Backpack Awareness

Aching back and shoulders, weakened muscles, tingling arms, stooped posture. Does your child have those symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain.

Recent studies have begun to examine how school backpacks effect children and adolescents. A review of the research published within the past 5 years reveals that incorrect backpack use leads not only to back pain in youths, but also impedes proper physiological growth and functions. The adolescent spine continues growing in periodic spurts until the age of 18, making the proper use of backpacks vital. More than 7,000 emergency room visits in 2008 were related to backpacks and book bags. Half of those injuries occurred in children 5 to 14 years old. Students on average carry 22% of their body weight, exceeding the recommended 15%. And 34% of students carry more than 30% of their body weight at least once during the week.

Injury occurs when a child tries to adapt to the heavy loads and uses faulty postures such as arching the back, bending forward, or leaning to one side. These postural adaptations can cause improper spinal alignment which hampers functioning of the disks that provide shock absorption. A backpack load that is too heavy also causes muscles and soft tissues to work harder leading to strain or fatigue. This leaves the neck, shoulders and back more vulnerable to injury.

A heavy load may also cause stress or compression to the shoulders and arms. Make sure that both shoulder strap are always worn. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort. If the nerves are compressed, the child may experience tingling or numbness in the arms.

When worn correctly and not overloaded, a backpack is supported by some of the strongest muscles in the body: the back and abdominal muscles. These muscle groups work together to stabilize the trunk and hold the body in proper postural alignment.

For more information or to have your child's backpack properly fitted call our office. If they are already experience pain, bring them in and let us get them feeling better and using and wearing their backpack correctly.

The Back Pack Stretch

Here are some stretches that can help strengthen or prevent backpack related injuries along with using a back friendly backpack! Do these twice a day for 2 minutes (4 minutes total daily). Remember to breath from your diaphragm (do not hold your breath). Concentrate on the area being stretched. Hold each stretch for the time suggested. Warm up prior to stretching. Slowly apply the stretching techniques. Do them daily!

Meet Julian Manrique, MPT, OCS

Julian Manrique, MPT, OCS, received his Bachelor of Science and Masters in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University. He went on to become a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 2002. He is the owner of Hands On Physical Therapy and Focus Physical Therapy which he co-founded in 2002. In 2008 he became a certified ASTYM provider and is always learning about the latest research based treatments. He specializes in orthopedic manual therapy, sports injuries and conditioning, injury prevention, and neck and back pain/dysfunction. Julian loves helping people achieve their highest level of function possible, whether it is re-learning to walk or returning to their favorite sport or activity. He is focused on making sure that each patient is treated one on one and with the utmost care. Julian is married with a son and a daughter. He enjoys spending time with his family, training and participating in triathalons, surfing, mountain biking and gardening. Pretty much anything outdoors. He is just one of our staff of excellent physical therapists. We will profile the others in future posts. Please call our office if you would like to learn more about Julian or Hands On Physical Therapy/ Focus Physical Therapy and what we have to offer.

MEDICARE ACTION ALERT!!

***ACTION ALERT***

Medicare Direct Access Legislation Re-Introduced

On April 30th, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), and Alen Specter (D-PA introduced Senate companion legislation (S.950) The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) strongly supports this legislation as it would allow Medicare beneficiaries to directly access physical therapists for outpatient services as authorized by state law. Congressmen Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) re-introduced the House version, HR 1829, on March 31, 2009. Currently, HR 1829 has 61 sponsors. APTA NEEDS YOU TO CONTACT YOUR SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY TO SUSTAIN MOMENTUM ON THIS ISSUE!!

The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapist Act (HR1829/S950) recognizes the ability of licensed physical therapists to evaluate and treat beneficiaries requiring outpatient physical therapy services under Part B of the Medicare program without a physician referral or certification of the plan of care, if direct access is authorized by state law in the state in which the therapist practices. Requiring a referral is unnecessary and limits timely access to medically necessary physical therapists' services. APTA believes improving access to care for beneficiaries is critical as Congress looks to reform the Medicare program.

KEY POINTS TO MAKE

• Access: The major objective of this access is to improve access to physical therapists under Medicare, Currently, patients are required to see a physician prior to the initiation of physical therapy treatment, causing delay and at times denial of needed rehabilitation care provided by physical therapists.


• State Rights: This legislation eliminates a Medicare regulation that exceeds the state standard regarding access to physical therapists. State licensure laws govern health care professionals and Medicare should not limit access to safe, qualified providers with more burdensome requirements than state law.


• Cost Effectiveness: This legislation has the potential to decrease costs by eliminating unnecessary physician visits for the sole purpose of obtaining a referral, provide more timely access to care and reduce the number of visits or duration of care needed to treat an individual.


• Choice: Currently, Medicare beneficiaries are limited in their ability to choose physical therapy as a treatment option. This leads to limited choices in health care ant the potential for greater costs.


• Safety: this legislation would not jeopardize patient safety. In the 48 states with direct access to PT evaluation and the 44 with direct access to PT evaluation and treatment, there has been no increase in claims to liability carriers or state boards regulating physical therapy when the referral mandate was eliminated.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE TO REQUEST HIS/HER SUPPORT THROUGH CO-SPONSORSHIP OF THE MEDICARE PATIENT ACCESS TO PHYSICAL THERAPIST ACT (HR1829/S 950) OR TO THANK HIM/HER FOR THEIR SUPPORT IF THEY ARE CURRENTLY A COSPONSOR!

CALL: 202.224.3121 ASK TO SPEAK WITH THE HEALTH CARE LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT AND ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO CO-SPONSOR HR1829/S950

EMAIL/WRITE : GO TO WWW.APTA.ORG/ADVOCACY TO SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. THERE YOUR CAN ALSO VISIT THEIR WEBSITES DIRECTLY AND WRITE AN EMAIL TO HIM/HER TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CO-SPONSORSHIP.

TO SEE IF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS ALREADY A CO-SPONSOR OF HR1829 VISIT http://thomas.loc.gov/ and type in bill number HR 1829 under "Search Bill Summary and Status." For other questions or more information, contact Government Affairs at 1.800.999.2782 extension 8533

Thanks for getting the message through to Congress!

ASTYM Success Story

I have been a patient of Focus Physical Therapy and Julian's for approximately 4 years. At the recommendation of my doctor I initially started therapy to help with some hip pain I was having. After it was determined that I would need surgery, Julian was extremely helpful in getting me as strong as I could be in my core to prepare me for post surgical recovery. After surgery all of the exercise programs and treatments have lead me to be in the best shape I have been in since before having my kids. One treatment in particular is the ASTYM. I was treated in my lower abdomen and hip. It gave me back so much range of motion that had gone away due to scar tissue buildup from the surgery. I was also diagnosed with Tennis Elbow and my doctor said if therapy didn't work then he would use a cortisone injection to ease my pain. I began working with Julian where he again used ASTYM, I am happy to say the treatment worked and I have been pain free ever since. I am thrilled that I didn't need to get that injection after all. The ASTYM treatment truly works! Everyday is a better day physically for me. I do believe that living a pain free and active life is a direct result from the care I received from Focus Physical Therapy.

HEARING DATE CHANGED FOR AB721

Please see the following update regarding AB 721 and RESPOND ASAP...THANKS!

Hearing Date Changed for AB 721—Let’s Flood the Legislature with your Support Letters Today!
AB 721, Consumer Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services, will be heard in the Assembly Business & Professions Committee on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., State Capitol Building, Room 447. Super-Shuttle service will be provided at the Sacramento International Airport-Terminal A.
Please notify Tameka Island (tisland@ccapta.org) if you are planning to attend! Please help us with a final push for AB 721 right now.
1. We need you and everyone you know (therapist, patients, staff, students) to please make phone calls to the following members of the Assembly Business & Professions Committee: Assembly Member Ira Ruskin (916) 319-2021; Assembly Member Curren Price (916) 319-2051; Assembly Member Connie Conway (916) 319-2034; Assembly Member Cameron Smyth (916) 319-2038; Assembly Member Mike Eng (916) 319-2049 and Assembly Member John Perez (916) 319-2046. It may sound intimidating, but it’s really very simple. All you need to do is call and say, "Hello, my name is _______. I'm a physical therapist (patient, student) from ________, CA, and I want to urge the Assemblymember to support AB 721." Your phone call can impact the deciding vote on AB 721!
2. We need letters of support faxed to the members of Assembly Business & Professions Committee. The fax numbers are: Assembly Member Ira Ruskin (916) 319-2121; Assembly Member Curren price (916) 319-2151; Assembly Member Connie Conway (916) 319-2134; Assembly Member Cameron Smyth (916) 319-2138; Assembly Member Mike Eng (916) 319-2149 and Assembly Member John Perez (916) 319-2146. Follow this link to view CPTA’s letter of support and use this as a guide for writing your own letter.
We hope to see you there!
Thank you in advance for your time and support! Please don’t hesitate to contact Tameka Island (tisland@ccapta.org) or (916) 929-2782 ext. 108 if you have any questions.
To view and track the bill, visit www.leginfo.ca.gov, click “bill information” and write in AB 721. To determine if you are a constituent of a member of the Business & Professions Committee, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and write in your zip code. For more resources and information visit the Consumer Direct Access Resources page on the CPTA Website. (From the Home page, click on the “Consumer Direct Access Resources” page from the left-hand navigation bar). Follow this link for a list of the Assembly Business & Professions Committee members and their contact information.

HAPPY ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY

.........OR AS WE USE TO CALL IT SECRETARY'S DAY!

TODAY I DROVE AROUND AND DELIVERED ROSES TO ALL THE WONDERFUL WOMEN AND MEN WHO ASSIST THE DOCTORS IN SOOOO MANY WAYS...IT WAS NICE TO SEE SOME OF THE DOCTORS TAKING CARE OF THEIR STAFF TODAY.

WE JUST WANTED TO THANK THEM FOR BE WILLING TO HELP US WHENEVER WE CALL, WITH PRESCRIPTIONS, REPORTS, PATIENTS STATUS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT THEY DO! HERE AT FOCUS AND HANDS ON WE KNOW THAT THE DOCTORS COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU AND NEITHER COULD WE!

HOPEFULLY YOU GOT A ROSE AND ARE CHECKING OUT THE BLOG. AND FOR ANYONE ELSE THAT IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT HAVE A GREAT DAY!