By Dr. John R. Mishock, PT, DPT, DC
As of June 5th, our area moved from red to yellow loosening stay-at-home orders. Now is the time to focus on your health and treat the pain that is limiting your function, leading to poor quality of life. This is the perfect time to start physical therapy. We can help!
Physical therapists are doctorate-level trained health care providers who take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis through the therapeutic and preventive stages of recovery.
Studies have shown that physical therapy is an effective alternative to the potential side effects of NSAIDs and opioids. Chronic use of NSAIDs has been shown to lead to Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease, along with reducing the healing time of bone, muscle, and tendon. (Su B et al. J Appl Physiol. 2013). Opioids have many addictive qualities, with 80% of people who use heroin first misusing prescription opioids. An astounding, 300 million opioid prescriptions are written by physicians yearly, enough to give a bottle to every American adult. (Richette et al. Expert Opin Drug Sat. 2015). Deaths from opioid abuse hit 63,000 Americans in 2018. (Nat Inst Drug abuse,2019) Physical therapy is an alternative to drugs for musculoskeletal pain (low back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee, and foot, etc.) from acute and chronic injury or arthritis.
Physical therapy can help with neurologic and chronic preventable diseases such as; dizziness/vertigo, concussion care, Parkinson’s disease, dementia/Alzheimers, fall and balance disorders, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Studies have shown that physical therapy can be an alternative to and or prevent surgery of the spine, knee, shoulder, and ankle (APTA, 2019). If you do need surgery, pre-surgery physical therapy (pre-hab) can help speed recovery and improved the rehabilitation outcome.
For athletes, physical therapy can help maximize athletic potential and prevent injury. A customized sports physical therapy program that includes; strength, speed, agility, plyometric, and power training can help the individual optimize their full potential.
During this time, the prevention and spread of COVID-19 is our number one priority. We are using and performing the highest level CDC and Government guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our offices such as;
- 1. A screening questionnaire to identify potential COVID-19 cases before entering the clinic.
- 2. Temperature checks at the door.
- 3. Pulse oxygenation test to measure oxygen saturation (an early sign of COVID-19).
- 4. Patients are washing and sanitizing their hands upon entering the clinic.
- 5. The staff is washing and sanitizing their hands before and after every treatment.
- 6. Patients and staff wear masks.
- 7. Meticulous cleaning of equipment is done before and after use (along with doors, chairs, bathroom, etc.)
- 8. Physical distancing is maintained when appropriate.
- 9. Clinical and secretarial staff are being PCR and antibody tested regularly.
- 10. Employees are not coming to work if symptomatic or exposed to the virus.
We can help!
If pain and poor function are disrupting your quality of life call Mishock Physical Therapy to be start physical therapy at one of our 7 convenient locations in; Gilbertsville, Skippack, Phoenixville, Barto, Limerick, Pottstown, and Steiner Medical. If you have questions on whether physical therapy or chiropractic is appropriate for you, call for a Free phone consultation (610) 327-2600. If you have questions about this topic or others, email your questions to mishockpt@comcast.net. Visit our website to learn more about our treatment philosophy, our physical therapy staff, and our treatment programs at www.mishockpt.com.
Dr. Mishock is one of only a few clinicians with doctorate-level degrees in both physical therapy and chiropractic in the state of Pennsylvania. He offers both physical therapy and chiropractic care to his patients. He has also authored two books; “Fundamental Training Principles: Essential Knowledge for Building the Elite Athlete”, “ The Rubber Arm; Using Science to Increase Pitch Control, Improve Velocity, and Prevent Elbow and Shoulder Injury”. Both books can be purchased on Amazon. Read Dr. Mishocks previous articles in our blog.
