Florida’s PIP law has changed, but for how long?
A Florida judge has upheld his injunction to block portions of the state’s no-fault auto insurance law because it infringes on drivers’ access to the courts. Because of this, regulators are now appealing to an even higher court.
Judge Terry Lewis, a Second Circuit Court judge, has his decision in a case [Myers V. McCarty Case No. 2013 CA 73] that was filed on the behalf of chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists.
The massage therapist and acupuncturists claim the new law is a threat to their livelihood due to the fact that it excludes them from the list of PIP providers and it prevents them from receiving payments for treating injuries caused by car accidents.
Chiropractors also argued that the new law restricted payments, since the law put limits on coverage as drivers with “emergency injuries” are given $10,00 in coverage, while “non-emergency injuries” only receive $2,500 in coverage.
Lewis said, in his initial ruling, that the restrictions in coverage no longer made PIP a “reasonable alternative” to a tort system.
Lewis said that after reviewing the new laws he is still sensitive to the medical providers’ concerns; however, the injunction is foremost to protect individuals’ rights to access the courts.
Lewis stated, “The reason for issuing the injunction was to protect the constitutional right and prevent the potential harm to citizens injured in auto accidents who, under the present PIP statute, may not receive necessary medical care.”
Lewis is also quoted in saying, “equities tip in favor of allowing the temporary injunction to remain in effect.”
The Florida counsel for state relations for Property Insures Associations, Donovan Brown, said that the association is disappointed in the ruling and what it means for the PIP law.
Brown said, “Florida consumers deserve the full benefit of the 2012 reforms,” and “This ruling gives way to the fraud and abuse those reforms were designed to eliminate.”
The Office of Insurance Regulation filed a motion with Florida’s First District Court of Appeal seeking an immediate review of the injunction.
The Office of Insurance Regulation’s motion is to question the validity of Lewis’ injunction; however, is not a response to the issues raised in Myers V. McCarty.
If you would like to read more about Florida’s Injunction on their PIP law, Click Here.
Running towards your goals!
When I first met with Tricia, I knew she had been put through so many different medical procedures that all she wanted was some relieve. The pain was so unbearable, that she had issues walking or even just standing. I knew that not only could we help her release her from the pain, but we would get her to her normal activity level in no time at all. The following is Tricia’s side of the story.
Ten Months Ago, I was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis on my left foot. In an effort to heal the injury, I pursued the advice and therapies of podiatrists, an orthopedic, a physical therapist and chiropractors. After unsuccessful treatment attempts via Cortisone shots, rounds of ultrasounds and muscle stim, electo-shock therapy, anti-inflammatories, orthotics etc., my final resort seemed to be plantar facial release surgery. I knew that I didn’t want to have surgery. My friend suggested I try Peggy. Approximately 9 weeks ago, I “hobbled” into her office. My goal was to walk with less pain. My dream was to run again. As an avid runner, this injury took away my favorite hobby. On our first visit, I explained to Peggy that my pain level was about a 9 as I tried to walk. I couldn’t even stand on my left foot at that time. Peggy worked on my core muscles as she explained that my hip alignment could be a factor in my injury. At that point, I was hoping anything would work to alleviate my pain. The week following my first session, I had some slight relief. Fast forward about four sessions, I was walking fairly pain free and attempted to run again. At that time, I felt like Peggy’s therapy was like magic! I couldn’t believe my progress. After eight sessions with Peggy, I am walking pain free and running again! It is truly a gift. She has given me an important piece of my life back…running! In fact, I am up to a 60 minute run on any given day. I am now entertaining the thought of doing some racing again. It is truly remarkable. Peggy told me on the first visit that I would run again and she was right! I am truly grateful to her for giving me my life back! She is incredibly knowledgeable, professional and confident. Her confidence that I would improve helped me to commit to the eight sessions. I feel at times that I have to pinch myself…I cannot believe that I am at this point. In my health partnership with her, I am nearly 100%! Tricia (Tarpon Springs, FL)
$mart Health, Inc. Benefits of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Coverage for your health care and a savings account for your costs
An Health Savings Account (HSA) gives you access to quality health care. Plus, it gives you a way to manage what you pay.
A typical HSA includes:
- A high-deductible health insurance or benefits plan for medical coverage.
- A health savings account to pay for qualified out-of-pocket costs.
HSA benefits
You own it. You decide whether to spend or save the funds in your health savings account. If you decide to change employers or health plans, the account is yours to keep.
You don’t lose it. Any money not used at the end of the plan year rolls over to the next year.
It can grow. Your HSA is a savings account opened at a local bank that earns interest. You can save money in your account and let it grow, to pay health care costs down the road, even during retirement. And after you build up a certain amount, you may have investment options.
Tax advantages of an HSA
With an HSA you also get:
Tax savings. Money you put into the account can reduce your taxable income.
Tax-free earnings. Money you keep in your HSA earns interest tax free.
Tax-free spending. Money you take out to pay for qualified health care costs in never taxed.
How an HSA works
- Visit your local bank and enroll in an HSA. You must be covered by a high-deductible health plan, and you must not be eligible for coverage under any other health plan.
- You’ll get welcome and debit card materials in the mail.
- Contribute anytime. You, your spouse and family, and your employer can contribute up to the yearly limit set by the Internal Review Service – 2013 is $3,250 for an individual and $6,450 for a family.
- Know how much you have. You can only use the money that is in your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses.
- Visit the doctor, hospital and other healthcare providers. Pay for your health care expenses with your HSA Debit Card account, or pay out of pocket and save your account. Either way, pay until you reach your yearly deductible.
- Then pay a copay or coinsurance after each visit. Use your HSA if you want.
- Once you reach the plan’s out-of-pocket max, your health plan pays the rest at 100%!
$mart Health, Inc. tips on using your HSA
Make the most of your HSA! Here’s How:
Stay in your network. Doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers in the network have a contract to provide reduced rates to our members.
Know before you go. Unless it is an emergency, compare what doctors and hospitals will charge you for some common services before you make an appointment.
Keep track of your deductible and fund balances.
Pay only for qualified health care expenses. Otherwise you could face tax penalties from the IRS.
More help for using your HSA
Do you have HSA questions?
Contact Capt. Rob Hamilton at $mart Health, Inc. (813) 944-5399.
Surgical Alternative Top 10 treated conditions
As our clientele grows, we have noticed that more and more of our newer clients know less about the different conditions we can help with. Originally, we had two separate blogs showcasing the top ten conditions treated at Surgical Alternative. This made it difficult for some of our clients to find the information. We have decided to combine the two stories for a more cohesive place to find out more information about our top treated aliments.
Over the past few years, I have seen many different injuries treated in Surgical Alternative’s Institute of Alternative Therapy, but many of them have been returning ailments. We have taken a few minutes to create our top ten treated injuries from Surgical Alternative. If you have any further questions, please CONTACT US TODAY for your evaluation and treatment.
Without further adieu, we present our top ten treated injuries by surgical alternative for with alternative therapy, deep tissue massage, energetic therapy, and other methods.
10.) Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects the central nervous system causing extreme pain and discomfort and many areas of the body independently and simultaneously. Symptoms may include but are not limited to debilitating fatigue, insomnia, and joint stiffness. Other symptoms include numbness/tingling and trouble swallowing. For more information on fibromyalgia, please continue here, or CONTACT Surgical Alternative today for your evaluation.
9.) Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff in your shoulder is made up of tendons, ligaments and muscle that work in unison to create the range of motion for your arm and upper back. By injuring any of the pieces of the rotator cuff, you are not only causing inflammation and irritation, but you may also be doing further damage by not attending to your injury. For more information of rotator cuff injuries and what surgical alternative can do to help, please continue here, or CONTACT US TODAY for your evaluation.
8.) Plantar Fasciitis
This is the most common cause of heel pain. It is caused when your plantar fascia ligament becomes irritated, weakens, swells or strains. Since it is the tissue that supports your arch, some people call it “fallen arches”. Plantar Fasciitis causes moderate to severe foot pain and should be attended to as soon as possible. If you would like to learn more about your condition, please continue here or CONTACT US today for your evaluation.
7.) Hiatal Hernias / Hiatus Hernia
A hernia is simply described as part of your internal body moving somewhere it does not belong. Your Hiatus is an opening in your diaphragm and acts as a muscular wall between your chest cavity and your abdomen. When your abdomen and stomach bulge up through the opening in your hiatus, this is called a hiatal hernia, or hiatus hernia. There are two types of hiatal hernias : paraesophageal and sliding. Though extremely uncomfortable, surgical alternative can treat these hernias and make your life more comfortable and manageable. If you have a hiatal hernia and would like to learn more, please click here, or CONTACT us today for your evaluation and treatment.
6.) Tight Muscles / Stiffened Joints
We all get older and we all get LESS mobile each day. Even with an active lifestyle and proper stretching, we cannot always be that “21 year old” that we all remember was invincible. We have many clients that have been unable to do some of the things that they love due to aging muscles and joints. Many include hunters, golfers, fisherman/fisherwomen, and other active oriented people. With our treatment most of them are able to return to what they love. Whether its casting a rod, climbing into a tree stand, or any other activity, we can help you return to the things in life that you have worked so hard to enjoy. If you would like to learn more about joint stiffness or muscle tightness, please click here, or CONTACT us for your evaluation.
5.) TMJ Dysfunction
Known as Temporamandibular Joint Dysfunction, this painful ailment usually has symptoms such as tenderness, or pain in the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. This is the joint that allows you to chew, talk and yawn amongst other things. TMJ disorders can be caused by many different things such as grinding your teeth, an accident involving your jaw, or even arthritis. If you have any pain in your jaw area and would like to find out more, you can CLICK HERE, or you can CONTACT US today for your evaluation!
4.) Sciatica Pain
Your sciatica nerve is a large nerve extending down your lower back, and down to the backs of your legs. When damage or wear occurs, discomfort and chronic pain are common symptoms to the damage of this nerve. Some symptoms of sciatica damage may include burning or tingling down your leg, weakness or numbness, constant pain, or even shooting pains that incapacitate you and not allow you to get up from a sitting position. While usually only affecting one side of the body, sciatica some patients show symptoms on both sides of their bodies. If you have sciatica pain and would like to relieve yourself from the discomfort, please CONTACT US today for your evaluation, or you can READ MORE ABOUT sciatica pain here.
3.) Bulging/Herniated Disks
Also called a ruptured or slipped disk, this refers to when the soft tissue between your vertebrae called disks encounters a problem. When you have a herniated disk, it can irritate nearby nerve passages resulting in pain, numbness, and even weakness in an arm or a leg. Some people do not experience symptoms of a herniated disk, making it a very hard injury to diagnose. If you are experiencing back pain and believe you may have a herniated disk, please CONTACT US today for your evaluation or READ MORE HERE about your condition.
2.) Migraine Headaches
Though the exact cause of migraine headaches cannot be established, no one can deny the severity of these “showstoppers”. Migraines tend to be quickly onset with severe pain and debilitating symptoms including numbness, tingling, temporary blindness, and other sensory warnings. In some cases, medication is prescribed with hopes of treatment, but in many of those situations the medication does little or no good at all. If you suffer from migraine headaches, please CONTACT US today for an evaluation, or you can READ MORE ABOUT these headaches here.
The number one condition that we treat at surgical alternative institute is an elusive yet simple condition causing a spectrum of further symptoms that affect your entire body. Some people get this condition by being in high speed accidents, while others can get this condition by just sleeping. Some patients live with chronic pain and others come and go.
THE NUMBER ONE TREATED CONDITION OF SURGICAL ALTERNATIVE IS………
1.) Neck Pain
Neck pain can be caused by a host of issues ranging from trauma (car accidents, etc.) to just poor posture. There are some degenerative diseases that will cause the neck pain, but it can also be just a simple muscle strain. In some cases, the pain can work its way down to the shoulders and even the middle and lower back over time. With proper treatment, most neck pain can be resolved in little time with little or no effort by the patient. If you suffer from neck pain and would like relief, please CONTACT US today for your evaluation orREAD MORE HERE about your condition.
Healthy Holiday Recipes
Since the holidays are right around the corner, we are always on the lookout for healthy alternatives for some of the heavier and more indulgent foods that we may eat. Please feel free to look through some of our favorite recipes that we found and collected for your viewing.
Have a great holiday season everyone!
GLUTEN FREE CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
ROAST BEEF & HORSERADISH SPIRALS
BITE SIZED CRAB CAKES WITH WASABI MAYO
HERB AND NUT COVERED GOAT CHEESE LOGS
SLIDERS WITH SHALLOT DIJON RELISH
GRILLED STONE FRUIT ANTIPASTO PLATE
Proper Bending and Lifting Techniques
Is it really almost time to go in our attics to pull down those seasonal boxes? Whether you are
preparing to do this or just have straitening you may want to accomplish before your family
and friends arrive, here are a few tips to help keep you from causing yourself back pain:
- Use your leg muscles to lift/lower your self as opposed to just bending over. Bend at your knees not at your back.
- Pull in your belly button while lifting. This will help hold your pelvis in the proper position which will minimize strain on the spine. (Maintain this while lifting, carrying, and lowering)
- Lift close to your body. Your spine is more stable and strong.
- Know your limit! Carry lighter packages and make more trips.
- When in doubt ( too heavy or awkward) wait for help. The risk are not worth it and jeopardize setting you back with pain and immobility…. no one wants to make time for that!
We would all like to take a moment and wish everyone a safe and healthy beginning to our holiday seasons! By following the tips provided above, you can prevent a number of injuries before they even happen.
If you do encounter one of the issues that comes from improper lifting and bending, please CONTACT US today, or SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT to see one of our expert therapists.
Surgical Alternative is Proud to announce its 1 year anniversary!
This month we are proudly celebrating our 1 year anniversary. When our new facility opened a year ago, we were a group of alternative therapists anxious to make a difference in the lives of our clients. Through that process we have now expanded to provide emotional as well and physical therapy! We would like to thank each and every one of our clients for your support, and I personally would like to thank each and every team member of Surgical Alternative for your passion in our field!
In celebration of our 1 year anniversary, we are offering $15.00 off of a 90 minute session for the month of September! If you have been wondering or thinking about trying one of our revolutionary treatments, now you can do so at a discount! Please feel free to SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT HERE or you can CONTACT US here!
Top Ten Treated Conditions by Surgical Alternative (Part 2 of 2)
In this section we will be discussing the top 5 conditions treated by Surgical Alternative. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of these conditions, please CONTACT US for more information, or you can SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT through our website, surgicalalternative.com.
Here are the top 5:
5.) TMJ Dysfunction
Known as Temporamandibular Joint Dysfunction, this painful ailment usually has symptoms such as tenderness, or pain in the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. This is the joint that allows you to chew, talk and yawn amongst other things. TMJ disorders can be caused by many different things such as grinding your teeth, an accident involving your jaw, or even arthritis. If you have any pain in your jaw area and would like to find out more, you can CLICK HERE, or you can CONTACT US today for your evaluation!
4.) Sciatica Pain
Your sciatica nerve is a large nerve extending down your lower back, and down to the backs of your legs. When damage or wear occurs, discomfort and chronic pain are common symptoms to the damage of this nerve. Some symptoms of sciatica damage may include burning or tingling down your leg, weakness or numbness, constant pain, or even shooting pains that incapacitate you and not allow you to get up from a sitting position. While usually only affecting one side of the body, sciatica some patients show symptoms on both sides of their bodies. If you have sciatica pain and would like to relieve yourself from the discomfort, please CONTACT US today for your evaluation, or you can READ MORE ABOUT sciatica pain here.
3.) Bulging/Herniated Disks
Also called a ruptured or slipped disk, this refers to when the soft tissue between your vertebrae called disks encounters a problem. When you have a herniated disk, it can irritate nearby nerve passages resulting in pain, numbness, and even weakness in an arm or a leg. Some people do not experience symptoms of a herniated disk, making it a very hard injury to diagnose. If you are experiencing back pain and believe you may have a herniated disk, please CONTACT US today for your evaluation or READ MORE HERE about your condition.
2.) Migraine Headaches
Though the exact cause of migraine headaches cannot be established, no one can deny the severity of these “showstoppers”. Migraines tend to be quickly onset with severe pain and debilitating symptoms including numbness, tingling, temporary blindness, and other sensory warnings. In some cases, medication is prescribed with hopes of treatment, but in many of those situations the medication does little or no good at all. If you suffer from migraine headaches, please CONTACT US today for an evaluation, or you can READ MORE ABOUT these headaches here.
The number one condition that we treat at surgical alternative institute is an elusive yet simple condition causing a spectrum of further symptoms that affect your entire body. Some people get this condition by being in high speed accidents, while others can get this condition by just sleeping. Some patients live with chronic pain and others come and go.
THE NUMBER ONE TREATED CONDITION OF SURGICAL ALTERNATIVE IS………
1.) Neck Pain
Neck pain can be caused by a host of issues ranging from trauma (car accidents, etc.) to just poor posture. There are some degenerative diseases that will cause the neck pain, but it can also be just a simple muscle strain. In some cases, the pain can work its way down to the shoulders and even the middle and lower back over time. With proper treatment, most neck pain can be resolved in little time with little or no effort by the patient. If you suffer from neck pain and would like relief, please CONTACT US today for your evaluation orREAD MORE HERE about your condition.
Why Use Surgical Alternative – Testimonials and Reviews (Part 1)
In the past months, we have not only grown as an institution, but also have touched many of the lives here in the tampa florida area by our methods of set bodywork, deep tissue massage, and other services. Once a patient is affected by our services, they in many cases become advocates for those services. In the next few weeks, we will be releasing testimonials from many of our existing clients so that new or upcoming patients can gain a grasp on what to expect when visiting our offices.
The first Testimonial is Adam Hayes in New Tampa, Florida. Adam writes:
Surgical Altnernative – Top 10 treated conditions (Part 1)
Over the past few years, I have seen many different injuries treated in Surgical Alternative’s Institute of Alternative Therapy, but many of them have been returning ailments. We have taken a few minutes to create our top ten treated injuries from Surgical Alternative. If you have any further questions, please CONTACT US TODAY for your evaluation and treatment.
Without further adieu, we present our top ten treated injuries by surgical alternative for with alternative therapy, deep tissue massage, energetic therapy, and other methods.
10.) Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects the central nervous system causing extreme pain and discomfort and many areas of the body independently and simultaneously. Symptoms may include but are not limited to debilitating fatigue, insomnia, and joint stiffness. Other symptoms include numbness/tingling and trouble swallowing. For more information on fibromyalgia, please continue here, or CONTACT Surgical Alternative today for your evaluation.
9.) Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff in your shoulder is made up of tendons, ligaments and muscle that work in unison to create the range of motion for your arm and upper back. By injuring any of the pieces of the rotator cuff, you are not only causing inflammation and irritation, but you may also be doing further damage by not attending to your injury. For more information of rotator cuff injuries and what surgical alternative can do to help, please continue here, or CONTACT US TODAY for your evaluation.
8.) Plantar Fasciitis
This is the most common cause of heel pain. It is caused when your plantar fascia ligament becomes irritated, weakens, swells or strains. Since it is the tissue that supports your arch, some people call it “fallen arches”. Plantar Fasciitis causes moderate to severe foot pain and should be attended to as soon as possible. If you would like to learn more about your condition, please continue here or CONTACT US today for your evaluation.
7.) Hiatal Hernias / Hiatus Hernia
A hernia is simply described as part of your internal body moving somewhere it does not belong. Your Hiatus is an opening in your diaphragm and acts as a muscular wall between your chest cavity and your abdomen. When your abdomen and stomach bulge up through the opening in your hiatus, this is called a hiatal hernia, or hiatus hernia. There are two types of hiatal hernias : paraesophageal and sliding. Though extremely uncomfortable, surgical alternative can treat these hernias and make your life more comfortable and manageable. If you have a hiatal hernia and would like to learn more, please click here, or CONTACT us today for your evaluation and treatment.
6.) Tight Muscles / Stiffened Joints
We all get older and we all get LESS mobile each day. Even with an active lifestyle and proper stretching, we cannot always be that “21 year old” that we all remember was invincible. We have many clients that have been unable to do some of the things that they love due to aging muscles and joints. Many include hunters, golfers, fisherman/fisherwomen, and other active oriented people. With our treatment most of them are able to return to what they love. Whether its casting a rod, climbing into a tree stand, or any other activity, we can help you return to the things in life that you have worked so hard to enjoy. If you would like to learn more about joint stiffness or muscle tightness, please click here, or CONTACT us for your evaluation.
Surgical Alternative specializes in alternative therapy for many conditions and ailments. If you would like to learn more about our services, or symptoms that we treat, please CONTACT US, or VISIT OUR WEBSITE to begin feeling better soon.
Whiplash – Symptoms and Facts
Heading into the summer holiday season, many of us will be traveling busy roads and highways, creating opportunity for more accidents. One of the most common injuries from auto accidents is whiplash. Though also possible in sporting and contact activities, the majority of these injuries are caused by automobile accidents.
Whiplash is caused by damage to the soft tissues in your neck like tendons, muscle and ligaments because of movement beyond your neck’s normal range of motion. When these tissues are strained, they become inflamed which not only causes moderate to severe pain but also a limitation to your necks range of motion. Doctor’s may also use terms such as cervical sprain, hyperextension injury, or cervical strain.
Symptoms of Whiplash include but are not limited to:
- Upper back/Thoracic Pain
- Head feeling too heavy to hold up.
- Swelling in the neck area.
- Tenderness around the neck region.
- Difficulty moving your neck.
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Shooting pains into your shoulders or back.
- Muscle spasms (In the neck area)
If ANY of these symptoms become unbearable, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY! If you are involved in an accident, remember that even if you have some of these symptoms, there may be a risk that there could be orthopedic damage meaning that you have skeletal or bone damage, and need to see a surgeon immediately.
If you have been diagnosed with whiplash, Surgical Alternative can aide you in a speedy recovery while working with you to regain your range of motion through our SET bodywork sessions, as well as deep tissue massage and other methods adopted by our organization. If you have any questions regarding your whiplash, please CONTACT US today to discuss your options!
Calling all new Mothers!
As we all know, Mother’s day is this upcoming Sunday and I wanted to take a moment to focus on women only for the occasion. Many Mothers get stretch marks while pregnant, and many others who give birth by Ceasarean Section (C-Section) often have scars left behind by the incision made by the doctors to deliver the baby.
Fibrosis or areas of fibrous tissues create these scars and stretch marks, as your body recovers from the trauma.
“A scar results from the biologic process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. With the exception of very minor lesions, every wound (e.g. after accident, disease, or surgery) results in some degree of scarring. These scar tissue built up overtime can impede normal body function, cause pain and tenderness, and reduce range of motion in muscles around the scar tissue.”
Many treatments have been suggested for these conditions, but there has never really been an “over the counter” solution for Mothers with scars. WE ARE HERE WITH SOME GREAT NEWS!
By using our SET Bodywork and deep tissue massage techniques, we can over time loosen the fibrous tissues that are causing the scars and stretch marks. THAT’S RIGHT, we can make your scars disappear naturally and permanently after birth! If you are a Mother with scars from birth, please CONTACT US today to receive exclusive information regarding what Surgical Alternative can do to make your skin look as if it did before you gave birth!
JUNIOR SEAU : Tragedy from Triumph
In the past couple of days, I have noticed that we have all gone through a great loss with the passing of Junior Seau. Seau was found in his San Diego home on Wednesday dead from gunshot wounds to his chest. The police are investigating his death as a suicide, but there are a lot of unanswered questions. To friends and family, Junior was always an upbeat leader with not a lot of issues.Golfer’s Elbow – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment by Surgical Alternative
On Friday of last week I had the pleasure of visiting a local country club for a tournament that they
were hosting for charity. During the event, I watched a lot of both men and women struggling to grasp
the mastery of the world’s oldest sport. As they hacked and prodded, I was paying attention to their
grips and how the grip affects the elbow as they swung. Most amateur golfers are happy with a round
between 80-100 shots. Most golfers also practice swing at least one time before each shot, bringing the
total amount of swings to somewhere in the 200 range. You can imagine that those elbows are working
hard each time you play.
Golfer’s elbow is caused by stress on the tendons that hold your elbow together by extended use.
Golfer’s elbow is also referred to as:
Tennis Elbow
Pitchers Elbow
Climbers Elbow
Little League Elbow
The medical term is Epicondylitis, which in most cases gradually onsets, and usually becomes persistent
before patients seek care.
By using our therapy and vast knowledge of the human tendon system, Surgical Alternative can relieve
the pain that is caused by your swing! By using our deep tissue massage and SET Therapy, we will
work with you to loosen the tendons and lower the inflammation to ultimately speed up the recovery
process.
If you have Golf Elbow and would like relief, please CONTACT US today for your evaluation!
NFL Draft Breakdown by Surgical Alternative: Part 1 – Andrew Luck
On Thursday April 26th the NFL draft was held in Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The event was a culmination of every team in the NFL and every qualified and desired NCAA football player. By the end of the first night, the top 32 picks had been chosen and we were all ready for day 2. In the following days and weeks we will be breaking down a number of the top draft picks to analyze what potential injuries that each of them are going to be prone to suffering in the NFL. Our first installment is going to be Andrew Luck, now with the Indianapolis Colts, and formally with the Stanford Cardinals.
Andrew Luck stands 6’3” tall and weighs in somewhere around 210lbs. Ironically enough, most analysts compare him to Peyton Manning, who stands only 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier. This would immediately bring to surface the neck injuries that Peyton has been known for lately. For more information on the neck issues that Peyton has, please CLICK HERE.
The primary issues that I see with Andrew Luck lie in the coaching and the actual transition to the NFL. Most NFL teams take time to “re-teach” players how to throw, evident with Tim Tebow in Denver. This creates major issues, as most of these quarterbacks are used to throwing a certain way all of their lives and now they have to use the same muscles in a different manor, creating the opportunity for injury.
Repetitive motion injuries in my opinion are the greatest risk to any new NFL quarterback. In college, players have to go to class, and some have jobs as well as being an athlete. In the NFL, you are a football player, which are your classes, job and your sport. This creates a great strain on the bodies of these players as they constantly work, rather than having a break, regardless of physical shape entering the league.
Primarily, I fear that there may be tendon and muscle damage to the shoulder of Andrew Luck in the first few years of being in the league. When Indianapolis drafted Peyton Manning in 1998, they pretty much redesigned the offense around him, which I seriously doubt will happen in Luck’s case. This means that he will have to work harder to make the throws to the receivers that Manning has already groomed to his liking. This will cause Luck to make throws that he is not accustomed to making due to the sheer speed and precision in which the NFL game moves.
Our approach at Surgical Alternative would be to place Luck on a regimen of SET bodywork, deep tissue massage, and energetic release therapy as preventative maintenance to alleviate the stresses that he will endure throughout his career. This would involve focus on his throwing shoulder, his legs and his torso to make sure that all is working properly and that his tendons, muscles and bones all work as a finely tuned machine.
If you are an athlete and have questions or concerns about your durability or “pains”, please CONTACT
US today for your evaluation.
Fibromyalgia Treatments by Surgical Alternative
Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects the central nervous system causing extreme pain frequently in many areas of the body. Symptoms are not limited to just pain may include joint stiffness, debilitating fatigue, and insomnia. Some patients also report trouble swallowing, numbness and tingling. Another side effect of fibromyalgia is depression and anxiety due to stress related disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
By using our Surgical Alternative Treatments we can alleviate most or even all of your Fibromyalgia symptoms by using our Energetic therapy, our structural therapy, and deep tissue massage to allow for tension to be released and ultimately cause a remission phase in many of your fibromyalgia symptoms. If you have any questions concerning our fibromyalgia treatment, please CONTACT US today for more information, or visit www.surgicalalternative.com today!
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder : Symptoms and Signs
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur when a person witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. It can affect even the strongest of people. According to the National Mental Health Association, 30% of people who have been directly involved in wars experience PTSD. Approximately 8% of people in the United States will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetimes. More than 5 million people experience PTSD each year.CALLING ALL VETERANS! Surgical Alternative is now performing PTSD therapy for FREE!
The team at Surgical Alternative hold our nations service members near and dear to our hearts, but have not yet to date figured out a way to make a difference. We recently agreed to begin a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder study on Post War Veterans in Tampa Florida. If you are an active or past service member and would like some relief with your PTSD, please CONTACT US today to discuss what we can do to help ease your pain. Thank you again to ALL of our service members!
Fibromyalgia Treatments by Surgical Alternative
Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects the central nervous system causing extreme pain frequently in many areas of the body. Symptoms are not limited to just pain may include joint stiffness, debilitating fatigue, and insomnia. Some patients also report trouble swallowing, numbness and tingling. Another side effect of fibromyalgia is depression and anxiety due to stress related disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
By using our Surgical Alternative Treatments we can alleviate most or even all of your Fibromyalgia symptoms by using our Energetic therapy, our structural therapy, and deep tissue massage to allow for tension to be released and ultimately cause a remission phase in many of your fibromyalgia symptoms. If you have any questions concerning our fibromyalgia treatment, please CONTACT US today for more information, or visit www.surgicalalternative.com today!
Peyton Manning : Was Another Neck Surgery the Right Decision?
If you are at all a sports fan which many of us are, you have undoubtedly heard about the “Peyton Manning” effect and all of the fanfare that surrounds it. In the past weeks, he has been cleared to return to regular play, been involved in one of the most prolific free agency releases of all time, and pushed out an up and coming star in Tim Tebow to New York into a seemingly backup position. All of these events stem from the neck surgery that kept Manning out all of last season while his beloved colts were battered by opponents all over the league. I am here to talk about that surgery, its effects, and its risks.
The reward for the surgery is quite simple: use of your neck for the remaining years of your life while maintaining a relative range of motion. My first question lies here. I am sure that Peyton Manning could afford only the best treatment, so why were so many surgeries needed? (3 separate surgeries) The answer lies in the root of the problem, a pinched nerve. Years of wear and tear taking hits from 285 pound monsters had taken its toll. By undergoing two unsuccessful surgeries, not only was he living in pain, but also causing further damage by not allowing for full recovery.
The risks are not as simple as the reward. Peyton Manning underwent what is called a single level anterior fusion, which involves removing an entire disk in your spine, and replacing it with a bone graft. The surgery is performed through an incision in the front of the neck, while a surgeon carefully works around every muscle to get to the disk. There also runs a great risk by going under with anesthesia and creating a dependency on the pain medications after the surgery itself.
We would like to offer our surgical alternative to this surgery. By using our proprietary brand of therapy, we can ease your pinched nerves removing the need for surgery, down time, pain, and risks that come along with them.
If you have any questions regarding pinched nerves, or any other pain that you would like to overcome, please CONTACT US today or go to www.surgicalalternative.com for more information.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery : Is it really necessary?
The over 27 bones in your hand and wrist that enable almost miraculous dexterity for one of the most
used parts of our body. Naturally over years of misuse and abuse, there is a risk that:
-Ligaments may loosen
-Meniscus may deteriorate causing bones to rub against one another
-Nerves may begin to become highly sensitive
These factors are causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and are often felt for day, weeks, or even
chronically over years. When chronically diagnosed, many patients opt for surgery to either repair,
or release pressure on the nerves of the wrist. Though this particular surgery is quite common in the
circumstances, it runs the LOWEST SUCCESS RATE of any non-fatal injury. I would like to take a few
moments to discuss the RISKS and the surgical alternative to carpal tunnel surgery.
RISKS:
- The Surgery Itself – while under carpal tunnel release surgery, you will be administered twilight
- anesthesia. The drugs in this concoction cause amnesia while the patient is knocked out.
- Risks with the anesthesia can be found here. (http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/anesthesia-risks-and-complications)
- Cost of Surgery – The cost of the surgeries run anywhere from $5,000 USD all the way up to
- $10,000 USD
- Success Rate of Surgery – there is a full recovery rate hovering around 60%, making your odds
- fair at best for success.
- Damage during surgery – Not only is it common for people recovering to experience loss of
- grip, but it is also common for this loss of grip to be permanent! This damage is caused by the
- severing of the carpal ligament in the wrist to relieve the tension.
- Surgery is NOT A PERMANENT FIX!
By using our Alternative methods for Surgery, we can work with you to relieve the stress and pressure
from the carpal ligament without surgery. If you are considering carpal tunnel release surgery, please
CONTACT US today to discuss the surgical alternative. By allowing our therapists to naturally fix your
body, you will enjoy the following advantages:
- No anesthesia or surgery to worry about
- Cost effective – Our therapy is much more cost effective and full of impact
- Success Rate – Since we are doing this naturally, the success rate is 100% with time
- No Downtime – we will continue to work with you to relieve your stress, but there will be no
- downtime due to surgery.
If you have any interest in learning more about the natural surgical alternative to carpal tunnel
surgery, please CONTACT US today for more information.
Back Surgery – Risk vs. Reward
Back pain is an ailment that affects over 80% of the American population some point, leaving many of us with a very difficult choice. In most cases, back surgery is considered only after all other options have been exhausted by all involved medical staff. I would also like to note that even if you have back surgery, it is not guaranteed to provide improvement. Later in this blog, I will provide you with a Surgical Alternative treatment to naturally recover from your injury, rather than risk health and possibly life to escape your pain.
Many of the risks that are involved with back surgery are based around the surgery itself, while many of the risks are regarding post surgery and how your body recovers. I will separate the risks into these two segments.
Back Surgery Risks
Reaction to anesthesia or other drugs – Each time a patient is administered anesthesia, there is a small risk of long term complications and in rare cases even death. Another risk factor includes the actual drugs administered to the patient after the surgery. High dosage pain killers are typically prescribed in most back surgeries while the patient recovers from the surgery in an average of 15 months. The highest risk in my opinion would be the dependency of the drugs that are prescribed post surgery.
Blood Related Risks – Since the surgery is an “open body” surgery, there is a constant risk of Bleeding, Infection, Blood Clots, and many other complications.
Further Vital Organ Damage – WebMD.com lists Heart Attacks, and Strokes as a “general risk” of back surgery for many back surgeries like spinal fusion.
Nerve Damage – Since most back surgeries are spine related, there are a series of risks involved, as your spine is the nerve channel for the rest of your body. These issues are listed, but not limited to:
Muscle Weakness/Spasms
Sexual Dysfunction
Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control
Paralysis
At Surgical Alternative, we offer surgical alternatives to back surgery, and other bodily ailments through our innovative techniques and expertise. If you have back pain, or are looking for an alternative to back surgery, please CONTACT US or SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT online today.
Scar Tissue from Breast Augmentation can cause Capsular Contracture (update)
A month or so ago, I’d recently started working with a woman that was having encapsulation issues after a breast augmentation and lift surgery and want to update everyone on where we are now. We are continuing to work on the one remaining encapsulated breast in order to prevent her having a 4th surgery on that breast. With her doctors encouragement we did therapy on her 2 times a week for approximately 3-4 weeks. I say 3-4 weeks because the therapy has now stopped. We were successfully getting the breast to slowly drop. The thickness of the anchor cut scar tissue was thinning nicely with each successive appointment. Progress was slow but the patient would call me after appointments to let me know she was now wearing blouses that she’d not been able to wear since the surgery because of the breast being noticeably off balance with the encapsulation. Upon our last visit which was at the end of the week, the patient had noticed a painful nodule had popped up on the breast we were working on and pointed it out to me. Since it was not in the area that I needed to work in we continued to thin out the scar tissue under the breast. We were happy with the results of the breast thus far and now she would have her follow up appointment with the surgeon at the beginning of the week. Monday morning I received a call from the woman. She told me that over the weekend that the nodule was very tender so she’d gone in to see her surgeon. He gave her antibiotics for the breast but said since she has been such rare and difficult case; he wanted to take no chances and scheduled her for another surgery on her breast. As you can imagine this is not the way I was hoping the story would end. The patient was firm in letting me know that even with the outcome; she would not change a thing. She needed to have that peace of mind that she had done everything she could naturally, first! Surgical Alternative is not against surgery. Everything has its place. When natural routes have been responsibly explored and exhausted to that individual’s satisfaction and with a doctor’s guidance then there may come that time when it is necessary. We just want you to know there are many ailments we can help reverse and cure with our therapy techniques. These blogs are all about getting the word out that massage can help with the rehabilitation of lesser know ailments like jaw pain, cluster headaches, chest pain, abdominal pain, sacroiliac joint pain, sprained ankle, tendonitis and many more things.
Scar Tissue from Breast Implants cause Capsular Contracture- We can help!
Through the use a combination of deep tissue massage and other advanced therapy techniques we were able to help. I was contacted by a woman whom recently underwent a breast lift with implants. Soon After her surgery she noticed that the breast were hardening. She contacted her doctor and they told that her breast maybe forming scar tissue around the implants making what is called a capsular contracture. To her displeasure her implants became oddly positioned. She told me she’d undergone a revision surgery to release the encapsulation of both her breast. After a matter of weeks, this woman realized that the surgery had taken for one of the two breast. One breast began to have a natural fall to it while the other stayed rounded at the top, extremely firm, and pulled her arm when she moved the arm to shoulder height or above. This person just happened to be friends with me but did not think of me when it came to this specific situation. She was just venting to a girlfriend. I told her of the other women with varying breast situations and how I was able to get them satisfying results.
With her surgeons full knowledge but skepticism, she postponed her surgery by a month in the hopes of us releasing the tissues by her next appt to schedule her second revision surgery for the remaining encapsulated breast. We made an aggressive schedule for bodywork 2 x week for that entire month. The bodywork was done in a manor to release the pulling to the arm, soften the overall breast, and address the top the breast first. In this week’s sessions I’ve been thinning out the thickened scar tissue along the incisions along the bottom of the breast, the anchor cut area. At this weeks appointment the woman let me know that her doctor was very happy with her preliminary results. The one remaining encapsulated breast was dropping and had softened. He asked her to have me focus along the incision area and felt that if this area could have a decrease in thickness that the breast would most likely continue to drop and she could quite possibly not need yet another surgery.
Check back to find out how this story turns out! If you are suffering with scar tissue limiting your range of motion or your ability to be pain free from old sports injuries, carpal tunnel surgery, a shoulder condition, or anything else, contact us or schedule an appointment to see how we can help your condition!
