Your rib cage is like a bongo... lets make some music!

We are clearly having a very abnormal spring here in Northern Virginia this year. It went from 80 degree sun filled days, down to 49 degrees last weekend. The temperature shifts and fluctuations in allergen density can really take a toll on our immune systems and our histamine reactions. For those of you who are in fact suffering from respiratory congestion, pressure and soreness due to coughing, heaving, or sneezing...I may have a tip for you.

Treatment known as "percussion" has been used by respiratory therapist, D.O.'s, physical therapists and other practitioners for decades. It consists of the patient undergoing repetitive blows to various parts of their rib cage, in a variety of positions in order to loosen any sticky ewy goey mucus and funk that has adhered to various branches of your lung tissue.

This procedure is most commonly associated with people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis-as their very ability to breathe effectively depends on regular treatments. Cystic fibrosis in a tiny nut shell, is an inherited disease that causes accumulation of mucus in the lungs and sometimes the digestive track. By loosening the mucus/"funk", you permit the body to get adequate oxygen into the lungs and ultimately to replenish your blood supply with O2...which pumps and flows throughout your body so you can move, groove, and boogie whenever you darn well please.

The reason I bring this up is that you may elect to have your physical therapist or respiratory therapist aid in symptom management to help you breathe better, and possibly heal faster. In states where there is direct access, just make an appointment with your local therapist and come on in. He/she will prop you in multiple funny positions to optimize the angle of your lungs and the branch of the lung being treated. They will "play the bongo's" on your ribs and chest and then give you a little shake and shimmy through the area to loosen any mucus that is "too clingy". No one likes clingy, right? You will then more than likely have to cough, and the goal is for that cough to be productive...get that funk out of you and into the trash where it belongs. You may feel a bit sore following treatment, as this is an active treatment. Your therapist may also opt to mobilize your ribs to help improve your breathing pattern & depth (expansion and compression).

This is a fabulous way to make your therapist part of your wellness and holistic health team as well as to invite the opportunity to discuss ongoing aches and pains with a specialist.

Im always listening, so please ask about any topics you would like me to address.

Here's to your health,
E

The door is open....what are you waiting for?

Has the public reached their limit of discussing health care reform yet? I for one am ready to hear people talking more about proactive health care. In the current medical model people readily go to see their primary care physicians to manage symptoms once they become intolerable ( I confess I am one of them). A smaller percentage of the public embrace preventative medicine: to maximize their function and health in the present moment, and invest in the future. Most of these services are out of pocket expenses and take more effort and lifestyle modification on part of the individual. I see it is money now, or money later. The same goes for effort: do it now, use it or lose it. Bonus: much of this out of pocket medical expense can be written off at tax time.

It is a choice to keep your “engines “ (body systems) running efficiently and effectively…or pay for the “repairs” later, when they may be far beyond recovery.

One untapped resource for wellness in the United States in particular is Physical Therapy. Throughout Europe Doctors of Physical Therapy are seen as “body mechanics” of sorts. They are called upon for prevention, performance, rehabilitation, acute and chronic pain. Per conversations with my international friends it is common for people to have a “family PT” much like we have “family doctors. More often than not folks can’t tell you what physical therapy is, unless they have had the fortunate experience of working with one. Additionally, most locals in the state of Virginia, do not know that you have the right to see a physical therapist without a prescription from your MD, DO, DC.

In an effort to educate the public of their rights, their resources, and their personal accountability to live a healthy and high functioning lifestyle: the following information is beneficial:

1. You have the right to see a physical therapist without a doctor’s prescription. Sorry Medicare policy-holders, you aren’t included just yet.

2. The physical therapist must hold a certification of authorization to evaluate treat via Direct Access by the State of Virginia in addition to their Degree, to treat you beyond the initial evaluation. There are over 200 certified practitioners in Virginia.

3. If you have an acute ache/pain/injury, your physical therapist will more than likely be able to see you the same day or within 24 hours. This will generate a comprehensive examination that can be sent to your primary care practitioner for your follow up appointment. This is required of your physical therapist to complete within 3 days of your evaluation. ***BONUS: This will save you a co-pay, and perhaps make productive use of the waiting time before you can get in to see your doc.

4. Your treatments can begin right away. You may be well on your way to pain-free function before you even get into your doctors office. Your therapist has 14 consecutive business days to treat you before a doctor’s signature is required to continue.

This is certainly not a comprehensive list of how to use this readily available and beneficial resource. I encourage my patients to embrace preventative medicine and holistic health as much as they can, BEFORE things begin to head south. You can work with a physical therapist, a chiropractor, acupuncturist, a DO, an MD, a naturopathic physician, a massage therapist, a life coach, a nutritionist, energy healers and body workers, to name a few. The spectrum of options is vast, and the best part is that you can tailor your wellness program as you please. If you are already on the path of wellness, kudos! Please recruit your friends, family, and colleagues to get on the train. It’s a wonderful investment for yourself and the community.

Thank you for listening!

Here’s to your health.