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Rotator cuff injuries are common after a car accident or a slip or fall. They can also happen from repetitive movement over time, often times for people who do sports. The rotator cuff is in the shoulder and is made up of four different muscles. It is responsible for keeping the joint in place.
The rotator cuff sustains normal wear and tear over time, and with age, it can be more prone to injury. Rotator cuff injury is not uncommon in younger people who play sports, work in manual labor, or have sustained serious physical trauma to the shoulder. The number one indicator of an injury to the rotator cuff is pain in the shoulder. One solution to manage that pain: physical therapy. It can help to improve rotator cuff pain tremendously!
If you have been injured in a car accident, slip or fall, or are simply experiencing significant pain in your shoulder, you might have a rotator cuff tear. These tears are categorized by their severity and are referred to by either “full-thickness” or “partial-thickness.” Full thickness means that the tear is complete, beginning at the top of the muscle and reaching the bottom. Partial thickness affects only a part of the muscle or tendon.
The type of tear depends on how the injury occurred. An “acute tear” happens following a trauma. It is often torn suddenly after impact from a fall, heavy lifting, or serious car accident. A “chronic tear” tends to happen more slowly over time. If you are accustomed to repetitive motion during sports or work, you can develop a rotator cuff tear. You will likely notice this type of injury because of the pain from the strain on your shoulder.
To receive treatment for a rotator cuff tear, you first must be diagnosed. Examinations from your doctor and physical therapist can help to identify the issue and provide you with a detailed treatment plan. In some cases, it is important to see an orthopedic physician before beginning physical therapy, for imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan and to learn the extent of the injury. Your physical will then work in tandem with your physical therapist, to provide accurate information about your circumstances.
Physical therapy has several benefits for a rotator cuff tear. It can:
A skilled physical therapist will create a treatment plan based on your specific injury and individual needs. Your therapist will work with your medical team to review your records and develop a plan that works with your abilities and adapts as you improve.
If you have a rotator cuff tear and need physical therapy treatment, call Physical Therapy Now at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment in Kendall. You will meet with one of our experienced staff members who will gather the necessary information and create a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan. If you prefer remote treatment, ask about our teletherapy options.
At Physical Therapy Now, we believe in doing more than treating your injuries or conditions and sending you on your way after each appointment. We believe in focusing on the whole person and not just the presenting problem.
It is our staff’s goal to move you toward a better overall quality of life. We not only value pain management and improved mobility through physical therapy services, but we also offer occupational therapy treatments to improve your day to day functioning and safety.
The skilled and experienced occupational therapists at Physical Therapy Now will work with you to help you and your caregivers identify areas for improvement and move you towards a more independent lifestyle.
Occupational therapy is a treatment for people who struggle to perform average daily tasks. Occupational therapists can work alongside physical therapists to build on their progress. Situations that might require occupational therapy include:
An occupational therapist will work with you to optimize your home and create strategies for you to perform daily tasks such as cleaning, hygiene, caring for pets, making phone calls, getting dressed, and cooking.
Physical therapy is meant to focus on a physical issue. Your physical therapist will work with you toward improving your physical health and helping your body heal. Occupational therapy focuses on the things you need to do with the mobility and strength you obtain through physical therapy.
These two therapies can work independently or together to improve your life. If you are recovering from an injury or suffer from a condition that prevents you from performing average daily tasks, you might want to consider occupational therapy.
Many patients and their caregivers choose occupational therapy for its numerous positive benefits, including:
Your occupational therapist will assess your needs and adjust your customized treatment plan accordingly. They will tailor your treatment to fit you and your environment to have the best chances for improvement and success.
If you struggle with daily functioning due to an injury or chronic condition, contact our Physical Therapy Now office at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment with an occupational therapist.
We are available to answer any questions you may have and even offer teletherapy for those with transportation issues or concerns about safety during Covid-19.
If you’re looking for Physical Therapy during this nationwide pandemic, look no further and stop in at one of our many open locations throughout the state of Florida. We understand that with over 4 million cases of COVID-19 reported in the United States, you may be a little hesitant to go to any businesses right now. Still, your safety and health are our top priority.
We have always held our staff accountable for cleaning and safety procedures. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has issued national guidelines for all businesses to follow to prevent the spread and keep everyone safe. Several states, including Florida, have also issued guidelines. At Physical Therapy Now, we follow all guidelines and work nonstop to keep you safe and in good health during this time. Our goal is to effectively reduce the spread in a field where equipment is being shared.
At each one of our locations, we have always heavily focused on sanitization and cleanliness. We have now implemented even more safety measures that our staff is committed to following. Some of our new policies include:
As a courtesy to our patients, we also have masks and gloves available. We are also practicing social distancing, and patients must stand six feet apart from each other at all times, including in our waiting room. We realize that some of these new procedures can be stressful or difficult for some people, but to effectively stop the virus’s spread, we all must follow the rules and regulations to stay safe. We are in this together!
We are always here for our patients and continually learning how to improve our locations and services. With the implementation of these guidelines, we will effectively know how to further our staff and patients’ safety even after the virus is long gone.
We know that right now is very stressful, be we will all get through this together. We encourage you to still take care of yourself during these trying times, and that includes going to Physical Therapy. Our staff is on-site and ready to get you back in shape so you can be prepared to go after this is over. Stop by any of our locations today and see for yourself how Physical Therapy Now is committed to your safety. We are also currently offering teletherapy appointments. As an additional commitment to our patients, you can be safe and still have your appointments right from the comfort of your own home.
When people think of car accidents and the resulting injuries, they often think of high-speed collisions and a dramatic scenario. While these accidents certainly cause serious injuries, low-speed accidents can also cause significant injuries. Low impact car accident injuries are common and can sometimes require long-term rehabilitation. If you have been injured in a low impact accident, you must seek medical treatment immediately, even if you do not feel that you are hurt. A proper medical examination can assess your condition and prevent you from exacerbating your injuries… even if, at the time, they seem small and/or insignifigant.
Low impact accidents generally happen at a low speed of under ten miles per hour. It is common for the vehicles involved in these accidents to have very minimal damage, but the human body cannot absorb impact like a car or a truck can. The body inside the vehicle moves at the speed of impact, meaning that at even ten miles per hour, your body can sustain severe damage.
These accidents can happen to pedestrians at a crosswalk, vehicles colliding in a drive-through, failure to set a brake properly, and more. These accidents are commonly due to driver error and inattentiveness.
Low impact car accident injuries can be serious, especially if they are not adequately treated. Common injuries include:
Whiplash happens when the head abruptly snaps forward and backward. It causes a pull to the muscles and tendons in the neck and is a soft tissue injury that can lead to even more severe injuries if not treated correctly over time.
Concussions are considered a traumatic brain injury that can also lead to more serious problems if not treated. Other soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and tears on various parts of the body. While the seatbelt is essential and can hold you in place during an accident, it can also cause bruises and strains upon impact. All these injuries are possible in a low impact car accident and can have serious repercussions if they are not treated by a trained professional.
Physical therapy is often recommended for people who have been injured in car accidents. It can speed up recovery and assist with pain management. It is also beneficial for improving your mobility and range of motion. Your physical therapist will review your medical records and examine you to create an appropriate treatment plan for your needs. That treatment plan can be adjusted as you go to match your progression.
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact our experienced staff at Physical Therapy Now at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment. We will conduct a free consultation and make recommendations based on your needs. We want you to get back to normal as soon as possible. If you are interested in scheduling remote appointments, ask us about our teletherapy options.
We are here for you!
Did you know that, on average, there are more than 16,000 car accidents per day in the US? That adds up to approximately 6 million per year. Those accidents cause more than 3 million injuries each year. Some of those injuries might be scrapes and bruises, but many are serious enough to require medical attention and physical therapy.
This is one of the easiest decisions you’ll ever make–get medical attention. Even if you don’t feel like you sustained a serious injury during the car accident, you won’t know for sure until a paramedic thoroughly checks you out at the accident scene by an ER doctor, or by your own physician.
What if you’re injured? It is of the utmost importance you seek medical attention as soon as possible, so your injuries are documented. That way, your insurance company is fully informed of your injuries and the treatment you required.
That all depends on the severity of your injuries as well as the recommendations of your doctor. If a car accident results in long-term injury, surgery, or chronic pain, odds are you will need physical therapy at some point. And when you do, Physical Therapy Now is the ideal facility for all your physical therapy needs. Not only do we offer plenty of convenient, state-of-the-art locations across Florida as well as the Dallas and Houston, Texas areas, but we provide the following services:
We treat all types of injuries sustained in car accidents, including neck injuries, herniated discs, joint injuries, whiplash, fractures, as well as pre- and post-surgical rehab.
The first benefit is the most essential and obvious–your health. At Physical Therapy Now, we’re dedicated to your recovery from car accident injuries. Our experienced staff is ready to get you feeling your best with a full menu of services and the latest technology and equipment. Of secondary importance (but still very important) is to make sure you attend all of your PT appointments, so your insurance coverage is not impacted. Also, be sure to communicate clearly and candidly with your physical therapist to ensure your pain and healing process is appropriately documented.
If you’ve been in a car accident, let Physical Therapy Now help you get back on your feet. Give us a call today at (800) 481-4582 to set up your first appointment.
There were already plenty of reasons to visit Physical Therapy Now: lots of convenient locations, a top-notch staff of experts dedicated to getting you pain-free and on the path to healing, and beautiful facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and programs. Here’s one more–Physical Therapy Now was just selected as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s top 500 franchises in 2020! Much of that success can be attributed to the CEO and Founder of Physical Therapy Now Franchise, Inc., Andy Zapata.
As recognition for Physical Therapy Now’s top-500-franchise honor, Andy recently appeared on the “Success Is Easy” podcast, hosted by fellow entrepreneur Debbie Allen. During their interview, Andy shared some valuable insights and advice as well as the story of how he started his business and grew it to be the enormous success it is today. Here are some highlights from the podcast:
Not many success stories start with a seemingly innocuous piece of mail that most people would tear up and throw in the recycling bin. But Andy’s did. Andy went to college to be an occupational therapist; however, he knew that while he enjoyed occupational therapy and the difference it can make in people’s lives, at heart, he wanted to own a business.
While living with his mother, Andy noticed a piece of mail from Capital One…you know, one of those “You’re Pre-Approved for $10,000” types of letters. Most people don’t even give it a second thought. But Andy saw a way in – a way to get a business off the ground – through credit card loans. He finally convinced his mother to sign off on the application for a credit card, because she figured she’d never be approved. To both of their surprises, a brand new Capital One credit card arrived in the mail shortly after that–and with it, a $10,000 credit limit.
One of his close friends also applied for a new credit card, so now the two were armed with $20,000 and some big plans. He knew people who were flipping houses–buying cheap homes, putting time and money into them, and then reselling them at a much higher price. But it wasn’t homes Andy was interested in flipping–it was physical therapy facilities. Andy and his friend researched, pooled their money, and spent wisely, purchasing retail space with cheap rent and filling it with used equipment and furniture. His business was born. But it didn’t come easily.
Andy is the first to admit that, as an aspiring business owner, he made his share of mistakes along the way. “I made every single mistake you can make–mistakes that cost me time and money. But you have to be okay with making mistakes,” Andy said. “Understanding that you’re going to fail, and there will be some pain. But you just get up the next morning with the same energy.”
Not everyone has the mental stamina or will to keep moving forward when faced with failure. Andy is obviously not one of those people. “Being brave is more important than knowing all the answers.” His persistence and acceptance of failure and all the learning that goes along with it paid off.
From 2006 to 2010, Andy was in a groove. He had learned all there was to know about flipping physical therapy facilities. He’d rent a location, fix it up, make it a fully functioning facility, and then flip it. All the while, he was profiting nicely on each sale. By 2015, Andy felt as if he had accomplished all he could as far as reselling PT facilities. He asked himself, “what’s next?”
Why not teach all of this? After all, he made a great living doing what he was doing; he was an expert in the field. “I need to teach this,” Andy decided. So, he got into franchising. But he didn’t start selling immediately; Andy wanted to get his system down pat so it would be simple to teach and implement for any prospective franchisee.
Andy is a firm believer that systems are critical–each department has a plan, and those systems are continually being honed and polished. “It’s very easy to teach a system,” Andy said. “The accountability for ensuring the system is being run properly is the hard part.”
Often, selling to your first franchisee is the most challenging sale to make, but Andy had a much different experience. “The first franchise I sold was the easiest because I was able to give all my attention to the franchisee.” To this day, that franchise is currently Andy’s #1 location.
So, what makes Andy tick after all these years in the physical therapy and franchising business? As far as the business aspect goes, he cites three keys to success: a clear vision of what you want for your business, determination, and perseverance to stick through the tough times, and the desire to ask plenty of questions.
Andy also possesses a driving force, or a burning passion, for business that he compares to a “runner’s high…” the euphoric feeling runners experience as they get into a zone during a long-distance run. He calls it a “business high,” his term for the addiction to success and to keep wanting more of it.
Tied into Andy’s business high is his love of working with others, teaching, and mentoring. He told the story of a husband and wife who came to him wanting to run a franchise. So he taught them his system and showed them how to work on their business rather than work in the business. Today, that location is a top-five franchise, and the husband and wife team is looking to open new locations. With Andy’s system in place, they have the right people in charge of the day-to-day operations, so they can finally take some much-needed vacation time for themselves. “And that’s what it’s all about,” Andy said.
His passion for healthcare and physical therapy also keeps him going. “Physical therapy is a very rewarding business. People come to you, and you see them in some of their worst and most vulnerable moments,” Andy commented. “We help people get back to independence, back to life. We do it hundreds of times a week, thousands of times a year, doing it all with a smile.
While COVID-19 shut things down for a little while, Physical Therapy Now was never really out of commission. The locations had to limit their hours as well as the number of people inside each facility for safety precautions, but as Andy says, “Accidents never stop happening. We were deemed an essential business, so essential businesses had to be open to serve their clients. Our facilities are open and pretty much back to normal.”
Success isn’t always easy, but Andy certainly has made it look as such. He continues to keep learning because he wants to keep growing. He says that franchise shows and expos are valuable sources of information because they allow for plenty of face time with other franchisors. And when you want to keep building your business, that’s a great place to start.
There are currently 36 Physical Therapy Now locations throughout Florida and Texas… but that number will soon hit 40. Andy’s next goal? “I want to get to 100. And once I get there, I want to get to 300.” Lofty goals, for sure. But who’d be willing to bet against Andy?
If you need physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, aqua therapy, or other services to treat injuries from sports, car accidents, work, surgeries, and more, come visit one of the many Physical Therapy Now locations or give us a call at 800.481.4582.
Watch the entire “Success Is Easy” podcast interview with Andy here.
Getting physical therapy has always been an essential stage of the recovery process if you’ve been injured or have suffered from chronic pain. And the traditional way to go about receiving physical therapy was to go to your doctor and get a prescription for PT so insurance would cover the cost. Not exactly ideal, right? Well, for Florida residents, there’s no need to go to the doctor for a physical therapy prescription. Why? Florida Direct Access.
Florida Direct Access is a game-changer for physical therapy providers and patients. Simply put, it allows you to bypass the doctor and receive PT without the need for a prescription. With Florida Direct Access, a physical therapist in Florida can implement a treatment plan for 30 days regardless of your injury.
This is advantageous for many parties. For doctors, they no longer need to add someone else to their already-packed schedules as long as the 30-day treatment plan is sufficient time for a patient’s rehab. For insurance companies, they no longer need to wait for a prescription to approve a PT plan. And, most of all, for the patient, you’re no longer required to take yet another trip to the doctor for the sole purpose of getting a prescription. You can head right to your local physical therapist, like those at Physical Therapy Now, and start getting physical therapy treatment.
There are a few restrictions, but none that outweigh the benefits and advantages of being able to access physical therapy without a physician’s referral.
If you’re ready for physical therapy, with or without a doctor’s prescription, head to one of our many Physical Therapy Now locations throughout Florida. We take the coronavirus pandemic very seriously and are taking the required and necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of both our clients and our staff while still providing you with the essential physical therapy you need right now. Among the measures we’re taking at this time are:
Physical Therapy Now is always here to help you. If you’re in need of physical therapy, give us a call at (800) 481-4582 to discuss appointment options. And if you can’t make it into one of our facilities, ask about teletherapy!
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So, you are finally ready to find some relief for this back pain you have dealt with for years. Maybe the pain is the result of an injury from a car accident or fall, maybe you have arthritis or another condition, or perhaps you simply have poor posture and need help correcting the issue.
Both physical therapists and chiropractors can treat these issues, helping to improve mobility, manage pain, and provide relief. Both professions require a great deal of education and knowledge about the human body and often have similar short-term and long-term goals for their patients. Knowing this, many ask if physical therapists are the same as chiropractors. The short answer is no. While the professions are similar, they differ in several key ways.
Both physical therapists and chiropractors share the goal of improving patient health. Their focused goals include:
Physical therapists and chiropractors are required to spend years in education and training and obtain a license to treat patients properly. But what makes them different?
A key difference between physical therapists and chiropractors is that chiropractors work toward short-term solutions while physical therapists teach their patients to reap long-term benefits. Chiropractic patients may need to go see their chiropractor time and time again, while physical therapy, in most cases, hand an end in sight.
Physical therapists:
Chiropractors:
If you have an injury or condition that causes you pain and discomfort and limits your mobility, it is possible that you could benefit from either physical therapy or chiropractic care. Choosing between the two is dependent on your issue and your individual needs. The best way to determine the type of care you need is to talk to your doctor and get a specific referral. It is even possible to use both types of therapy to treat your condition.
For this reason, Physical Therapy Now offers BOTH services.
Physical Therapy Now offers both physical therapy and chiropractic treatment. We provide you with a high level of care designed to improve your quality of life. Contact our office at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment and meet with an experienced staff member to create your treatment plan. Do not forget to ask about our teletherapy options. We are here to help!
Diego Rojas means business. Seriously. If you were going to write a book or make a movie about an entrepreneurial success story, Diego Rojas would be your main character. The man lives and breathes business, and he puts his skills to use on a daily basis.
Diego made his way to the United States from his native Colombia in 2005. His first job in the States? A dishwasher at a Mexican restaurant. But while he was stacking dishes and slinging silverware, he was also doing something else: dreaming. To be exact, he was fantasizing about the ‘American Dream.’
Diego knew his destiny was beyond dishwashing, and so began his mission to become a successful business owner, and Diego understood that it was going to take a lot of hard work to make it a reality.
While working at the restaurant, Diego made plans to educate himself on how to run a business. He left that dishwasher job and began working as a dispatcher at a nearby airport. Why a dispatcher job? Because of the hours. Diego worked overnights at the airport, starting at 10pm. After a full shift, he’d head home for some sleep and then attended classes at Valencia Community College in the late afternoons and evenings. Two years later, he earned an associates degree in General Studies.
“I am an early bird,” says Diego. “I like to get up in the mornings, so this schedule was very hard for me. But I had to do it.”
After Valencia, Diego attended Keyser University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. But that didn’t translate to immediate success in the business world. For 11 years, Diego worked in a chiropractic clinic, climbing the ladder up to Marketing Director and then Vice President. He eventually parted ways with that company and set out on a new business venture.
In 2018, he decided to build a restaurant, which was finished by that December. In the meantime, Diego had been attending franchise events for his restaurant, and that’s when he met Andy Zapata’s Physical Therapy Now franchise team. Despite having his hands full with the new restaurant and a new baby born in 2019, Diego began the Physical Therapy Now franchise process in September. So, why franchise with Andy?
“I decided to buy a franchise because Andy has a system already created,” Diego says. “I know this business, but Andy had everything done. It would take me a lot of time to do it on my own. Take the system, implement it, and make it work for you. The key is to implement good systems, and Andy already had all of that in place.”
It’s important to note that Zapata doesn’t bring just anyone on his franchise team.
“It has to be a good fit,” Zapata explains. “What makes Diego a good fit is that he is relentless when it comes to marketing. He does it all. He’ll go door to door if he has to, to make sure his business gets out there.”
That strategy has proven successful. In his first month of being opened, his new patient numbers shattered records for any new Physical Therapy Now franchise.
For Diego, knowledge is power. Despite having successfully run multiple businesses, he’s always looking to broaden his skill set. “If there’s a course or a seminar I can take, then I take it,” Diego notes. “No matter how successful my businesses become, there is always something for me to learn.”
“I always think that knowledge gives you power and helps you improve yourself for your business. That’s how I can make sure my businesses do well.”
As far as maintaining success as a business owner, Diego believes in a few fundamental principles:
“We hire only the best workers, and we take care of our employees because, without them, the business will never thrive. Plus, we pay well because we have to keep the employees happy. And if we don’t profit as much because of that, it’s ok. It’s not always about making money. It’s about making the people who work for you feel special. Remember, they have a life too.”
He says to view your business as a marketing company too. So, if you have a grocery store, it’s a grocery store/marketing company. If you have a bar, it’s a bar/marketing company. If you have a gym, it’s a gym/marketing company.
“Marketing is everything, and that’s my not-so-secret strategy that has always worked.”
In addition to his newly opened Physical Therapy Now franchise, he still owns and operates his restaurant in Orlando, owns a small business in his home country of Colombia and owns a business consulting company. Yes, he is a busy man, and that’s why he has learned to value one thing most.
“I have learned to appreciate time. Time is so important. You know, entrepreneurs go into businesses looking for more money, and that’s what I did too. But I’ve realized it isn’t only about the money. It takes so much time to build a business, that you need to value the time it takes you to get money. Time is everything. You can’t ever get it back once it’s gone. But you can always get more money.”
We all have to start somewhere, Diego says, just like he did. Those days as a dishwasher served him well.
“Every position and who is in it makes the successful or not. Work hard, work smart, and take care of the people around you. That’s what owning a business is all about, and that’s exactly what I’m doing with Physical Therapy Now.”
His primary focus is to give back to his community, especially with car accident victims who need therapy to heal from their injuries.
“It feels good to give back. I’m not only growing businesses, but I’m helping the community at the same time, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Diego’s Physical Therapy Now franchise is located at 482 E Altamonte Drive, Suite 1006 in Altamonte Springs, Florida. For more information on this PT Now location or Diego Rojas, call (407) 214-6333.
Falls can happen anytime, anywhere, and you must seek medical attention immediately if you do – especially if you’re in a business. Seeking immediate help prevents any further injury or damage from happening and ensures the legalities of your potential claim are all in check.
The sooner you get medical attention, the better it will be for the healing process. Health and well-being are our number one priority at Physical Therapy Now, and our team of physicians can assist with any fall-related injuries. We have dozens of locations in Florida, so you can always find us just miles from most places in and around Miami Dade.
If your fall happens inside of a business or in a parking lot, you may be wondering what to do. The first thing to do is to seek medical attention. The doctor may then refer you to see a physical therapist for your injuries. From the legal perspective, businesses can be held partially or fully responsible when injuries happen on their premises, so you could potentially receive a settlement over to cover the cost of your injuries, physical therapy, and much more.
We work with personal injury lawyers who can go over the full details of your situation with you. These lawyers work with insurance companies who ensure that businesses have all their legal requirements for these types of incidents. In these cases, time is of the essence, so it is essential that claims are filed as soon as possible, and you prioritize your health.
A fall could be any instance where the body physically falls to the ground after having lost balance from an object or surface. They typically occur at home but falls in stores and other places of business occur too. Some specific examples of a fall at home or a store are:
Any of the falls mentioned above could result in a minor injury or significant injury, depending on the person and nature of the fall. Minor injuries include most cuts or scrapes, while more serious injuries include broken bones or skull fractures (TBIs).
But no matter what the injury is, you must seek medical attention immediately after a fall to ensure your injuries are appropriately attended to and documented. And then, if necessary, once you’re cleared, you may need to begin physical therapy.
Our friendly team of physicians at Physical Therapy Now is always here for you. Give us a call today at 800-481-4582 and get started on your path to recovery.
