“My Back Hurts” — Really??
Do you have lower back pain that came out of nowhere? Can you not remember how it got there? You’ve been through X-Rays and MRIs and nothing shows up. You start to think you’re going crazy, right? Don’t worry, you’re not crazy. It could be a pelvic asymmetry. Pelvic asymmetries occur frequently and often mimic lower back pain. Often times, there are no real tender points. Usually, just aching and pain with certain activities. Your SI joints become maligned and cause aching in the muscles attached to the pelvis and even into the legs. Women are more likely to have SI problems than men due to the ability of the pelvis to move for childbirth. If you’re having persistent low back pain or pain into your hips, give First Choice a call to get it checked out.
Dr. Stephen Peaden, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Do the research
Life is full of choices. Marriage School CareerHealth. So how do you make a great decision? You do the research. You will find that Frist Choice Physical Therapy is the best choice for all your physical therapy needs.
- We hire the most Doctors of Physical Therapy.
- We have two convenient locations to serve you.
- Our award winning service and care is second to none.
- And with our expanded clinical hours we can conveniently see you when you need us.
Remember. It’s your choice. Make it count.
First Choice Physical Therapy
Happy New Year!
Thank you Bay County for making First Choice Physical Therapy your “First Choice” in Physical Therapy. We had a blessed 2014 and are looking forward to serving you again in 2015. We want to help you bring in the New Year with better health! If you have pain in any joint or muscle, then your body may be trying to tell you something. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy can evaluate your condition, diagnose the problem and explain the best way to relieve your pain. Call us today!Have a Healthy and Happy New Year!
To Your Health,
Dr. Wade M. Rinehart
Doctor of Physical Therapy
October is National Physical Therapy Month
Benefits of Physical Therapy
Doctors of Physical Therapy are experts in improving mobility and motion, and pain-free movement is crucial to your quality of daily life, your ability to earn a living, your ability to pursue your favorite leisure activities, and so much more.
Improve Mobility & Motion
Movement can help you prevent obesity, which may be responsible for at least 18% of US adult deaths. Meanwhile, recent studies suggest that prolonged sitting can be unhealthy, and that walking just a little bit more each day can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Consistent movement is also vital to maintaining a healthy balance system, and that’s important because falls often lead to significant, costly injuries.
Doctors of Physical Therapy work with their patients and clients of all ages and abilities to expand, restore, and maintain motion.
Avoid Surgery and Prescription Drugs
Many people are referred to a Doctor of Physical Therapy in order to rehabilitate from a major medical trauma or surgery, but increasing research suggests that treatment by a physical therapist is often an equally effective – and cheaper – alternative to surgery and prescription drugs for numerous conditions ranging from back pain and degenerative disk disease to meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis.
Although direct access laws vary by state and insurance plans differ, anyone in the United States can arrange a screening by a physical therapist without a physician’s referral. Florida is a direct access state which means you can walk right into a Physical Therapist office to get the treatment you deserve fast. Through individualized treatment plans designed by physical therapists, patients can sometimes achieve the same results without the expense and side effects of surgery and prescription medication.
Participate In Your Recovery
Doctors of Physical Therapy routinely work collaboratively with their patients. Treatment plans can be designed for the patient’s individual goals, challenges, and needs. Receiving treatment by a physical therapist is rarely a passive activity, and participating in your own recovery can be empowering. In many cases, patients develop an ongoing relationship with their physical therapist to maintain optimum health and movement abilities across the lifespan.
(The Above Excerpt Was Modified and Taken From Move Forward by APAT http://www.moveforwardpt.com/Benefits)
To your Health,Dr. Wade Rinehart, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
First Choice Physical Therapy
Backpack Safety
School is back in session and backpacks are full. Kids are scrambling to get to class and parents are scrambling to make sure that they have all the right tools for a successful school year. Here are a few tips taken from the American Physical Therapy Associations website to help your student have less backpack induced back pain.
Wear both straps
Use of one strap causes one side of the body to bear the weight of the backpack. By wearing two shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed.
Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles
Pay close attention to the way the backpack is positioned on the back. It should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and allow free movement of the arms. Straps should not be too loose, and the backpack should not extend below the low back.
Lighten the load
Keep the load at 10-15% or less of the child’s bodyweight. Carry only those items that are required for the day. Organize the contents of the backpack by placing the heaviest items closest to the back. Some students have two sets of books so as not to have to carry the heavy books to and from school.
How Can our Doctors at First Choice Physical Therapy Help
A physical therapist can help you choose a proper backpack and fit it specifically to your child. Children come in all shapes and sizes, and some have physical limitations that require special adaptations.
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy can help improve posture problems, correct muscle imbalances, and treat pain that can result from improper backpack use. We can also design individualized fitness programs to help children get strong and stay strong—and carry their own loads!
For any injuries call 850-248-1600. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy can get you backpacking pain free.
Pain – No Pain. You choose.
Why do we have pain? A blonde goes into the doctor’s office and says, “Doctor I am in pain and need your help! “ The doctor responds and says, ”Show me where you hurt.” She commences to put her right finger on her left knee, her right hip and her head. The doctor replies, “I know what’s wrong with you…your finger is broken!”Although pain can be very unpleasant it serves a very valuable purpose to signal us when something is wrong. It forces us into taking care of our bodies as we go about our day. Think of pain as a check engine light on your car. It is telling you that you had better stop the vehicle and take an assessment of what is wrong. If you can’t really tell what is causing the problem then what do you do? You take your vehicle into the mechanic.
Doctors of Physical Therapy are like mechanics for the body. We have the awesome privilege to be able to work on the most advanced technology ever created by God…the human body. When you are in pain and can’t quite put your finger on it ? , then you need to call First Choice Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment. Our highly skilled, knowledgeable and caring Doctors of Physical Therapy will give you an honest opinion as to what the problem might be. Our specialties include Physical Therapy spinal manipulation, headaches, TMJ, all sports injuries, auto injuries and all orthopedic surgical rehabilitation to include total joint replacements for the ankles, knees, hips and shoulders.
C.S. Lewis stated it best when he said “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
To Your Health,
Wade M Rinehart PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
No referral needed…
In our wonderful State of Florida, you can choose where you receive Physical Therapy services and do not need a referral from your physician? The Florida State Physical Therapy Practice Act allows patients to be seen by the Physical Therapist of their choice without the need of an order from any physician. There are some exceptions that are mandated by certain insurance carriers requiring a referral from a Primary Care Physician. This makes Physical Therapy easily accessible, efficient and affordable.In a recent study, “Physical therapy for acute low back pain: associations with subsequent healthcare costs”, it was concluded that “Adherence to the recommendation for active care was associated with better clinical outcomes and decreased subsequent use of prescription medication, MRI, and injections. Improving adherence to this recommendation may present an opportunity to improve the cost effectiveness of care for acute low back pain.” There are many other studies that show the effectiveness of Physical Therapy interventions, but not all therapy clinics are created equal or employ the qualified individuals needed to get the quality outcomes. Bottom line…be a consumer of your own health care.
Dr. Wade Rinehart, PT, DPT
We Can’t Stress It Enough
The First thing you have to do after an injury or a surgery is to decide where you are going to go to get Physical Therapy. Your medical doctor or surgeon may suggest a few clinics. Be a consumer and research your choices thoroughly. We hope that your research will lead you to our Family at First Choice Physical Therapy. The State of Florida allows direct access which means you can come directly to our Doctors of Physical Therapy without a referral. Whichever path leads you to Physical Therapy, we know that there can be a level of anxiety when making that call to make an appointment. We want you to know that we understand your stress. That’s why we have designed our clinics with you in mind. Every aspect of your visits with First Choice Physical Therapy have been thought out and tailored to create a pleasant experience. This is our pledge to you, our valued, customer:
- A pleasant voice to talk to when you call to set up your appointments.
- A registration process designed to get you access to our Doctors of Physical Therapy on time every time.
- A kind and caring office staff committed to helping you navigate your insurance coverage and benefits.
- Highly trained and skilled Doctors of Physical Therapy who really care about getting you better.
You see, we don’t just say we care we show it every time you walk in the door. So take one last deep breath, hold it, release it slow and give us a call. Less stress starts here at First Choice Physical Therapy.
Workout started at 6:00am
We got to work Thursday morning and look what we saw! We don’t even open until 7:00am and these guys had started playing about 6:00. Looks like they played hard, too! Hats off to these guys. Young or old, one of the keys to staying healthy is staying active, even if it means getting up a little early.
Is your smartphone or tablet a pain in the neck?
Let us take a moment to stop and look at your posture right now. Do you have your smartphone or tablet in your lap, head bent forward, and looking down? There is a good chance if your reading this article on your smartphone or tablet that you have found yourself in this position. Now take 10 seconds to look up and see how your neck feels. Go ahead, I’ll wait…………….Is your neck a little sore and tender from maintaining that position for too long? I have been spending more time than normal on my tablet enjoying a good book and have found myself guilty of maintaining that hunched over posture. If you are like me and are guilty of this as well, modify your posture to keep your head up and shoulders back. Also remember to take breaks frequently to stretch out your neck and shoulders. If these simple changes don’t make a difference in your neck pain, it may be time for you to give us a call!Karen Mathers, PTA