Our Message To You. . . Vineyard Complementary Medicine is still here for you.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused numerous businesses and health care services to temporarily close, we as medical professionals are diligently trying to serve our patients in the best ways possible without risking the spread of this disease. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has deemed physical therapists as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic. DHS states, “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.” Because of this mandate, the clinicians at Vineyard Complementary Medicine (VCM) are still working with current and new patients in modified ways. Our facility in Post Office Square will remain closed until further notice.
As we begin to settle into our new norm of social distancing and sheltering at home, it is so important to keep up with your therapy plan, self-care programor fitness routine observing safe practices. The sedentary lifestyle that many people are experiencing since being sheltered in their homes can actually lead to more aches, pains, and discomfort than you realize. We do not knowwhen our lives will return to normal but that doesn’t mean we stop taking care of ourselves. I believe maintaining movement routines, therapy plans, and self-care programs is even more important during this time - especially for anyone in the “at risk” category. “at risk” is considered to be individuals over 60, people with underlying health issues including diabetes, cardiac and respiratory issues, and those with compromised immune systems.“ (continued inside)
A L S O I N S I D E : • COVID-19 Fact Sheet • Upcoming Facebook Live Schedule
• 10 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You • Why Your Physical Therapy Program Is Still Necessary
Your Physical Therapy Program Is Still Necessary
A customized physical therapy program can help individuals return to their prior level of functioning and encourage activities and lifestyle changes that can help prevent further injury and improve overall health and wellbeing. Primary care doctors often refer patients to physical therapy at the first sign of a problem, since it is considered a conservative approach to managing problems. Physical therapy can not only help the body heal as quickly as possible, but it can also help combat illness. With individualized stretches and exercise we prescribe for your treatment plan are great ways to boost your immune system. When your body is in shape, it quite literally has more strength to fight off unwanted viruses. Just 20-30 minutes of physical activity a day can help strengthen not only you, but your immune system as well. All of us need to keep moving, in a safe manner, to ensure that we stay healthy mentally and physically. That’s why I am so pleased to let you know about the innovative, high tech, low tech and good old common-sense Care During Covid program my staff and I have developed for our current patients, new patients and for the general public. YOU MAY BE ASKING, “HOW CAN I CONTINUE CARE AND STILL BE SAFE?” Absolutely, and here’s how: 1. VCM-Telehealth (virtual therapy sessions) for new evaluations, follow-up visits, exercise instruction, self-care evaluations, and wellness checks. Comprehensive home exercise programs that include video instruction and printed material. While in-person Chiropractic and Acupuncture services have been discontinued due to direct contact restrictions, both Dr. Amity Bubbins, DC and Ty Romjin, L.Ac are also available via VCM-Telehealth, in addition to our Physical Therapists. You can learnmore about Massachusetts Telehealth program at www.buoyhealth.com. 2. Our staff will conduct “at a distance home visits” for our elderly and at-risk patients, providing gate keeper screening for patients, who may otherwise be unnecessarily entering emergent healthcare facilities. COVID screenings and precautions will be observed including clean technique, masks and gloves. 3. We will now provide home delivery of self-care packages and products including exercise bands, pain relief lotions,
kinesio tape and TENS (electrical stimulation) units, packaged with clean technique for a nominal fee.
4. Other equipment and items available for delivery include MyoBuddy Personal Handheld Percussive Massager, Pulleys, BioMats, McKenzie Lumbar Rolls and Books, Ping Chan Lotion, Electrical Stim Pads, and Silicone Chinese Cupping Cups.
5. Video tutorials, including many of our basic rehabilitation exercises, are available on our YouTube Channel and our website, www.vcmpt.com * 6. Addi t ional helpful information can be found
on our Facebook and Instagram pages, including weekly Facebook Live Workshops every Thursday night at 6pm *These resources are free and available to the general public. At VCM we are committed to helping our community move through this time as safely and gracefully as possible. Our entire teamwill do whatever it takes, while maintaining current recommended safety guidelines, to be sure we provide the best care possible for all of our patients. Keeping connected to your healthcare team is crucial to ensure continued progress in achieving your functional goals, maintain pain free motion, reduce stress, and keep your spirit and mood positive! As a small business owner, I am committed to supporting both our community and my staff to be sure that the disruption of care is minimal. I encourage everyone to explore these innovations and opportunities for a new approach to healthcare delivery. Despite difficult situations we will work together to Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better. Warm regards,
Susan Sanford President and CEO
10 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You
1. REDUCE OR ELIMINATE PAIN. Exercises and techniques such as joint and soft tissue mobilization or treatments like ultrasound, taping or electrical stimulation can help relieve pain and restore muscle and joint function to reduce pain. 2. AVOID SURGERY. If physical therapy helps eliminate pain or heal from an injury, surgery may not be needed - avoiding surgery and health care costs. But if surgery is required, pre-surgery physical therapy helps you go into surgery stronger and in better shape, making recovery faster. 3. IMPROVE MOBILITY. If you are experiencing trouble standing, walking or moving, regardless of age, stretching and strengthening exercises help restore your ability to move. Physical therapists can properly fit canes, crutches, orthotic prescriptions and other assistive devices. 4. RECOVER FROM A STROKE. Loss of some degree of function and movement after stroke is common. Physical therapy helps strengthen weakened parts of the body and improve gait and balance. Working with a PT can also improve stroke patients’ ability to transfer and move around in bed so that they can be more independent around the home and reduce their burden of care for the activities of daily living. 5. RECOVER FROM OR PREVENT A SPORTS INJURY. Sports can increase your risk for specific types of injuries, such as stress fractures for distance runners. PT’s can design appropriate recovery or prevention exercise programs to ensure a safe return to your sport. 6. IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE AND PREVENT FALLS. Each patient is screened for fall risk. High risk patients will be provided exercises that safely and carefully challenge their balance as a way to mimic real-life situations. Our PT’s provide exercises to improve coordination and assistive devices to help with safer walking. If the balance problem is caused by one’s vestibular system, Physical Therapists can perform specific maneuvers that quickly restore proper vestibular functioning and reduce symptoms of dizziness or vertigo. 7. MANAGE DIABETES AND VASCULAR CONDITIONS. As part of an overall diabetes management plan, exercise can help effectively control blood sugar. Additionally, people with diabetes may have problems with sensation in their feet and legs. Physical therapy can provide education on proper foot care for these patients. 8. MANAGE AGE-RELATED ISSUES. As individuals age, they may develop arthritis or osteoporosis or need a joint replacement. Physical therapy can help patients recover from joint replacement and manage arthritic or osteoporotic conditions conservatively. 9. MANAGE HEART AND LUNG DISEASE. While patients may complete cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack or procedure, you also may receive physical therapy if your daily functioning is affected. For pulmonary problems,
physical therapy can improve quality of life through strengthening, conditioning and breathing exercises, and help patients clear fluid in the lungs. 10. MANAGE WOMEN’S/MEN’S HEALTH AND OTHER CONDITIONS . Women have specific health concerns, such as with pregnancy and post- partum care. Physical therapy can provide specialized management of issues related to women’s health. Additionally, PT can provide specialized treatment for bowel incontinence, breast cancer, constipation, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, male pelvic health, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence.
STAYING SAFE & HEALTHY IN THE COVID-19 ERA COMMUNITY FOOD RESOURCES
CREDIBLE RESOURCES SCHOOL LUNCHES • When: Food service from 12 pm to 1 pm, Monday and Thursday. • Locations: MVRHS, and Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Tisbury, and West Tisbury schools. • Directions: Car delivery pull up and wait for a staff member to assist you. SERVING HANDS • When: Every Friday following the 4th Thursday of the month, year around. MASSACHUSETTS SYMPTOM CHECKER www.buoyhealth.com MASSACHUSETTS COVID-19 RESOURCES https://www.mass.gov/guides/resources-during- covid-19
• Location: First Baptist Church Parish house Corner of William and Spring Streets, Vineyard Haven. • Call 508-693-5339 for information. ISLAND FOOD PANTRY • When: Monday: 2pm-4pm, Wednesday: 2pm-4pm, & Saturday: 10am-12pm. • Locations: Christ United Methodist. • If you would like to help the Island Food Panty, please visit www.islandfoodpantry.org to donate.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL 800-232-4636 www.cdc.gov WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION www.who.int
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
We get it. It’s hard to sift through the messages and information coming at us and worse, is the “unknown unknown”. It can cause greater stress and anxiety which can also take a toll on your body. If you’d like to talk to someone, it can be just a call away. 7 CUPS • Free online text chat with a trained listener for emotional support and counseling. Also offers fee-for-service online therapy with a licensed mentalhealth professional. • www.7cups.com EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS • An international fellowship of people who
desire to have a better sense of emotional well-being. Online weekly meetings. The EA is nonprofessional and can be a complement to therapy.
• www.emotionsanonymous.org SUPPORT GROUP CENTRAL
• Offers virtual support groups on numerous mental health conditions - free or low-cost. • www.supportgroupscentral.com MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL • Guide to Mental Health Resources for COVID-19 • https://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/ guide-to-mental-health-resources Source: National Alliance onMental Illness (NAMI)
I f you are ill and believe you may have COVID-19, call your primary care provider first. You will be screened over the phone to determine if you reach the necessary criteria for testing. You are encouraged to call the MV Hospital Call Center (508-684-4800) before arriving at the hospital.
PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER
PHONE #
WE CREATED THIS COVID INFO CHART FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY - KEEP IT HANDY!
“I am doing VCM-Telehealth visits with Susan and Angela for a shoulder issue. . . it is going great. Susan was even able to deliver a Theraband and Kinesio tape to my house - I love the customer service! I saw Angela twice this week and the workouts were great. I am so muchmore disciplined when she is watching. “ - D.L.
Join Susan Sanford every Thursday night at 6pm for an in-depth talk about tips, tricks, and professional know-how on important pain-reducing and prevention topics.
• April 9th 6:00pm Perform a Pain- Free Movement Screening to Prevent Injuries, Pain, and Arthritis • April 16th 6:00pm The 6B’s - A Guide to Safe Movement, Body Mechanics, and Proper Posture • April 23rd 6:00pm Simple Home Remedies For Treating Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
• April 30th 6:00pm Sue’s Secrets for Eliminating Neck Pain and Neck Related Headaches • May 5th 6:00pm Simple Sports Taping Techniques-Relieve Lower Back Pain, Knee Pain, and Shoulder Pain
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