May 2020 Newsletter
Stress and Grounding
We all experience stress at some point in our lives and now with COVID-19 stress is at an all time high. Stress is necessary in order to survive, and how our caveman predecessors fed themselves and stayed alive from the animal chasing them that was trying to do the same. Excessive stress, however, can lead to changes in our behavior, emotional and physical well being that may not benefit us for survival. In fact, it may make our day to day lives more challenging to endure by producing fear, anxiety, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, health issues, and even pain.
Recognizing stress or factors that may cause stress can be the first step in reducing it. Some people have a difficult time identifying things in their lives that may be causing the stress, but feel out of sorts, not themselves or simply uncentered.
Grounding can be a simple and effective way to help in reducing stress and feeling more centered. Being grounded can mean a few different things, but most commonly can mean either feeling centered or fully present in your body, or physically feeling connected to the earth. Ever wonder why it feels so good to walk barefoot on the beach or feel grass between your toes? In our culture it is rare that we ever have a direct connection with the earth, without the soles of our shoes or a concrete sidewalk acting as a barrier between us and the earth.
The earth has a subtle natural electric charge to it, kind of like a giant battery. Our body produces free radicals that carry a charge to them, which over time can lead to chronic inflammation or contribute to other chronic conditions. With the earth having an unlimited supply of free electrons, research suggests physically being grounded can enable these free electrons to spread over and into the body, where they can have antioxidant effects.
Grounding research has shown improvements in decreasing levels of inflammation and pain, improving sleep quality, and reducing stress levels. It has also been shown to improve circulation, which can allow increased oxygen and nutrients to flow to tissues and even improve the speed of wound healing. Grounding also has shown to improve emotional health by reducing irritability, anxiety, tension or stress.
Beach vacations are not the only way you can achieve a more grounded state. The simplest way to ground is to walk or stand barefoot in the grass, sand, or dirt in your backyard. Researchers recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of direct contact per day, if possible, in order to have significant health benefits. There are also products available such as mats, sheets or patches that function by tapping into the grounding wire out of a standard outlet. These resources can provide the benefit of grounding, even for those that spend most of their day behind a desk or don’t have the opportunity to step outside.
Next time you find yourself enjoying the outdoors, kick your shoes off and get some grounding in. It may do more for your physical and emotional health than you realize!
Recognizing stress or factors that may cause stress can be the first step in reducing it. Some people have a difficult time identifying things in their lives that may be causing the stress, but feel out of sorts, not themselves or simply uncentered.
Grounding can be a simple and effective way to help in reducing stress and feeling more centered. Being grounded can mean a few different things, but most commonly can mean either feeling centered or fully present in your body, or physically feeling connected to the earth. Ever wonder why it feels so good to walk barefoot on the beach or feel grass between your toes? In our culture it is rare that we ever have a direct connection with the earth, without the soles of our shoes or a concrete sidewalk acting as a barrier between us and the earth.
The earth has a subtle natural electric charge to it, kind of like a giant battery. Our body produces free radicals that carry a charge to them, which over time can lead to chronic inflammation or contribute to other chronic conditions. With the earth having an unlimited supply of free electrons, research suggests physically being grounded can enable these free electrons to spread over and into the body, where they can have antioxidant effects.
Grounding research has shown improvements in decreasing levels of inflammation and pain, improving sleep quality, and reducing stress levels. It has also been shown to improve circulation, which can allow increased oxygen and nutrients to flow to tissues and even improve the speed of wound healing. Grounding also has shown to improve emotional health by reducing irritability, anxiety, tension or stress.
Beach vacations are not the only way you can achieve a more grounded state. The simplest way to ground is to walk or stand barefoot in the grass, sand, or dirt in your backyard. Researchers recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of direct contact per day, if possible, in order to have significant health benefits. There are also products available such as mats, sheets or patches that function by tapping into the grounding wire out of a standard outlet. These resources can provide the benefit of grounding, even for those that spend most of their day behind a desk or don’t have the opportunity to step outside.
Next time you find yourself enjoying the outdoors, kick your shoes off and get some grounding in. It may do more for your physical and emotional health than you realize!
Weekly Webinars
While we recognize this is an uncertain and challenging time, it is important you continue to care for your body in order to maintain good health. The good news is there are many ways you can can take care of your body while staying at home.
Each week we will be offering a weekly webinar on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm CT.
Here is the schedule for May:
May 6
Urinary Urgency
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1xWWphFfSF6hr23ZXdS7XQ
May 13
Ayurveda methods to manage anxiety, emotional stress and illness
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b0JNWIUEQuK08_zNge6HTw
May 20
All Level Yoga
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vXEYHg5FQj2wUdRV8YrEbQ
May 27
Return to Running Postpartum
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MkFfVK8iRZWwv_L5kD_z0w
Each week we will be offering a weekly webinar on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm CT.
Here is the schedule for May:
May 6
Urinary Urgency
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1xWWphFfSF6hr23ZXdS7XQ
May 13
Ayurveda methods to manage anxiety, emotional stress and illness
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b0JNWIUEQuK08_zNge6HTw
May 20
All Level Yoga
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vXEYHg5FQj2wUdRV8YrEbQ
May 27
Return to Running Postpartum
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MkFfVK8iRZWwv_L5kD_z0w
If you have any specific requests for future topics or have questions to be answered on a webinar,
please contact Angela Dobinsky:
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
please contact Angela Dobinsky:
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
SPT Spotlight
Amethyst Guerrero, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Amethyst received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. While in school, she received the Outstanding Physical Therapy Student of the Year Award.
Amethyst became interested in pelvic health from growing up in an openly communicative and matriarchal family; she realized many women needed help and didn't know where to find it. She completed a 3 month internship with Sullivan Physical Therapy where she gained further inspiration and knowledge to treat pelvic floor conditions. She is eager to build an open line of communication, provide evidence based practice, and make treatment sessions directly relatable to patient values.
Amethyst is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She has taken continuing education classes to expand her knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy, diagnoses and treatments.
Amethyst enjoys eating new foods, running, spending time on the beach, and spending time with family.
Amethyst became interested in pelvic health from growing up in an openly communicative and matriarchal family; she realized many women needed help and didn't know where to find it. She completed a 3 month internship with Sullivan Physical Therapy where she gained further inspiration and knowledge to treat pelvic floor conditions. She is eager to build an open line of communication, provide evidence based practice, and make treatment sessions directly relatable to patient values.
Amethyst is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She has taken continuing education classes to expand her knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy, diagnoses and treatments.
Amethyst enjoys eating new foods, running, spending time on the beach, and spending time with family.
Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sullivan Physical Therapy would like to assure our patients we are being proactive regarding the announcement from the Center for Disease Control about the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the United States and the World Health Organization declaration of the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic.
We are following the US Department of Homeland Security and also the CDC as physical therapy is considered part of the essential infrastructure of workers. A memorandum dated March 19, 2020 states it is our “duty to continue to care for our patients’ physical therapy needs during this time of crisis and a special responsibility to maintain our normal work schedule. According to Dr. Matos, an expert in biologic surety and a member of an advisory group in Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Defense for the CDC, “Physical therapists are essential in flattening the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. They play a key role in keeping people they can help out of the doctor offices and ER’s. This will not only free up the medical teams to treat those impacted by COVID-19, but also limit the exposure of those seeking the care of the physical therapist.”
As part of the Austin Health Community we take this charge very seriously and we want you to know what we are doing to make Sullivan Physical Therapy a safe place for patients to be seen.
What is Sullivan Physical Therapy doing to prevent spreading COVID-19:
We will continue to assess and monitor as this progresses and will respond accordingly.
As with any respiratory virus, you can protect yourself by taking everyday actions. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this helpful information:
What is 2019 COVID-19?
How is COVID-19 spread?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
How can I prevent getting or spreading the COVID-19?
Below are variety of helpful links with additional information regarding the COVID-19:
We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to the Austin Community during this time. Please feel free to ask any of our staff if you have any questions or concerns.
We are following the US Department of Homeland Security and also the CDC as physical therapy is considered part of the essential infrastructure of workers. A memorandum dated March 19, 2020 states it is our “duty to continue to care for our patients’ physical therapy needs during this time of crisis and a special responsibility to maintain our normal work schedule. According to Dr. Matos, an expert in biologic surety and a member of an advisory group in Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Defense for the CDC, “Physical therapists are essential in flattening the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. They play a key role in keeping people they can help out of the doctor offices and ER’s. This will not only free up the medical teams to treat those impacted by COVID-19, but also limit the exposure of those seeking the care of the physical therapist.”
As part of the Austin Health Community we take this charge very seriously and we want you to know what we are doing to make Sullivan Physical Therapy a safe place for patients to be seen.
What is Sullivan Physical Therapy doing to prevent spreading COVID-19:
- Putting CDC recommended protocols in place to ensure the highest level of prepared COVID-19 prevention.
- Ensuring we have necessary supplies and equipment, and appropriate staffing.
- Provide all employees with N95 masks to use while inside the clinic.
- Placed UV air purifiers in the waiting room and each treatment room to address microorganisms such as viruses in the air.
- Rearranged our waiting room to allow for social distancing.
- Removed all magazines and chocolate from the waiting room.
- Increased our cleaning protocols in between patients both in the treatment rooms and common areas.
- Increased our daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols with additional frequent deep cleans.
- Ask all employees and patients who have symptoms of the COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, fever) to contact their healthcare provider before coming to the clinic.
We will continue to assess and monitor as this progresses and will respond accordingly.
As with any respiratory virus, you can protect yourself by taking everyday actions. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this helpful information:
What is 2019 COVID-19?
- A new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China that can cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.
How is COVID-19 spread?
- Through the air by coughing and sneezing.
- Close personal contact, like touching or shaking hands.
- Touching something that has the virus on it (like a table or glass) then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
How can I prevent getting or spreading the COVID-19?
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest
Below are variety of helpful links with additional information regarding the COVID-19:
We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to the Austin Community during this time. Please feel free to ask any of our staff if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you to our Moms!
We would like to thank our moms Anne (Krista's Mom) and Nancy (Kimberlee's mom) for making masks for the patients and staff. They have been hard at work supplying over 100 masks. If you need a mask for your personal use or a loved one, please ask one of our patient care coordinators and we would love to give you one.
New Billing System
New Billing System
Beginning in May, Sullivan Physical Therapy will begin using Kareo instead of Therabill. During the transition you will continue to receive emailed invoices from Therabill for service dates through April 30, 2020. Visits May 1st and after will be invoiced via Kareo. Kareo offers convenient features such as a payment portal where you will have 24 hour access to your account. You can make payments, download itemized receipts, and review your billing history. Instructions to register will be sent to with your first invoice.
Card On File
Our new billing system will allow you to place a credit card on file for quick and convenient payments. If you are interested in placing your credit card on file, please ask us about it at your next visit!
Simplified Collections at Time of Service
Are you paying toward your deductible? Beginning in May, we will be collecting a flat rate at each visit based upon your insurance and the length of your scheduled appointment. This estimation of balance due will remain unapplied on your account until your insurance finalizes your claim. Then we apply this money to the patient portion due. If additional money is due, the balance will be posted to your account. In the event you paid more than the claim processed, you will have a credit on your account. Credits can be applied to future balances due.
Coinsurance will be collected similarly. We will collect your coinsurance percentage rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
Our goal in doing this is to allow for efficient check in/outs and simplified accounting.
Beginning in May, Sullivan Physical Therapy will begin using Kareo instead of Therabill. During the transition you will continue to receive emailed invoices from Therabill for service dates through April 30, 2020. Visits May 1st and after will be invoiced via Kareo. Kareo offers convenient features such as a payment portal where you will have 24 hour access to your account. You can make payments, download itemized receipts, and review your billing history. Instructions to register will be sent to with your first invoice.
Card On File
Our new billing system will allow you to place a credit card on file for quick and convenient payments. If you are interested in placing your credit card on file, please ask us about it at your next visit!
Simplified Collections at Time of Service
Are you paying toward your deductible? Beginning in May, we will be collecting a flat rate at each visit based upon your insurance and the length of your scheduled appointment. This estimation of balance due will remain unapplied on your account until your insurance finalizes your claim. Then we apply this money to the patient portion due. If additional money is due, the balance will be posted to your account. In the event you paid more than the claim processed, you will have a credit on your account. Credits can be applied to future balances due.
Coinsurance will be collected similarly. We will collect your coinsurance percentage rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
Our goal in doing this is to allow for efficient check in/outs and simplified accounting.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
In April...
In May...
- Sullivan Physical Therapy and Christina McGee have paused seeing patients at Austin Area Birthing Center until after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Schedules opened for June through September on Wednesday. Please call our office to schedule your appointments.
- On April 1, Christina McGee hosted a webinar called Postpartum Healing During COVID-19
- On April 8, Angela Dobinsky hosted a webinar called At-home stretching and relaxation exercises to manage pelvic pain
- On April 15, Christina McGee hosted a webinar called Keeping bowels on track
- On April 22, Angela Dobinsky hosted a webinar called Maintaining healthy bladder habits
- On April 23, Christina McGee hosted a webinar called Sex shouldn't hurt
In May...
- Jamille Niewiara will be returning from leave on May 5. If you are one of Jamille's patients and would like to be on her schedule, please contact our office.
PT Below the Waist
Jamille Niewiara and Jessica Chastka are co-hosts of Sullivan Physical Therapy's podcast called "PT: Below the Waist", a patient oriented podcast discussing topics related to pelvic floor physical therapy and how it addresses bladder, bowel, and sexual function issues. The podcast features two pelvic floor physical therapists casually conversing about their experiences and thoughts towards pelvic floor related issues.
Every few weeks, they will be posting podcasts about different diagnoses, tips/recommendations to address symptoms, and interviews with medical professionals. Subscribe to their podcast on iTunes, follow them on Twitter @PTBelowTheWaist, and like them on FaceBook. Leave comments and questions on their email: PTBelowTheWaist@gmail.com.
Sullivan Physical Therapy encourages you to listen to their podcasts and get enlightened about "Better Pee, Better Poo, Better Sex".
To listen to our latest podcast please click here.
Every few weeks, they will be posting podcasts about different diagnoses, tips/recommendations to address symptoms, and interviews with medical professionals. Subscribe to their podcast on iTunes, follow them on Twitter @PTBelowTheWaist, and like them on FaceBook. Leave comments and questions on their email: PTBelowTheWaist@gmail.com.
Sullivan Physical Therapy encourages you to listen to their podcasts and get enlightened about "Better Pee, Better Poo, Better Sex".
To listen to our latest podcast please click here.
