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.

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)

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.

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.

Since October 2012 Pam and Peggy have been busy bee’s furthering their knowledge and expertise of the cranium.  We have had the privilege of working with  Dallas Hancock D.C, Ph.d and his wife Flo Barber LMT, Ph.d learning a technique called Craniosomatics.   Dr Hancock  has been teaching his work world wide since 1988.  Craniosomatics cranial  work effectively addresses cranial imbalances, jamming, and cranial pressure which can lead to painful neuromuscular patterns, structural collapses, dizziness and many other conditions.   We’ve noticed marked improvements in our clients in a shorter time!!!  This is exciting for clients and for us!

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

EASY GUACAMOLE

GRILLED STONE FRUIT ANTIPASTO PLATE

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!

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.

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!

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.