Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions do you treat?
Musculoskeletal and Neurological.
Musculoskeletal disorders encompass a broad range of conditions that affect the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. These disorders can result from various causes, including injury, inflammation, degeneration, or systemic conditions.
Neurological conditions encompass a wide range of disorders that affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). Many of these conditions can impact balance and overall mobility.
What types of health insurance do you accept?
Currently accepting Medicare, BCBSNC, Aetna, Humana. Cash pay rate $150/hr.
Do I need a Doctor’s referral?
Yes, if filing insurance. No if cash pay.
Muscle soreness, what is it?
Muscle soreness, often referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), is the discomfort or pain that one may experience in muscles after engaging in unfamiliar or intense physical activity. This soreness typically occurs 24 to 72 hours after exercise and is associated with muscle damage, inflammation, and the repair process. While muscle soreness may be uncomfortable, it's considered a positive and normal response for several reasons:
Adaptation to Stress:
Muscle soreness is an indication that the muscles have been exposed to stress or a new level of physical activity. This stress prompts the body to adapt and become stronger over time.
Muscle Repair and Growth:
The soreness is often a result of microscopic damage to muscle fibers during exercise. As the body repairs these microtears, muscles can become stronger and more resilient, contributing to overall muscle growth and adaptation.
Increased Endurance and Strength:
Engaging in challenging activities that induce soreness can lead to improvements in endurance and strength. Over time, the muscles adapt to the stress and become more efficient.
Metabolic Changes:
Intense exercise can lead to metabolic changes, including an increase in energy expenditure and fat burning. These changes contribute to overall fitness and may be associated with muscle soreness.
Neuromuscular Adaptations:
Soreness can be linked to neuromuscular adaptations, where the nervous system becomes more efficient in recruiting and coordinating muscle fibers during movement.
While muscle soreness is generally considered positive, excessive or prolonged soreness could be a sign of overtraining or inadequate recovery. It's essential to allow for proper rest and recovery between intense workouts and to progress gradually to prevent excessive soreness and minimize the risk of injury. Listening to your body and incorporating a balanced approach to training are key elements in optimizing the benefits of muscle soreness.
Proper attire?
Workout gear or clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement. Closed toed shoes only, no wedges/heels, no open toe shoes (sandals) unless ankle/foot requires treatment. This is for your safety.
How long does it take to get better?
Chronic or post surgical conditions may require more time, however 2-3x/week for 6-8 weeks is usually ample to fully resolve most issues, results will vary between individual diagnoses.
HEP? Why is it essential?
Patient compliance with a Home Exercise Program (HEP) is essential for several reasons:
Consistency of Care:
Physical therapy sessions are typically limited in frequency. A well-executed HEP ensures that therapeutic interventions continue between sessions, promoting consistent care and progress.
Maximizing Treatment Benefits:
Regular engagement with prescribed exercises at home maximizes the benefits of the therapeutic interventions received during PT visits. It contributes to muscle strengthening, flexibility, and overall functional improvement.
Empowerment and Independence:
HEP empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery. By incorporating exercises into their daily routine, patients gain a sense of control and independence over their health, fostering long-term habits for sustained well-being.
Addressing Chronic Conditions:
For individuals managing chronic conditions, HEP becomes a vital component of self-management. Consistent exercise can help alleviate symptoms, improve mobility, and enhance overall quality of life.
Optimizing Time Spent in PT Sessions:
PT sessions are valuable for assessment, education, and refining techniques. By diligently following the HEP at home, patients optimize the time spent during PT visits, allowing therapists to focus on progression and addressing specific concerns.
Long-Term Maintenance:
A well-established HEP is not just about recovery; it lays the foundation for long-term maintenance of health. Patients who integrate prescribed exercises into their lifestyle are more likely to sustain the benefits gained during PT.
Preventing Regression:
Regular engagement with HEP helps prevent regression of improvements achieved during PT sessions. Consistency in performing exercises minimizes the risk of setbacks and ensures a smoother recovery trajectory.
In summary, patient compliance with HEP is a proactive approach to rehabilitation, promoting continuity of care, patient involvement, and sustained well-being beyond the confines of PT sessions. It transforms healthcare from a passive experience to an active partnership between the patient and the healthcare provider.
Why the name BioMechanics?
Physical therapists could also be described as non-invasive mechanics, specializing in maintaining the machinery of the body—the musculoskeletal system. With a focus on optimizing mechanical components, we employ our expertise to enhance the efficient functionality of the body's moving parts, promoting overall well-being without invasive measures.
Biomechanics, in the context of physical therapy, refers to the study of the mechanical aspects of living organisms and how they move. It involves analyzing the forces, motions, and interactions within the body to understand and improve human movement patterns, function, and performance. In physical therapy, biomechanics plays a crucial role in assessing, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal conditions and movement disorders.
Key aspects of biomechanics in physical therapy include:
Movement Analysis:
Evaluating how individuals move and perform functional activities to identify abnormal patterns, limitations, or dysfunctions.
Joint Mechanics:
Understanding the mechanics of joints, including range of motion, stability, and alignment, to assess and address issues related to joint function.
Muscle Function:
Analyzing the actions and interactions of muscles during movement, identifying weaknesses, imbalances, or compensatory patterns that may contribute to musculoskeletal problems.
Gait Analysis:
Studying the biomechanics of walking and running to assess the way individuals distribute their weight, move their limbs, and use their muscles during ambulation.
Posture Assessment:
Examining the alignment and positioning of the body in various static and dynamic positions, with the goal of identifying postural abnormalities contributing to pain or dysfunction.
Functional Movement Screening:
Utilizing biomechanical principles to conduct assessments of functional movements and identify areas of weakness or limitation that may impact daily activities.
Exercise Prescription:
Applying biomechanical knowledge to design tailored exercise programs that address specific movement impairments, enhance strength, and promote optimal biomechanical function.
By incorporating biomechanics into physical therapy practice, therapists can gain valuable insights into the underlying causes of movement disorders and musculoskeletal conditions. This knowledge informs the development of targeted interventions to improve biomechanical efficiency, reduce pain, and enhance overall functional outcomes for patients.
Is physical therapy the same as a spa treatment?
No. While some therapeutic massage may be beneficial via manual therapy, our muscles are contractile units and require consistent movement to ensure optimal performance. Most pain and dysfunction is due to lack of muscle activation, which leads to muscle atrophy. Integrating physical therapy that includes stretching, strengthening, and functional movements is crucial for maintaining muscle health, flexibility, and strength. Movement not only supports blood circulation and nutrient delivery to muscles but also engages the neuromuscular system, promoting coordination and motor control for improved mobility.
Does my physical therapist give advice on nutrition or supplements?
No. While physical therapists can give general advice regarding importance of hydration and eating a balanced diet, our scope of practice as physical therapists doesn't extend to providing detailed nutritional plans or specific advice on dietary supplement, rather it focuses on the domain of musculoskeletal and movement-related issues.
Nutritional advice is a specialized area that requires expertise in dietetics or nutrition sciences. Registered dietitians and nutritionists are trained to assess nutritional needs, create dietary plans, and provide guidance on nutritional supplements. These professionals undergo specific education and training to address various health conditions and individual dietary requirements. Please consult with your MD, NP, or PA for guidance regarding nutrition or supplements.