Q1: Are manual therapies a recent innovation? Another fad?

Q2: How does one make an appointment for a manual physical therapy consultation?

Q3: Do I need a physician's prescription for an initial manual physical therapy consultation?

Q4: Can I get a prescription for physical therapy from anyone else other than a physician?

Q5: Do I have a right to choose my own physical therapist?

Q6: Do you accept INSURANCE ?

Q7: What is the Anatomical Works’ continuing education philosophy?

Q8: Why is it important to consult the manual physical therapist about your musculoskeletal orthopedic pain?

Q1: Are manual therapies a recent innovation? Another fad?

No indeed.

The history of manual therapies date far back to early human history and civilization. Traditions of manual therapies have roots in ancient cultures that span the globe. On our continent, native tribes of North America such as the Sioux, Winnebagos, and the Creeks were well known to skillfully practice general bone setting. Across the Atlantic, spinal manipulation has been documented as far back as Hippocrates (460-355 B.C.) in ancient Greece. Likewise, the ancient Egyptians and Asian cultures have also practiced manipulation through the ages by families of bone setters.

Further east still, strong evidence also shows that the use of hands for  the purpose of treatment was practiced in ancient Thailand at least 4000 years ago. Manual traditions have also been practiced throughout the Middle Ages in Europe and were regulated through special guilds. According to Greenman DO , Michigan State University College of Osteopathy;

"there is a void in the report to the use of manual medicine procedures corresponding to the approximate time of the split of physicians and barber surgeons. As physicians became less involved in patient contact and as direct hands-on patient care became the province of the barber surgeons, the role of manual medicine in the healing art seems to have declined. This period also represents the time of the plagues, and perhaps physicians were reticent to come in close personal contact with their patients. The 19th century found a renaissance of interest in this field. Early in the 19th century, Dr. Edward Harrison, a 1784 graduate of Edinburgh University, developed a sizable reputation in London by using manual medicine procedures. Like many other proponents of manual medicine in the 19th century, he became alienated from his colleagues by his continued use of these procedures."

             Principles of Manual Medicine, second edition, Philip E. Greenman DO, 1996

Q2: How does one make an appointment for a manual physical therapy consultation?

That's easy. Just call our office, or check on our website for the list of all the conditions we treat.

Q3: Do I need a physician's prescription for an initial manual physical therapy consultation?

No, you do not. Direct access to physical therapy care has been mandated by the state of Louisiana and the majority of states in the USA. The first physical therapy visit does not require a physician's prescription. However, individual insurance policies may require a physician's prescription for the evaluation to be paid for by insurance.

Additionally, physical therapists in Louisiana are now mandated to practice and promote "wellness". Wellness treatment allows the healthcare consumer and patient to seek out prevention driven care in order to promote health and quality of life, as well as maintenance of function and well-being. Although you as a healthcare consumer have direct access to physical therapists through wellness, it is not covered by health insurance.

Q4: Can I get a prescription for physical therapy from anyone else other than a physician?

Actually, you can get a prescription from an MD (Family Physician, Neurologist, Orthopedist etc.), nurse practitioner, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor.

Q5: Do I have a right to choose my own physical therapist?

Absolutely. You as a health consumer, who ultimately manages his or her own insurance dollars, have to make sure you find the right therapist for you. It is absolutely your right to choose your own physical therapist. Even if you receive a physical therapy prescription that has a designated physical therapy center affixed to the prescription slip, you can use that very prescription and it will be accepted by any physical therapy clinic you present it to. You cannot be coerced or forced to go to a clinic that is not of your choosing.

Ultimately, you will have to see if the particular physical therapy clinic of your choosing is on your health plan. Accommodations will have to be made if it isn't.

Remember, you're the boss of your own health choices.

Q6: Do you accept Insurance?

We accept most insurances, some of which are listed below. It is still best to contact us to verify whether your insurance covers our service. Insurance payment requires a prescription from any MD (Family Physician, Neurologist, Orthopedist etc.), Dentist, Nurse Practitioner, Podiatrist or a Chiropractor. Wellness and maintenance therapy, Visceral Manipulation, and TMJ therapy are regrettably not covered by insurance, however, we accept credit card and cash payment. Wellness treatment, which may include manual therapy techniques, may not require prescription.

Insurances accepted:

PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS:

•AETNA

•AMERICAN LIFE CARE

•BENEFIT CONCEPTS

•BENEFIT MANAGEMENT SERVICES

•BENESIGHT

•BC/BS – PPO, POS, TRADITIONAL, BLUE ADVANTAGE, HMO

•CCN

•CENTRAL STATES HEALTH

•CNA

•CONSOLIDATED HEALTH PLANS

•DOL/OWCP WORKER’S COMP

•ENGINEERS AND PIPE LINE

•ESIS WORKER’S COMP

•FARA BENEFIT SERVICES

•FOCIS

•FORTIS BENEFITS

•GEHA

•GILSBAR 360°

•GREAT WEST

•HAMMERMAN & GAINER WORKER’S COMP

•HCH ADMINISTRATORS

•HUMANA – ALL/TRICARE

•LIBERTY MUTUAL

•MAIL HANDLERS

•MEDICARE

•MEDIPLUS/THE HARTFORD

•NOSSA SHEET METAL WORKERS

•OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT WORKER’S COMP

•PHCS

•SHEET METAL WORKERS

•STATE EMPLOYEES EPO/PPO

•STATE FARM GROUP MED

•TRICARE/HUMANA

WE DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING INSURANCES:

•MEDICAID, CIGNA, COVENTRY, UNITED HEALTH CARE, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICE, BROADSPIRE WORKER’S COMP, LWCC, SUMMIT, TEXAS WORKER’S COMP, TECH HEALTH, AIG

•NO OCHSNER/HUMANA OR EAST JEFFERSON – THESE MUST GO IN HOUSE

Q7: What is the Anatomical Works’ continuing education philosophy?

The anatomical works has dedicated itself to a philosophy of rigorous continuing education. We have pursued extensive seminar and continuing education work with Michigan State University College of Osteopathy, University of St. Augustine, Upledger Institute, Myofascial Release Institute, Canadian College of Osteopathy, Barral Institute, Mariano Rocabado.

It would suffice to say, that our armamentarium of techniques are deeply influenced by the osteopathic tradition. We have been enriched by a deep well of talented and experienced American, Canadian, French osteopaths. We have also been influenced by incredible manual physical therapists in the USA and Canada.

Maitland, Kaltenborn and Cyriax, as well as Emma Dicke's connective tissue massage remain a grounding influence, as well as Mackenzie.

New Orleans' own Edna Doyle MD, Physiatry, deserves our special recognition and affection as a pioneer of manual medicine and prolotherapy in the metro New Orleans community. She is currently retired and living in Michigan.

And finally, we cannot forget the education and experience we have received from our patients in our collective 37 years of practice. Not so remarkably, as the New York Times has reported, if a practitioner listens to his or her patient, the patient will in 90% of circumstance, guide the health care practitioner to the solution of his or her problem.

The ultimate lesson in the journey of a practitioner and patient, is that learning never ends.

Q8: Why is it important to consult the manual physical therapist about your musculoskeletal orthopedic pain?

You may simply want to consider a manual physical therapist's point of view regarding your pain and best path forward. You may want to know what a manual physical therapist can do for your particular condition. You may feel like you never got a complete bio-mechanical picture of your condition. You may want to know what the manual physical therapist's role plays in the medical model of healthcare. Ultimately, If you want to know what a manual physical therapist can do for you, you need to speak directly with a manual physical therapist. He or she will let you know what they can do for you. It seems intuitive to think that all healthcare practitioners and physicians would know of the benefits that manual physical therapy can bring. But regrettably, that is not the case. Unfortunately, there are practitioners that are yet unaware of the benefits of this highly effective treatment methodology. This is due to the fact that every healthcare profession has its own realm of specificity. All specialists, regardless of their specific field of expertise, focus on their own interventions and procedures. Simply put, If you want to know what a manual physical therapist can do for you, ask a manual physical therapist.