FAQs | Elevate Physical Therapy

General

What conditions can you treat?

The therapies we offer can benefit people with a huge array of physical issues. They are useful in treating many problems related to muscles, bones and nerves throughout the body. We can help with pain, tension, movement issues, loss of function and recovery from specific injuries. The list is endless, but here are some examples of the conditions we treat…

Musculoskeletal injuries
Joint replacement rehabilitation
Pre/post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation
Sports medicine and athletic performance
Tendonitis/tendinopathy/bursitis
Repetitive strain/stress injuries
Worker’s compensation injuries
Acute/chronic back and neck pain
Arthritis
Rotator cuff injury, surgical/non-surgical
Balance training and fall prevention
Spine Care Program including spinal mobilization, dynamic core strengthening, postural re-education, and ergonomics
Vestibular dysfunction and positional vertigo

And a whole lot more!

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How do I know which treatment is right for me?

You can check out our individual services from our menu for a flavor of how each one can help. But the easiest thing to do is to arrange a free consultation and we can advise you on the best course of action. Often, we recommend a combination of treatments as they can work together and reinforce each other. We may also advise on one treatment initially followed by a different one as your recovery progresses.

Does my medical insurance cover my treatment?

We work with most major insurance providers, so it’s likely that the cost of your treatment will be covered by your policy. You may not even require a referral from your physician. The best option is to give us a call on 207 222 8055 to find out.

What area do you cover?

We’re based in Gorham, Maine. If you can get to us, we can treat you. We don’t offer home consultations or visits, so it does simply depend on whether you live close enough for the journey to be convenient for you.

Dry needling / Ultrasound dry needling

Which conditions can be addressed through dry needling?

A diverse range of issues can be improved through this therapy, including lower back pain, neck pain, muscle strain and tension headaches. It can also help to reduce the symptoms of pathologies such as knee osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff syndrome and piriformis syndrome, among many others.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

While there are some similarities – particularly the insertion of fine needles to improve health – they are very different approaches. While acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine based on ancient ideas, dry needle therapy is a modern approach built on Western medical understanding. We assess your physical condition in a scientific way to identify issues and apply the technique accordingly.

Is dry needling appropriate for me?

This intervention is best suited for a range of chronic conditions but might not be the right option for more acute medical pathologies. In your initial consultation, an experienced therapist will assess your specific circumstances and explain how this treatment (or other alternatives) could work for you, so you can make an informed choice.

How many treatments will I need?

The number and frequency of dry needle treatment sessions we recommend depends on a number of factors. These include the nature and severity of your pain or tension, and how responsive your body is to your first treatment. Usually, you’ll feel an immediate benefit immediately after your initial session but we often recommend follow-up sessions to reinforce the results.

Prescription corrective exercises

Which conditions can prescription corrective exercises help with?

Corrective exercises are effective at addressing a wide variety of conditions, including lower back pain, neck pain, tennis/golfer’s elbow, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and piriformis syndrome. They can also help you recover from injuries or relieve the pain caused by specific traumas.

Is corrective exercise right for me?

Almost certainly! The exercise programs we prescribe are carefully planned for your particular condition, and to achieve your health and mobility goals. Exercises can be simple actions or more intense repeated movements, depending on the stage you’re at. What’s more, they can nearly always be done at home without needing special equipment.

What kind of exercises does corrective exercise involve?

The activities we recommend are based on your pathology, your ability to move the affected area, and the objective of the treatment. It could include aerobic, strengthening or stretching exercises, or a combination of these. The speed, intensity and number of repetitions we prescribe is determined by what your body can cope with.

How long will I need to continue with the prescribed exercises?

Again, this will depend on the severity of your condition or injury. How quickly you achieve positive results is also determined by how closely you follow thee prescribed program. We may suggest seeing you at regular intervals after your initial session to check on your progress and adjust your exercises accordingly. Many patients continue the activities we suggest long after our consultations to keep enjoying the benefits of these exercises in the long term.

Sole Supports™ orthotics

Which conditions can be addressed using Sole Supports™ orthotics?

This intervention can address pain and conditions relating to the heel and arch of your foot, such as plantar fasciitis. Orthotic devices can also help if you suffer with foot conditions such as heel pain, corns or bunions. Through rectifying posture and balance, they may also help relieve or prevent knock-on effects caused elsewhere, such as in the knees, ankles and back.

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Are orthotic inserts the same as other foot support inserts?

Most off-the-shelf inserts for your footwear are designed to provide cushioning. But Sole Supports™ orthotics devices are molded precisely for your feet. They are flexible enough to be comfortable when standing and rigid enough to provide the correction your foot arch needs. This finely calibrated balance provides effective and long-term change that generic supports cannot.

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Is Sole Supports™ orthotics appropriate for me?

This type of foot support is suitable for a range of chronic foot conditions but may not be the answer for some specific injuries. We may also recommend this intervention be used in harmony with another therapy. The best way to find out is to arrange a consultation with one of our therapists, who’ll be able to guide your decision.

How long does it take to set up?

Your initial appointment could take up to an hour – this is where we scan your feet and carry out a biomechanical assessment. Once your mold is taken, we send it off to a lab to allow your bespoke Sole Supports™ orthotics to be created. Within a couple of weeks, you should have your inserts, and these should last you for several years. We may advise further follow-up appointments.

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Spinal and extremity manipulation

Which conditions can be helped by spinal manipulation?

This technique can be used to relieve a wide range of back and joint problems. These include pain in the lower or mid back, ribs, neck, head or shoulders. We also treat conditions that include spinal arthritis, piriformis syndrome, rotator cuff syndrome and tennis/golfer’s elbow. Manipulation can also be beneficial for treating issues such as tension headaches or dizziness, as well as nerve disorders including sciatica, radiculopathy and piriformis syndrome, plus many more conditions.

Is spinal manipulation right for me?

This intervention is highly effective in alleviating symptoms fast in many patients but it’s not suitable in all cases (for example, if you are suffering with extreme pain or a severe musculoskeletal pathology). But for many people spinal manipulation is appropriate and beneficial. When you see one of our expert therapists, they will be able to advise on whether it’s the best choice for your condition.

Will it rectify my medical condition permanently?

You’ll usually see an immediate improvement with spinal and extremity manipulation. But it’s often best seen as the first intervention to break the damaging cycle which has caused your pain or loss of function. In the longer term, we may suggest a program of home exercises to sustain the improvement and, in some cases, additional supporting treatments may be recommended.

How many treatments will I need?

This will depend on your particular condition and your overall goals. It might be that we recommend regular sessions over several weeks to address a specific condition initially, and that this ends when the problem has been resolved. Some patients like to return periodically after this for a regular check-up to ensure that their back or joint health is kept on track.

Things you might want to know

General

Dry needling / Ultrasound dry needling

Prescription corrective exercises

Sole Supports™ orthotics

Spinal and extremity manipulation

Ready to move on up?