities. These opportunities include internships and shadowing opportunities for students. The internships allow for physical therapy students to get experience and work towards completing their didactic and clinical work to become a full time independent physical therapist. The shadowing opportunities are for junior high and high school students to come and learn about the day in a life of a physical therapist. We go outside of our clinic walls and provide education to schools and local organizations about what physical therapy is, how to become a physical therapist, what physical therapy can do for a variety of age groups, genders, and other demographics.

I want Witte Physical Therapy to be more than just another physical therapy company. I want Witte Physical Therapy to work closely with patients before, during, and after they come to one of our clinics. I want Witte Physical Therapy to provide educational activities and opportunities. I want Witte Physical Therapy to be a key member of the healthcare team that helps to be an advocate for the benefit of our patients.

If you want to be a patient of a physical therapy company that wants to go above and beyond for you please call Witte Physical Therapy at 402-234-3333 in Louisville, 402-298-4747 in Plattsmouth.

In Person PT, Virtual PT, or Both?

January 12, 2021 – A big change in the world of physical therapy has occurred since the COVID19 pandemic started. Virtual or Telehealth physical therapy has become more common and more readily available. There have been many questions and kinks that have been worked on and worked out nationally over the past 10 months and now is a great time to look at the option of Virtual Physical Therapy.

A recent blog by the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association states:

“Virtual physical therapy has quickly moved from a niche offering to the mainstream. Having more options is great, but it can also complicate decision making. Having an understanding of the benefits of both can help make clear which one would best help you meet your goals.

IN PERSON PHYSICAL THERAPY

The main advantage of traditional “brick and mortar” PT is that the therapist is in the room with you. That means they can move around to see how you’re moving from different angles, physically adjust your position or movement as you exercise, and physically examine you – testing your strength, measuring your range of motion, etc. They can also use things like manual therapy, electrical stimulation or ultrasound when you’re in the clinic. In person PT may work best for:

• New patients – the ability to physically examine you makes it easier for your PT to accurately diagnose what’s going on
• Less active patients – if you’re not used to exercising and moving, having someone physically present to coach you along can be a big benefit
• People with complicated or chronic conditions – if your back has been hurting for the last 5 years and you’ve been ignoring it, providing a diagnosis and treating it totally virtually will be difficult for your PT
• Less motivated patients – virtual PT requires you to do most of your exercises by yourself. If you need someone watching over you to make sure you do them, in person PT might work better for you

VIRTUAL PT

The main benefit of virtual PT is convenience. Because virtual PT relies on you doing most of your exercise and treatment on your own, appointments can be shorter. This also means that motivation is a prerequisite to choosing virtual PT. The fact that you don’t have to travel to the clinic makes it easier to squeeze a visit into a busy schedule. Virtual PT works well for:

• Athletes and others with good body awareness – being on your own for your home exercise program requires you to be in tune with your body and how it’s moving
• People with common athletic injuries – things like tendonitis, sprains, strains, plantar fasciitis, and overuse injuries are commonly treated by PTs. Because of that, there is a template for treatment that is easily adapted to individual needs.
• People who are comfortable with technology – you don’t have to be a technology whiz, but having some familiarity with skype, facetime, or zoom helps!
• Existing and returning patients – if your physical therapist knows you, it’s easier to treat you virtually.

Both options have benefits and limitations. One or the other might be right for you and your needs, but they’re not mutually exclusive. Combining the two can work well for many people. Doing an in person visit for your initial evaluation and perhaps a follow up visit or two will let your therapist provide an accurate diagnosis and get you started on your exercise program. Once you’re comfortable with your exercise program, you can transition to virtual visits.”

At Witte Physical Therapy we offer both in person and virtual physical therapy at all three of our locations. Please call us in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747 to schedule your initial evaluation or free consultation to learn more.

We’ve Made It to 2021!

January 7, 2021 – Now that we spent last week reflecting on what happened in 2020, we can begin to look forward to this year and 2021! Early reports of the vaccine seem promising and they are starting to let people back into events. We have had time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t work in 2020 and this can be the foundation to starting to figure out what our goals for 2021 should be.

We use goals in therapy all the time. Once we set up your plan of care at your initial evaluation we set up goals. Often we have short and long term goals for our patients. Our short term goals focus more on the numbers. Improving range of motion, improving functional outcome questionnaire scores, improving home exercise program tolerance, etc. Our long term goals focus more on your functions. We want to improve your ability to get back to work, get back on the court, get back to your hobbies, etc. From these goals we look at what are goals are for each treatment session. These can be as simple as improving the reps a patient can tolerate. They can be more complex and focusing on breaking down techniques into smaller steps to ensure that we are being as thorough as we can.

We as individuals should also take the time in January to think about and write down our own personal goals for 2021. These could be about how we want to treat others, how we want to associate with our family, how we want to progress in our career, how we want to improve our financial stability, and how we want to address our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. And that is probably just the tip of the iceberg! These goals will be much easier to follow and meet if we take the time to write them down and re-visit them monthly. Mark it down on your calendar and make sure to take the time to address these goals each month in 2021. Then in December 2021 we can look to reflect on the year and our goals and set ourselves up for an even better 2022!

The End of 2020 is Near!

December 29, 2020 – I was fortunate enough to receive my physical therapy doctorate education from Creighton University. Creighton University was founded by Jesuits and they use their values in a lot of their teachings. One of the values that they instill is the importance of reflection. This can be done at a micro and a macro level, but I believe both are very important after a long and stressful 2020.

It is important that this week we reflect on what we went through in 2020. We reflect about our personal journey, our financial journey, our spiritual journey, the effect it had on our careers, or a number of other topics. This reflection time is very important to start to close the chapter on 2020 and to start 2021 on a good note.

As I reflect on 2020 from the perspective of Witte Physical Therapy a few things come to mind. First, we have the best patients. They continued to work hard in physical therapy and many of them navigated through the obstacles of the pandemic to achieve their goals and get back to their prior level of function. Next, we have a first class staff. In many ways our staff became closer this year. They worked hard and adapted to changes in the schedule and the policies we must follow to be able to treat patients. This was all done with minimal disruptions to the clinics where our focused remained on our patients. Lastly, while we were forced to learn on the fly (when it comes to insurance) more this year than ever and when we don’t know what to expect moving forward in 2021, I know that we can continue to provide excellent care to the patients and communities that we serve. This only sets us up better to be prepared to care for our communities as we work back to “normal” later in 2021.

I am grateful for those that trust me as their employer and those patients that trust us to get them better. I know that we can and will continue to provide the best care possible making us the top choice for physical therapy in Cass and Dodge counties!

Give us a call to come and check us out in Louisville at 402-234-3333, in Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747!

Twas The Night Before…

December 22, 2020 –

Twas the night before therapy and all through the gym not a creature was stirring not a her or a him

The theraband was hung on the rack with care, waiting for the patients that soon would be there

The therapists were tucked all snug in their beds with visions of new interventions dancing in their heads

And her in her kerchief and him in his cap had just settled down for a long winter’s nap

When on the bedside table the alarm caused such a clatter the therapist rose from their bed to see what was the matter

Away to the closet they flew like a flash, turned on the light, to get dressed in a dash

Next to the bathroom to clean our teeth and brush our hair, then onto the clinic as fast as we dare…..

The truth is I would love to complete this “poem” but as you can tell it is not my strong suit. The important thing to remember is that this week is Christmas and after a long year it can be difficult to remember the reason for the season! We must take the time to be thankful for what we have and figure out what we can give to others. This could be our time, our talents, or something of monetary value. At Witte Physical Therapy we hope we have given you our best over the past year. We hope you have felt the caring and compassion of our staff. We hope that your goals have been met and you have felt like a person and not just another patient.

We also continue to try to find ways to give. We have worked hard to continue our financial support to several local school districts and community groups. We have tried to continue to provide assistance to these organizations in a year where most of us have been hit financially. Currently we are still accepting food donations to the local food banks of the communities we serve. These will continue to be collected through the end of December and then delivered in early January. You can drop off your food donations to any of our clinics in Louisville and Plattsmouth!

From our staff to your family we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

This Day In History…

December 15, 2020 – Have you often wondered what makes today any more special than yesterday or tomorrow? I often think about what important historical events have happened on certain days. Today, December 15, is a date that caught my eye. First it is my brother’s 34th birthday. As I was thinking about what else could have happened on this day I stumbled on a few things. Did you know that December 15th is when the Bill of Rights officially became a ratified document? Did you know that December 15 was the day that Dr. James Naismith introduced the first version of basketball? These are two events that really caught my eye (and I suppose the fact that it was my brother’s birthday!).

Let’s get back to the first question, what makes today any more special than yesterday or tomorrow? I would argue that today is more special than tomorrow because tomorrow isn’t promised. But why would today be any more special than yesterday? You could say that your survived yesterday and were granted today. Or you could look it as each day is special in its own right and thus no one day is any more special than another. But what if we thought of it in the following terms. We had a chance yesterday to do something and it did not get done so we were given today to cross it off the list. In terms of our health this can be related to your wellness and physical therapy. 

If you have any aches and pains, if you have trouble doing things today that you could do easier yesterday (or further in the past), if you feel like you are weaker or your balance isn’t as good, then you could start to look at ways to improve these items. A very simple first step is to call Witte Physical Therapy and schedule your free consultation. You can call us at 402-234-3333 (Louisville), 402-298-4747 (Plattsmouth) to schedule your free consultation. At this appointment you will get time with a physical therapist to discuss what is going on and ask questions. Your therapist will provide you with answers as to why you may be experiencing these symptoms and what your next step should be. This next step could include seeing your primary physician or a specialist for further investigation. It could be providing your insurance information to see if you can access physical therapy without a physician referral. Or it could be that you just need some simple advice and basic exercises to feel better. All of these options are provided at no charge. This appointment is a way to get to know us and for us to get to know you so that we can provide you the best education possible to save you money and avoid unnecessary appointments in the future (tomorrow and beyond).

If you want to start your wellness journey then our sister company, Witte 24/7 Wellness, can help you with that first step. Again if you did not call us yesterday than take some time today to give us a call at 402-234-3333 to schedule your free appointment and tour of our fitness facility. We offer a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week fitness facility that meets your needs. There are aerobic machines, cable weight systems, a variety of free weights, plyometrics, and space to complete your floor workout or body weight routine. There are services that allow the therapists and a personal trainer to provide assistance and training for you and your questions. We are running a special promotion for December 2020. If you join now you get your initiation fee or one month’s fee waived!

COVID19 and Physical Therapy

December 8, 2020 – As we continue our blog series in December we are taking a look back at 2020. Unfortunately the top story is COVID19. It has been a devastating disease for many people and it has affected the majority of the population in some way. Whether it has been quarantining, being sick, or losing a loved one, this year has been a trying time. Every day, week, and month we are learning more about the disease. In this article I want to share where we are at today with quarantining rules and how physical therapy is dealing with COVID.

The CDC released its new quarantining guidelines early in December. These changes the quarantining rules for those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID19. There are now 3 options. Option 1, to quarantine for 14 days. Option 2 to quarantine for 10 days. If you have had no symptoms after 10 days then you can leave quarantine but you need to keep your mask on for the majority of the day (even if you are at home) for another 4 days. Option 3 is to quarantine for 7 days and then you can leave quarantine as long as you have had no symptoms and you have had a negative COVID test after day 5. You must continue to keep your mask on for the majority of the day (even if you are at home) for another 7 days. These new guidelines can be welcomed news for those people who do not have symptoms and who cannot quarantine for 14 days. Additional information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html.

A lot of people think of physical therapy as helping someone to recover after a surgery or injury. They think of helping people overcome pain or deal with a change in their life making it hard for them to complete certain tasks as they once would. One of the more common things we treat in physical therapy is deconditioning after a hospitalization or extended period of inactivity. This can occur after a surgery, infection, or anything else that causes a long hospital stay or deconditioning period. COVID19 brings another aspect along with this particular issue. COVID19 has been known to affect heart and lungs which brings along cardiovascular concerns. These are areas that physical therapists already treat after heart attacks, stent placements, long term pulmonary conditions, and other issues. We can work to help you get your legs back under you, improve your heart strength (it is a muscle!) and rate, and get your lungs back. If you are having issues with this problem due to COVID19 or another issue contact us in Louisville at 402-234-3333 or Plattsmouth at 402-298-4747 to schedule a free consultation!

More information can be found at: https://www.choosept.com/radio/detail/physical-therapy-s-role-in-fight-against-covid-19

Why did Melissa chose Physical Therapy?

November 17, 2020 – We all have reasons for why we do what we do for a living. These can include past experiences, a call to action, or just having something fall into place. For Melissa her reason for choosing to become a physical therapy assistant roots back to her past experiences.

What does Deductible, Co-Insurance, Out of Pocket, and Visit Limit mean?

November 3, 2020 – Sometimes it is hard to believe that it is November already. Other times 2020 has been so trying for so many people for so many reasons that it has felt like the longest year that they can remember. Regardless of how 2020 has felt to us it does not change the fact that for many of us our deductibles and insurance plans are getting ready to end on December 31 and then start back over on January 1. One of the most confusing parts of our healthcare system is how insurance plans work. There are different plans for each person from different insurance companies that cover healthcare costs at different rates. Even as a provider it can be tough to keep up with all the information. Let us cover some basics today.

First you must meet your DEDUCTIBLE. This is the amount that your insurance company sets forth in your insurance contract that must be paid before they will start to help to cover any healthcare costs. This amount tends to be from $500 to $5000 per year and even that amount can be different. How fast you can meet your deductible depends on how much you use your insurance coverage and how they will pay for your healthcare usage. Some plans pay by the day and some by the procedure. Often these amounts are set by the insurance company and not the healthcare provider, but you can always call and shop around for the best situation for your plan.

Once you have met your deductible then you start to look at your CO-INSURANCE. Your co-insurance is the first sign that your insurance company will start to pay for some of your medical expenses. You have met their contracted deductible amount and now they will start to help pay for some of your medical bills. Typically, your co-insurance will be 80%/20%. This means that they will pay 80% of the bill for your services and you will pay 20%. Both payments are directed at the provider that performed and billed for those services. Co-insurances can range from 90%/10% to 50%/50%.

Now that you are using your co-insurance you need to start to understand what your MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET is. This tends to be double your deductible amount. No matter what the number is it is again set up by your insurance company. Once your have paid the amount equal to your maximum out of pocket then your insurance company will cover your healthcare costs at 100%. This means you will not owe any more for the rest of the year. Of course, this is only true if you still follow their rules. They will not pay for anything they normally do not cover.

When it comes to physical therapy, we also need to be aware of what your visit limit is for the year. If you use all your visits, then your insurance company will not pay for any extra costs no matter what your deductible or out of pocket met amount is. Physical therapy visits can be as little as 20 visits per year or as large as unlimited. Again, these limits are set by your insurance company.

At Witte Physical Therapy we want to make sure that you are aware of what your benefits are and what your costs may be. We will provide any education needed to our current, future, or perspective patients to make sure that you understand how your insurance works and how physical therapy will be processed by your insurance company. Please contact us at 402-234-3333 in Louisville or 402-298-4747 in Plattsmouth to get any of your insurance questions answered!