May Newsletter MbM

April flew by, with lots of new and exciting things happening at Medicine by Movement!  We are wrapping up our 1st six-week Low Back Pain class, had one of the most well-attended workshops on knee and hip Osteoarthritis, stepped out in the community to give free injury screens at the Rainy Day Bazaar, as well as The Studio by Emily, had a couple REALLY fun guest speakers for our Wellness Group, hosted a film screening of The M-Factor, Shredding the Silence on Menopause, and had one of our busiest months treating PT clients.  Whew!  Read on to see what’s in store in the next couple months, as well as some tricks, tips, and of course, the deal of the month!

Monthly PT Advice:

Banded Squats: A squat is one of the best, and most functional ways to strengthen the legs.  In the month of April, we focused on Osteoarthritis (OA).  Unfortunately, people with OA often struggle with being able to perform a squat without pain.  There are tons of variations to accomplish a squat from raising the heels up on an elevated surface, to using a band to gap the joint, but one that I love to help “retrain” the appropriate muscles is the banded squat.  This exercise is great for strengthening the legs, but also for retraining the use of our external rotators and abductors in the hip that often stop working appropriately when we have pain. This exercise is especially helpful in females, as we tend to have a more “valgus” formation when we squat (knee come together) because of the angle of our hips, but also with folks that struggle with hip and knee pain associated with OA.  Give it a try, and if you need more assistance, reach out-we still have room in the 6 week OA group exercise class coming up, starting May 6th!

See video education on banded squats: https://youtube.com/shorts/nID3DV79NMc

Upcoming Events:

• May 2 - Walk with a Doc!  Join us for a walk through Totem Park from 12-1 and ask me any questions related to health, injuries and fitness along the way
  

• May 6 - Start of six week knee and hip OA class
  

• May 17 - Julie Hughes Triathlon - look for my table inside Blatchley for recovery treatment and injury screens

  
  

• May 23 - Workshop on Manual Therapy Interventions for pain and function

  
  

• June/July -Stay tuned for possible classes on “lifting heavy,” and “exercise during peri and post menopause” 

  
  

• Late summer - Collaborative talks/workshops with other practitioners on staying healthy through the phases of life

We love Guest Speakers and Collaboration!

Late March we had a modified Zumba Session with Kate DeRoisers!  Friday’s are usually our day to get outside and breathe in the benefits of fresh air, but also work on getting our heart rate up and working into more of the cardio realm.  So…we decided to change it up a little and have some fun dancing!  Thank you, Kate!

Then in April we stuck with that theme and had Nancy Neel as our guest with a modified Piyo stretching and kickboxing class.  Now that will get your heart rate up!  Nancy is amazing, and both of these instructors offer classes in the public through Parks and Rec, The Studio by Emily, Sitka Cirque, and the Dance Studio.  Don’t ever say there aren’t options!

But do you take insurance?

This is a question I get nearly every day. One I completely understand, but also feel fairly strongly about. I have chosen to be "out of network," meaning I do not have specific contracts with each insurance company.

I chose this because:

*I can give my patients the best quality care by doing this, where I felt very restricted in the past

*It frees up more of my time to give one on one attention to my clients rather than jumping through the million hoops insurance requires

*It allows me to treat multiple areas at once, as well as include areas as we go without stepping back and waiting for approval from insurance

*It allows me to be up front and honest about what I am charging you and be able to include everything in that price

*And it allows me to work on PREVENTION. Something that SHOULD be part of our practice, but insurance does not allow

*It allows me to give true concierge treatment - meaning you don't just come for your treatment session and are kicked out the door. Whether I come to you, you come to the clinic, I see you for a full plan of care, or just 1 visit...you get continued communication with me before, during and after treatment. I can modify exercises and routines, give advice, and keep you on track without needing to set up an extra visit. Plus, EVERYTHING is included in an up front cost (evaluation, exercise, home programs and training programs, continued communication for life, manual work, even dry needling which many places charge extra for). There will never be surprises - you know what you are paying and in turn, what you are getting!

To me, being able to really get to the root cause of my health issues and work on them in a more holistic way is worth it.  I am using all the traditional PT tools, but incorporating other aspects of your health and wellness that not only makes you feel better, but hopefully keeps you healthy!  Because this isn’t something we see on a regular basis, it’s hard to shift away from wanting to use our insurance.  We pay good money for it, and any time you can use it, by all means, let’s do it!  But, we do this for massage, for our hair and beauty services, for a gym membership…what about investing in a membership that keeps your body moving the way you want and need it to!  That said, just because I am out of network doesn't mean you can't get reimbursed for my services. Many private insurances will reimburse, with the only hard no being Medicare. Sorry folks! But that is why I offer some of my group wellness services for this population - to allow for a cost-effective option. You can always call your insurance prior to making an appointment to get specifics on how much they will cover, or reach out to me with questions any time. A couple to know prior to booking are Tricare and Workers Comp.  Both require a physician referral and a plan of care, and worker’s comp requires prior authorization.  Both will reimburse for services if you follow those steps.  I’m happy to explain the ever-confusing world of insurance to you any time, feel free to call! 

Deal of the Month!!!

Buy as many packages at my current rate to be used over the next year before May 15th, when my prices will be going up. Remember, you can share these visits with immediate family members if desired, and payment plans are available.  This locks you into the current rate before the prices increase on the 15th. Please see below for current rates and new rates starting on May 15th.  This will not affect my group classes or Monthly Wellness Group.  I will continue to hold free injury screens and workshops, as my goal is to be able to educate and provide care for all in some capacity, regardless of income.  Reach out with more questions!

Old Price Structure (Until 5/15/25)

$185/ visit

$170/visit for 6 pack

$160/visit for 10 pack

$155 for 1x/month membership (3 month min)

$145/visit for 2x/mo membership (3 mo min)

New Price Structure (starts 5/15/25)

$215/visit

$200/visit for 6 pack (3 payments of $400)

$190/visit for 10 pack (3 payments of $633)

$185/visit for 20 pack (3 payments of $1,233)

$185 for 1x/mo

$175/visit for 2x/mo

*Monthly Wellness Group remains at $100/month, or $15 drop-in fee

Thank you for your support, Sitka! 

If you have an idea or desire for a class, workshop, or service, please reach out.  And if you’d like to collaborate, please reach out as well!  

Much respect for anyone reading this and trying to make changes to your health and wellness. 

I see you, and I’m here to help in whatever way I can!  

Thank you, 

Alicia Haseltine PT, DPT, CMPT

Alicia Haseltine

Medicine by Movement Wellness and PT

907-623-8708

www.medicinebymovementwellness.com