Are you contracted with my insurance company?

health insurance policy and piggy bank

 

Are you contracted with my insurance company?

This is a question we get all too often.  It is often thought that if a physical therapy clinic you want to go to is not in-network with your insurance, you cannot use your insurance to receive care there. In actuality, most insurance plans have out-of-network reimbursement. While the details of deductible and coinsurance may be different, you can still come to our clinic and receive the therapy you deserve.

The most important point is that you can still come see us!

Why go out-of-network?

To be in-network, it means the physical therapy clinic has a signed contract with a health insurance company. The downfall of this contract is that it allows the insurance company to dictate the kind of therapy you receive. And the truth is, not all therapy is created equal. At Therapydia, we customize your treatment, we individualize programs, we work one-on-one with you. At Therapydia our therapists keep up to date with the latest techniques and strategies to deliver the most effective treatments, techniques and strategies. 

Our 45-60 minute one-on-one treatments with a doctor of physical therapy will often expedite your treatment as it allows us to address multiple components of your body mechanics and movement. We do not follow standard guidelines; we use our solid platform of education, clinical experience and learned skills from continuing education to provide therapy appropriate for you and you specifically.

Receive the care you deserve

Man stretching a woman's arm in a room

Receiving therapy using out-of-network coverage at Therapydia Portland will get you a higher quality of care as we dictate how your treatment is given, not your insurance company.  We will form a caring relationship and will be available to encourage you and offer support through your recovery. Your PT will be available to you via PT Anywhere, our exclusive online patient portal, to answer any questions and/or concerns in order to keep your rehabilitation on track.

While out-of-network benefits vary, we have discovered that out-of-network reimbursement is often comparable to in-network coverage. Please feel free to contact us so we can help you learn more about your physical therapy benefits; we will gladly call your insurance to verify your coverage and provide you with the information we receive.  We look forward to helping you on your path to recovery!

 

Breaking Down The Graston Technique®

GrastonTechnique of the Shoulder-2Breaking Down The Graston Technique®

Summer is officially here and outdoor activities are calling. However for anyone who is suffering from an injury, the longer daylight hours means you’re missing out on even more fun. If resting and icing hasn’t helped you heal as quickly and effectively as you would like, you may want to consider the Graston Technique to help you find relief and get you back out there.

The Graston Technique® is an evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) that enables clinicians to effectively assess and treat restrictions of scar tissue, muscle, and fascia that contribute to dysfunctional movement of the kinetic chain.   The technique involves the use of hand held stainless steel instruments applied to the body’s soft tissue in various sophisticated strokes to release or unlock areas of pain and poor function. No treatment is complete without being coupled with an appropriately designed therapeutic exercise program to restore the normal functional movement of the treated tissue.

Set Your Fascia Free

Luke, I am your fascia…. Star Wars puns aside, fascia is a very important part of the human body that I think doesn’t get a lot of credit and definitely not a lot of attention. Shameful! This beautiful tissue, also referred to as connective tissue, exists all over the body! Think of it like an internal webbing that provides dynamic internal structure by supporting and connecting all your moving parts. It is 3-D in nature and thus is not always addressed adequately by your weekly or monthly massages when lying on the table passively. Within the fascia live important cells called fibroblasts that are precursors of collagen production, super important for injury healing or recovery from regular daily abuse that results in normal break down. When there is any restriction of this fascial tissue, from injury or daily wear and tear, the fibroblasts can be left unable to do their jobs, especially if they can’t get their nutrition and hydration as a result of what can be considered a tissue traffic jam (thoughts of Oregon 217 South at 5pm, shudder!).

Living within the superficial fascia are the majority of your sensory nerve endings that transmit messages of pain. Treating this fascia and increasing regular functionality of this tissue can help mitigate pain. Bye bye pesky pain!

What Does Graston Technique® Feel Like?

Well, have you ever had a massage that in some places it feels good and others it is uncomfortable as it is happening but afterward there is this sense of “hey! I’m able to move better! And that original pain is gone!” It is much like that. Sometimes there is reddening of the skin that lingers for a day or two; this is the result of scar tissue or adhesion break down and allows for new healthy blood vessels to regenerate and allow increased healing potential.

You might be thinking that if Graston Technique® is like massage, then what is the difference? During a typical treatment, a patient should expect to be positioned in various postures, particularly the posture that is dysfunctional. The tissue is 3-dimensional and thus is treated in this manner including through movement. If adequately applied, this technique should allow the patient to see a difference in his or her movement and capability straight away!

So one or more of these six stainless steel Graston instruments can be used to restore adequate mobility of this tissue network under the skin and result in faster recovery time, reduced overall treatment time, result in less need for anti-inflammatory medication, and resolve chronic conditions not adequately addressed by other treatments. As an adjunct to a physical therapy regimen, Graston Technique® should be considered! Schedule your appointment at Therapydia Portland and try out Graston with our certified provider.GT_Provider_Logo_RGB-2

Enjoy The Slopes Without Getting Injured

snowboarding rehab portland physical therapy

We hope you’ve had a great winter sports season so far. Whether you are a novice or a veteran snowboarder, injuries can happen. Luckliy, injuries can be prevented with the right strengthening exercises and gear. Learn how you can enjoy the awesome slopes without experiencing a snowboarding injury that can end your season prematurely.

Two Most Common Snowboarding Injuries

Wrist: Wrist injuries typically occur during falls where someone either is traveling out of control or even when someone is waiting to get off or on a lift.  Wearing wrist braces have proven to most effective to prevent wrist injuries and if you choose not to wear or purchase these braces we encourage you to learn how to fall with closed fists.

Ankle: One of the top injuries to the lower extremities is “Snowboarder’s ankle”.  Studies show these ankle injuries typically occur when wearing soft boots and mechanically occur during a forced dorsiflexion with inversion. To prevent these injuries we can help you gain proper ankle mobility and shock absorption strength in your ankle, knees and hips.

Here are two mobility exercises for your hips and knee that can help you out beyond just snowboarding:

1) Deep squat ankle rotations

  • At the bottom position of a squat, perform 10 clockwise rotations shifting your weight from the left foot towards the right foot making sure to keep both feet planted on the ground.
  • Repeat counterclockwise.
  • Do 10 reps of these.

2) Reciprocal hip flexor stretch

  • Lunge forward with your left leg ensuring that your knee does not travel forward past your foot.
  • Drop your right leg down to the ground extended behind you.
  • Place your left elbow down to the ground on the inside of the left foot. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
  • Repeat on the right side same setup. Complete 10 repetitions on each leg.

Head: These are a no brainer, falling at high speeds can lead to head injuries, and wearing a helmet decreases the forces placed upon the head and brain by 40-50%.

Staying injury free not only helps you enjoy the entire snowboarding season but allows you to enjoy other sports such as running and biking as the season changes. Come by Therapydia Portland for a sport specific pre-season screen to help to stay injury free all year long.