WILTON – Annie Dyer, DPT, and Lauren Hebert, DPT, of SmartCare Physical Therapy in Dixfield and Wilton have announced a new free health screening program that targets early musculo-skeletal aging and emerging pain problems. The American Physical Therapy Association has been recommending its member physical therapists nationwide to offer wellness, prevention, and related screening services to the community. This SmartCare offering is intended to meet those recommendations.
Physical therapists provide people with guidance on how to overcome or prevent “movement disorders” such as back and neck pain, arthritis and tendinitis, work and sports injuries, headache, vertigo, balance problems, and recovery from surgery through the use of simple but specifically targeted exercises, posture control tactics, and changes in work or daily living activities. Physical therapists are doctorate-level educated experts on managing musculo-skeletal, neuro-muscular, cardio-pulmonary, and other disorders that affect ability to live life to the fullest.
SmartCare’s new screening service offers free 15-minute screening and advice services specifically targeting spine issues, balance and falls risks, headaches and TMJ pain, and a special emphasis on screening for early reversible aging changes to the skeleton. This early-aging screening program checks for subtle but important changes in key flexibility and joint mobility due to early age changes. These aging changes are, at first, painless but can eventually lead to significant disabling pain problems, injuries or reconstructive surgeries.
“There are several painless (at first) changes in hip rotation, spinal mobility, core strength, and other changes that sneak up on us in our 40’s and 50’s,” Dyer said. “These may not yet cause pain, but they can soon lead to worsening problems and eventual major disabilities. The good news is most of these early age changes are easily reversible with very simple exercises.”
Their objective is to educate people how to take control of their aging and their emerging pain problems before they become significant disabilities or even surgery. Lifetime abilities and personal healthcare cost savings can be enormous.
SmartCare’s free screening program starts immediately. It involves a 15-minute encounter to gather history, perform screening, and provide self-care recommendations. This is a prevention wellness encounter, not a formal physical therapy treatment session. It is not billed to any insurance and is done at no charge to the individual as a community service. No physician referral is needed for this wellness service. Any follow-up services, more detailed examinations, or more targeted physical therapy treatments would be available as a separate service subject to physical therapy treatment rules. The public may call for an appointment at 212-1227.
