Get answers to the following issues:
General Questions
Q: What is the difference between OT & PT?
Occupational Therapists work mainly with upper extremity problems which interfere with work and everyday activities, as well as sports and leisure. Their primary goal is to restore normal function to the hands and arms following a trauma, injury or over use.
Physical Therapists work to preserve, develop and restore maximum physical function. The physical therapist provides these services to people of all ages who have limiting conditions resulting from: Trauma and overuse injuries, work-related or sport-related injuries, congenital/birth defects, stroke, neurological conditions, arthritis, burns/wounds, amputations.
Q: Do I need a prescription from the doctor to be seen? Why?
HealthReach requires a prescription from the treating doctor for our records. Scripts are often requested from insurance companies who frequently review the therapist's records before approving payment. Also, Medicare requires us to have a prescription from a doctor before treating patients.
Q: My insurance doesn't require a referral why do you insist on one?
Referrals are different than a prescription. A referral usually comes from your primary care physician who is suggesting that you be seen for further treatment by a specialist in a given field, like physical, occupational or speech therapy. We only need a referral when the insurance requires one.
Q: How long will the evaluation take?
Most evaluations take an hour. Some specialty programs take up to an hour and a half. You will be informed of the length of the eval when you set up the appointment.
Q: How long is a session after that?
Your therapists will set up a working program with you that fits your schedule and severity of your problem. This will include the number of times per week that you will need to be seen and the length of each of these sessions.
Q: Are we able to do traction, ultra sound, iontophoresis?
Yes, we do all of the above treatments.
Q: Do we have water therapy?
We are not equipped to do water therapy at this time.
Q: Will my insurance cover therapy treatments?
Physical and occupational therapies are covered by most insurance companies. Speech therapy is not always covered depending on the diagnosis. We will do an insurance verification before you come in for treatment, but we strongly suggest that you also check with your insurance company so that you will be informed of your coverage. This will also alert you to what amount you will be responsible for, and whether you are required to pay a co-pay or a deductible.
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Community and Home Based Therapy Program SafeLiving Program
Q: I am worried about my parents. I think that they might be falling but they aren't telling me. The doctor wants Dad to have Physical Therapy but I don't have time to drive him to the clinic. Is there anyway that Dad can receive Therapy at home?
A: At HealthReach Rehabilitation Services, we not only provide therapy services at our many outpatient clinics but also at the client's home.
Q: My mom attends an adult day care center because she has mild dementia and can't stay at home. The staff wants to work on exercises with my mom but they are unsure as to what kinds of exercises because my mom also has spinal stenosis. What can HealthReach do to help my mom?
A: Health Reach is able to provide training for the staff to learn how to help your mom exercise safely. HealthReach is also able to provide Physical Therapy right at the Adult Day Care Center. Physical Therapy would do an assessment which would help identify what muscles need strengthening and what are the appropriate precautions related to your mom's joints, muscles or cognition.
Q: My father has macular degeneration and the doctor says that his eyesight might get worse. My father is adamant about staying as independent as possible in his apartment. How can HealthReach help my dad accomplish this goal?
A: Our Safe Living Program provides the information and the recommendations that are needed to make the appropriate changes to people, environment and/or situations in order to maintain safe and independent living. Reduced vision is the second reason why older people fall. Falls prevention through home modification and adaptive equipment will help your father reach his goals.
Q: My parents are moving in with my family. I want to provide a safe environment but I am unsure as to what changes to make and in what furniture they should bring from their own apartment. Can you help me?
A: Moving can be stressful and it is quite common for the elderly person to not be as independent in their new environment as they were in their other home. Health Reach's Safe Living Program would be able to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your parent's previous apartment and also look at your home. We would communicate which furniture would be best, if the bathroom or other living areas needs changes, and help increase your parents strength to tolerate the move better.
Q: What other diagnoses or types of conditions are you able to treat in the home setting?
A: Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Vision deficits, Diabetes, Spinal Stenosis Arthritis, Stroke, Mental Retardation, Degenerative disorders, Orthopedic or neurological problems, or recent surgeries like: Carpal Tunnel, Knee or Hip Replacements, Amputations….
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Dizziness
Q: How common is dizziness?
A: 90 million Americans, or 42% of the population will visit their doctors with complaints of dizziness or balance difficulties.
Q: What causes dizziness?
A: There are many causes of dizziness, but a large percentage is caused by problems with the coordination of the three balance systems: the eyes, the inner ears (vestibular system) and the sensations from the skin and joints.
Q: What can be done to help?
A: Many people who are dizzy will benefit from vestibular rehab, which is a program of customized exercises for your eyes, ears, and leg/trunk, designed to teach the balance systems to work together in a more efficient way.
Q: Where can I find these services?
A: Vestibular rehab is provided by physical and occupational therapists with specialized training in this area at HealthReach Rehabilitation Services, at locations around the Milwaukee area.
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Pediatric Rehab
Q: Is my children where he/she should be in their development?
A: Each child develops at a different rate and there is a wide range in normal development. However, if you have concerns regarding your child's development we can provide a comprehension assessment in physical, occupational and/or speech therapy.
Q: Do you have therapist trained in sensory integration?
A: Yes! We have exceptionally experienced therapists trained in sensory integration as well as other specialty areas including oral-motor/feeding, sign language, infant massage, aquatics and more!
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Edema Management Program
Q: Once I begin treatment, how long before I will see some results?
A: Each person responds uniquely to therapy and a variety of factors will contribute to how swiftly one will notice improvement. These factors include:
- severity of symptoms length of time swelling has been present an individual's ability to actively participate in therapy
- the cause of the swelling
Q: What are some of the other conditions that you treat at The Lymphedema Center?
A: In addition to primary or secondary lymphedema, we often treat people who are suffering with venous edema, varicose veins, wounds, surgery or injury related edema and swelling following a deep vein thrombosis. These are only a few of the many conditions which can cause swelling in any body part.
Q: Am I going to always have this swelling?
A: There is no "cure" for lymphedema however the symptoms often can be controlled. Once you have lymphedema, you will always be at risk for swelling and will need to follow some precautions to minimize that risk.
Q: How do I know if I have lymphedema?
A: Often lymphedema is a "diagnosis of exclusion", where other causes are first ruled out. However, there are certain individuals who are at risk for secondary lymphedema. These include those who have had surgery or radiation that has disrupted the lymphatic system in any way. Often people will start to notice mild swelling of a body part that affects one's ability to comfortably wear certain articles of clothing, or shoes. Certainly, if this swelling does not resolve on its own and is getting worse, a visit to a physician is the appropriate next step. Individuals with primary lymphedema will often describe themselves as "having large legs all my life" but the swelling really got worse during puberty or in their mid 30's. Venous insufficiency typically responds well to elevating the body part whereas lymphedema is not affected by elevation.
Q: How long can I expect my treatment to last?
A: Again, this depends on the cause of the swelling and severity of the symptoms. Mild swelling is often treated in just a few visits. Moderate to severe swelling may require weeks or months of therapy before treatment goals are met. Staff at The Lymphedema Center work with each individual to develop a treatment plan that meets their needs and ability to participate in therapy.
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Hand Rehabilitation
Q: Why does my hand fall asleep at night?
A: You probably have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Your already irritated Median Nerve is Further being irritated due to a pinching from a bent/flexed wrist, which is frequently how we sleep. A wrist support should be worn at night and the irritating activities that are causing the Carpal Tunnel symptoms should be modified or stopped. Our therapists can help you determine the appropriate splint and help you problem solve the symptomatic activities and appropriate modifications.
Q: My elbow burns/hurts, is it Tennis Elbow?
A: Possibly, however there are a number of Diagnoses to rule out; it may be a problem with similar symptoms called Radial Tunnel or it may be Cubital Tunnel or Medial Epicondylitis. Each have specific treatment programs. For example, it is inappropriate to for certain diagnoses use a forearm/elbow counterforce brace. With certain diagnoses it's necessary to support the wrist. In Cubital Tunnel Syndrome it is necessary to use elbow extension splinting at night as it involves a nerve (like Carpal Tunnel) and sleeping with your elbow bent (which we all do) irritates the nerve because flexion at the elbow stretches and pinches the nerve. Early intervention is critical to determine the correct diagnosis to begin the appropriate course of treatment and modify or stop the aggravating activities.
Q: My thumb aches down towards my wrist, do I have tendonitis?
A: You may have a specific type of tendonitis, depending on the location and symptoms. Or you may have Osteo arthritis at your wrist/thumb joint or CMC (carpal metacarpal). A wrist support won’t be adequate enough, you need to use one with the thumb included; a thumb spica splint. Joint protection and injury prevention education is crucial to your recovery. Again, early intervention is key, so seek treatment early for determining the correct diagnosis and appropriate course of treatment.
Q: My finger is starting to flex down towards my palm and "pop" when I open my hand. There is also a thick band under my skin of that finger into the palm. Do I have arthritis?
A: Probably not. You may have what's called Trigger Finger. Initially the finger "pops" then may stay flexed and what you may have then is Dupuytren's Contracture or Diesease. Trigger Finger may be treated with splinting and blocking exercises. If symptoms persist an injection or a simple surgical release of a tiny pulley may be necessary if the triggering or "popping" is painful or dysfunctional. Dupuytren's may require a surgical release which can be a bit more involved depending on the extent of the contracture. Treatment/therapy will follow these surgical procedures for extension splinting, wound care, edema control and exercises.
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