Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Integrative Physical therapy
and is it the same as other PT clinics?
2. How can IPT help my chronic pain?
3. What is IPT’s philosophy with
Athletics and Sport Injuries?
4. It seems copays for physical therapy
are changing and can be expensive, is
there any thing IPT can do?
5. If my doctor refers me to another PT
clinic can I still come to you?
6. How does manual therapy actually work
in the healing process?
7. How many times a week do I need to
come to Integrative Physical Therapy and
do I need a referral from my physician?
8. Can IPT do any thing for sleep
disturbances and/or fibromyalgia?
9. Can IPT’s body work, individualized
exercise protocols and holistic approach
improve my energy level?
10.
Do you do massage?
11. What is an individualized Exercise
protocol and can I replicate it at home?
12. How can Integrative Physical Therapy
support my commitment to working out at
a gym / fitness club?
1. What is Integrative Physical therapy
and is it the same as other PT clinics?
Integrative PT is a traditional
outpatient physical therapy clinic
with all the modalities, equipment and
resources known to the physical
therapy profession. However, IPT
includes a holistic approach as well
as an emphasis on skilled manual
therapy.
The entire biomechanical picture is
taken into account and an appreciation
of the physical body as a whole system
with all of its “parts”
inter-connected and inter-related. The
pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, foot
complex. All of this in relation to
the ribcage, lumbar – thoracic –
cervical spine. How the shoulder blade
sits on the thoracic spine and its
relation to the shoulder. Every part
is examined and every part of the
whole addressed.
IPT looks at the big picture and gets
to the source of the problem while
alleviating symptoms. In this way IPT
is interested in the prevention and
cure. In today’s health care climate
not everyone takes the time or
supportive training to provide such a
skilled approach. At IPT you will NOT
be left alone in a gym or left on a
hot pack, you WILL however have
unprecedented one on one HANDS-ON care
and a very individualized rehab
program. And all this is covered by
your health insurance. Top of
page.
2. How can IPT help my chronic pain?
IPT has
extensive experience in the treatment of
chronic pain. This includes fibromyalgia,
arthritis, degenerative disease and the
like. We do this by a multi dimensional
approach that includes discussion and
education on life-style, diet, exercise,
stress modifications, proper breathing,
sleep aides, posture, body-mechanics,
ergonomics, stretches, positional
relief, home support devices,
supplements and more.
In addition to the time we take to
attentively listen and to educate our
patients, we also spend extensive time
providing the soft tissue relief through
massage, deep tissue work (as
tolerated), Myofascial work, Muscle
energy techniques, acupressure, cranio-sacral
and other healing touch techniques. Once
tissue and joint congestion have been
eliminated then the patient’s ability to
move, strengthen and tolerate the right
exercises is possible.
Through a combined comprehensive
approach patients of IPT find a new life
possible and finally a relief to their
pain! Top of
page.
3. What is IPT’s philosophy with
Athletics and Sport Injuries?
IPT
hails the athlete and is dedicated to
optimizing performance! IPT provides
its athletes with a thorough
biomechanical evaluation that is both
static and dynamic. That means we look
at the sport requirements of the
muscles, joints and their dynamic
interplay in the movement sequence
relating to each aspect of the sport.
Each therapist working at IPT has
spent time personally in athletics and
has continuing education in the
treatment of sport related injuries.
Our
treatments are fun, dynamic and
effective. IPT will get the athlete
back into action!
Top of page.
4. It seems copays for physical therapy
are changing and can be expensive, is
there any thing IPT can do?
Unfortunately, IPT is bound legally to
require what ever copay is indicated on
your insurance card. However, because we
appreciate the burden of increasing
health care expenses, we offer extreme
use value. That is we make it worth
every penny! Unlike the 15 minute
session overlaps at other clinics, we
offer uninterrupted 45 minute hands- on
treatments and often a session will last
up to an hour.
Remember, IPT was created because
Kimberly (therapist and owner) was
disappointed with the quality of some
physical therapy being offered and the
“production line PT”. IPT was created to
provide a unique service that would make
a difference in health care and in
people’s lives.
Top of page.
5. If my doctor refers me to another PT
clinic can I still come to you?
Yes! You are
a consumer and full participant in the
decisions pertaining to your health care
and well being. You always have the
right to choose where you go to physical
therapy even if you have another clinics
script or letterhead. Just call or tell
your doctor you would like to go to
Integrative Physical Therapy. They can
even fax us a new script at any time to
(518) 373-7967 Top of
page.
6. How does manual therapy actually work
in the healing process?
Manual
therapy is a term that represents many
different hands-on therapy techniques.
These techniques include but are not
limited to: deep tissue release,
massage, myofascial release, muscle
energy techniques, strain-counterstrain
techniques, positional release, Joint
mobilization techniques, stretching,
trigger point release, acupressure and
more.
How each of these techniques work varies
and is specific to the targeted tissue
and if we are increasing mobility,
changing length or position, releasing
spasms, elongating tissues, balancing
joint and muscular forces or altering
neuro-muscular feedback.
General to most manual therapy is the
benefit of increased tissue oxygenation,
enhanced circulation, reduced spasm,
metabolite (waste products) reduction,
enhanced energy flow, detoxification,
endocrine influence – releasing the
body’s natural anti-depressants and pain
suppression/reduction.
IPT’s manual therapy is also intended
and effective in supporting relaxation
and balance/enhancement to the autonomic
nervous system.
There is even more to it than that, but
we will spare you the technical details
(for now). Top of
page.
7. How many times a week do I need to
come to Integrative Physical Therapy and
do I need a referral from my physician?
The
frequency of treatment varies per
diagnosis, however, a general script
and recommendation is 2-3x a week.
With our extensive time allotment per
treatment often we can accomplish a
lot in 2 treatments a week.
Now
in NY state it is no longer required
by law that a patient be referred to
PT by a physician. However in order
for insurance reimbursement most
health insurances require a Doctor’s
script in order to cover physical
therapy treatment. Top of page.
8. Can IPT do any thing for sleep
disturbances and/or fibromyalgia?
Yes! IPT
offers many suggestions effective in the
resolution of insomnia and sleep
problems. Our manual therapy program and
effective pain relief in combination
with lifestyle suggestions often improve
sleep drastically. When sleep is deeper
and longer, studies show a change in
pain thresholds and tissue metabolism.
This also helps those who suffer from
fibromyalgia and chronic pain. For more
details on IPT and fibromyalgia see
question #2 and check out our
Fibromyalgia newsletter.
Remember that IPT understands it is
often difficult and painful to exercise
when one is experiencing a flare up with
fibromyalgia. Therefore, we focus on
pain reduction and appropriate mobility
that supports the gradual evolution to
pain free movement and conditioning. Top
of page.
9. Can IPT’s body work, individualized
exercise protocols and holistic approach
improve my energy level?
Yes. Many
clients have reported an increase in
their energy level and even clarity and
focus. It is amazing what decreased
pain, toxicity, and improved
circulation, mobility and strength can
do! IPT also has complimentary support
approaches that provide improved Well
being that includes enhanced energy
level and decreased fatigue. Top of page.
10. Do
you do massage?
Yes!
Massage, in its different forms, is a
fundamental aspect of our treatment
approach when it is necessary in the
management of pain and injury. Our
hands –on emphasis is specific to the
needs of each individual, their
diagnosis and overall picture. IPT was
created to honor the healing power of
skilled touch.
Top of page.
11. What is an individualized Exercise
protocol and can I replicate it at home?
IPT provides
specific individualized home exercise
programs that require only what you
have in your home and occasionally
resistance bands. These specifically
designed programs are developed after
an extensive postural, mobility,
strength and functional bio-mechanical
evaluation. Exercise programs are
gradually progressed as indicated by
the healing tissues and joints. They
supply pain relief, rehabilitation and
overall conditioning. These unique
home exercise programs include but are
not limited to: Yoga stretches,
Pilates, Core
stabilization/strengthening, McKenzie
extension protocols, Egoscue technique
implementation, William flexion
exercises, weight Strengthening,
Theraball & theraband exercise
programs and comprehensive flexibility
programs. These individualized
programs come by way of many years of
expertise in the field and they work!
Top of page.
12. How can Integrative Physical Therapy
support my commitment to working out at
a gym / fitness club?
IPT praises
your efforts and dedication to
fitness. We believe cardio vascular
training and strength training are
indispensable for good health. We
highly support your fitness club
memberships. IPT compliments your
training by offering thorough
evaluations followed up by specific
equipment recommendations and program
suggestions.
If you have
or had an injury, IPT will show you
how to safely use equipment and
properly train without further or
other injury. It is our experience
(from belonging to gyms ourselves)
that many people are lifting weights,
using equipment and training with poor
mechanics loading weight bearing
joints improperly and causing muscular
imbalances that lead to injury.
Let IPT help
you train at a gym or fitness club
safely, wisely and with enhanced
success! Top of
page.
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