You have been feeling constant pain in your back, and it is preventing you from continuing with your everyday routine. It may have even caused you to miss work. The good news is that the problem may not be as severe as your pain would have you think. Of course, this does not mean you should overlook it.
Keep reading to find out what may be causing your pain, but, don’t forget that one of the most important things you can do is physical therapy, as this will increase your chances of a full recovery and to being pain-free!
While you may not know the specific reason for your back pain, there are some common causes to this condition. These include strains to your muscles or ligaments which can occur from heavy or improper lifting or in car accidents. This can also happen in work-related injuries or and also in sports.
Other common causes of back pain are disk ruptures, arthritis and osteoporosis. Other factors include your age – the older you get, the more prone you are to developing back pain – and your physical condition can be compromised due to lack of exercise, for example.
Missed work because of your pain? Don’t worry; you are not alone! According to the American Chiropractic Association:
This isn’t just the case for Americans; around the world, there has been a significant increase in the number of years lived with a disability due to lower back pain.
Considering how common this condition is, physical therapists have extensive experience and treatments to improve your pain. Passive physical therapy involves applying heat/ice packs to the patient, Iontophoresis and ultrasounds.
There are also active options, which encompass exercises. These may include stretching exercises for your hamstring, strengthening your back muscles and low impact aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming or bicycling. No matter how severe your back pain may be, a physical therapist can identify your specific needs and the best course of treatment.
So what are your options? If you, or someone you know is feeling back pain, the best option may be to see a medical expert. At Physical Therapy Now, our physical therapists are ready to help. With many locations throughout Miami Dade, and various options for customized treatment, we have both the staff and equipment to help you meet your goals. So, don’t wait! Call us at (800) 481-4582 to schedule your appointment and start your journey to being pain-free!
As you continue your search for which business investment to pursue or which business to get involved in from a professional standpoint, you’re definitely right to ask as many questions that you can come to think of.
One of the most important questions that you need the answer to: will this help me to be successful in many ways? And does that level of success include financial stability?
That question often comes to mind for those researching the business of physical therapy, so we’re delving into the details of that all too common question from people just like you.
Yes – the physical therapy businesses can be very profitable, BUT, just like any other business, there are several factors that come into play that directly affect how successful (or not successful) the business will be. Some of those factors include:
Staff: Even just one bad employee can have a huge impact on the success of your physical therapy business. This is why it is imperative that you hire employees who are honest, hard-working, and knowledgeable. And once you get those great employees, make a specific effort to focus on employee retention by striking that all-important balance of being a great boss that has high expectations and compensating your employees very well for their commitment to your company.
Marketing: Getting the word out about your “business” doesn’t just happen. There needs to be a strategic effort to spread the word through a marketing team and budget, that can include billboards, community service, flyers, digital communications, and much more.
Location: You can have the best physical therapy location in the world, but if your patients can’t access your services with ease, your business will inevitably not succeed. Choose your location with care that offers great visibility, space for signage, and of course, ample parking.
Billing: Mistakes in billing can cost a business thousands of dollars, either in missed payments or penalties. Be sure that both you and your accounting team are meeting deadlines and billing properly, so your business doesn’t incur unnecessary losses.
Patients: The more patients you have, the better, but you need to be sure they are treated with nothing but the utmost respect and get great results from the services you provide. This will not only lead to return clients but will also result in referrals to other potential patients. See below:
Reputation: We’re often told not to worry about what other people think, but that couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to a physical therapy business. The fact is, people talk, and one negative experience can have a much larger impact on your business than many other positive customer experiences.
As you continue researching the physical therapy business, think about taking an in-depth look at investing in a physical therapy franchise. Not only will you be able to tackle that list above with ease, but you will also have the full support of your corporate franchise offices and your fellow franchisees.
To learn more about the fast-growing franchise operation of Physical Therapy Now, call us today at (888) 481-4582 or head to our website for more information.
Ouch! That pinched nerve in your back is brutal, isn’t it? You can’t move properly, you dread taking a deep breath, and forget about laughing – even a chuckle can have you reeling in pain. But, you don’t have to keep suffering. Call your physical therapist now to get started on a treatment plan that will lessen – and quite possibly – eliminate that pinched nerve pain, so you can get back to living your best life!
A pinched nerve can occur in just about any scenario. But in most cases, it occurs by some sort of trauma. It can also happen when doing something repetitively or by holding the same position for an extended period of time:
Some people want to simply let a pinched nerve heal on its own, but sometimes, there needs to be further intervention. Physical therapy can help tremendously because the goal is to increase mobility and reduce/alleviate pain by targeting the exact source of discomfort.
In most cases, the patient can begin to experience immediate relief during or right after physical therapy, and with regular appointments, the pinched nerve – and the area surrounding it – can be fully healed with the support of a qualified physical therapist.
If you have a pinched nerve and you live in the Miami-Dade area, we can help. Here at Physical Therapy Now, we offer dozens of locations in and around the Miami-Dade area, and you can find a location that not only convenient to you but also located about five miles from your Miami starting point.
Call us today to make your first appointment at (888) 481-4582, and we’ll begin communicating with your insurance company immediately so you will know the exact cost of your physical therapy. Let’s get started, so you can heal that pinched nerve ASAP!
Car accident injuries come in all shapes and sizes, right? In other words, not only can they happen in different ways, but no two car accident injuries are exactly alike. And that’s precisely why no two individuals should have the same physical therapy plan when it comes to car accident rehabilitation. There is, however, something that most people should consider – and that one thing is aquatic therapy.
The list of car accident injuries is too long to list here, but some of the most common include:
An injury – like a broken bone – is immediately obvious, but there are many cases when other injuries could present symptoms a few days – or even a full week later. The pain from whiplash can begin later, and concussion symptoms may not present immediately. The same goes for back injury symptoms: sometimes the injured may not feel pain until they try to get out of bed the day following an injury.
Whether your pain sets in immediately or days later, you must seek medical treatment immediately not only for your health and well-being but also for insurance purposes, as most insurance companies have a time frame in place for seeking coverage for treatment associated with car accidents.
There are many forms of treatment for car accident injuries. Some people may opt for electrotherapy while others go the more traditional route. But don’t forget an often-overlooked form of physical therapy that gives the patient support and comfort like no other form of physical therapy can: aquatic therapy.
Here at Physical Therapy Now, we know the pain that can be associated with car accident injuries, because the crash itself can be hard on the human body in so many ways. Aquatic therapy is such a great option, because:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, consider aquatic therapy at Physical Therapy Now. Our state-of-the-art pool and equipment will give you exactly what you need as you embark on the road to recovery, and you will appreciate the professional and knowledgeable physical therapy team that assists you at each aquatic therapy appointment.
Are you interested in aquatic therapy for your car accident injuries? Or would you prefer going to a more traditional Miami car accident clinic for rehab? If you have any questions or make your first appointment at (800) 481-4582. We’re here to help!
Although many falls do not result in injuries, one out of 5 falls results in a serious injury that requires medical attention. Such injuries include fractures of the hip, arm, and wrist, and falls are one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These injuries can limit a person’s daily activities and independence, but even when a person isn’t hurt during a fall, it’s common to become fearful about falling again, and this can lead to a decrease in a person’s usual activities. We can become weaker when we’re less active, which increases the chance of falling again.
Falls are more likely to occur after illness or injury, including injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Although anyone can experience a fall, older adults are particularly at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly one in 3 elders falls each year. Death rates are also increased after a fall.
With adequate knowledge about fall risks, falls can be prevented. It is important to understand the risk factors for falling and to then develop a plan to reduce these risks.
Many situations can contribute to falling, and these are referred to as risk factors. The greater the number of risk factors, the greater the likelihood of falling. The good news is that many of these risk factors can be changed in order to prevent falls, including:
There are a few simple changes you can make right now to reduce your risk of falling:
These changes to the home and neighborhood can reduce safety hazards, helping individuals to safely complete daily activities.
Request an evaluation for your risk of falling with your doctor, your physical therapist in Miami, or other health care professional and discuss what you can do to address the risks.
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to review your prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medicines for any possible side effects of dizziness or sleepiness, which can increase your fall risk.
In Miami and across the U.S., fall prevention programs are increasing in popularity. These programs address the need for safe environments, as well as the need to improve balance and strength, which improves coordination. Physical Therapy Now in Miami provides in-office care as well as home exercise programs. This important resource helps members of our community to restore and maintain balance, strength, and coordination.
Are you interested in regaining your balance by way of physical therapy in the Miami area? Call us to set up your first appointment at (800) 481-4582. Let’s do this together!
You’ve gotten over those hurdles of finding the perfect location, getting all the permits, building out the interior, and doing all those other things you need to get your business off the ground. And now you have another feat to overcome: finding and hiring good employees for your business.
Ask any entrepreneur, hiring manager or business exec, and they’ll tell you one of their biggest challenges is finding good – or rather great employees – and keeping them. Read on for some tips that can help you do just that.
It all begins with the job description. It goes without saying that you are going to get applications and inquiries from individuals who are far from qualified. However, if your job expectations are clear from the beginning, you’ll also pique the interest of more qualified applicants.
Don’t limit yourself to online job boards and newspapers. Post your openings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Word spreads fast – especially when you have social media on your side.
Once you have your potential clients lined up, consider those other factors that can impact employee performance. You’ll be double-checking their qualifications, but you’ll also need to determine if this person is competent to not only show up but show up on time and perform their everyday tasks.
Once you’ve screened your applicants, ask yourself: do they have the right personality for this job? For example, you want a friendly, personable employee at the front desk, and you want a team that works well together and is cohesive.
Do you really need someone to come into your office every day? More and more companies are hiring remote employees. The benefit? It extends the business’ reach far beyond the local hiring pool and thus – increases the opportunity to find more qualified candidates across the country – and possibly internationally as well.
Hiring isn’t just about you and your business. There are plenty of people out there who are looking for a great place to work, and they’ll do their own independent investigations to find out what your business is like. Do you REALLY care about your employees? Do you REALLY treat your clients well? A savvy job searcher can find out online with the click of a few buttons, and one of the best ways to do that is to see if you’re engaging online. Responding to reviews only takes a few minutes, it’s free, and is a simple way to show the community that you care.
Not only should you request references for potential hires, but you can also find good employees by asking other friends and business owners if they know of anyone who might be a good fit for your open position.
Have you ever worked for a person or a company that does the bare minimum for its workers? There are plenty of them out there. However, the vast majority of the successful businesses have one thing in common they do those little and small things that make their employees feel special. A monthly employee luncheon or breakfast, holiday parties, bonuses, recognition… all these things go a long way when it comes to workplace morale and keeping your employees happy. And of course – fair and competitive compensation is always important too.
The Physical Therapy Now franchise operation is growing at a rapid pace throughout the country, and it is no doubt due in large part to the employees we hire at each of our Physical Therapy Now franchise locations. Each of our franchise owners has the luxury of tapping into the expertise of the corporate office executives and fellow franchisees, so hiring is a smooth and seamless process. For more information about Physical Therapy Now, go to our website or give us a call at (800) 481-4582.
There are dozens (and dozens) of different car accident injuries. They range anywhere from bruises, cuts and broken bones to debilitating injuries that can lead to lifelong complications – or worse – death. Luckily, the latter isn’t most common, but there is one injury, in particular, that plagues thousands of people every year regardless of how the injury happened.
Whiplash is arguably the most common car accident injury. It can happen in side-impact, rear-end, head on, single, and multi-vehicle accidents. Whiplash injuries can be minor, moderate, or severe – and can impact day to day activities with nagging, consistent, or debilitating pain. In short, every person’s injury is different, and each individual is affected differently.
There are many symptoms of whiplash, one of which is easily dismissed as a stiff or sore neck. The problem is that when left untreated, whiplash can take much longer to heal and can lead to chronic pain in other areas affected by the injury. Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include:
Your doctor may advise you to rest following a whiplash diagnosis, and physical therapy can also play a key role in the healing process. Your physical therapist will implement gentle and therapeutic exercises and movements that will guide you in the rehabilitation process. The restorative treatments will, over time, allow you to recuperate from your whiplash while simultaneously increasing your range of motion, decreasing your pain, and decreasing (or altogether eliminating) the other whiplash symptoms you are experiencing.
Are you one of the many people who is suffering from whiplash after an accident? While this injury is very common in auto accidents, it also happens in slip and fall accidents, and sports accidents. If you suspect you or a loved one is suffering from whiplash or if you notice any of the symptoms listed above, don’t wait! Get to a doctor or to your physical therapist in Miami as soon as possible, because insurance companies have strict guidelines when it comes to getting that much-needed coverage. Namely, a timeline that gives you only a short period of time to seek treatment for your injuries.
If you live in the Miami-Dade area and need whiplash treatment, call Physical Therapy Now at (202) 481-4592.
So, you want to start your own physical therapy business?
Whether you’ve got it all mapped out (down to the location, office furniture, and logo design), or if you’re early dreaming stages (the sky’s the limit!), owning a business can become a reality. But know this: it takes work. HARD WORK. But – it does pay off, and there are a few key tips to making your entrepreneurial ventures successful.
City, rural or somewhere in between, you need to have an easily accessible location for your physical therapy business. Think about it like this: why would someone – who is already experiencing physical limitations and discomfort – want to be inconvenienced in the attempt to receive care? They wouldn’t!
Choose a physical therapy location in Miami that offers ample parking with ease of access that is close to your customer base, and you’ll be on the right track.
Not only is the location important, but being visible plays a key role in your flow of business as well. Many physical therapy businesses get patients because those potential customers drive past the physical therapy facility on a regular basis. High-traffic areas can be a game-changer when it comes to how many patients your business receives, so keep visibility in mind.
You must also maintain an online presence through your website and social media. Neglecting this all-important aspect of any company can be detrimental to any business. Your potential customers will likely be searching online for the services you offer (so they can use your business), so be sure to get that aspect up and running as well AND maintain it with regularly updated, relevant, great quality content.
You will be incorporating a combination of both traditional and innovative physical therapy techniques in your business. To do this effectively, you’ll need to have not only the equipment but also ample space as well. The cost for purchasing this equipment is also important to keep in mind. Because it will total several thousand dollars, there are various lending companies who will allow you to finance the equipment or a bank loan can help in making the purchase.
Do you know someone who has started their own physical therapy business? If so, tap into their knowledge and experience and ask for their guidance and support. Learning from others can make a huge difference in how your business unfolds, so be open to learning and reach out for help!
As you are investigating the idea of owning your own physical therapy business, consider another way to make it happen: by becoming a Physical Therapy Now franchisee! Those 5 bullet points above are just a fraction of all you’ll need to do before you open your doors – and don’t forget, you still need to handle hiring, billing, communications, marketing and so much more.
When you choose to join the franchise family at Physical Therapy Now, you also choose unparalleled support and successful systems that are already in place. Those hiccups that come by way of the grassroots efforts are very few, so give the idea of becoming a Physical Therapy Now franchisee some serious thought. You’ll be in great company, as Physical Therapy Now is one of the fastest growing physical therapy franchises in the country! Head to our website or give us a call at (800) 481-4582 to get started.
You’re experiencing pain and have been told that you need physical therapy. What is the exact purpose? And what should your physical therapy goals be? Read on to find out why you’re embarking on this adventure and how your Miami physical therapy team can help you along the way.
What kind of pain are you experiencing? Is it a nagging pain that causes you to slow down a bit in your day to day activities, yet it is somewhat manageable? Or is that pain debilitating, and keeps you from doing the things you love (and need) to do? Or does your pain fall somewhere in between? No matter what the pain is that you are experiencing, physical therapy can help you meet the goal of reducing pain.
Whether you are recovering from a surgery, an injury or for any other reason, you may need to get stronger so you can return to the activities and day to day experiences you enjoyed previously. Physical therapy can help you get stronger little by little, so you can meet that goal.
When your body is healing, the muscles and tendons may become tight over time. When this happens, it can make moving around very challenging. For example, reaching for a can or a glass that is on a top shelf can be very difficult, or one may not be able to tie his or her shoes because of limited mobility. Physical therapy will help increase mobility, which will ultimately increase strength and reduce pain.
Many people come to physical therapy with the goal of decreasing the use of pain medication or eliminating it altogether. Because pain is naturally reduced when one increases mobility and gets stronger via physical therapy pain meds can be reduced as well. Be sure you speak with your physical therapist about the proper process of reducing pain medication… there are some that involve a strategic “weaning” process, so consulting with a medical expert is advised.
You won’t have a lot of luck finding a person who doesn’t want to live with less pain, get stronger, move about more freely and reduce their dependency on pain medication. When you meet any of the physical therapy goals above, you inevitably increase your quality of life, because you can get back to doing those things you truly enjoy.
If you live in Miami and are looking for a place to receive physical therapy, you’re in luck. Physical Therapy Now offers dozens of convenient clinics throughout Miami-Dade. Each of our locations are staffed and equipped with what you need to meet your physical therapy goals, so call us today to set up your first appointment at (800) 481-4582. We are here for you!
If you have been in an accident of any kind – whether it be in a sports accident, a vehicle accident, a slip and fall accident, or something else – it is imperative that you give serious consideration to how you are feeling afterward. Don’t dismiss your injuries as “no big deal,” and don’t think “Oh, it’s just a little bit of pain.” Why? Because those seemingly minor symptoms can be a sign of something else more serious.
You might feel great after your accident. There are many people who truly believe they have no injuries and continue about their day genuinely feeling like nothing is wrong. But then, they begin noticing what we call delayed symptoms. Some of the most common delayed symptoms include:
There are many other delayed symptoms, so if you don’t see yours listed, don’t worry. Everyone has a different experience. What’s most important is that no matter what, you take your injuries seriously and don’t dismiss them.
When someone experiences delayed symptoms, that simply means that they don’t see or feel any injury symptoms immediately following the accident. It happens differently for everyone. Some people experience their delayed symptoms in mere hours following their accident, while others may not feel anything for the next 24-48 hours. In some cases, the injured doesn’t experience symptoms for a full week following their accident.
The bottom line is: no one person’s delayed symptoms are the same as the next. Everyone’s experience is different. The most important takeaway here is that if you have delayed symptoms of any kind after an accident, you need to take action.
When you experience delayed symptoms after an accident, you need to seek medical attention immediately. There are two reasons why:
Do you know that you can get treatment from a physical therapist in Miami without a prescription from a medical doctor? It’s true – this law was put into place for Florida residents to make it easier to seek medical treatment when you’ve been injured. Here at Physical Therapy Now, we have a team of insurance experts who work directly with the insurance companies to make sure you get as much coverage as possible.
We’re here to help, so if you experience delayed symptoms after an accident, call us at (800) 481-4582 to schedule your first appointment. We’ll get you in to see one of our talented physical therapists immediately!