$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.
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
Yoga for the Holidays!
During the busy times of the year, we tend to disregard our bodies and what our bodies are telling us. One of the best preventative things you can do while busy this holiday season is Yoga. We have aligned with one of Tampa Bays Premier Yoga Studios- Sun Yoga!
Some of the primary benefits of yoga include:
- Increased range of motion
- Increased flexibility
- Increased blood flow
- Overall relaxing feeling
- Low impact – great for rehab and elderly!
Yoga has many more benefits that range from better heart health to better overall psychological awareness and attitude.
We recommend yoga to any and all of our clients on various skill levels. By engaging in yoga sessions, we can all feel the benefits and prevent further or future damage!
If you have any questions or would like to speak about yoga, please feel free to CONTACT us today for more information, or you can CONTACT SUN YOGA here!
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!
Post War Veterans invited for FREE PTSD Treatment
With July 4th passing last week, I was reminded of all of the veterans that have protected our rights as citizens of the United States. During this month, I will be offering FREE therapy to veterans diagnosed with PTSD. During your sessions we will be working to help issues such as insomnia, cramping, muscle pain, and other possible injuries due to service. If you are interested in your FREE treatment, please CONTACT US today to schedule your appointment.
Plantar Fasciitis tips and tricks by Surgical Alternative
Plantar Fascitis Tips and Tricks for treatment
We have been encountering more people each day that are complaining of the accompanying symptoms of plantar fasciitis. This is an injury that occurs when the plantar fascia tendon becomes inflamed or damaged due to wear and tear. Since this tendon acts as a shock absorber for each and every step that you take, there is a great deal of pain involved when suffering from plantar fasciitis. Our first suggestion would always be to CONTACT US for more information regarding your injury and how to treat it, but in the mean time, we figured we would give you some things you can do at home to help on a temporary basis. Please See Below:
Ice The Area of the Plantar Fascia tendon
By applying ice for 20 to 30 minute increments to the Plantar Fascia tendon, you can alleviate many of the painful symptoms while relaxing or sitting. This may help reduce the swelling and pain after hard workouts or active walking or standing.
Support the Plantar Fascia tendon (Plantar Fasciitis)
By supporting the arch of the foot where the Plantar Fascia tendon is located may relieve some pain. You can either get additional supports for your shoes, or you can even use athletic tape around your ankle and under the foot to support your arch as well. By adding additional support, it takes some of the stress off of the damaged tendon. NOTE: This is acceptable with proper exercise and stress on the foot. By using additional support over time, you will weaken the tendon.
Exercise and Stretch the Area (Plantar Fascia Tendon)
By working daily to stretch and exercise the Plantar Fascia tendon in regulated and safe increments you can increase the strength of the tendon while also allowing it to not become as painful. Most of the stretching exercises focus on the calf muscles, since most of the stress that causes Plantar Fascitis comes from the lower leg. Foot and Ankle stretching can also help to alleviate the foot pain of Plantar Fasciitis. You can achieve this by grabbing a soft material such as a sheet or towel between your toes.
Surgical Alternative to Plantar Fasciitis Treatments
By using our proven methods of alternative therapy, Surgical Alternative can give you relief from the foot pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis. With our deep tissue massage, reflexology and other methods you will be able to function without the pain and discomfort of Plantar Fasciitis.
Why Use Surgical Alternative – Testimonials and Reviews (Part 2)
In our next installment, we will be hearing from Barbara in Tampa. She writes of our Pam Mann. In the second part, we will be hearing from another anonymous patient of Surgical Alternative Institute.
Barbara writes:
Before I started seeing Pam, I had to ice my neck and shoulder twice daily. Many daily tasks caused me pain. After one year of massage therapy, I no longer have any restrictions and am even able to work out at the gym.
Anonymous writes:
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.
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!
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!
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.
Massage as Medicine
If any of you have read my blogs or know, you know that I prescribe to the thought of massage as alternative medicine. A lot of the time when you mention massage people assume relaxation but the truth is most perform more types of therapeutic massage. Many of the passionate one in our industry including myself have been trying to get better recognition for the many benefits that we provide our clients. The Wall Street Journal just released an article that is finally starting to shine light on the many benefits of massage. Massage therapy boosts immune functions, reduces stress and anxiety, improves asthma symptoms in children and as with our type of therapy increases grip strength in carpal tunnel patients while also being able to cure most non-surgically.
Most in our field got involved because they want to help others and believe that there are better methods of treatments than drugs, shots and surgery. My clients are walking testimonials for the benefits of massage. The bigger issues that we face is that most insurance companies only cover a portion of the cost or don’t cover it at all. It’s not a bad as you may think since massage isn’t like a doctors visit, most cost between $60-$100 an hour.
As the article reads, Don’t Call It Pampering: Massage Wants to be Medicine. I am appreciative of all our efforts that are made that bring to light, how we can help! Like other medical professionals, we have to take continuing education to maintain our licenses ensuring that we are constantly learning new methods to benefit our clients. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
Surgical Alternative- Grand Opening Celebration
Decompress in December at Surgical Alternative’s Grand Opening
Lutz, FL - Surgical Alternative, Institute of Alternative Therapy, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, December 10th from 10am-2pm. The community is invited to come in for an experience of the senses and learn about the many ways to decompress from stress.
Surgical Alternative is celebrating its new location in the Heritage Station business complex in Lutz, FL. Members of the community are invited to visit the new space, get to know us and learn about how they can de-stress and feel better. This free event will be catered by a local cafe and is open to the public; all ages are welcome.
Guests will receive an “Experience Scavenger Hunt” at the entrance and are invited to walk through our treatment rooms and experience each therapeutic technique on the list. Several short informational/experiential sessions are also scheduled throughout the event and will include vouchers for discounted offers for those who attend the sessions. Schedule for these sessions is printed below:
11:30 Hot/Cold Therapy for Pain Relief
12:15 Stress and Bodywork
1pm Outdoor Yoga: Upper Body Stress Release
Surgical Alternative is an independent business founded by Peggy Boyd, BA, LMT, specializing in therapeutic bodywork and committed to helping others rehabilitate from pain and regain their life. SA is also the home of Upward Spiral Therapy, founded by Nyssa Hanger, MA, LMT, specializing in aromatherapy, pregnancy services and self-educational workshops. Pam Mann, LMT and Jan Foster, LMT, RYT of Surgical Alternative will also be present.
Health & Wellness! Our community outreach
We are proud to announce that, Surgical Alternative will be taking part in the 2011 Health & Wellness Festival this Sunday November 13 from 9am to 4pm. We at Surgical Alternative would like to welcome you to come down and visit our booth. We would love the opportunity to meet with you and answer any questions about our specialized therapies and the conditions we can effectively treat! We will also be offering chair massage at our booth for a nominal charge. Please come down, join in on the fun, and support us expanding in the community! We hope to see you this weekend!
Here is a list of activities for the whole family:
- 5K Run/1k Walk (7AM)
- Fun Run (7:30 am)
- Visit with medical, health and wellness professionals
- Fitness and healthy cooking demonstrations
- Live entertainment
- Nutrition and health food advice
- Healthy fun for people of all ages
- Kid’s Zone
We feel very fortunate and excited to do what we love to do, help others. We have been dealing with clients in severe pain for over 14 years now, that are suffering from herniated discs, bulging discs, hiatal hernias, peripheral nerve damage, nerve entrapments, pinched sciatic nerve issues and many more symptoms that people think they either have to have surgery for or are told they just have to deal with the pain. The reason we started blogging was so that we could reach and help some of those people that suffer from these and many other painful conditions. For more information or read other testimonials or blogs Check US OUT!
