What is the difference between a PT and a PTA? “PT” stands for “Physical Therapist” and “PTA” stands for “Physical Therapist Assistant.” While the names sound similar, there are a few differences between the two professions. A PT is responsible for conducting initial evaluations and creating an initial plan of care for the patient. A plan of care is an outline of a patient’s treatment plan that is individualized to that patient’s health condition and care needs. This plan of care outlines any goals the patient wishes to accomplish in therapy along with the recommended frequency and duration th ..read more

At Neuro Advantage Rehab, one of the services we offer is wellness visits. Most people are somewhat familiar with traditional physical or occupational therapy sessions, but wellness visits are less common in the therapy world. What is a wellness visit and how is it different from traditional therapy? How do you know which option is right for you? Let’s start with a quick summary of the traditional role of physical and occupational therapy in the healthcare system: Usually a doctor refers a person to therapy after a major healthcare event happens. Maybe you experienced an injury, had surgery ..read more

Everyone thinks of a strong core as a six pack of abdominal muscles or “abs. ” Actually, your core muscles consist of a lot more than just the muscles in the front of your body. Your core muscles consist of the muscles in the front of your abdomen but also wrap around your sides and connect to your back. Maintaining a strong core can have so many benefits! 1. Injury Prevention- having a strong core will help in preventing injuries. When we lift or carry objects we need to have a strong core. We often think of our arms and legs doing all of the work during an activity. In reality, most of the ..read more

People call post-COVID conditions by many names, including: Long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection (PASC), long-term effects of COVID, and chronic COVID.Post-COVID conditions can include a wide range of ongoing health problems; these conditions can last weeks, months, or years. As of November, over 98,174, 364 people in the US have been diagnosed with COVID 19 with approximately 10-20% of people with COVID having persistent symptoms. Some risk factors for post-COVID include: Women Over 40 years old Diabetes type II depression/anxiety Hig ..read more

This month, we want to recognize all of the love, support, and sacrifices caregivers make everyday. You do amazing work empowering, assisting, and advocating for your loved one. While you spend so much time and effort caring for someone else, we want to remind you to also take time to take care of YOU! Here are our top 5 tips for caregivers to maintain your own health and wellness. Find a support system. Whether it be a family member, close friends, a community group you are a part of, or a formal caregiver support group, find someone you can talk to and feel comfortable sharing with; you are ..read more

According to the Department of Health and Human Services Facts & Statistics on physical activity, more than 80% of American adults do not get enough physical activity despite the proven benefits, such as a reduced risk of some cancers and chronic diseases, as well as improved bone health, cognitive function, weight control, and quality of life. As a result, half of adults — 117 million people — have one or more chronic diseases. The good news is that regular physical activity can help prevent and improve many chronic conditions. Barriers to movement and physical activity can be small or l ..read more

Squats are a great exercise with many benefits (they strengthen multiple muscle groups, are a functional movement used frequently in everyday life, promote improved balance, just to name a few). Yet they often get a reputation for being bad for your knees, which is not true as long as you are squatting with proper form! So, why do you knees hurt when you squat? And more importantly, what can you do about it? Pain with squats can occur for various reasons, however often it is because of not using good form when you squat. Here are several common problems I see when working with people in the cl ..read more

Helpful tips and exercises for seniors to remain healthy and in their own homes as long as possible As an occupational therapist, I have worked in the hospital and in rehabilitation settings for nearly ten years. I have helped many people recover from falls, surgeries, or other debilitating diagnoses including strokes and heart attacks. In healthcare, there are recurring themes that I have seen. People want to be healthy, have a good quality of life and remain in their own homes as long as possible. As people age, health status changes, support systems change, and physical abilities change. Wi ..read more