Massage & Wellness

December 28, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Uncategorized

Wellness Center, Therapeutic Tune-ups and Massage

More than just Physical Therapy

You do not need to be injured to enjoy our Wellness services. We offer programs to help you stay well.

Our services include:

• Myofascial ReleasePost-Surgical
• Recovery and Rehabilitation
• Pilates-Based Movement Therapies
• Massage
• Personal Training
• Cardiovascular conditioning
• Sports-specific training
• Weight control and management
• Classes and workshops

Therapeutic Tune-ups (Save Time and Money)

Get 15 minutes of treatment and pay a small fee without worrying about doctor’s prescriptions or insurance issues.

These are minor treatments for pains, strains, and sprains. Have you ever awoken with a kink in your neck and wished someone could treat your discomfort for just 15 minutes that day? Or perhaps you twisted your ankle or flared up your knee during a hike and wished you could get some minor attention to prevent this from getting worse. Then you realize that a massage is costly and takes time. In general, to see a Physical Therapist, you would need to see your doctor first, get a prescription, then call the PT office and schedule. Perhaps your insurance does not cover Physical Therapy.

What if you could just walk into the PT’s office, get 15 minutes of treatment and pay a small fee without worrying about doctor’s prescriptions or insurance issues. Well, that is exactly why we created Therapeutic Tune ups. Now, you can walk into North Tahoe Physical Therapy, talk to the therapist about your issue, and receive a 15 minute treatment for only $35. Treatment may consist of massage, Myofascial Release, craniosacral therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, stretches or spinal mobilizations. It just depends on what your body needs.

Benefits:

1) Direct Access to a therapist. No need to see an MD first
2) Less waiting time between injury and treatment
3) The sooner treatment occurs means quicker recovery time.
4) No insurance issues
5) Low cost
6) Brief appointment times

Orthopedic Massage

Orthopedic Massage is a form of manual therapy that specializes in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.  In addition to the benefits of traditional massage such as relaxation and increased circulation, orthopedic massage has several other treatment goals.  These include increasing the range of motion, decreasing and managing pain, and normalizing musculoskeletal function.  The therapist works to dissolve adhesions in muscle and connective tissue, lengthen connective tissue, balance muscle function by strengthening weak muscles and releasing tight ones, as well as normalize the position of soft tissue, restore joint function, release entrapped nerves, and facilitate normal neurological function.

A session typically lasts from ½ hour to 1 hour.  The work will be both gentle and deep.  For lasting results, the therapist will want to see the patient 2-3 times a week initially, as frequency is the key.  During the course of a session, the therapist will evaluate the entire body and address the body as a whole, to see how is responding to the injury.  The therapist will then specifically address the area of trauma to increase the fluidity in the tissue and range of motion in the effected joints.   This can be done by a postural evaluation, checking passive range of motion, or movement analysis.

Simply call 775-831-6600 and schedule your appointment
Walk-ins welcome

Physical Therapy

November 29, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Uncategorized

More than just Physical Therapy

At North Tahoe Physical Therapy, we offer a unique combination of Myofascial Release, Hands-on soft tissue mobilization, skeletal mobilizations, Pilates- based exercises, Education and Self Management.
Our therapists are highly trained, experienced professionals. We provide a strong interaction between you, your doctor and your physical therapist.  North Tahoe Physical Therapy uses a 1-on-1 approach to Physical therapy with exceptional customer service. We treat you as a whole person, not just your injury.

Each client obtains a thorough explanation of their condition. Your physician receives timely reports regarding your progress. We empower you to become active partners in your recovery and health maintenance. Our personalized approach results in your wellness and satisfaction. Click here for client testimonials.

The cornerstone of our approach is Myofascial Release. Find out more about Myofascial Release

Our Treatment Philosophy

Our treatment philosophy is based on the pelvis, the base of the spine.  We believe the pelvis is the foundation of the body.  This foundation must be level for the head and neck to sit properly and for the legs to hit the ground evenly.  When a client comes to us with “low back pain”, we begin by assessing the pelvis for symmetry.  If the pelvis is rotated or if the trunk is shortened on one side, the surrounding soft tissues will attempt to stabilize the system.  This may lead to muscle spasms, pain, or tension of the nerves and the discs which sit atop the pelvis. Additionally, the spine may rotate and side bend in response to the un-level base below.  Consequently, the head which sits atop the spine will be un-level.

Our bodies are smart.  If our spine is rotated, we naturally adjust our head to have our eyes level. This may lead to issues of muscle spasms, muscle tension, TMJ/jaw disorders and headaches. So, for a person who comes to NTPT complaining of TMJ, headache or neck pain, our treatment starts at the pelvis.

Like a house if the foundation is not level, the roof will crack and the windows won’t easily slide open or close. Therefore, it only makes sense to balance the pelvis, which is the foundation of the body.

Self empowerment
A maintenance program of Home exercises, education about how to avoid aggravating your condition, and awareness of how you can help yourself are important components of your care. North Tahoe Physical therapy, we empower you to be an active participant in your health and wellness. You may spend 1-3 hours a week with our team of therapists at North Tahoe Physical Therapy. There are 168 hours in a week. What are you doing the other 165 hours?

Get well
• Orthopedics
• Sports Injury Care
• Back and Neck care
• Incontinence/Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
• TMJ/Migraines/Headaches

Stay Well
• Myofascial Release therapy
• Massage
• Personal training
• Medically Supervised gym
• PILATES
• Classes and workshops

Address the Symptoms, look elsewhere for the Cause
At North Tahoe Physical Therapy, we treat the cause of your problems. Our evaluation is a full body assessment. We look for Pelvic imbalances, fascial pulls, and postural abnormalities. We then determine how these deficits may have created your symptoms. For example, neck or jaw problems may arise from an unlevel pelvis. Knee issues may be due to a pelvis imbalance. If we only treated the symptomatic jaw without leveling the pelvis, the issues will return because the problem has not been corrected. By treating the cause, we are able to address and decrease the symptoms.

Physical Therapy Hows & Whys

October 22, 2008 by Jane O'Brien  
Filed under Physical Therapy

Is Physical Therapy a good way to get started on an exercise program if you have been inactive for a long period of time or is a personal trainer a better option?

It is always best to consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise after prolonged inactivity. Your doctor will perform a complete physical and determine if you will be at risk or if you are safe to begin an exercise program. If the MD gives you the “Go Ahead”, physical therapy is your best option for proceeding.

The PT will evaluate your body before developing an exercise program. Tests may include an assessment of muscle strength in your arms, legs and core. He or she will assess your flexibility, your ligamentous stability, your range of motion in your joints, your endurance level, and your current fitness level. The PT will measure our blood pressure and your heart rate at rest and determine an appropriate activity level for your exercise program. He or she can tailor the program towards your specific fitness goals, for example, weight loss, improved endurance, strength gains, toning or others you may have in mind. If you wish, the PT can also measure your body fat level and develop a plan to reduce that level.

One benefit of beginning a fitness program with a PT is that you are being medically monitored. As you proceed with your fitness program, the PT will assess your heart rate and blood pressure before, during and after activity. Your exercises will be adjusted accordingly. If you have any previous injuries, alert the PT so that area can be protected in your program to prevent a flare up. Additionally, the PT can add exercise to your program to rehabilitate the injured area.

One last advantage of a fitness program which is performed under the direction of a Physical Therapist is the price. A medically guided program may be covered under your health insurance. This means that you may only need to pay for your copayment or coinsurance. If, however, you do not have insurance, many Physical Therapists provide personal training to their clients. The cost may be slightly higher than the fee a personal trainer may charge (about $10-$20 on average). But, the Physical Therapist is a medical professional who has either a Masters or a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and is trained in the biomechanics of the body, muscle structure and function, injuries and rehab, anatomy and physiology, orthopedics, and strengthening and conditioning.
North Tahoe Physical Therapy works with many clients for reconditioning programs both through insurance and on a cash payment basis. We also offer personal training and Pilates exercise programs.

-Jane O’Brien, MSPT

Massage & Wellness

February 1, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Massage & Wellness, Services

Therapeutic Massage

Wellness Center, Therapeutic Tune-ups and Massage

More than just Physical Therapy

You do not need to be injured to enjoy our Wellness services. We offer programs to help you stay well.

Our services include:

• Post-Surgical Recovery and Rehabilitation
• Myofascial Release
• Pilates-Based Movement Therapies
• Massage
• Personal Training
• Cardiovascular conditioning
• Sports-specific training
• Weight control and management
• Classes and workshops

Therapeutic Tune-ups (Save Time and Money)

Get 15 minutes of treatment and pay a small fee without worrying about doctor’s prescriptions or insurance issues.

These are minor treatments for pains, strains, and sprains. Have you ever awoken with a kink in your neck and wished someone could treat your discomfort for just 15 minutes that day? Or perhaps you twisted your ankle or flared up your knee during a hike and wished you could get some minor attention to prevent this from getting worse. Then you realize that a massage is costly and takes time. In general, to see a Physical Therapist, you would need to see your doctor first, get a prescription, then call the PT office and schedule. Perhaps your insurance does not cover Physical Therapy.

What if you could just walk into the PT’s office, get 15 minutes of treatment and pay a small fee without worrying about doctor’s prescriptions or insurance issues. Well, that is exactly why we created Therapeutic Tune ups. Now, you can walk into North Tahoe Physical Therapy, talk to the therapist about your issue, and receive a 15 minute treatment for only $35. Treatment may consist of massage, Myofascial Release, craniosacral therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, stretches or spinal mobilizations. It just depends on what your body needs.

Benefits:

1) Direct Access to a therapist. No need to see an MD first
2) Less waiting time between injury and treatment
3) The sooner treatment occurs means quicker recovery time.
4) No insurance issues
5) Low cost
6) Brief appointment times

Orthopedic Massage

Orthopedic Massage is a form of manual therapy that specializes in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.  In addition to the benefits of traditional massage such as relaxation and increased circulation, orthopedic massage has several other treatment goals.  These include increasing the range of motion, decreasing and managing pain, and normalizing musculoskeletal function.  The therapist works to dissolve adhesions in muscle and connective tissue, lengthen connective tissue, balance muscle function by strengthening weak muscles and releasing tight ones, as well as normalize the position of soft tissue, restore joint function, release entrapped nerves, and facilitate normal neurological function.

A session typically lasts from ½ hour to 1 hour.  The work will be both gentle and deep.  For lasting results, the therapist will want to see the patient 2-3 times a week initially, as frequency is the key.  During the course of a session, the therapist will evaluate the entire body and address the body as a whole, to see how is responding to the injury.  The therapist will then specifically address the area of trauma to increase the fluidity in the tissue and range of motion in the effected joints.   This can be done by a postural evaluation, checking passive range of motion, or movement analysis.

Simply call 775-831-6600 and schedule your appointment
Walk-ins welcome

Personalized Hands-On Physical Therapy

January 29, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Physical Therapy, Services

More than just Physical Therapy

At North Tahoe Physical Therapy, we offer a unique combination of Myofascial Release, Hands-on soft tissue mobilization, skeletal mobilizations, Pilates- based exercises, Education and Self Management.
Our therapists are highly trained, experienced professionals. We provide a strong interaction between you, your doctor and your physical therapist.  North Tahoe Physical Therapy uses a 1-on-1 approach to Physical therapy with exceptional customer service. We treat you as a whole person, not just your injury.

Each client obtains a thorough explanation of their condition. Your physician receives timely reports regarding your progress. We empower you to become active partners in your recovery and health maintenance. Our personalized approach results in your wellness and satisfaction. Click here for client testimonials.

The cornerstone of our approach is Myofascial Release.

Our Treatment Philosophy

At North Tahoe Physical Therapy, our treatment philosophy is based on the pelvis, the base of the spine.  We believe the pelvis is the foundation of the body.  This foundation must be level for the head and neck to sit properly and for the legs to hit the ground evenly.  When a client comes to us with “low back pain”, we begin by assessing the pelvis for symmetry.  If the pelvis is rotated or if the trunk is shortened on one side, the surrounding soft tissues will attempt to stabilize the system.  This may lead to muscle spasms, pain, or tension of the nerves and the discs which sit atop the pelvis. Additionally, the spine may rotate and side bend in response to the un-level base below.  Consequently, the head which sits atop the spine will be un-level.

Our bodies are smart.  If our spine is rotated, we naturally adjust our head to have our eyes level. This may lead to issues of muscle spasms, muscle tension, TMJ/jaw disorders and headaches. So, for a person who comes to NTPT complaining of TMJ, headache or neck pain, our treatment starts at the pelvis.

Like a house if the foundation is not level, the roof will crack and the windows won’t easily slide open or close. Therefore, it only makes sense to balance the pelvis, which is the foundation of the body.

Self empowerment
You may spend 1-3 hours a week with our team of therapists at North Tahoe Physical Therapy. There are 168 hours in a week. What are you doing the other 165 hours? A maintenance program of Home exercises, education about how to avoid aggravating your condition, and awareness of how you can help yourself are important components of your care. North Tahoe Physical therapy, we empower you to be an active participant in your health and wellness.

Get well
• Orthopedics
• Sports Injury Care
• Back and Neck care
• Incontinence/Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
• TMJ/Migraines/Headaches

Stay Well
• Myofascial Release therapy
• Massage
• Personal training
• Medically Supervised gym
• PILATES
• Classes and workshops

Address the Symptoms, look elsewhere for the Cause
At North Tahoe Physical Therapy, we treat the cause of your problems. Our evaluation is a full body assessment. We look for Pelvic imbalances, fascial pulls, and postural abnormalities. We then determine how these deficits may have created your symptoms. For example, neck or jaw problems may arise from an unlevel pelvis. Knee issues may be due to a pelvis imbalance. If we only treated the symptomatic jaw without leveling the pelvis, the issues will return because the problem has not been corrected. By treating the cause, we are able to address and decrease the symptoms.