West Seneca: Call 716-674-9600 or Text  |  Hamburg: Call 716-648-8700 or Text

What is telehealth physical therapy?

What is telehealth physical therapy?

Telehealth is a physical therapy session that is performed over the phone or internet from the safety of your own home. It will include evaluation, treatment, education, etc. You will see and talk directly to a licensed physical therapist who can assess and demonstrate exercises.  Instructions with pictures will be emailed to you for a customized home exercise program. We use a HIPAA-compliant webpage for your safety.  

What do I need?

You will require a smart phone or tablet/laptop with a webcam. Thanks to NYS Direct Access, no prescription is required for 30 days or 10 visits.

How do I do it?

It’s very easy to use. You simply visit our website, www.proactivesportsrehab.com. Scroll down to the telehealth information and click on “schedule your telehealth session.” You will schedule your appointment and then be sent a link to click on at the time of your appointment. Once you click on that link, you will be joined online by physical therapist where you will meet face to face. You do not need to download anything!

Is there a cost?

No. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most insurances have waived copays and deductibles for telehealth.

Are there any exceptions?

Currently, NYS Medicare will only allow current ProActive Sports Rehab patients to use telehealth for follow up visits only. But overall, there are no other limitations or exceptions. Check back weekly, because things are frequently changing. For more information, please contact ProActive Sports Rehab at 674-9600.

What is telehealth physical therapy?

By Jeff Kirchmyer, PT

Telehealth is a physical therapy session that is performed over the phone or internet from the safety of your own home. It will include evaluation, treatment, education, etc. You will see and talk directly to a licensed physical therapist who can assess and demonstrate exercises.  Instructions with pictures will be emailed to you for a customized home exercise program. We use a HIPAA-compliant webpage for your safety.  


What do I need?

You will require a smart phone or tablet/laptop with a webcam. Thanks to NYS Direct Access, no prescription is required for 30 days or 10 visits.


How do I do it?

It’s very easy to use. You simply visit our website, www.proactivesportsrehab.com. Scroll down to the telehealth information and click on "schedule your telehealth session." You will schedule your appointment and then be sent a link to click on at the time of your appointment. Once you click on that link, you will be joined online by physical therapist where you will meet face to face. You do not need to download anything!


Is there a cost?

No. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most insurances have waived copays and deductibles for telehealth.


Are there any exceptions?

Currently, NYS Medicare will only allow current ProActive Sports Rehab patients to use telehealth for follow up visits only. But overall, there are no other limitations or exceptions. Check back weekly, because things are frequently changing. For more information, please contact ProActive Sports Rehab at 674-9600.


Jeff Kirchmyer, PT, is co-owner of ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in West Seneca and Hamburg.


ProActive Sports Rehab to celebrate 15th anniversary

ProActive Sports Rehab to celebrate 15th anniversary

ProActive Sports Rehab, a leader in orthopedic physical therapy with offices located in West Seneca and Hamburg, will celebrate its 15th anniversary on March 8.

Owned and operated by physical therapists Jeffrey Kirchmyer (West Seneca office) and Anthony Goode (Hamburg office), ProActive offers a wide range of physical therapy and rehabilitation services including treatment for back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle/feet. They specialize in providing individualized treatments with plenty of one-on-one time with each patient. Patients can expect to receive hands-on stretching and joint correction if required. Modalities (ultrasound, TENS, heat, ice, traction) are also available. Therapy can be modified to fit all ages and levels of activity. Each patient receives their own specific home exercise program to speed healing.  

Graduates of Daemen College, Kirchmyer and Goode’s clinics also specialize in both Graston and ASTYM techniques. Graston and ASTYM are forms of tool-assisted massage used to break up misaligned or scarred tissue in order to speed the healing process. This procedure specifically works well with tendinitis issues. This is a great option for people who have chronic pain or have failed with previous forms of treatment. They are also skilled in the treatment of concussion, vertigo and carpel tunnel.

ProActive Sports Rehab also performs physical agility testing for numerous companies. This includes assessing employees looking to start a new job or returning to work from an injury.  They also perform on-site assessments of job positions.

ProActive Sports Rehab offices are located at 1900 Ridge Road, Suite 116, in West Seneca’s Seneca Square Plaza (674-9600), and 4535 Southwestern Blvd., Suite 805, Hamburg (648-8700). Most insurances are accepted. For more information, please visit proactivesportsrehab.com or follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook for frequent updates.

ProActive Sports Rehab to celebrate 15th anniversary

ProActive Sports Rehab, a leader in orthopedic physical therapy with offices located in West Seneca and Hamburg, will celebrate its 15th anniversary on March 8.


Owned and operated by physical therapists Jeffrey Kirchmyer (West Seneca office) and Anthony Goode (Hamburg office), ProActive offers a wide range of physical therapy and rehabilitation services including treatment for back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle/feet. They specialize in providing individualized treatments with plenty of one-on-one time with each patient. Patients can expect to receive hands-on stretching and joint correction if required. Modalities (ultrasound, TENS, heat, ice, traction) are also available. Therapy can be modified to fit all ages and levels of activity. Each patient receives their own specific home exercise program to speed healing.  


Graduates of Daemen College, Kirchmyer and Goode’s clinics also specialize in both Graston and ASTYM techniques. Graston and ASTYM are forms of tool-assisted massage used to break up misaligned or scarred tissue in order to speed the healing process. This procedure specifically works well with tendinitis issues. This is a great option for people who have chronic pain or have failed with previous forms of treatment. They are also skilled in the treatment of concussion, vertigo and carpel tunnel.


ProActive Sports Rehab also performs physical agility testing for numerous companies. This includes assessing employees looking to start a new job or returning to work from an injury.  They also perform on-site assessments of job positions.

ProActive Sports Rehab offices are located at 1900 Ridge Road, Suite 116, in West Seneca’s Seneca Square Plaza (674-9600), and 4535 Southwestern Blvd., Suite 805, Hamburg (648-8700). Most insurances are accepted. For more information, please visit proactivesportsrehab.com or follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook for frequent updates.


Lower your blood pressure to stop a ‘silent killer’

Lower your blood pressure to stop a ‘silent killer’


High blood pressure is often silent — showing no signs or symptoms — but it’s not invisible. Survivors are speaking out to show the real impact of high blood pressure, and a new campaign from the Ad Council, American Heart Association and American Medical Association provides resources to help you and your doctor create a treatment plan that works for you.

Survivors William, Jill, Francisco, Allyson and others show you what high blood pressure looks like while telling their stories at LowerYourHBP.org to encourage you to get your blood pressure under control before it’s too late.

Understanding High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is any level of blood pressure above 130/80. Its consequences include heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, vision loss, sexual dysfunction and peripheral artery disease. According to the American Heart Association, 46 percent of Americans have high blood pressure, but only about half of them have it under control.

Committing to a Plan
Once you know you have high blood pressure, you can manage it very effectively through changes in eating habits, physical activity and, when needed, medication. The best way to avoid the consequences of high blood pressure is to talk to your doctor and commit to a treatment plan that works for your life. Here are some questions to answer in preparation for your doctor visit:
• How have you been feeling?
• Is anything preventing you from sticking to your current plan?
• Any changes in your blood pressure?
• Any side effects from any medication or symptoms?
• How do you treat your side effects and/or symptoms?
• What questions or concerns do you have for your doctor?

Overcoming Everyday Hurdles
If your treatment plan feels overwhelming, your doctor can help you create a more achievable plan. The most effective plan is the one you actually follow. You can use the guide at LowerYourHBP.org to start the right conversation with your doctor.

If a hectic schedule, the cost of medication, or your habits are keeping you from sticking to your treatment, talk to your doctor about ways to overcome these barriers. Be clear about your concerns and get all the answers you need.

Learn More
You can find important facts, stats and tips and see the campaign’s videos online at www.LowerYourHBP.org. There, you can also find helpful tools as you work with your doctor to create or get a treatment plan to bring your blood pressure under control.
— NAPS

ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.

Celebrating good health during Older Americans Month

Celebrating good health during Older Americans Month


 

The contributions of older Americans are celebrated each May during Older Americans’ Month. This year’s theme, “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizes that you are never too old to enrich your physical and emotional well-being.

To encourage happy, healthy and productive golden years when older adults are able to pursue their hobbies and passions, consider these tips from Cigna-HealthSpring, one of the nation’s largest providers of Medicare plans.

Get an annual exam. Annual visits are critical for identifying potential health issues early, as well as maintaining a relationship with your primary care physician. During this visit, your doctor can establish a plan based on your age, gender and health status for the vaccinations and health screenings you need, such as mammograms, cholesterol screenings and colorectal cancer screenings. Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover certain types of annual exams at no extra cost. Check with your plan for details.

Take medications as prescribed. Your drugs were prescribed for a reason. It is important to adhere to your medication regime and take medications as prescribed. Some drugs can cause harmful interactions, so make sure your doctor knows everything you take, including over-the-counter drugs.

If you smoke, stop. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S. It’s never too late to quit, and the benefits of doing so are almost immediate, according to the American Cancer Society. Keep in mind that parts of Medicare cover smoking cessation counseling and prescription medications.

Get some exercise. Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer exercise programs designed specifically for older adults at no extra cost. If your plan has a program like this, make sure to take advantage of it.

Have some fun! Be sure to make time for activities you enjoy and seek out others who also enjoy them. The social interaction is good for you.

“We are constantly inspired by stories of older adults reinventing themselves later in life in meaningful ways, from running marathons to mentoring young people to painting for the very first time,” said Brian Evanko, president of Cigna-HealthSpring. “The key that unlocks all of this is maintaining your physical and emotional health and well-being through the years.”
— StatePoint

ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.

Photo: © Halfpoint/stock.Adobe.com