Free Assessments: Shopping Shoulder

Shopping Shoulder season is a time at the Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute that keeps us busy.

See the reporter advertisement on shopping Shoulder:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/ownlocal.adforge.production/ads/722607/original_images.PDF?1383350069

Each year, we offer complimentary shoulder screenings, a simple assessment of your shoulder flexibility, strength, and functional mobility.

Each year we offer suggestions to folks who suffer from pain, or simply just want to make sure their shoulder is well protected.

Although its called shopping shoulder, its not just about the vigor's of picking up bags, reaching and wrapping gifts, pulling 20 lb turkeys out if the oven, and many other "seasonal" shoulder alignments, but its about anyone who this time of year may have some shoulder concerns.

Others who we see this time of year include:

• Baseball players coming off fall ball, now entering into their "active rest" period
• Volleyball players coming off their school season, just as their club seasons start
• Merchandise workers stocking shelves and re-aligning stores for the holidays
• Warehouse workers busy getting out product to the retail outlets

This year at PTW, we are prepared for whatever limits your shoulder offers you, and we are prepared to help you understand how to get it ready for the busy time of year ahead.

5 clinics, 13 providers, open early (6 am), staying late (8 pm),  in order to help all needing "Bodies Under Repair" TM

Simply Keeping It Simple

 

Keeping it simple over here

 

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”  From headlines of the Apple’s marketing brochure in 1977.

“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” Jobs was quoted as saying.  

One of the most successful home programs consumers subscribe to is the 7-minute exercise program....throw around your body weight a bit,  12 exercises, simple to learn, simple to perform, and simple to reproduce day in and day out, performed at a high intensity level.  Simply put, they are easy to do, and although intense, aim for your achievement of higher levels of fitness. 

Opposite to this, take one look at the near 2000 pdf pages of healthcare reform offers a glimpse of governments complex presentation to change.  We all wonder if Steve Jobs would have rolled out a bill and opened to the public in the complicated form presented to the public today.  Government and healthcare  is indirectly proportional to simple.

Over a career, you learn everyday how customers respond well to simplicity. Simplicity in your presentation motivates others to act, to comply, and launches your customers towards a successful outcome.  A three exercise home program is more likely to achieve compliance than a sophisticated 12 exercise issued program.  Simplicity, for the simple sake of this article, starts with your presentation of the plan of care and ends with a home routine and advice.  Simplicity improves efficiency in the clinic, builds confidence with your customers, and improves compliance.   Do you know what R.I.C.E stands for?  Probably a Physical Therapist reviewed this simple acronym for you at some time. 

Simply put, its simple that inspires – not the complex facts or data. And when people are inspired, new possibilities emerge. 

URGENT!

Second thoughts of the Eagles new offense is a business lesson to me.

53 plays in the first half, average teams do 30

18 seconds in between plays, most teams need 30


The organization has a sense of urgency that separates them from the competition.

Companies that fight first for their customer, will have a sense of urgency unlike most others.

First to answer the phone, first to clean debris on the floor, first to get to a waiting customer are simple signs that your organization and people practice with urgency.

Chip Kelly: why PT needs Chip

The Eagles started off the Chip Kelly era last night in a style of football never seen before in the NFL. 

Throwing away old traditional theories like:

1.  We need 40 seconds in between plays to get it right
2.  Players need to huddle every play to get a new plan
3.  Formations need 2 guards, 2 tackles, and a tight end for success

Chip demonstrated last night that with creative thinking, research, and outcome based behaviors, success can be achieved.

Thinking the Healthcare industry could use Chip's way of thinking!

You need surgery?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A patient ask me last week if "How can Physical Therapy can help if I have arthritis in my knee".  Timely information comes from some research this week on just that situation.

 

http://www.moveforwardpt.com/DidYouKnow/Detail.aspx?cid=687aa921-ed48-46dd-9b2f-17febb9423ed

 

Consider PTW for your Physical Therapy needs.

 

Over 21,000 new patients since 2002, 5 locations, 15 providers, one goal:

 

Helping you achieve higher levels of function and performance.

Bodies under repair!

Catch and release

Yesterday, dropped my first one off at college.

He offered the obligatory 2 second man hug.

He walked out the heavy glass dormitory doors.

I watched him leave, as he looked right, looked left, looked down at his phone, then proceeded to walk down the cement stairs onto the large open area already filled with incoming freshman.

Truism in the small fish in a big pond, life's catch and release.

Best of Luck Justin, I'll always be looking for the meaning.

Dad

Charlie Manual needs Physical Therapy....Three reasons for him to go!

Just read the story of Charlie.  After all these years, we may have taken for granted the sacrifices this man put forth to manage baseball.

I read that he was already in the park when most the executives were coming in at 9 or 10 in the morning, I read that he often left hours after the night games (guessing that's about midnight).

Combine that with the long days on long road trips, for up to 9 months a year, eating out on most days, trying to motivate his team to perform at a high level, keeping them healthy, keeping them focused, all takes a physical toll on the man at the top.

Three reasons why Charlie would do well with a dose of Physical Therapy!

1.  Charlie, the past 9 years, have you suffered w/ lack of sleep ??

We are told a man over the age of 65 generally needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.  Research demonstrates a lack of sleep is directly proportional to:

• Body Mass Index increases – creates a greater likelihood of obesity
• Diabetes and heart problems:  He is more at risk with poor sleep habits
• More likelihood for depression and substance abuse is well documented with poor sleepers
• Poor attention abilities and poor memory span is noted in the research

2.  Charlie, over the past 9 years, have you gotten your exercise in? 

Lack of exercise leads to a host of medical problems that could arise. Weigh problems take a hefty toll on the body and mind, and a healthy weight sets the tone for smooth and efficient utilization of bones, muscles, brain, heart, lungs, and the soft tissues to perform.  Significant evidence is available to demonstrate the postive effiects of weight training with older adults, including improved functional performance and less joint pain. 

3.  Charlie, do your joints ache?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Often called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time.  While osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, neck, lower back, knees and hips.  Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But osteoarthritis treatments can slow the progression of the disease, relieve pain and improve joint function.  This include joint conservation exercises.

Charlie, do yourself a favor, ..Go see a Physical Therapist today!

You Deserve it!

Life as a Baby Boomer

I just turned 50!

Got pain in both my feet.

Lost my father a few years back

I have my first kid headed to college next month.

I am in the prime of my life

My life with my wife, my daughter, and my sons is a busy time.

My business keeps me reading, studying, and challenged.

Through all this, my expectations rise of my performance and others. 

I see customer service skills, poor and strong, in every corner of the community.

I see active listening skills and ignorance, I see eye-to-eye talk and pie-in-the sky promises.

I am a baby boomer. 

I will take peanut butter and jelly with a smile over steak and a frown.

I will jump higher for someone who listens or turn my head from those who don't

I will take "the best" service over "the best" provider, since one provider does not make a clinic

I am a baby boomer, and so are my patients (for the most part).

Rise to the demands of those around you, and achieve greatness in your chosen path.

Mighty expectations



"PTW is rated one in my book"

Saw an old friend from 2003 yesterday.

Ends up she was one of our first patients here at PTW Lansdale.

She remembered the music challenges, she remembered the fellow patients she was introduced to during her treatment time, one now a friend of his for life.

She thanked me for helping her so much for her shoulder in 2003, and hopes we get the same result on 2013 for her aching neck!

That's some mighty expectations to live up to!

North Penn's Physical Therapy: Best of is PTW

North Penn Physical Therapy's Best:  Best again is PTW

Best PT since :

Unique group practice
13 Physical Therapist, 5 locations
One on one, hands on care, every visit
No health club sweat, waiting in line for your next exercise
2 on 1 PT to patient ratio:  Schedule at 6 am or 6 pm, constant and progressive plans every visit

And...

Your goals are our goals, from Tennis, to basketball, to simply getting up stairs again.

So, you have "THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN PAIN" by going elsewhere, but....

why would you??

Call today for relief tomorrow.

(215) 855 9871

Smart thinkers are busy

 

 

Simple specialty equipment you offer can make or break a customer's decision to stay with your business or go. 

In our business, helping others achieve higher levels of function and performance with or without joint pain or surgery, we are challenged every initial evaluation, every visit, every conversation, to think how we can get you better.  Add in the  population that dominates todays spenders (Baby Boomers),  you quickly understand that weight cuffs, straight leg raises, and bands that dominate the novice thinking PTs motivate only a few, since this active population wants performance from their body.

Progressive and smart thinking Physical Therapists maximize use of the equipment around them to help you achieve higher levels of performance. The most heads up businesses demonstrate a staff that thinks outside the box.  Industry leading and evidenced based Physical Therapy will be armed with simple (but special and specific) equipment, creative ideas, and near daily progressions to excite and motivate the achy baby boomer or even the most sophisticated athlete.  As a result, expect smart thinking Physical Therapists to be busy, because they will always be in demand.

 

 

 

Every customer, every visit: Great Physical Therapy

Had to share this testimony! 

The difference between a content customer ("its good service at PTW") and an excitable customer ("its great service at PTW") is they help spread the word.

 

Great outcomes, great visits, great team!

Dear Mr. Babb,

I have been attending the Physical Therapy location in West Norriton for about 8 weeks.  Please indulge me for a minute.  I have been in the customer service field in one manner or another since 1984.  I have worked with internal and external customers.  I have created methods to increase customer service levels.

That said; I would like to congratulate you for putting together an awesome team at the West Norriton location.  I understand Jim is a partner and you could not have selected a better person.  My experience (in addition to therapy) has been a great experience.  I would certainly in a heartbeat recommend this location.  The team of Jim, Wendy, Crystal, Andrea and Marissa has been outstanding.  I hope my time there is coming to an end, strictly because I want to get physically better.  I can continue to drop in and see the team on my own.  I just want my physical wellness to be better as does the team. 

I must say, they are all very welcoming, accommodating, energetic, thorough and to me very important humorous but not over the top.  I am the caregiver for my father (85) and know the importance of caring for older people.  I see how everyone works with people of all ages and they are wonderful.  They certainly give older people the confidence and security they need. 

I cannot say enough about the crew at West Norriton.  I understand Wendy will be working at the Lansdale facility when she finishes school.  Jim and Wendy worked with me and not only can they perform their tasks professionally.  They take the time to understand your requirements by asking the right questions.  They engage in excellent conversation to make your visit that much more interesting. 

Please feel free to share my thoughts or contact me!

Cheers,  …Rob S

Free Defibrillators!

4 Years ago we became involved in this very meaningful cause, the Shock Run. The mission;  to raise money for free defibrillators to offer the community.  

Each year about 1.1 million people in the United States have heart attacks, almost half of these people die. Coronary Artery Disease, which often results in heart attacks, is the leading killer of both men and women.

Many people could recover from heart attacks if they could get help faster. Of the people die from heart attacks, about half of them die within an hour of their first symptoms, and before they reach the hospital. When defibrillators are used after symptoms occur, they have been known to save many lives.

All proceeds from the St. Patty's Day Shock Run benefit a local home, company or organization in need of a defibrillator, to support our goal of saving lives

If you need one, or know of someone or an organization that needs one, please let us know!!

And, come dressed in green to get your free beer and eggs the morning of the run.  Over 500 runners are expected this year.



http://www.ptwinstitute.com/stPattys

Sport Conditioning at PTW

PTW sport conditioning is designed with the Athlete in mind.

Simply put, proven protocols are utilized to work the athlete hard in 4 fundamental skills every athlete needs for success;

1.  Speed
2.  Agility
3.  Strength
4.  Power

The picture below is an example of what PTW Sport Conditioning can do for you.  Pictures are taking before starting the 6 week program, and after.  During the first visit, the Physical Therapist noticed the athletes landing with knees in valgus (knock knees), an age old Physical Therapist concern..landing like this leads to increased knee injuries.

With focused training, rapport with the athlete (understanding his strengths, weaknesses, goals and expectations), and a whole lot of education....6 weeks later his is landing without the concerns we had on day one.

Great job PTW West Nor Crew!!!

Philadelphia Business Journal visits PTW West Norriton

This week, John George of the Philadelphia Business Journal visited us in our West Norriton office.  

After instruction and a bit of education provided by Dr. Jim Fagnani, John took to the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill for a run.  

The AlterG uses NASA technology for "unloaded" running or walking, a perfect compliment to our programs that aim to help our customers achieve higher levels of function and performance.

See the link below for more:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151315786819080&notif_t=like

NASA Anti-Gravity in West Norriton starts now

AlterG anti-gravity Treadmill is now a valuable resource for PTW to help patients achieve higher levels of performance.

 

Last week, one patient who has been on crutches for 2 years was able to walk without crutches at 30 % weight bearing, and almost cried! Here, a gentleman without the ability to walk briskly after a 2 hip replacements is working up a sweat for the first time in a long time!

 

Wow...A great tool to get you to higher levels of performance!!

 

Call us today for a complimentary 10 minutes on the AlterG

 

Jim Fagnani, DPT, OCS

(610) 630 0101

 

 

Exceeding Expectations is Expected at PTW

Featured in the Reporter last week.

Robots and Smartpads in Healthcare

The National Institute of Health, in collaboration with others, has awarded federal agencies $4.4 million dollors to develop robots!  The hope is these Healthcare robots can interact and work cooperatively with people in health care environments.

 In the future, you may be greeted by a large, silver, SIRI type talking machine to welcome you to your family doctors practice, as you fill in our medications and medical history on a Smartpad!

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2012/nibib-18.htm

Andy Reid Physical Therapy

If I was Andy Reid, I would take off for for the next two months, not worry about the Chiefs, and take care of myself.

Hey Andy, check out your local Physical Therapist to help you manage stress, your weight, your joint pain, and your cardiovascular health.

Just saying!

Because physical therapists receive specialized education in a variety of sciences – physics, human anatomy, kinesiology (human movement), to name a few – they understand how the body works and keep you health.

We get how to manage  musculoskeletal aches, neuromuscular loss, cardiovascular/pulmonary reconditioning, all to restore and maximize mobility, and in Andy's case, getting him healthy for another 14 year stint.


Good luck big guy!!!