There is currently a lot of discussion in rehab circles surrounding the efficacy and therapeutic potential of light-based modalities. From professional sports teams to private practices, these technologies are starting to be used on a daily basis to treat injured tissue. Light-based therapy used to treat pain and inflammation can be delivered by both lasers [...]
Contributed by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS
Photobiomodulation therapy (also known as laser therapy) is a nonthermal, photochemical process that results in beneficial therapeutic outcomes, including the alleviation of pain and inflammation, immunomodulation, and promotion of wound healing and tissue regeneration. It also promotes muscle relaxation and increased local circulation. While this sounds similar to the [...]
Contributed by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS
Treating headaches (HA) can be challenging, and they make up a sizable portion of many practices. Head pain is the 5th leading cause of visits to emergency departments in the U.S. and accounted for 1.2% of all outpatient visits.1 With approximately 300 classifications of different types of HA2, learning [...]
Contributed by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS
Most health care providers do not like addressing the topic of money with patients, especially when it is related to the services they are providing. That being said, the topic of value with regard to a patient’s healthcare dollar is becoming more and more relevant as deductibles and co-pays [...]
The State of Workers Compensation
Workers compensation is a major expense for manufacturing companies and in environments where physical labor is prevalent. The skilled workers performing these tasks are often referred to as “Industrial Athletes”. They experience many injuries similar to those in professional athletics due to the demanding physical environment and repetitive nature of physical [...]
Contributed by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS and Perry Nickelston DC, NKT, FMS, SFMA
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint condition that effects more than 27 million individuals in the United States.1 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80% of patients with OA have some limitation of mobility, while 25% are unable [...]
Contributed by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS
Unfortunately, the manual therapy world often draws lines in the sand when it comes to treatment approaches. Clinicians tend to define themselves with a particular manual therapy approach and generally don’t give much thought to how a modality might shape their practice. However, best practice usually involves combining various [...]
Contributed by Mark Callanen, PT, DPT, OCS
While it is true that most insurances are not reimbursing for laser therapy currently, the good news is that progress is being made. In 2016, a HCPCS II code (S8948) was developed which is a specific timed code that can be used to bill for low-level laser therapy (LLLT). [...]
Referrals are a key component for promoting practice health. Unlike external marketing efforts, referrals are a relatively inexpensive way to maintain and grow your patient base. Patients who come via referrals are also typically better patients – more compliant, more loyal, and more likely to refer you out again.
Any practice can build a strong referral [...]
Guest Blog Post by Perry Nickelston DC, NKT, FMS, SFMA
For so many, running is more than exercise – running is freedom. It’s an emotional and physical triumph for the human body. There is nothing else like it. Human beings were born to run. In fact, we are designed for it: large glutes for optimal power [...]
Score a Home Run When Treating Baseball Injuries With Laser Therapy
Guest Blog Post by Perry Nickelston DC, NKT, FMS, SFMA
Baseball players throw – they throw a lot. They also get hurt a lot. During the action of throwing, players have to generate massive force from the foot all the way up, over, and out to [...]
Maximizing Results with On-Contact Laser Therapy Treatments: Tips & Strategies
Guest Blog Post by Perry Nickelston DC, NKT, FMS, SFMA
Successful laser therapy application depends on sufficient dosage of laser light energy reaching the target tissue. Key phrase: target tissue
There are superficial structures that interfere with efficient absorption of laser photons to deep structures:
Skin
Fat
Blood
Water
There are a few [...]
5 Places to Look for Pain When Assessing the Shoulder
Guest Blog Post by Perry Nickelston DC, NKT, FMS, SFMA
The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the human body. So much activity happens here and so does a lot of chaos. Next to the lower back it’s the most common area of the [...]
You may have heard the terms “Cold Laser” or “Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)” before. In general, such terms refer to “treatment using irradiation with light of low power intensity so that the effects are a response to the light and not due to heat.”1 Many of the terms used to commonly describe this process do [...]
Growing your practice can be difficult. There are many methods you can choose to employ, from placing local advertisements to building a website. Many clinicians end up using multiple marketing tactics to attract new patients, but one thing every practice can and should do is dedicate time to increasing their patient referrals. This is an [...]
