PAYMENT PLAN PROGRAM:

HELPING MAKE OUR PATIENTS’ CARE AFFORDABLE

Why We OFFER This Plan

Healthcare is getting more and more expensive everyday. Patient copays are higher than they have ever been in the history of our country and deductibles are often in the triple digits.  However, many people are in need of treatment for recovery from injuries and for pain relief. Some patients are postponing their therapy due to high copays and financial restrictions. It is important that we find a way to provide affordable care for our patients in a timely manner.

Affordable Options for Our Patients

• We offer 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month simple payment plans.
• Every patient will have the option to apply for the payment plan program.
• We will work with the patients to format a plan that works for them.
• Our GOAL will be to ensure the affordability of treatment for our patients.

Please call 714.997.5518 for more information on our patient payment plan program.

If you suffer from arthritis, you are not alone.

Usually, the first thing most individuals try is nonprescription

medications (like Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve) for pain

relief. If this doesn’t work, the pain may increase to the point

that surgery becomes a possibility (joint repair or

replacement).

How do you manage arthritis?There is no one best way to manage arthritis pain, and no

single technique that is guaranteed to give you complete

pain relief. In fact, a combination of methods work best. Think of arthritis pain management as a

continuing journey. And this is your travel guide – you can pick your itinerary based on how your

symptoms are.

Step 1: Learn about your arthritis painPatient education is probably the most important step in pain management, according to the

American Pain

Step 2: Restore your muscle balance

Regain posture.

of compensating for a sore/painful knee or hip can result in

pain in the hip, knee, or even the ankle. Sitting slouched for

hours, jutting the abdomen out when standing can lead to

low back pain. Our therapists can observe how you sit,

stand, and walk and teach you how to adjust your posture to

decrease the stress on your joints, and help you move with

less pain.

Exercise.

muscles and improves flexibility. Our physical

therapists specialize in arthritis treatment and can suggest

appropriate movements that provide a full range of motion. Physical activity also helps blood

circulation through the body and around the joints, which help bring oxygen and nutrients to

help with the healing process. Also, did you know that losing 10 pounds of excess body

weight takes roughly 30 to 60 pounds of pressure off the knee? So talk to one of our

therapists to get you moving in the right direction!

Protect your joints.

dressing, writing and driving. We help you find alternative ways to perform your activities by

strategically integrating ‘rest periods’ and avoiding tasks that trigger joint pain and discomfort

Step 3: Do-it-yourself pain relief

In addition to doing your exercises (that we prescribe), here are a few things you can do in the

comfort of your own home:

Heat.

can help relax tight muscles, eliminate waste products like lactic acid that cause stiffness

and soreness. Here’s what you can do to increase temperature to affected joints:

Hot bath or Jacuzzi

Caution

bodies do not regulate heat as efficiently) check with your doctor first.

Heating pads

Caution: Although moist heat tends to be

more effective than dry heat, you can use

an electric heating pad. But be careful – it

is estimated that 100,000 people burn

themselves on it every year, so make sure

you DON’T fall asleep with it on! Read the

instructions before use. We can teach you exactly how to use a heating pad for

best results.

Contrast bath

Use warm water (110 deg F) and cold water (65 deg F) for areas like hands and

feet. Put your hands/feet in warm water for 5 minutes, then in cold water for 1-2

minutes. Repeat this process up to 3 times to help decrease pain and swelling

in the joint.

Cold therapy.

decreasing the blood flow to the area to decrease swelling, and reducing the pain signals to

the brain (making it less painful). After an acute flare-up, for the first 48-72 hours, use ice for

up to 15-20 minutes to decrease pain and swelling.

Rest.

Percussors are quickly becoming the most popular form of treatment for a variety of conditions which were, in the past, treated with either surgery or medication. Whether it is a sore back, pain in the neck, rotator cuff injuries, or pain in the jaw, percussors are used on patients in a safe, effective, and non-invasive manner.

Working in such a way that targets the muscle bellies, percussors beat at a rate upwards of 3000 beats per minute. Acting as a “tenderizer” of sorts, the instrument has the ability to decrease muscle repair time, increase oxygen to the muscle, increase range of motion, and decrease the need for medications typically used to treat the pain associated with everyday pain. Athletes are particular fond of this type of treatment as it can increase athletic performance and helps to speed up the recovery time of muscles before and after a game or training.

Walker Physical Therapy and Pain Center utilizes the PMR 1000; an instrument designed to beat up at 3000 strokes per minute (more than any other percussor on the market). Call us at 1-800-916-6210 to set up an appointment with one of our therapist trained in the use of this amazing new tool!

Watch the video below for proof and an explanation on how the percussor works:

What Can (and Does) Go Wrong!

Chances are you don’t think about the muscles surrounding your neck much. These muscles hold your head up and allow it to move in different directions. These muscles allow you to trace a bug flying across the room or to follow tennis ball as you get ready to swing back at it. Then one day, you wake up and suddenly can’t move your head, or you can only turn to one side. And you experience, literally… a pain in the neck.

That’s a scenario none of us want, but it’s more common than we realize/ The neck is made up of many small muscles and carries a lot of nerves, and can easily suffer from a disc injury or pinched nerves. Due to its mobility and flexibility, the neck has a high risk of injury.

What can go wrong?

A “pulled muscle” (or muscle strain), occurs when a muscle is stretched or exerted beyond its limits. In severe case, it can can lead to a muscle tear. A “slipped disc” (which van be a herniated or bulging disc) is a disc that has been pushed beyond its boundaries. It may even bulge out and spill into the surrounding areas, putting pressure on the ligaments, muscles, or even the nerve itself. 

Herniated discs often start with no symptoms, but may eventually lead to tingling, numbness, or even sharp pain. So, what are the common causes of a herniated disc?

• Poor body mechanics with daily activities (like frequently lifting or bending improperly)
• Poor posture (in sitting or standing, or too much time on the computer)
• Sports injuries that require a lot of running, jumping, or extreme flexibility (like gymnastics)

Common ways to injure your neck can be a fall or an accident, but sometimes neck pain appears out of nowhere. years of abuse, like poor posture or poor body mechanics – can trigger and incident. Read below to see what our therapists recommend to help you “take the load off your neck”.

The Consequences of Neck Inactivity

In one form or another, excessive stress on the neck is certainly the most familiar cause of injury to the neck muscles. However, a second cause is slightly less threatening, but more common – inactivity. Failure to use the neck muscles regularly through moderate activity leads to sudden overuse, poor posture and other stresses on the neck. As a result, the joints, muscles, and ligaments
stiffen, and suffer from poor blood flow.

Inactivity by itself can make the neck more susceptible to general joint degeneration! The effects of inactivity are magnified as we age. This can lead to degeneration in the bones and joints in the neck.
Regular exercise, like walking, swimming, or even playing golf, can help keep these problems at bay. Interestingly, the X-ray of an elderly person’s neck who is more active may look “younger” than the X-ray of the neck of an inactive person in his thirties. Don’t underestimate the importance of exercising those small, but important, muscles of your neck. Call us today to see how we can help get your neck to feel and function “younger”.

The Best Treatment For Your Neck

Some neck problems, like a mild sprain or strain, may get better simply with
rest and ice. Other injuries, like a pinched nerve or disc injury may need a more advanced physical therapy plan tailored to your particular type of injury, like specific exercises to strengthen the neck and improve range of motion.

Here are some tips to keep your neck moving and functioning pain-free:

1. If your job requires you to lift frequently (like in construction work or furniture moving) – be sure to keep good posture as you are lifting. Remember lift with your legs, not your arms or back!
2. If you have to stand for long hours (like working in an assembly-line) – try using a low footstool to prop up one foot, alternating feet from time to time.
3. If you are at a computer all day – keep your chair, desk, and monitor at the proper heights.

Be sure to call us to schedule a complete analysis of what your risk of neck injury is. Remember, help is only a phone call away.

Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center

1111 W. Town & Country Rd. Ste. 1

Orange, Orange County, CA 92868

Top 6 Running Injuries and How To Avoid Them

Walking, jogging and running are excellent activities to promote health and wellness. Are you an avid jogger or runner? If so, could the way you run be hurting you?

When you run, jog or walk, each step sends shock waves up to the feet, knees, hips, and lower back. Overuse injuries are common, especially with running. The good news is, we can help avoid overuse injuries. Some causes of running induced injuries include:

• Training errors
• Improper running shoes
• Poor weight-bearing or running dynamics

In an injury does occur, physical therapy can get you back on track (pun intended) in a short time. Here are SOME of the most common injuries that occur with running:

1. Plantar Fascitis: Inflammation of fibrous connective tissue on the sole of the foot, leading to pain on the bottom of the heel.
2. Achilles tendinitis: Heel pain, or pain in the Achilles, due to too much running or running uphill. This can lead to pain and tightness in the calf.
3. Shin splints: Often a result of imbalance in the calf and shin muscles. Pain is along the front side of the lower leg (the shin).
4. Stress fracture: Repeated pounding of the legs can lead to stress fractures, with local pain over the affected bone.
5. Hamstring strain: Too much running can lead to a hamstring pull.
6. Patello-femoral pain or “Runner’s knee”: Increase running distance too soon can lead to pain behind the patella, or kneecap.

If you have any of these injuries mentions above, there are tips and treatment that can help relieve pain and recover from the injury:

• Rest, anti-inflammatory medication and icing the injured area.
• Stretching muscles that are tight (i.e. – calf for Achilles tendinitis)
• Strengthening exercises to restore muscle balance.
• In some cases, taping works like a charm – talk to your therapist.
• Orthotics may help alter the forces going into your joints. Talk to one of our therapists to see if this is best for you.
• Remember, if it hurts, don’t do it. For example, if running hurts, try jogging. If jogging hurts, walk instead.

Are  your shoes to blame?

Before starting a running program, ask yourself:

• Are your shoes worn out?
• Are they the right fit for your feet?
• Do you have flat feet? Are you shoes stable enough?
• If your feet are rigid, you need a pair with good cushioning.

All these questions need to be answered. To tell if a shoe can still be used, look at its sole. If it is worn out, its time for a new pair! If they twist too easily, it another sign they may be worn.

Runners are very susceptible to injuries, especially with changes in training, including speed, frequency, distance, and surface.Talk to a physical therapist at Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center to evaluate your feet and minimize or treat injuries.

Your Feet Will Thank You

Most runners fail to take necessary steps to avoid injury. This is where we come in. After the initial initial evaluation, we teach you how to:

• Get the right pair of shoes – we evaluate the muscles of your feet and guide you to the right shoes.
• Stretch out properly – we evaluate your requirements and make sure you stretch out your muscles properly before exercise.
• Strategically structure your running – we teach you the right warm up, stretch, and exercise sequence and coach you through  the process of building up your running time gradually. Remember, your running shoes will last about 500 miles before they need to be replaced.

If you are a runner or just happen to walk regularly, you need to call us to evaluate your technique right away. As they say, prevention is better than the cure. Our highly experienced staff will design a plan to protect your joints and optimize your efforts. Call us today for an appointment. Your feet will thank you.

Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center

1111 W. Town & Country Rd. Ste. 1

Orange, Orange County, CA 92868

Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center would like to wish everyone Happy and Healthy Holidays!

Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center

1111 W. Town & Country Rd. Ste. 1

Orange, Orange County, CA 92868

Massive Medicare cuts are postponed

Great News for Medicare recipients! The Senate late Thursday voted to postpone a massive cut in Medicare pay for doctors, agreeing to pay doctors at current levels through Dec. 31.

The Senate’s voice-vote approval came after an agreement on the one-month postponement was announced earlier in the day by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., and the panel’s top Republican, Charles Grassley of Iowa. Baucus and Grassley also pledged to work toward a mutually acceptable 12-month postponement that could pass before the end of this year.

Doctors were threatening to stop taking new Medicare patients if the cut went through, and experts warned that the situation would undermine the health care program for 46 million elderly and disabled. Health care for military service members, families and retirees also would be jeopardized because Tricare payments are tied to Medicare’s.

AARP Senior Vice President David Sloane hailed the Senate vote and urged to House to follow suit to avoid what he called “a potentially devastating pay cut to doctors in Medicare, ensuring seniors can continue to see their doctors during the holiday season.”

“Tonight’s vote will help to extend the immediate deadline and give lawmakers time to adopt the yearlong extension that seniors and doctors need,” Sloane added.

A 12-month reprieve would allow time to devise a different system for paying doctors. There’s widespread recognition that the current system is flawed because it rewards sheer volume of services, not quality results.