What's New
Opal attended the 4-day Exercise and Physical Activity in Aging Conference held in Indianapolis this summer. The program addressed current evidence-based programs to enhance wellness/quality of life and minimize impairments associated with aging. Earlier this year she completed a course in ergonomics to assist in designing a team approach to reduce injuries in the workplace such as musculoskeletal and cumulative trauma injuries. More recently she coauthored a chapter in a book titled, Joint Hypermobility Handbook. She remains active with the Arthritis Foundation’s Patient Education Committee. Opal is a volunteer for "go Vibrant" which is a community-based program whose initiative is to change Cincinnati from rated as one of the "10 unhealthiest" into the top "10 healthiest cities" in the United States over next 10 years.
Publications
CPTC physical therapist, Dawn Westfall, recently wrote an article that was published in Advance magazine. The research-based article presents current information on fibromyalgia, including the role that physical therapists play in treating patients with this condition. You may read the article by clicking on the link below.
http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/ebook/magazine.aspx?EBK=PT011810#/12/
Do you have jaw pain, neck discomfort or headaches? Did you know physical therapy is an effective means of treatment for your symptoms?
Dawn Westfall, MPT has completed training in craniomandibular and cervical pathophysiology with a world renowned expert in the field, Dr. Mariano Rocabado.
Dr. Rocabado is a practicing physical therapist in Chile and currently holds positions at the University of Andres, Integramedica, and the University of Chile. He is the author of numerous books on head and neck biomechanics. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy and an honorary member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain.
Dawn's training under Dr. Rocabado included instruction in evaluation and treatment of jaw and neck dysfunction, causes of facial pain and headaches; and extensive hands on training was an integral part of the coursework.
If you have neck, jaw, facial symptoms and/or headaches, schedule an appointment to see if physical therapy is right for you.
Sports Performance Studio in the Hyde Park Location
We at Comprehensive Physical Therapy Center are excited to announce a new division of CPTC that will focus on injury prevention, post rehabilitation, and athletic performance. Our new "Sports Performance Studio" of Hyde Park will begin accepting clients January 2010. The services we will initially provide will consist of musculoskeletal screenings, specialized exercise classes, and running assessments. To get additional information and pricing please contact the Hyde Park office at 871-5571 ext 2.
In December of 2008 Opal Riddle, PT was appointed to a three year term as Co-Chair of the Ohio Physical Therapy Associations Political Action Committee.
In November of 2008 Tom DiAngelis, PT was elected President of the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association at their annual conference. Tom assumed the duties of President at that time and will serve a three year term, representing the interest of independent physical therapist practice owners and the patients that we serve.
On August 8-9, 2008, Tom DiAngelis, PT; Leanne Parks, MPT; and Opal Riddle, PT attended the Clinical Instructor Certification course in Columbus, Ohio. This is a program developed by the APTA that provides the resources for clinical physical therapists to mentor and train physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students. Other CPTC therapists that are Certified Clinical Instructors include Meg Gleim, PT; Phyllis Schulte, PT; and Dawn Westfall, MPT. In addition, Beth Taylor, PT became an Advanced Certified Clinical Instructor.
Photo courtesy of APTA
Tom DiAngelis, PT, Testifies on Behalf of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Private Practice Section
DiAngelis to Congress: Fee Schedule Cuts Could Have 'Devastating Impact' on PT Private Practice
Private Practice Section Vice President Tom DiAngelis, PT, testified on May 8 before the US House of Representatives Committee on Small Business hearing on "Medicare Physician Fee Cuts: Can Small Practices Survive?" In his testimony, DiAngelis commented that a scheduled 10.6% cut in Medicare physician payments could have an especially devastating impact on PTs in private practice, who are faced with not only the rising costs of running a small business, but also decreases in revenue due to a variety of government payment and policy challenges. The hearing on "Medicare Physician Fee Cuts: Can Small Practices Survive?" provided an opportunity for the committee to examine the potential impact of fee cuts on the practices of physicians and other allied health professionals.
"These Medicare beneficiaries are individuals who have suffered from stroke, had joint replacements or chronic diseases that impair their ability to move, walk, and perform their daily tasks," DiAngelis testified. "Physical therapist small businesses address these beneficiaries' health care needs throughout the United States and contribute to the health status of our country, including its economic health."
Physical therapists, in particular, are being hit especially hard, DiAngelis told Congress. Not only will they experience the overall 10.6% reduction in payment under the fee schedule, they also will be subject to an arbitrary annual cap of $1,810 per beneficiary on outpatient services beginning July 1.
To learn more about what you can do, click here.
Watch Medicare Physician Fee Cuts: Can Small Practices Survive?
In October, 2007 Opal Riddle, PT presented on the topic "Efficacy of Weight-bearing Activities and Exercise with Osteoporosis Treatment" to physical therapist, advanced nurse practitioners and radiological technicians. The program was sponsored by the University of Cincinnati Hospitals Bone and Health Osteoporosis Center. For more information on Osteoporosis please go to the Osteoporosis link on this web site.
