Monthly Referral Prize
Posted on March 16, 2013 by admin
Happy Monday to Everyone!
February was truly amazing in the SDSR offices. We are SO grateful to all of our patients for every single can of soup and beans brought in to help us help The Angels Depot provide healthy meals to low-income senior citizens.
We truly could NOT have done it without you! Without further adieu….the winners!!
Trigger Point Injections..and a New Code Word!
Posted on February 21, 2013 by admin
Happy Thursday to Everyone!
As the Soup and Bean drive goes into it’s FINAL week, we are excited to share a new code word in this post with you!
Also, we know that here at SDSR, sometimes offering so many beneficial options in your treatment plan can become a little overwhelming. For that reason, we look forward to sharing more information about the services we offer. It is our hope that our patients will have even more confidence in SDSR as their place of care as a result. This week’s topic?
Trigger Point Injections!
What is a Trigger Point?
A trigger point is the small, painful band of muscle that is tender to the touch. They can feel like small “marbles” under the skin, or just very tight and sore spots in your muscles.
Who can benefit from Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger point injections may be for you if despite stretches, heat, and massage, you find yourself saying “my muscles just won’t relax!”
What is a Trigger Point Injection?
A trigger point injection is a technique for pain relief. At SDSR, our doctors and physician assistants are trained in this technique, and will evaluate you to determine if you may benefit from the procedure. It involves a very small needle, similar to an acupuncture needle, and a small amount of lidocaine, which is a common local anesthetic You most likely have had lidocaine in the past in the past during any dental work or simple medical procedures.
How is it done?
The procedure will involve inserting the small needle into the tight band of muscle, which causes the muscle to relax. You may feel a slight twitch or a brief pain, which typically indicates the needle is in the correct spot. A small amount of lidocaine is then injected, and the needle is withdrawn. Your doctor or PA will determine the amount of trigger points to treat-usually anywhere from four to eight locations during one visit.
How long will I have relief?
The length of pain relief varies for every person. Usually, you will see a doctor or PA again one week later. At the visit, the provider will inquire if the injections are lasting, and often times deeper trigger points are discovered and can be injected. A general rule of thumb is if you still are not experiencing relief after two or three injections, then we will look for alternatives for your pain management.
What are the side effects?
There are possible side effects of soreness or bruising for a few days after the procedure. If this happens, you should apply a cold pack and try taking acetominophen for relief.
Is it safe?
This type of injection is generally safe, but as with any injection, there are always risks associated. There is a risk of infection, so let your doctor know if you experience increased redness, swelling, discharge, or warmth to injection sites. Very rarely, if the injection is done to the chest wall or lower neck, the needle can puncture a lung, causing difficulty breathing. It may also hit a nerve, which could cause increased pain and possibly tingling and numbness. You should not have trigger point injections if you are pregnant or are allergic to local anesthetics. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, talk to the doctor to determine if it will be safe to try!
If you are interested in Trigger Point Injections, feel free to ask your doctor at your next follow-up!
Fun Fridays are still in full effect, and tomorrow is Patriotic Day in the Oceanside office, and Crazy Hair Day in the Mission Valley office! We have a blast with the kids each week, and sincerely thank you all for participating!
Don’t forget! It’s not too late to bring your cans of soup or beans for the Angels Depot Drive! We still have exactly one week to collect all the cans we can for low-income senior citizens!
Every can gets you ONE entry for the Healthy Heart basket, and every FORTY cans gets you a free one hour massage certificate!
Last but not least, how about a new code work, effective tomorrow Friday February 22 in both offices? Again, mention the code word at check in to receive an EXTRA ticket to enter to win the Healthy Heart basket!
The code word for the next week is: “Heartbeat“
We wish you an EXCELLENT weekend in advance, and we can’t wait to see you at your next appointment!
Spreading Knowledge…and Some LOVE!
Posted on February 15, 2013 by admin
Happy Friday, Everyone!
It is no surprise that we here at San Diego Spine and Rehab LOVE taking care of our patients. We make it a priority to get the best in their fields to work in our offices, and provide the best care and treatment plans to YOU, our patients.
A frequently asked question: Why choose a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician?
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians and Physiatrists are specialists in diagnoing and treating problems of the musculoskeletal sytem. They take thorough histories and perform physical examinations to find the source of your pain, injury, or disability, even when standard diagnostic tests don’t reveal specific problems.
In addition, PM&R physicians direct the team of healthcare professionals that treat you. If any other services are needed, such as those of a Physical Therapist or Athletic Trainer, the PM&R physician supervises, collaborates with, and coordinates them. The result is a specially designed treatment program tailored to YOU.
What are some conditions you would consult a PM&R physician for?
Because PM&R physicians offer an aggressive, non-sugical approach to pain and injury, these physicians are the idea choice to treat a wide variety of diseases and condition. The following is a list of some conditions that PM&R physicians have extensive training in diagnosing:
Low Back Pain
Acute and Chronic Pain
Neck Pain,
Cancer,
Burns, Stroke and Neurolgical Disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Fibromyaligia/Myofascial Pain
Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Arthritis
Cardiac Disorders
Osteoporosis
Work Injuries
PM&R Treatment Philosophy
PM&R physicians believe in treating the whole patient, not just the patient’s symptoms. They share their medical knowledge to help patients understand their condition, and provide the tools and resources to manage it. They use a variety of treatment methods to reduce or eliminate problems and to decrease the possibility ofrecurrence. This comprehensive approach produces not only cost-effective results, but also a high degree of patient satisfaction!
We wanted to wish all of you a belated Valentine’s Day!
We are having a great time spreading some EXTRA love in the SDSR offices this week, and it looks like we have all kinds of participants!
Look at all of our little Valentines!!!!
Our Mission Valley Playroom got to be a part of these cuties’ first Valentine’s Day!
Lucky Kristin at Mission Valley had a serenade special delivered!
Our patients are so SWEET!!!
We feel the LOVE!!!
Rockin’ their bows for the festivities!
Lovely Front Desk ladies in Mission Valley! Check out those flowers!!!
Thank you so much to everyone who made Valentine’s Day such a blast in both offices!!
And, what everyone is waiting for! This week’s secret code word for an extra entry to win the Healthy Heart Basket is…. “Aerobics”
That’s all for now…but as always: WE WILL SEE YOU AT YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT!!
Let’s Socialize!
Posted on February 8, 2013 by admin
Hey Everyone!
San Diego Spine and Rehab is dedicated to getting the word out, and helping everyone reach their wellness goals! Can you imagine a world where relief is readily accessible to everyone? SO CAN WE!
In an effort to reach everyone, and let them know about the Integrated Medicine approach, we have made sure that you can connect with us in many different ways!
From Twitter, Facebook, Yelp, to here on the SDSR blog! Be sure to connect with us, and be the first to know about all of the exciting and informative opportunities we offer for you and your loved ones! You can link directly to all of these social media outlet with SDSR at the bottom of each and every blog post, as well as through our Facebook page! Be sure to like us, or “Check In” on Facebook or Yelp! and let everyone know how hard you’re working!
What’s going on at SDSR lately? Oh you know….lots of FUN!
Check out all the spirit for Jersey Day in the Mission Valley playroom last week!
Recent Mission Valley Social
Some smiling faces at a Mission Valley Social
Basket winners at a Social in the Oceanside office!
Gotta love the poses!!!
We can always count on you to make our events such a great time!!
In the upcoming weeks, we have plans here at SDSR to host even more fun events!
Look out for these in your office:
SDSR Adventure Club (paddleboarding, hiking, and so much more!)
SDSR Walking Club
SDSR Biggest Loser Challenge
Have you checked out the Healthy Heart Baskets for this month’s referral contest yet? Remember, each patient YOU refer into the office gets you one ticket, and this month, you get an EXTRA ticket for EACH can of soup or beans that you bring in for our Angels Depot food drive!
Oceanside Basket
Mission Valley Basket
We figured, hey! Why not ‘sweeten’ the deal? Check out the SDSR blog each week for the “CODE WORD” of the week, and mention at the front desk when you check in for your appointment, and we will give you ANOTHER extra ticket!
So, let’s recap:
1 referral= 1 ticket
1 can of soup or beans= 1 ticket each
40 cans of soup or beans=40 tickets AND a one hour massage certificate
Mention CODE WORD at check in=1 ticket (once per week, per patient)
Not too shabby, huh?
This weeks code word is: ‘Cardio’
That’s all for now, but we can’t wait to see you at your next appointment!
Have a GREAT weekend!
Is It Mid-January Already?
Posted on January 18, 2013 by admin
Hey Everyone!
Can you believe that January is already half over?!
We are so excited to be celebrating the New Year with our wonderful patients, and helping everyone reach their wellness goals! It’s been a great start, and we can’t wait to see what is in store!
A fun addition to this year at SDSR is our “Fun Fridays” in the playroom! Each Friday, your local office will have a theme in the playroom, and we encourage all of our patients and their little ones to participate!
This Friday, we will be doing “Winnie the Pooh” in the Oceanside office, and a “Circus” theme in Mission Valley! Games, stories, movies…it will be a blast! We can’t wait to see you there! You can find the themes for the month posted in your local playroom, and we will keep you posted here on the SDSR blog, as well!
Oceanside
Mission Valley
Some things should never change….like the monthly drawings at SDSR! It’s not too late to refer your family and friends, for a chance to win the 0 Visa Gift Card! Any person you refer that comes in up until January 31, gets you entered! Who can’t use an extra 0??!!
If you haven’t already received a flyer, you can pick one up at the Front Desk!
How did YOU hear about SDSR? We have met a lot of our patients at fun events at the community, and at the events we have in our very own offices! We are grateful to be contacted by so many groups, Family Readiness Officers, and other organizations. We have an absolute blast throwing these events for you all! Check out some of the most recent events here in our offices!
Massage Therapist Rory went out to the Isis Employee Appreciation Event!
The lucky winners at one of the latest Oceanside Spouse’s Socials!
Smiling faces at one of the Mission Valley Spouse’s Social Events!
Making Valentine’s to send to deployed loved ones at one of our Socials!
We get some real partiers every now and then! :
We are always happy to celebrate our staff birthdays! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all the January babies who help make SDSR what it is!
Mission Valley Birthdays!
We caught two of our Oceanside birthdays in the hallway!
That’s all for now, but as always….