 As Physical Therapist Assistants, we carry out the Physical Therapists plan of care that is designed specifically for each patient. The goal is to equip each patient with a treatment plan catered directly towards returning the patient to their prior level of function before their injury. As clinicians, the patients program is primarily focused to get the patient to be able to complete their activities of daily living or to be able to return back to their sport. When a patient comes to therapy for instance with a rotator cuff repair surgery, the patient is immobilized with a special brace for a few weeks to promote healing per their MD’s protocol. The goal initially is for the therapist to focus on maintaining passive range motion within that patients specific protocol. As the patient continues to heal, therapy is then progressed over the weeks transitioning from simple exercises that are range of motion focused to then progressing to more strength focused exercises so that the patient is able to complete functional tasks
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 My role in the clinic is to maintain efficiency within the front office and ensure that each patient feels taken care of and seen as more than just a number. I truly believe that Angie and Michael have hired an incredible staff of people to make sure this happens every single time you visit our office, but we like to take care of all the other details on the front end.
We know that your time is valuable so the front office staff works hard to check your insurance benefits, find good appointment times for you and work out any other details before you even arrive to your visit. We desire to make your life easier when you walk through our doors and we want the only thing for you to worry about while you’re here is feeling better. As a team, we work hard to be kind and professional, as well as stay up to date with insurance companies and referrals. As soon as we receive your referral from your doctor, we work hard to schedule an appointment for you as soon as we receive it. We care a lot about our patients' healing process, but we also care about you holistically. We love to know what is going on in your life and we enjoy praying for you. What makes us an incredible team is that we are all working together toward one goal = your healing journey.  "My role is to verify insurance benefits and eligibility for all of our patients. I want to be an advocate for our patients and to help them understand what their insurance will cover and if they will owe for a portion of their physical therapy sessions. I research each patient’s copays, deductibles and co-insurance in order to be able to explain their benefits to them. My hope is to help our patients understand their coverages and to minimize any surprises later on. When an insurance company denies or rejects a claim, I will review it and talk with insurance companies on our patient’s behalf to find a resolution." -Laurie Phillips
 "First, the front office staff will set you up an initial evaluation with a Physical Therapist. The therapist will review the patient's history and goals, allowing them to create a treatment plan. They will measure range of motion and check the strength of the patient's shoulder in order to target areas of weakness. Usually, treatment plans involve the arm bike, pulleys, shoulder shrugs, scap squeezes, and bicep curls. As you get stronger, your therapist will program more advanced exercises to improve shoulder flexibility, strength, and decreased pain. Lastly, your treatment would end with a form of modalities such as a cold pack, moist heat, or interferential current (IFC). We are confident that your commitment to your treatment plan will lead you to a place of strength and mobility." - Latasha Nicholas
 Dry Needling is effective for many medical conditions, it is not for everyone or everything, but when used appropriately it has a very high success rate (typically 75% or >) in regards to improving an individual's signs and symptoms. Dry needling involves the use of sterile, stainless steel non-medicated needles to treat conditions such as headaches, trigger points (painful knots in a dysfunctional muscle), tendinitis, tendinosis (chronic tendonitis/tendon injury), scars tissue build up and nerve injuries. In most patients, there is typically little to no discomfort and bleeding is minimal to none, due to the small size of the needles. There can be soreness for 1 to 2 days after the treatment and possibly a natural systemic "high" secondary to the release of endorphins. Relief can be immediate or occur within 1 to 2 days after treatment. Dry needling treatment should be performed by clinicians who are certified and have a minimum of 50 to 100 hours of hands-on experience. For many conditions, there are no disadvantages but there are some areas that are more delicate which is why clinical experience and training are important. For questions regarding dry needling please call us at 901-7561650 or email questions to the smithclinic@yahoo.com
 As humans, we are made to worship. We long to believe in something bigger than ourselves. Many times, this presents itself in our pursuit of money, fame, success, or any other worldly pleasure. We chase after fleeting happiness, temporary pleasure, or even godly desires that have taken the place of the Giver Himself. The awe factor of each of these quickly diminishes as we realize the emptiness that comes with worshiping the created instead of the Creator. This week, may we stand in awe of the Almighty. He exists to be glorified and our hearts long to be filled with life that only He can give. The nature of God demands our worship and in return, our souls are filled as we experience a glimpse into a restored relationship with our Creator. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we are able to experience true fulfillment due to the righteousness we receive through him.
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me." Phil. 2:14-18
Have you ever stopped to think about the impact your attitude can have on the people around you? We have the ability to choose whether we live a life filled with the joy of the Lord or muddle through, dragging everyone down around us. As Christians, we are called to be a light in the darkness. What better way to stand out in the midst of our culture than to be full of joy, even when the world around us is dark as night. Throughout this week, be aware of your attitude and notice the difference that occurs when you radiate God's glory, power, and hope due to the promise you have in Christ. Patients that have experienced symptoms related to Covid-19 can display varying side effects after recovery. A physical therapist will assess the patient through an evaluation to determine their baseline and limitations following their illness. Following the virus, some limitations you might notice are decreased cardiovascular endurance, excessive fatigue, difficulty with deep breathing, decreased strength, joint pain, and balance. These ailments can translate into difficulty with returning to daily activities. Physical therapists can aid in improving the patient’s limitations and educate the patient to assist with return to their prior level of activity.
We have also seen patients that were not diagnosed with Covid-19 but are de-conditioned following inactivity over the past year. These patients will also benefit from physical therapy to improve restrictions and return to activity. -Chris Markham, PTPatients that have experienced symptoms related to Covid-19 can display varying side effects after recovery. A physical therapist will assess the patient through an evaluation to determine their baseline and limitations following their illness. Following the virus, some limitations you might notice are decreased cardiovascular endurance, excessive fatigue, difficulty with deep breathing, decreased strength, joint pain, and balance. These ailments can translate into difficulty with returning to daily activities. Physical therapists can aid in improving the patient’s limitations and educate the patient to assist with return to their prior level of activity. We have also seen patients that were not diagnosed with Covid-19 but are de-conditioned following inactivity over the past year. These patients will also benefit from physical therapy to improve restrictions and return to activity. -Chris Markham, PT To understand the difference between PT and OT, we first have to define the scope of each of their practices. PT is defined by the APTA as movement experts who optimizes quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. OT is defined as a therapy to maximize participation and engagement with meaningful, everyday life activities. For example, a patient with hip issues would see a PT to increase strength and decrease pain. go upstairs in their home or get into a car with less difficulty. A patient with hip issues would see an OT to better perform daily tasks such as improving the ability to get dressed, go upstairs in their home, or get into a car with less difficulty.
-Josh Ross, PTA “I'm not what I do. I'm not what I have. I'm not what other people say about me. I am the beloved of God. It's who I am and no one can take it from me. I don't have to worry. I don't have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His love with the world.” I came across this quote and it struck something in my heart to begin unpacking the deep implications its truths have on my life. We all have a fear of being rejected, left out, seen as weird, or uncool. Our society has put so much focus on conforming to a certain image, forcing us to find our identity in being successful, popular, and politically correct. Even as strong Christians, these cultural messages seep into our thinking and rob us of the freedom we have in Christ. It enslaves us, bonds us to constantly searching for fulfillment in anything other than Christ. Satan uses these distractions not to make us hate God, but to distract us from living a life dedicated to His glory. He sidelines us, making our testimony obsolete and meaningless. My fear of rejection from the world often silenced me from boldly living into Christ and who He created me to be. I knew the truth of the Gospel in my head and heart, but I was still attached to the world’s perception of Christ-followers. I wanted to love Jesus, but not too much. I wanted to follow Christ, but not too much. I wanted to live differently, but not too much...not too much that I couldn't fall back into what the world saw as acceptable. I was enslaved to the middle ground, constantly bouncing between the truths I believed and the world I wanted to fit into. Simply put, I was attempting to serving two masters. Slowly, the Lord started to show me where I was clinging to the world and how it was preventing me from fully walking into the freedom Christ offers me. He allowed situations in my life to help reveal where I put my identity and trust. As I came face to face with the decision to walk out what I claimed to believe or abandon it and follow the world, the full gravity of Christ’s faithfulness to bring me through the fiery trials of life left me with a clear vision of where my identity was founded. The Lord often strips away our faulty views of the Gospel by allowing suffering to lead us to our limitations. He brings us to the ends of ourselves, into our deepest fears and sorrows to grow new faith and dependence on Him. In 1 Peter, He calls us to suffer well, explaining that suffering produces a genuine dependence on Christ. If we cling to the promises of The Lord while our lives are broken through trials, He reveals Himself to be the ultimate source of Life, our only Hope, Redeemer, Healer, Sustainer, and Faithful Father. This produces the relationship needed to boldly stand up to the world and proclaim the Truth of who God is, what He has done, and who we are in Him. Our identity and allegiance are made known to us, propelling us forward into the world with unmatched confidence in Christ. We are no longer held down by the fear that once kept us from sharing the work of Christ with those around us. God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness enable us to get back into the game of life, fully committed to running after Jesus and living a life that gives all glory to Christ. We are freed from the desire to live up to the expectations of the world and become the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching a lost world desperate for hope and searching for confidence. Ephesians 3:12 "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." |
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