Drayer Physical Therapy Institute

For all the risks you might associate with decades as a firefighter, it was a seemingly innocuous incident at shift change in his Arlington, Va., fire house that put Ralph Parsons’ career in jeopardy. Two days after Christmas in 2016, Parsons was performing his normal morning checks. As he attempted to climb into a parked fire truck, his foot missed a step. He caught himself by grabbing a hand rail. He immediately felt pain but dismissed it as just a pulled muscle. Returning... from a call that came in right after his accident, Parsons was hurting so badly that he couldn’t get his coat off without assistance. He rolled up his shirt sleeve to discover that his arm from the elbow up was no bigger than his wrist. Learn more about Ralph’s #UpliftedLives journey and how with the help of physical therapy he was about to return to the career he loves.

Happy holidays from our Drayer Physical Therapy family to yours!

Santa knows the benefits of physical therapy include: Improved muscle function, for a long night of guiding the sleigh. Greater flexibility, for climbing in and out of the chimney. Stress relief, during a hectic holiday season. ... A stronger core, for hauling gifts. Every patient has a unique health history, diagnosis and personal goals. When you come for your first appointment, we will create a personalized treatment plan for you.

How does Telehealth work? Through the use of a video conference, our therapists perform an evaluation of your injury and limitations and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. When we come to where YOU are virtually, we can work with you one-on-one to assess your condition and provide real-time feedback, modifications and recommendations on current programs and exercises. ... We believe that one of the most powerful things therapists can do is listen to and observe their patients! THIS is Telehealth. Do I need a referral? How does the video conference work? Visit our frequently asked questions page: https://drayer.urpt.com/telehealth-faqs/

As the holidays approach, it’s easy to be tempted by cravings of sweets, baked goods and favorite comfort foods. Here are some helpful tips to get through the holidays without packing on the extra unwanted pounds: 1. Exercise 30 minutes each day. This will get your heart rate up, burn calories and relieve stress. 2. Eat as you normally would. Don’t skip meals!... 3. Don’t stuff yourself. Eat until you feel satisfied and full. 4. If you must snack, try nuts, vegetables and fruit. 5. Drink plenty of water. Consume 8 ounces prior to a big meal to make you feel full. 6. Make your own healthful dish for a gathering. 7. When socializing, don’t stand near the party table where the snacks are. 8. Cook healthy. For instance, use low-fat chicken broth instead of butter with mashed potatoes and choose light or fat-free salad dressings.

Winter is here, but your training doesn’t have to take a break just because the weather has gotten colder and snow is on the ground. When the weather turns for the worse, you can continue to run in cold wind, freezing temperatures and snow, or go inside on the treadmill for three months. There is no wrong decision; it all depends on the individual runner and what best suits his or her needs.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT ACT NOW TO STOP MEDICARE CUTS Congress must act immediately to stop drastic Medicare cuts from effect on January 1st. These regulations, proposed by unelected government regulators, would cut some Medicare services by up to 10% - limiting access to needed care for seniors during a health crisis. There is pending legislation in both the U.S. Senate (S. 5007) and U.S. House (H.R. 8702) that would stop these Medicare cuts.... Your help is needed - contact your Senator and Member of Congress today. Ask them to support and pass S. 5007 and H.R. 8702 before the adjourn for the year. Time is running out text APTA to 52886 or visit our take action page. It takes just a few minutes to protect seniors from these unnecessary Medicare cuts. Don’t wait take action right now! #FightTheCut https://bit.ly/34iYwsR

We’re told to eat more veggies and fewer carbs, to wear this shoe or try that workout. Nutrition and physical activity are common topics on social media, in the news, and in emails from your gym. Learn how it all works together to boost your immune system. https://drayer.urpt.com//physical-activity-nutrition-can-/

Despite unified warnings from lawmakers, specialty providers, and other stakeholders, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) plans to move forward with deep, across-the-board payment cuts to more than 30 specialties including an alarming 9% cut to physical and occupational therapy services on January 1, 2021. Fortunately, Congress is working to stop these severe cuts from taking effect. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) rece...ntly introduced the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act (H.R. 8702), which would provide much-needed relief to dozens of specialty providers that are scheduled to incur severe Medicare reimbursement cuts by keeping funding levels for affected specialties at 2020 levels over the next two years. Your lawmakers need to hear from you about the urgency of stopping these devastating cuts before the end of the year. Please email your lawmakers now and ask them to oppose Medicare cuts to specialty providers by supporting H.R. 8702! https://www.aptqi.com/take-action/

We’re excited to announce the opening of our new location in Tyrone, PA. The clinic is located at 5459 E Pleasant Valley Blvd. The clinic offers outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, including pre- and post-operative rehabilitation, manual therapy, sports rehabilitation and injury prevention. Clinic Director, Kyle Updyke, earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Penn State University and a doctor of physical therapy degree from Wheeling Jesuit Un...iversity. Kyle is certified as an orthopedic clinical specialist. His clinical interests include orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, cervical and lumbar spine, and post-surgical recovery. Local athletes can also be seen at the clinic by our Athletic Trainer, Dave Bokulich. To schedule an appointment with Kyle or Dave, please call the clinic at 814-682-7267. We look forward to helping you, live your best life!