Do You Want to Get Better?
Do You Want to Get Better?
We have the BEST patients- Because they REALLY want to get better.
Do you want to get better?
The question of whether you want to get better is a very important question. At its most basic level, Physical Therapy utilizes a variety of techniques, exercises and machines to help patients develop, maintain, and/or restore maximum range of movement and functionality.
Many treatment techniques provide symptom relief and this is…wonderful!!! These treatments help you feel better. However, the “feel good” treatments often don’t resolve the problem.
That’s why it’s important you seek out the best there is! The Cantrell Center addresses not only symptoms to help you “feel” better, but we help you work on the problem, in order to help you “get” better!
So, do you really want to get better?
When it comes to physical problems, there are physical answers that require effort on the part of the patient. The Physical Therapists at the Cantrell Center are the BEST and are very motivated to help you get to the root cause of your problem(s). The vast majority of patients who want to get better – do! Why?? Because they follow the advice of their Physical Therapist, they never miss an appointment, and they communicate and give feedback to the therapist so their treatment can be modified to get them better faster!!! In short, these patients take their physical therapy seriously.
Patients and wellness members know from the moment they come into the Cantrell Center that there is a difference. Patients of the Cantrell Center see results because they understand that their commitment to the treatment plan matters. Our highly skilled physical therapists take the time needed to evaluate the specific problems of each patient. We educate our patients on the findings and take action to treat your symptoms to make you feel better. As your pain decreases, we work closely with our patients to get to the root cause of their problems so they can really get better. Many times we can help resolve the problems completely! If the problem is chronic, we help you learn how to manage it the best and most pain-free way possible. This puts you back in the driver’s seat of life. This IS success to our patients and to us as physical therapists.
So the question is: Do you just want to feel better temporarily? Or, Do you really want to get better? Most of the time, you can do both. When your doctor prescribes physical therapy, you have a choice about where you go for care. Insist on going for treatment to make both happen.
About the Author
Tassie Cantrell is a physical therapist and CEO and President of the Cantrell Center. She received her master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Emory University. She has continued her education throughout her career in areas including rehabilitation of the back, neck and peripheral joints, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Postural Restoration, myofascial release/soft tissue mobilization. Tassie has been a long-time member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG). She also serves on the Board of Directors for Physical Therapy Provider Network (PTPN) and Quality Assurance for many years.
BY: Cantrell Center
Physical Therapy
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Common Misconceptions about Physical Therapy
Think you might need physical therapy, but have some questions or concerns? Below are some common misconceptions regarding physical therapy and answers that will hopefully give you peace of mind and help you feel less hesitant to start Physical Therapy (PT) if the need arises.
Common Misconceptions about Physical Therapy
- An orthopedist or other specialist has to send me to PT.
- Your primary care doctor can send you to physical therapy before you are ever sent to a specialist which may mean that you do not have to see a specialist at all. This, in turn, will save you time and money. Other health care providers that can refer you to PT include OB/GYN doctors (who are used like primary care providers by many younger females particularly), chiropractors, dentists, and orthodontists.
- I have to go to the PT at my doctor’s office/wherever he refers me.
- Many orthopedic offices have their own PT clinics and will refer you to their on-staff therapists. Sometimes just the way the paper work is done and the fact that the PT office is down the hall may make you feel like you HAVE to go to their clinic, but you don’t. You can go to ANY clinic that you want when being referred to physical therapy.
- Physical therapy hurts. No pain no gain.
- While some injuries and conditions are more uncomfortable than others and may take working through some pain to make the gains needed, our goal is ALWAYS to minimize your pain while you are doing therapy. We offer many approaches to therapy and treatments that can minimize pain if you are especially hesitant to get started for that reason. Also, while attending therapy, let us know if something hurts so we can make it feel better—that’s what you’re here for!
- Physical therapy won’t help. I just need surgery.
- Many diagnoses and ailments can be treated with PT without the need for surgery to happen at all. While surgery is needed for certain injuries, we help many people avoid all kinds of surgery including back, neck, shoulder, and others. Now with that being said, getting good results from PT does take work on your part. Keeping up with your home exercise program and doing what your therapist recommends is vital to your recovery so you must do your part to give it a fair chance.
- I can look up what to do online and just do some exercises on my own.
- While the internet is a vast wealth of knowledge, getting a thorough evaluation and knowing exactly which exercises are best for you is crucial in helping you get the best results. Some exercises you may find online for a certain pain or problem could actually be harmful if you do not know the underlying cause of your issue. Here at the Cantrell Center, we always do a thorough evaluation so that we can set up an individualized program that specifically addresses your needs. If you prefer doing things on your own or have a high insurance co-pay, we can often set you up with a good home program and see you periodically to update and progress it as needed. Coming in for that evaluation will ensure you get on the right track!
- PT is too expensive. I don’t think my insurance will cover it.
- Health care can be expensive, but most insurances do cover physical therapy. If you do have a high co-pay or are without insurance, do not let your health suffer due to a lack of coverage. We are happy to work out payment plans with you so that you can get the care you need without hurting your wallet. Also, when possible, we can try to minimize the frequency of your sessions to further minimize your cost.
- I have had PT before, and it didn’t help.
- Many people are under the impression that they have had physical therapy before because they have been charged for PT services or been told they are having PT. While some health care facilities may charge you a physical therapy service (for example, a doctor may give you a handout of exercises, or a chiropractor may apply electrical stimulation to you after your adjustment), you have not had true physical therapy if you have not been evaluated by a licensed physical therapist then treated by either a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant.
- The best place to receive physical therapy is from an independently owned and licensed physical therapy facility like the Cantrell Center. Even if you have received physical therapy services from a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, not all physical therapy is equal. You may have had physical therapy at a place that sent you off to do some exercises on your own, but did not really guide your care. Here at the Cantrell Center we strive to give each patient individualized, quality care. You will receive a thorough evaluation followed by specialized treatment designed to meet your needs. I have seen many patients who have had physical therapy at other facilities who realize the difference in care once they are treated here.
About the Author
Jamie Locher, PT, PRC, DPT, PRC, is one of only 5 Postural Restoration Certified Physical Therapists in the state of Georgia. She is an Alumni of the University of Georgia where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology. She went on to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2009 from the Medical College of Georgia. Jamie grew up on a farm right here in Middle Georgia and knew she would likely return after finishing school. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with husband, Rusty, their family and their pets; going to Church, painting, and most anything outdoors.
BY: Cantrell Center
Physical Therapy
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Sciatica During Pregnancy: Is Your Baby Getting on Your Nerve?
Sciatica During Pregnancy: Is Your Baby Getting on Your Nerve?
Is your baby getting on your nerve? Let me clarify: Are you pregnant and having sciatic nerve pain? If you answer yes, know you’re not alone. Most women experience sciatica during pregnancy experience it in the third trimester. The good news is that physical therapy can help relieve your symptoms.
Here’s a brief description for those of you who have no idea what sciatica is: Sciatica is pain radiating along the sciatic nerve. This nerve begins at the lower part of the spine, travels through the buttock region, and down each leg. It can be intermittent or constant depending on how much pressure is on the nerve or how irritated the nerve is.
The following techniques can help relieve the pressure from your sciatic nerve. Two positions that are particularly helpful are an ‘all four’ position and ‘side lying’ position. Supine activities or lying flat on your back during your third trimester is like suffocation city! Get into which ever position is comfortable for you and just breathe. These positions help to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve by decompressing the spine. The key to decompressing the spine in these positions is flexing your spine (rounding your back). By flexing your spine you open up or create space between the facet joints along the spine, especially on the lumbar spine. As your belly grows out front, your body adjusts by leaning back in order to keep your center of gravity. This leaning back or extension of the spine causes the extra compression on the nerves. Therefore, getting in a position to decrease that lumbar compression will in turn decrease your pain. If these positional changes do not help, you may need the assistance of a physical therapist to help you resolve your issues. A physical therapy prescription from your obstetrician is all you need for this.
Written by: Dina Johnson, PTA
BY: Cantrell Center
Physical Therapy
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Relief for Rib Pain
Are you experiencing rib pain? Have you been told you have costochondritis?
If you answered “yes” to one or both of these questions, physical therapy can help!
What is costochondritis?
Mayoclinic.com defines costochondritis as inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). Strain (due to coughing or repeated movements) or trauma can cause costochondritis, but can also come on for unknown reasons. Due to the location of this pain, it can often feel like chest pain that could warrant the need to rule out any heart-related causes first though.
Rib pain can include costochondritis but could also be in the side of the rib cage (rather than at the front at the sternum) and could also be caused for the various reasons mentioned above.
Physical therapy can help rib pain of all sorts including costochondritis through a variety of treatment options.
Here at the Cantrell Center, I have treated rib pain and costochondritis with a combination of treatment approaches including manual therapy; Postural Restoration activities and other exercises that may include breathing techniques, stretching, and inhibition/relaxation techniques; and aquatic therapy.
We can help!
Rib pain and costochondritis can be very painful and become chronic or long-lasting. Sometimes the very things that might alleviate the pain in one moment can cause the pain to increase in another moment. This fact can make trying to relieve such pain on your own a frustrating and often fruitless task. I know this from patients’ experiences, but also personally from having had severe rib pain myself prior to becoming a physical therapist. I spent quite a while with it coming and going until I knew the right things to do for it.
If you are experiencing rib pain or costochondritis, give us a call at (478) 953-3535 or stop by the front desk to schedule an appointment. We can help!
About the Author
Jamie Lochner, PT, DPT, PRC, has been with the Cantrell Center since 2009. Jamie is Postural Restoration Certified, a designation held by only 7 clinicians in the state of Georgia. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys going to church, being outside, and painting. When asked what she loves most about working at the Cantrell Center, Jamie responded, “The people–patients and coworkers, doing PRI therapy–the results are amazing, generally helping people get rid of their pain and back to their life.”
BY: Cantrell Center
Physical Therapy / Postural Restoration
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