Help Us Fight the 9% Cut

We’re used to helping others, but we find ourselves needing to reach out to you for help. A scheduled upcoming 9% cut to Medicare payments for physical and occupational therapy would negatively impact rehab therapy and therapists’ abilities to continue providing care to those who need it. This cut will take effect on January 1, 2021, if no action is taken by Congress or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Your lawmakers need to hear from patients like you about how critical rehab therapy is to your health and the importance of continued access to care. 

In less than two minutes, you can send a letter to your lawmakers in Congress asking them to oppose the Medicare cuts. Simply click one of the links below or double your efforts and click both:

American Physical Therapy Associations Action Center (APTA)

Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI)

At a time where clinics are struggling financially, a 9% Medicare cut could cripple the rehab industry, and the therapists you’ve come to know and appreciate. You can help them by lending your voice to this incredibly important cause!

In gratitude, 

The CompassPT Team

National Physical Therapy Month--October 2020

With the effects of the pandemic on our bodies and minds, this October’s National Physical Therapy month is perhaps the most important ever. Compass Physical Therapy and the American Physical Therapy Association encourage you to learn about the many benefits of physical activity. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services second edition of Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, more than 80% of adults and adolescents do not get enough physical activity.

Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants play a critical role in helping Americans of all ages and abilities achieve their physical activity goals, and improve their quality of life. Check out the articles above and contact CompassPT if you are concerned about pain management, physical activity, injury prevention, sports preparedness or rehab. Ready to move forward? ChoosePT!

Wellness Wednesday--CompassPT Guiding You Forward

During these challenging times when progress seems slow or maybe even stopped or regressing, we want to reassure you that hope is alive and well and here’s a bit of good news:

• We are open, continually updating COVID protocols, and are a great resource for your health and well-being

• We have added new staff to further meet your needs—Meet Jill & Sirpa

• It’s National PT Month—discover why it’s wise to Choose PT.

Compass Crew Highlight:

Meet Jill Stephenson

Our newest Doctor of Physical Therapy here at CompassPT, Jill is one of the blessings we’ve received during these challenging COVID times. She and her husband courageously moved here after several Zoom interviews and we couldn’t be happier. Her confident, compassionate manner created instant rapport with staff and patients, and she has quickly become a huge asset to the CompassPT Team.

Jill enjoys treating all types of patients, especially cervicogenic headaches and musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Her big picture approach combines manual therapy, functional exercise and patient education to create lasting results.

“She really has great skills” says a recent patient with neck pain. “I am more hopeful about my ailments than I have ever been, largely due to working with her.”

Jill is enjoying the comfortable and collaborative environment of CompassPT and enjoys our approach to patient education and empowerment to improve quality of life. When she’s not at work, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her pups and husband, crafting and knitting, or watching the latest Netflix show. Click here to learn more about Jill and the Compass Crew.

COVID-19 Protocols at CompassPT

The Compass Physical Therapy Team is honored
to continue providing quality care during this time.

Please take a moment to review our current COVID-19 guidelines updated 11/17/20
(created May 11, 2020, revisited & confirmed 9/24/2020)

For the health and safety of staff and patients, we continue to practice CDC guidelines including the use of masks, temperature monitoring, disinfecting protocols and social distancing. In-Office and Telehealth visits via phone and video conferencing are available Mon-Thurs 9-5 and Fri mornings. If you need an appointment outside of this schedule, we will look for other options. Please contact us at 541-728-0974 with any questions or concerns. Our phone lines are open 24 hours for you to leave a message.

 In-Office Visits: Please read before attending your session

To ensure the safety of all patients and staff, we are implementing the following protocols for all in-office visits:

Please review the following pre-appointment screening questions prior to each scheduled visit.

• Do you currently have any of the following acute symptoms? Fever of 100.4 or greater, chills, fatigue, difficulty breathing, cough, muscle aches/pain, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea or new loss of taste or smell

• Have you been in recent close contact with someone suspected to have, or was diagnosed with, COVID-19?

• Have you recently traveled to a high risk area?

• Are you not feeling well for any other reason?

If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, please call our office to cancel your appointment or convert it to a Telehealth visit. If you answer “No” to all questions, please attend your appointment as scheduled and follow these protocols:

1. Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible and remain in your car. If you are a new patient, please arrive 5-10 minutes early to complete your paperwork process. If staff does not acknowledge you, please call 541-728-0974 and notify us of your arrival.

2.   We will call or text you when your therapist is ready.

3.   A staff member will meet you at the door and take your temperature.

4.    Please wear a mask during this process and while in the office. We can provide one if you need.

5.    Please sanitize your hands with hand-sanitizer or wash your hands with warm soap and water in our restrooms upon entering the building.

Special Note: Please keep us notified of any changes in your health throughout your course of care or if you or someone in your household is a member of a high risk population:

• People 65 years and older

• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility

• People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:

  • chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma

  • serious heart conditions

  • hypertension

  • immunocompromised—Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications

  • severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)

  • diabetes

  • chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis

  • liver disease

Please contact us with your questions. We remain committed to helping guide you to a healthy life.
The Compass PT Team

COVID-19 Update March 22, 2019

Compass Physical Therapy has always been committed to honest, transparent, educational communication. As of this posting on March 22, 2020, our practice remains open and available for you during this difficult time.  Per federal government recommendations supported by the CDC, physical therapy is considered a critical infrastructure industry and we have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedules while following CDC guidelines to protect our patients and staff.  Rest assured we are continuing to monitor our professional governing body, the federal government, and state government for cues and guidance related to the operations of physical therapy.

Our clinic has strong measures in place to keep patients and staff safe for those who require an in-person visit with their provider. Our staff is in continual communication with patients, assessing the appropriateness of an in-office visit and appropriate steps to take while attending your appointment, including but not limited to social distancing and sanitation practices.

E-Visits (Telehealth) Now Available

We continue to explore safe alternative options for office visits to support our patients and are pleased to now offer E-Visits (PTs version of Telehealth Medicine) to current patients. Thanks to efforts by numerous federal and industry leaders, PTs can currently use video-conferencing to meet with you to:

• assess your current circumstances

• recommend pain-management options

• review and modify your exercise program

• assess and give feedback on your technique

• progress you to new exercises if appropriate

• answer any of your self-care and activity-related questions

We highly recommend this option for many of our patients to keep you on your path to a full recovery and take advantage of the extra time you may have to take care of your health. This E-Visit option is available through the Bluestream Health Platform and can take 5 to 30 minutes. All you’ll need is a smartphone or a computer and a scheduled appointment with CompassPT. Currently Medicare, Blue Cross and Providence insurances are covering these visits as part of your normal policy. For those without coverage, Self-Pay Rates are also available. We are hopeful that more insurers will follow this lead. If you are inclined, we urge you to contact your insurer to voice your support for telehealth/E-visit medicine as a great alternative during this health crisis.

Contact Us

We’re here to answer your health-related questions. Please call us at 541-728-0974 to discuss which options are best for you, including an office visit, E-visit or telephone consult with your provider. Email is another option but may take longer for a response and please do not use the email option to make changes to a scheduled appointment.

We recognize things are changing rapidly and we will continue to reassess our role during these unique times. As always, we are committed to helping guide you to a healthy life.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation,

Tom, Rhonda and the CompassPT Team

Walk Wisely this Winter

Add a little ice and snow to the hustle and bustle of the season and we have a recipe for disaster. Compass Physical Therapy recommends a slower, saner and safer approach to the holiday season. So sit back with someone you love, stretch out your legs and enjoy this fun and informative video for more tips on walking safely in icy conditions in our winter wonderland.

Of course, if you do find yourself head over heels, don’t rush to get up, ask for assistance, and seek medical attention if the pain is severe or not improving. While ice may have been the enemy that got you here, it can now be helpful on any sore areas. Call the therapists at CompassPT if you have any questions.

We also like the following tips from https://americanbonehealth.org/fall-prevention/tips-to-prevent-falls-during-winter-months/:

1. Wear shoes with good traction.

2. Dress warm. If you’re warm, your muscles will stay relaxed. Tense muscles can adversely affect your balance.

3. Be careful getting out of your car. Plant both feet firmly on the ground before moving. Steady yourself on the door frame until you have your balance.

4. Don’t take shortcuts. Stay on cleared sidewalks and paths, and don’t walk between parked cars. Remember that grassy slopes can be as slippery as snowy steps.

5. Take extra time. Don’t rush. Take short steps with your toes pointed slightly outward to maintain a stable base of support.

6. Pay attention. Stay aware of the surfaces ahead of you. Look down with your eyes only. If you move your head downward, you may shift your balance.

7. When walking in the dark or in shadowy areas, stay alert for black ice. It is treacherous and extremely slippery.

8. Keep your driveway and walkways clear. Pay someone to do this if necessary.

Compass Crew Highlight:

Meet Kelsea Weber

Our newest Doctor of Physical Therapy here at CompassPT, Kelsea enjoys treating patients of all kinds, notably vertigo, fascial pain and ambulatory conditions.

“Kelsea was incredibly friendly,” reported an avid runner and rock climber who saw Kelsea for foot and Achilles pain. “She did a great job diagnosing my muscle tightness and providing understandable instructions for what I need to do at home to bring about healing. A great experience!”

Kelsea’s favorite thing about working at CompassPT is the collaborative approach we take to treat each and every one of our patients. The CompassPT Team has really appreciated her joyful attitude and eagerness to learn and share information.

When she’s not at work, you can find Kelsea backpacking high in the Cascades or taking her fur children on adventures! Click here to learn more about Kelsea and the Compass Crew.

Wellness Wednesday: Myofascial Release—A Gentle Approach Brings Lasting Results

Ever wonder why no matter how much you exercise or get a massage, there’s one spot that continues to hurt? With 30 years of PTA experience, Nancy Hartung is very familiar with this scenario. This curiosity and her desire to help patient’s solve questions like this prompted her to attend a three-day course on Myofascial Release, a safe and effective hands-on technique using gentle sustained pressure and movement therapy to eliminate pain and restore motion.

The slow and gentle pressure used in Myofascial Release techniques has lasting results.

Fascia is a three-dimensional connective tissue that spreads throughout the entire body, connecting all muscle and organ structures. When traumatized through acute injury, inflammatory responses, surgery or cumulative stressors, fascial tissues can become bound down, causing pressure on sensitive structures, resulting in pain and dysfunction. These myofascial restrictions do not show up in many of the standard tests such as x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc. A high percentage of people suffering with pain and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems that have yet to be diagnosed.

Pressure applied directly to the skin enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia.

Compass Physical Therapy’s 1-hour treatments allow our practitioners the time needed to fully assess the cause(s) and to apply the slow, gentle release techniques designed to unbind these "stuck" tissues. Combined with a comprehensive physical therapy treatment program, including modalities, prescribed exercises, movement facilitation, and body mechanics education, Myofascial Release could be the tool your rehab program needs for full and lasting recovery. To schedule an assessment with one of our MFR-trained therapists, call 541-728-0974.

#GivingTuesday--You can make a difference

We here at Compass Physical Therapy see the effects of childhood trauma in our business everyday: People living in chronic pain, poor self-esteem and self-care skills, addictions and more. While our passion and skill set is in treating and educating people post-trauma, we are big promoters of child abuse prevention.

Please join us this #GivingTuesday by wearing purple and making a contribution to KIDS Center, Central Oregon’s medical model child abuse intervention center. The goal is $25,000 in honor of KIDS Center’s 25th Anniversary, but your awareness and time are equally valuable in protecting children. Visit these links to make an online donation or bring a wish list item to Compass Physical Therapy any time before Dec. 31st.

We also encourage you to be a part of the prevention solution by visiting KIDS Center’s website for essential information on the various ways you can prevent child abuse and help children and families in our community overcome the trauma of abuse. We thank you for making a difference today that will last well into the future.

Reflections of Gratitude

"There is always, always something to be thankful for."

As we round the corner on our ninth year of owning Compass Physical Therapy, we’re abundantly aware of how good we have it in Central Oregon. Everything from the climate to the people to the multitude of beautiful places to spend time makes life here very good indeed. It is both a privilege and a pleasure to serve our patients and fellow practitioners, offering the highest quality of physical therapy with compassion and efficiency.

To give our fantastically dedicated staff time to enjoy family and friends, count their own blessings and rejuvenate for the holiday season, we will be closed Thursday through Sunday Nov. 28th-Dec. 1st. If you have an urgent physical therapy need, contact your nearest urgent care center or physician. For scheduling needs, please leave a message at 541-728-0974 anytime. We will reopen Monday Dec. 2nd at 8:00 a.m.

We wish everyone the happiest of Thanksgivings! Thank you to all of our patients, health care providers and everyone who makes Compass Physical Therapy possible. You are truly blessings and we thank the Lord for bringing you into our lives.

In gratitude,

Tom, Rhonda and the Compass Crew

Feature Friday: Mychal and the Mulligan Concept

Movement Specialist Mychal Manning, DPT, of Compass Physical Therapy recently added another valuable tool to her medical treatment bag when she attended a course on The Mulligan Concept. This simple yet effective hands-on technique addresses musculoskeletal disorders with pain-free, manual joint “repositioning” techniques to restore function and alleviate pain.

"Patients quickly find that a small change in joint or fascial position can drastically improve their range of motion for better daily functioning,” says Mychal, “and ultimately helps them return to their prior level of function sooner.”

Common indications for this approach include:

• Pain of a non-inflammatory nature

• Acute pain from injury

• Loss of motion due to arthritic conditions

• Post-surgical conditions causing loss of pain-free movement, e.g. post-scope conditions and spinal surgery

• Headaches due to neck problems

• Dizziness associated with neck problems

• Jaw or TMJ pain and movement restrictions

• Acute to chronic ankle sprains

• “Tennis elbow” or lateral elbow pain

The entire staff at Compass Physical Therapy has been excited to learn more from Mychal about this particular technique because it meets so many of our standards for quality care:

• Unlike many passive manual therapies, the practitioner and patient work together to reposition the joint. We prefer a team approach with both patient and practitioner.

• This active approach improves patient body awareness and many individuals can continue with self-treatment at home.

• The results can be quick and long-lasting, leading to faster recovery times.

If you are curious if the Mulligan Concept may work for you, contact the office today to schedule an appointment.

Mychal shares new Mulligan Concept skills with the Compass PT Crew .

Do You Need a Movement Diagnosis?

Medical diagnoses don't need much of an introduction. They're what you get from your doctor when you're sick. Examples would be influenza, diabetes or hypertension. They describe the underlying problem that is causing your symptoms. 

When people feel sick, they know they need to go to the doctor and find out what's going on to get treated. We should treat movement the same way. If you're having pain when you move, can't do things you used to be able to (like get on and off the floor easily), or can't do things you want to do (such as go for a bike ride or pick up a grandchild), you could benefit from a movement diagnosis. 

Physical therapists analyze your agility and coordination, as well as strength, flexibility and alignment, to determine the best treatment plan for your individual goals.

A movement diagnosis will help determine what's causing your difficulty with movement. For example, the cause could be muscular weakness, improper alignment, dysfunctional movement patterns or a combination of several factors. Diagnoses set the roadmap for treatment, so getting them right is crucial. Human movement is complex and is influenced by more than just your muscles and joints. According to the APTA, movement is impacted by the following systems:

     - Endocrine
     - Nervous
     - Cardiovascular
     - Pulmonary
     - Integumentary
     - Musculoskeletal

Because of the complexity and interplay between these components of the movement system, getting a movement diagnosis correct is often very difficult. Physical therapists are experts in human movement with doctoral-level training and should be your first stop for movement issues. Not only can a physical therapist provide an accurate movement diagnosis, they will also design a treatment plan to correct the underlying issues and help get you moving well again. Contact the movement experts at CompassPT today. Click here to learn more about your Movement Vital Signs.

References:

http://www.neuropt.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/movement-system-diagnosis-in-neurologic-physical-therapy-where-are-we.pdf?sfvrsn=0

https://journals.lww.com/jnpt/FullText/2018/04000/White_Paper__Movement_System_Diagnoses_in.9.aspx

http://www.apta.org/MovementSystem/

http://www.apta.org/MovementSystem/Template/

Courtesy of American Physical Therapy Association, Private Practice Section, August 1, 2019

What Are Your Movement Vital Signs?

Most people think of heart rate or blood pressure when they think of vital signs. It is common to use numbers to quantify health and risk of disease. The American Heart Association encourages people to "know their numbers" referring to blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood glucose and weight. However, research is now showing the importance of moving properly for health. Let's take a look at some of the numbers you can use to quantify your movement health:

Walking Speed

Walking speed has been called the "sixth vital sign" in medical literature recently. It is easy to measure and takes into account strength, balance, coordination, confidence, cardiovascular fitness, tolerance to activity, and a host of other factors. It has also been shown to be predictive of future hospitalizations, functional decline and overall mortality. Normal walking speed is considered to be 1.2 to 1.4 meters per second (approximately 4 to 4.5 feet per second or 2.7 to 3 mph).

Your physical therapist can help determine which style of push-up is best for you and your fitness goals.

Push-Ups

Push-ups are popular to build strength, but a recent study found that they can show us a lot about your heart too. Researchers found that men who could do 40 or more consecutive push-ups were at a 96% lower risk for cardiovascular disease than were men who could do less than 10. The push-up test was also more useful in predicting future cardiovascular disease than aerobic capacity measured on a treadmill.

Grip Strength

Hand grip strength has been shown to be strongly correlated with health. The stronger your hand grip is, the less likely you are to suffer from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, COPD, and all types of cancer. In the study, muscle weakness was defined as grip strength <26 kg for men (approximately 57 lbs.) and <16 kg for women (approximately 35 lbs). Grip strength below these numbers was highly correlated with an increase in disease.

Standing from the Floor

If you can't easily get down on the floor and back up your health might be in trouble, according to a study that looked at more than 2,000 people. The study asked people to go from standing to sitting on the floor and back up with as little support as needed. They found that if you need to use more than one hand to get up and down from the floor, you were 2 to 5 times more likely to die in the next 7 years than someone who can do it with just one hand or, even better, no hands at all.

Moving well is obviously important to overall health and longer life. These tests can give a snapshot of how you're doing, but don’t let the numbers frighten you. If you're having trouble with any of them or want help accurately obtaining them, see a movement specialist at Compass Physical Therapy. Our physical therapists will not only help you test your numbers, but will assess them with other important factors (like your body type, lifestyle, health history and more) and create a personalized program for you individual goals.

References:

For the push up test:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2724778

Gait speed:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/644554

Floor Rise test:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2047487312471759 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2247402/Can-floor-using-hands-If-heading-early-grave.html

This is a grip strength study that was mentioned in the newsletter item:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28549705

Courtesy of American Physical Therapy Association, Private Practice Section, August 1, 2019

Compass Crew Highlight:

Meet
Mychal Manning

One of our Doctors of Physical Therapy here at CompassPT, Mychal specializes in functional movement systems, assessing dysfunction based on movement patterns rather than anatomical pathology. This gives her a unique perspective and makes her a perfect compliment to our other therapists’ approach to rehab. Now in her 5th year at CompassPT, Mychal’s FUNctional exercises are a refreshing change of pace for even the most experienced athletes.

To keep her mind and body refreshed, Mychal enjoys various athletic pursuits including CrossFit, yoga, running, mountain biking, standup paddleboarding and snowboarding. Her favorite thing about CompassPT is that we provide individual care for patients, but also work as an all-inclusive team. Our patients are our number one priority! If you think Mychal can help you with your aches and pains, call and schedule an appointment with her today!

Feature Friday: Team Approach to Concussion Treatment

The recognition and diagnosis of concussions has improved dramatically as both the public and the medical sector have become more educated on this complex injury. As part of her professional education and to further build a multidisciplinary approach, Compass Physical Therapy’s Nancy Hartung, BS, PTA, attended a community presentation regarding current trends in concussion treatment at Pangea Chiropractic in September.

“This discussion confirmed much of our experience at Compass Physical Therapy in working with our concussion patients,” reported Nancy. The key issues that were addressed included:

• The importance of emphasizing that a concussion is a traumatic brain injury, hence they are more frequently being referred to as TBIs instead of concussions.

• TBIs frequently do not involve a blow to the head and are commonly seen in auto accidents (MVAs) involving whiplash and other spinal injuries.

• Conversely, brain injuries resulting from concussion are almost never without an accompanying neck injury (often involving whiplash) and require skilled physical therapy.

• A multi-therapeutic approach toward recovery has the best outcomes. Several Central Oregon clinics and practitioners, including Compass Physical Therapy, are working collaboratively to establish protocols for a multidisciplinary approach, directing patients to appropriate combined services based on individual symptoms and needs.

If you or someone you know has suffered a TBI and you are not recovering as well or as fully as you would like, Tom Pietrowski, PT, may be able to help you navigate the complex world of TBI recovery.  Contact us for free consultation today 541-728-0974

Therapists Tom and Nancy discuss common findings of dizziness and balance issues associated with TBIs.

Compass Crew Highlight:

Meet Nancy Hartung

A tremendous asset to the Compass Crew, Nancy recently celebrated her 1-Year Anniversary as a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant here at Compass PT.

“Nancy made the decision to hire an assistant easy after meeting her and hearing all the comments from her former employers and coworkers,” says Tom Pietrowski, owner and lead PT.

Extremely skilled in all areas of treatment, Nancy has a particular interest in treating orthopedic post-op patients, persistent/chronic pain management and our older population. Outside of treating patients, Nancy enjoys hiking, biking, gardening and hanging out with her family.

Her favorite things about working at CompassPT are teaming with our caring staff and the ability to have one-on-one, 60-minute appointment times, allowing her the opportunity to really get to know our clients.

To learn more about Nancy and the rest of the staff here at Compass Physical Therapy, click here.

Nancy uses trekking poles on more strenuous hikes to maximize endurance and prevent overuse of her joints.

Thank you Veterans

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have and are currently serving to protect us and our loved ones. Thank you and your families for ensuring the freedoms we all enjoy every day. Your sacrifice can never be repaid and it is our privilege to serve you. Please call our office if you need help with pain relief or physical therapy rehab.

Happy Halloween from the Compass Crew!

We may not be up to date on the latest fashion trends, but we are well versed on the latest and greatest Physical Therapy techniques! In fact, we have been so busy focusing on quality patient care that you have not have a new blog post from us for some time. There have been many exciting things happening at Compass, however, and we are dedicating more time to keeping all of our followers updated. Watch for more details as we continue to immerse ourselves in continuing education, research, community involvement and, as always, becoming better practitioners to provide the best patient care! Make sure to like us on Facebook for the latest updates and call to schedule an appointment if it is time for your PT tuneup! Happy Halloween from the Compass Crew!