My practice has been directly affected by Cigna’s healthcare reforms and it’s my patients who end up suffering.  I have witnessed the rising costs for the patient, lessening the burden of the employers and big insurance companies. In this article from the “Wall Street Journal” Cigna reports a decline in patient use of medical services.  I agree with the articles statement, this is “a reflection of Americans’ reluctance to spend money on medical care amidst an economic downturn and more health plans that require them to pay a greater share of the bill.”

Health Insurance should be used to help us and to assure the use of preventative services and create a healthier America.

Read this interesting article:

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/10/29/cignas-results-suggest-americans-are-using-less-health-care/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed+%28WSJ.com%3A+Health+Blog%29

Getting Fit Without the Pain

“By fitness-training standards, physical therapists who specialize in sports medicine are extraordinarily highly educated in the science of preserving, restoring and improving human function.”

“A proactive visit to a physical therapist can reveal the muscle imbalances and inefficient movement patterns that cause injury. The therapist can provide a regime that corrects those problems while enhancing endurance, balance, strength and weight control.”

Read the whole article from the Wall Street Journal by Kevin Helliker

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704654004575518010995537450.html?KEYWORDS=physical+therapy

Regular Rehabilitation Leads To Rheumatic Disease

Relief

The American College of Rheumatology is celebrating National Physical Therapy Month by encouraging people with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases to discover the benefits of rehabilitation with a physical therapist.  READ MORE…

The Claim: Replacing Your Desk Chair With an Exercise Ball can

Improve Your Posture:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/health/21really.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

I have been asked about sitting on physio-balls by so many people with back pain over the years.  I’ve always encouraged sitting in properly fitting chairs, and to keep your exercise ball for just that, EXERCISE.  Our postural alignment is an endurance test for our postural muscles.  These muscles need support from a back rest and a solid seat pan.  So find a good chair for you and just take frequent breaks from sitting.

Physiotherapy For Arthritic Pets

As a physical therapist and a very loving pet owner, i just loved this new research study.  Finally we can help our pets without unnecessarily over medicating them.  Physical therapy strives to help humans manage pain and dysfunction, to reduce the need for pain killers that eventually destroy our organs.  Now, your adorable pets can benefit too!

Call New Leaf PT today to schedule your ergonomic assessment and learn quick and easy stretches designed for your body to help you feeling energized and pain free throughout your day.