Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where did the clinic name, PT Live It, come from?
I was flipping through a magazine and saw an ad for something related to Yoga. There was a picture of a 98 year old woman wearing leggings and workout shirt, she had a fancy necklace on, and she looked beautiful. She was sitting in a lotus pose and she was quoted as saying, “The Joy of Living is Inside You. Live It. Believe in It.” That quote summed up what I believe, how I live my life, lessons my Dad taught me, and what I try to bring out in my clients. Therefore, PT Live It became my clinic name!
2. What do the letters (credentials) behind your name mean?
- PT: I received my Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 1996 from North Georgia College.
- DPT: I went back to school in 2009 for my transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver, CO.
- COMT: This distinguishes me as being a Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist through Maitland Seminars. I am able to perform joint and spinal “mobilizations” and manipulations (similar to what chiropractors do when they ”pop” or adjust you). The goal of this type of manual treatment is to increase the range of motion at the joint level, to decrease pain, and to increase strength/stabilization/protection for more normal and functional movement. In order to have full range of motion, each joint has to do a series of rolls and glides to allow for that movement to occur. Mobilizations and manipulations focus on increasing the smoothness of those rolls and glides.
- OCS: Our National PT Board, the American Physical Therapy Association, creates clinical exams designed to assess our advanced clinical skills in a particular field of PT. I am certified as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist. I have demonstrated the knowledge to be considered a clinical expert. I understand the current research, the tests, and the best treatment and examination skills needed to treat the entire musculoskeletal systems (bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves).
- DN: I have been certified in dry needling and it is a certification that takes place outside of the PT curriculum. It requires a specific number of clinical practice hours prior to going through the training and sitting for the written and practical exam. See question #7 for more details about dry needling.
3. Do I need an order from my physician before seeing you?
No, a referral is not required. Georgia is a Direct Access state which means you can be evaluated and treated without a physician’s order. After a thorough examination and assessment, I will refer you to a physician as it is warranted, for additional tests such as MRIs/x-rays, or for prescription medications. I have good professional relationships with the PCPs and Specialists in the area.
It has been shown by multiple studies that coming to a PT early and as a “first stop” can decrease costs, speed up recovery, and decrease the need for unnecessary tests and meds.
It has been shown by multiple studies that coming to a PT early and as a “first stop” can decrease costs, speed up recovery, and decrease the need for unnecessary tests and meds.
4. Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for PT?
Yes, I can provide the receipts needed for HSA and FSA accounts.
5. Do you accept the Christian-based “insurance” plans?
Yes, I can provide you with a “super bill” that you can use to submit to your insurance.
6. When is it better to Self-Pay versus using my insurance?
Health insurance can be very confusing and frustrating to have to pay to go to the doctor and PT when you already pay a monthly premium; however, insurance plans have deductibles, copays/coinsurances, and Out of Pocket expenses attached to them.
- Deductibles: a deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance plans start to pay any expenses (doctor’s visits, PT, xrays, MRIs). If someone has a high deductible and they don’t think it will be met in the coming year then you will continue to pay, full price, out of pocket each time you go to the doctor/PT. If you are fairly certain you will not meet your deductible in the year, then it is less expensive to Self-Pay than to go to a PT clinic who files insurance.
- Copays/Coinsurances: Once your deductible is met, most insurances still have copays/coinsurances you will have to pay at each visit until your Out of Pocket Max is met.
7. What is Dry Needling (DN)?
Dry needling uses a thin, monofilament needle inserted into a muscle trigger point (muscle knot or a tight band) to release the trigger point resulting in decreased muscle tightness, increased blood flow, decreased pain, and to allow the muscle to work more efficiently and effectively. Most clients report an immediate decrease in their symptoms after dry needling.
Trigger points can occur secondary to an acute injury (crick in the neck, back pain from lifting the day before), overuse (posture related), or from repeatedly moving incorrectly.
Once inserted, the needle is left in for a few seconds to minutes and is followed by exercises/stretches, icing, and instructions on what to expect following needling. After treatment, I will check back in with you after a couple of days to see you responded and if you have any questions.
Trigger points can occur secondary to an acute injury (crick in the neck, back pain from lifting the day before), overuse (posture related), or from repeatedly moving incorrectly.
Once inserted, the needle is left in for a few seconds to minutes and is followed by exercises/stretches, icing, and instructions on what to expect following needling. After treatment, I will check back in with you after a couple of days to see you responded and if you have any questions.
8. Should I use ice or heat?
Ice is used for the first few days after an injury (think sprained ankle or tennis elbow from trimming bushes) and after surgery. It is used to decrease pain and swelling and to ease off an irritated area. Ice is also used after you have been doing something active and the area feels flared up or irritated (low back hurts from working in the garden or using the chainsaw). Applying ice for 10 minutes at a time is recommended and can be used multiple times during the day.
Heat is used to loosen a tight muscle and if something feels stiff (muscle tightness from a crick in the neck). Heat increases blood flow to an area; therefore, shouldn’t be used when there is swelling in the area.
Heat is used to loosen a tight muscle and if something feels stiff (muscle tightness from a crick in the neck). Heat increases blood flow to an area; therefore, shouldn’t be used when there is swelling in the area.
9. Should I rest it or work it?
Rest is used more for an acute injury, strain, sprain, flare up, but typically only for a short period of time (24-48 hrs). You can “rest” an injury, but still be active vs lying on the couch. An example, you sprained your ankle 3 days ago. You shouldn’t go for a run on it if it still hurts, but you can ride a recumbent bike, do yoga, Pilates, weights. You’ll be increasing circulation to the area and keeping the joints around it stronger. You’ll also be sending a message to your brain that says, “we’re good. You don’t have to keep protecting me by keeping my muscles guarded and my nerves hypersensitive.” All of that means you will have a quicker recovery.
Work (being active, working, chores around the house/outside, exercising or exercising with modifications) is almost always better to help with healing and to decrease symptoms quicker once you’re out of the acute phase. So if you hurt your back doing a deadlift and you’re concerned about going back to your exercise class, I will, in most situations, recommend you return to class and just modify the exercises you do in class to stay painfree initially, but then push into some pain/discomfort as long as it eases off quickly after the workout. Sometimes you’ll have to find the balance between working and flaring it, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go to the class at all. Once pain becomes more chronic, strengthening and work is needed to improve and you may find you respond quicker by pushing yourself harder than you think. If you find yourself always stretching or rolling an area of pain, it may mean that muscle needs to be strengthened and pushed vs rested and stretched. This is a good time to see a PT to let her help guide you.
Work (being active, working, chores around the house/outside, exercising or exercising with modifications) is almost always better to help with healing and to decrease symptoms quicker once you’re out of the acute phase. So if you hurt your back doing a deadlift and you’re concerned about going back to your exercise class, I will, in most situations, recommend you return to class and just modify the exercises you do in class to stay painfree initially, but then push into some pain/discomfort as long as it eases off quickly after the workout. Sometimes you’ll have to find the balance between working and flaring it, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go to the class at all. Once pain becomes more chronic, strengthening and work is needed to improve and you may find you respond quicker by pushing yourself harder than you think. If you find yourself always stretching or rolling an area of pain, it may mean that muscle needs to be strengthened and pushed vs rested and stretched. This is a good time to see a PT to let her help guide you.
10. What is the best pillow/positioning for specific pain?
- Neck: One pillow should be used and it should be the thickness just required to keep your head in alignment with your body or maybe just a bit higher, but not cocked up too high or cocked backwards. Once you are lying down either on your back or your side, horseshoe the pillow around the head at the curve in your neck. Typically there is less pain when lying on the side of pain. Lying on your stomach can increase and keep your neck pain from easing.
- Shoulder: Lie on the non-painful side, horseshoe a pillow up under your arm pit (not down at your elbow) of the painful shoulder and then let the arm rest on the pillow on your side. If lying on your back, prop the pillow up under your shoulder blade and arm for full support.
- Back and Hip: Typically you’ll try lying on the non-painful side first with a fat pillow between your legs/knees. You’ll want your knees to stay higher than your hips.
11. Is leaking normal and is there anything I can do about it? Do I just have to live with it because I had kids?
Leaking urine with exercise, running, jumping, coughing/sneezing, and laughing is called stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and although it is common, it is not normal even if you’ve had kids at any point in your life. It is not something you just have to live with. It can be treated even if you’ve been dealing with it for 10, 20, 30+ years.
This is such a passion of mine from having experienced it myself, to understanding it doesn’t have to just be something you continue to live with, to wanting to help other women address it and live their BIG LIFE without worrying about leaking, wearing pads, holding themselves when they have to sneeze/laugh/cough, or always knowing where the bathrooms are. It doesn’t have to keep you from running, exercising, jumping rope, or lifting weights.
This is such a passion of mine from having experienced it myself, to understanding it doesn’t have to just be something you continue to live with, to wanting to help other women address it and live their BIG LIFE without worrying about leaking, wearing pads, holding themselves when they have to sneeze/laugh/cough, or always knowing where the bathrooms are. It doesn’t have to keep you from running, exercising, jumping rope, or lifting weights.
12. So, what should I expect during a pelvic floor examination?
First, we will just talk and discuss your concerns and symptoms and how it is affecting your life. We’ll review your medical history, and I will ask you a lot of questions.
Next, I will do a full musculoskeletal evaluation and watch how you move from your back/hip/pelvis, how you breathe, and how you use your core. I’ll assess for any scar tissue that may be restricting things from previous abdominal/pelvic/back surgery or C-sections.
After that, and after receiving informed consent, we will do an internal pelvic exam. I will insert one finger and I am feeling for any trigger points in the muscles which may be causing pain, leaking, constipation, or inability to relax the pelvic floor. I will assess for prolapse and I will be able to assess your ability to contract the pelvic floor, hold the contraction, and also be able to fully relax the pelvic floor. I will explain everything I do before I do it and tell you what I’m feeling and how it relates to your symptoms. At the end of the session, we will discuss your personal goals and I’ll give you exercises/stretches to do at home and answer any of your questions. If at any time you are uncomfortable during the exam, we can stop. You are in complete control.
Next, I will do a full musculoskeletal evaluation and watch how you move from your back/hip/pelvis, how you breathe, and how you use your core. I’ll assess for any scar tissue that may be restricting things from previous abdominal/pelvic/back surgery or C-sections.
After that, and after receiving informed consent, we will do an internal pelvic exam. I will insert one finger and I am feeling for any trigger points in the muscles which may be causing pain, leaking, constipation, or inability to relax the pelvic floor. I will assess for prolapse and I will be able to assess your ability to contract the pelvic floor, hold the contraction, and also be able to fully relax the pelvic floor. I will explain everything I do before I do it and tell you what I’m feeling and how it relates to your symptoms. At the end of the session, we will discuss your personal goals and I’ll give you exercises/stretches to do at home and answer any of your questions. If at any time you are uncomfortable during the exam, we can stop. You are in complete control.
I hope this has been helpful, and please, let me know if you have any further questions for me or would like to set up a quick call to see if PT is something that can help you. My email is tess@ptliveit.com and phone is 706-742-0082.