Answers to Frequently Asked Questions |
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| 1. |
What
conditions or problems are treated
at your facility?
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Pain
brings most people to Brian P. Lambert
PT physical therapy. Other reasons
include restrictions in movement
of muscles or joints, poor posture,
poor single leg balance, muscle
weakness, or need for rehabilitation
following an accident or orthopedic
surgery.
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| 2. |
What
is the difference between a physical
therapist and a chiropractor?
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Our
understanding is that chiropractors
use manipulation of the spine to
alleviate pain that is either near
the spine or referred into the extremities.
Our physical therapists use manual
therapy and exercise to treat dysfunctional
area or the body to relieve pain
and restore strength and flexibility.
Physical Therapists at Brian P.
Lambert, PT, teach their patients
our own special combination of exercises
to achieve these goals. These exercises
can easily be done at home or in
a health club setting. We use manual
therapy techniques derived from
osteopathic teachings.
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| 3. |
What
differentiates the practice of Brian
P. Lambert, PT, from other physical
therapist practices? return
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The
therapists at Brian P. Lambert,
PT, systematically evaluate patients
for biomechanical and/or functional
faults . We assess how a person
uses his or her body during daily
activities. The therapists use manual
techniques in conjunction with an
independent exercise program. We
work towards improving flexibility,
posture, and strength and recruitment
of appropriate muscles. We correct
faulty movement patterns which tend
to perpetuate pain and lead to excessive
wear and tear of the joints. Treatment
sessions are one-on-one: we treat
patients one at a time.
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| 4. |
How
many visits will be required?
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Most
patients are seen for five or six
visits. Some problems will require
a more extensive rehabilitation
program. We have a well equipped
fitness area to supplement our physical
therapy sessions.
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| 5. |
Will
I experience immediate improvement?
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We
expect to see some improvement with
each treatment session. We reassess
your condition at each visit to
appropriately modify your treatment
program as needed.
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| 6. |
How
do I know when to apply heat and
when to apply cold for pain relief?
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Generally
apply ice within the first 72 hours
following a sprain or strain. This
will help control pain and inflammation.
After 72 hours use heat or ice,
depending on which provides the
most pain relief.
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| 7. |
What
is manual therapy? return
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Manual
therapy refers to techniques that
are applied to the body to restore
mobility in the restricted areas
of the musculoskeletal system. Massage
is a form of manual therapy used
to address soft tissue including
muscles or their tendonous attachments
to bone. Osteopathic techniques
are a form of manual therapy applied
to correct mechanical dysfunctions
in the musculoskeletal system.
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| 8. |
What
is a modality? return
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A
modality is a therapeutic procedure
used to control pain and/or reduce
inflammation. Modalities we use
include hot and cold packs, ultrasound,
and electrical stimulation. exercise
and manual therapy are also considered
"modalities."
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| 9. |
What
does ultrasound do? return
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Ultrasound
is high frequency sound waves that
produce mechanical and thermal effects
in soft tissue. The frequency of
the sound waves is different from
that of diagnostic ultrasound, and
therapeutic ultrasound does not
generate a picture. We use ultrasound
to gently warm deep soft tissue.
The temperature increase within
soft tissue generally be one to
two degrees. This increases circulation
and makes the tissue more pliable.
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| 10. |
If
I have not had time to do my exercises,
should I cancel my appointment?
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You
should not cancel your appointment
if you have not followed through
with your exercises. The exercises
are very important and are integral
to your recovery. Keep your appointment.
We reassess the need for further
manual therapy and review and reinforce
the home exercises.
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| 11. |
How
do I know if I am doing my exercises
correctly? return
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During
your initial session you will be
instructed in each exercise that
you need. We will explain the necessity
of the exercise and the specific
details of executing the exercise.
You will receive an exercise sheet,
with notations, specific to your
needs. We will review your home
exercises at each visit. Between
sessions we can schedule brief appointments
for reviews if needed.
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| Click to view the Our 'Junk in the Trunk' article (written by Brian Lambert P.T.) from Advance, the nation's physical therapy news magazine. |
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