PT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

When people come into my clinic there are some common questions that people ask. Being that Maven Clinics are all found inside gyms, we get a few questions that other clinic may not hear that often. Here are a few examples.


PT Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. When do I know that I need therapy?
Usually I recommend that patients receive therapy when their injury (or condition) is inhibiting their normal daily activities such as walking, sleeping, running, exercising, cooking, driving. Often times people will ignore their problems until it starts to interfere with their everyday life, which leads to the next question.

2. My pain isn't stopping me from my normal activity but it still bothers me, do I need therapy?
Yes! Why live your life in pain?? Prevent the injury from getting worse, get treatment so that you can move on with your life. Pain is a signal from your body that something is wrong. It is usually a good idea not to ignore signs, like a red light at an intersection. Consider pain a big red light for your body.

3. Do I need a prescription? I don't have time to go back to my doctor.
Depends, most of the time no, you don't need it. But certain plans DO require it, but 90% of insurance plans in NJ DO NOT require a prescription. NJ is a Direct Access state, which means it is legal to go straight to a PT without a prescription. Medicare patients, unfortunately, DO need a prescription.. sorry!

4. What exercises or machines can I use out here that wont hurt me? How do I use them? (One of those MAVEN only questions)
That really depends on what you are looking to gain from the exercises and how you are performing the exercises. All MAVEN PT's are either CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists) or in the process of being certified, so we are a great resource for you. Also we will be having a....

INJURY FREE RESISTANCE TRAINING WORKSHOP
700 Palisadium Dr.
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010
Dance Studio 1
January 15th, 2011
12:30PM - 1:30 PM

The seminar will be taught by Taylor Lee DPT, CSCS. With over 10 years of training and fitness experience! The seminar will be fun and interactive and is absolutely free! Come and bring your friends!

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is one of the most common conditions that effect the older population. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes pinching of the spinal cord. The spine is comprised of bones call vertebrae. The vertebrae are like bricks that make a pillar (the spine). 

This pillar keeps your body upright and is the foundation of your skeletal system. The spine also protects your spinal cord. Most of you know that your spinal cord carries your nerves which carry information such as pain from your body to the brain.  Over time, the part of the vertebrae that encases the spinal cord becomes narrower and with eventually begins to compress on the cord itself. This results in pain and possibility numbness and tingling in one or both legs.  

Signs of spinal stenosis:

1.  Pain with back extension activities (leaning back).
2. Standing is more painful than sitting.
3.  Pain goes away with sitting or lying down.
4. Pain and/or numbness extends down legs, most of the time into both legs.
5. Pain relief medications are not effective.

Treatment for spinal stenosis:

1. Conservative treatment: NSAIDS (Tylenol, Aspirin, ice)
2. Changing sleeping positions – Sleeping on side.
3. Medical treatment – Surgery, medications, injections.
4. Physical therapy – Therapist will teach core strengthening, postural control, body mechanics and pain management with manual therapy. 

Spinal stenosis is a difficult thing to treat but there are some patients that respond very well with treatment. The therapist and the patient must work hard together to return the patient to his/her normal life.