Published on: 15 February 2020
Last Updated on: 23 June 2021
There has been no time more integral to the advancement of our society than the 21st century. The past 20 years have been essential to the technological increases that are impacting billions of people all across the globe. Many facets of our society have been affected in the modern era, and healthcare is one of the most impacted elements. There has been a transformation throughout the healthcare industry, as new technologies like procedural telemedicine, as well as new regulations, have become commonplace throughout the medical system. There is a multitude of different specialties in healthcare, but one of the top aspects is physical and occupational therapy. This facet is involved in helping people fix their bodily ailments without the use of more invasive procedures.
What is Physical and Occupational Therapy?
Physical and occupational therapy has become increasingly popular throughout the 21st century, as advancements in the field and a greater understanding of the body have helped to improve peoples’ wellbeing. Patients who frequently attend physical and occupational therapy often have chronic pain or muscular-skeletal issues that can be aided with different exercises and stretches that help to heal the body. Working as a physical or occupational therapist allows you to more effectively treat patients who need help and requires immense knowledge of the human body. As 2020 has already gotten underway, it has become evident that the many changes to the system, especially for Medicare patients, are continuing to affect physical and occupational therapy offices. Understanding these changes is essential if you work in this field.
Learning about the 2020 Medicare Changes for PTA & OTA Modifiers
Working as a PTA (physical therapy assistant) or OTA (occupational therapy assistant) has undergone immense change since the beginning of the new decade in 2020. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has altered its billing policies, which has impacted the modifiers used in your office as well as the reimbursement procedures provided by PTAs and OTAs. Medicare changes 2020 has been implemented as a payment differential in the ways that PTAs and OTAs are paid.
The payment rate is now 85% of the rate of what assistants are paid. CMS has noted that any care that exceeds 10% of the total time of care would now be subject to reduced billing. The payment differential has to be applied to all private practice facilities, home health agencies, hospital outpatient departments, as well as rehabilitation agencies.
The codes that this can be applied include therapeutic services, as well as administrative or non-therapeutic services. Any timed or untimed coded procedures and modalities are also included, such as re-evaluations and initial evaluations. These many changes also include new documentation which provides a short description of the application of modifiers.
While many of these changes may sound a bit challenging, understanding them is essential for the success of any physical or occupational therapy office.
Final Thoughts
Working in the physical or occupational therapy field can be very complex, especially when dealing with Medicare billing. Learning about the 2020 changes in Medicare billing is essential when running a physical or occupational therapy firm.
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Spirulina is one of the oldest life forms on earth known for the longest as an endurance booster.
It is in fact among the most popular health supplements in today’s time considering it is one of the first plant-based foods in the human diet. Surprising right?
But what actually makes this ingredient a star among the ‘complete protein’ plant-based food sources? And does it even stand up to the fame it receives?
Well, here’s our effort to give you evidence around spirulina’s health benefits and the status it holds.
Spirulina: The Nutrient-Dense Food
Spirulina happens to be a superfood high in many nutrients.
Let’s have a look at its origin?
A type of cyanobacteria, originally from the family of single-celled microbes known as the blue-green algae. This is an organism that grows both in fresh and saltwater
What makes it plant-based is its ability to produce energy from sunlight through photosynthesis.
Lesser-Known Fact:
Spirulina gained massive popularity when NASA used it as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions. Really cool right?
It has to be its ability to regulate immune functions and its anti-inflammatory properties which take place by the release of histamine by mast cells.
What about the ideal dosage?
One can opt for a standard dose of 1-3g of this green superfood but this can go up to 10g per day. Here’s a look at the nutrient profile of 10g of dried spirulina powder:
Protein: 5.7 g
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 22% of the RDA
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 33% of the RDA
Vitamin B3 (niacin): 9% of the RDA
Copper: 68% of the RDA
Iron: 15-16% of the RDA
Calories: 29
Carbs: 2.0g
Moreover, this superfood actually includes almost some amount of every other nutrient that you need along with an optimal amount of magnesium, potassium, and manganese.
Here’s a suggestion! If you are looking to skip eggs, spirulina could be a great replacement for a comparable amount of protein considering it also has all essential amino acids required by the body.
Spirulina: The Powerful Antioxidant With Anti-Inflammatory Properties
As we mentioned earlier, it is because of the anti-inflammatory properties that even NASA considered it as a superfood for astronauts.
Here’s what you need to know!
Chronic inflammation happens as oxidative damage harms our DNA and cells, resulting in diseases sometimes as lethal as cancer.
The presence of antioxidants in spirulina help protect against this oxidative damage.
Interesting fact:
The antioxidant substance ‘phycocyanin’ happens to be the main component and gives spirulina the unique blue-green color.
Health Impact Of Spirulina:
A lot of people are using this superfood that can improve heart health further reducing risks of heart diseases.
For those of you who aren’t aware of its powerful health benefits, studies on spirulina have shown that it lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels. It also increases “good” HDL cholesterol impacting heart health in a positive way.
Let us provide scientific evidence to build your trust-
Although most studies have shown favorable results mainly with a dosage of 4.5-8g per day yet,
A study was conducted on 25 people who were suffering from type 2 diabetes. It was later discovered that only 2g of spirulina per day, significantly showed a reduction in the blood sugar levels.
There was another study on people with high cholesterol which determined that 1 g of spirulina per day resulted in lowered triglycerides by 16.3%. Furthermore, there was a reduction in the “bad” LDL by 10.1%.
In addition, research has shown that spirulina may have anti-cancer properties and is especially effective against a type of precancerous lesion of the mouth called OSMF.
Spirulina May Improve Muscle Strength & Endurance:
Often experience muscle fatigue when exercising? The reason is exercise-induced oxidative damage.
People into fitness and athletics consume plant-based foods with antioxidants to minimize this damage.
Few studies emerged showing spirulina as food for significantly reducing the fatigue time and improving muscle strength and endurance.
Can Spirulina Reduce Blood Pressure?
Heart attack, strokes, and chronic kidney disease are some of the serious diseases driven by high blood pressure. An optimal amount of spirulina for e.g. 4.5g-8g per day has shown to reduce blood pressure in individuals with normal levels.
What might be the possible reason behind this reduction in blood pressure?
Spirulina leads to an increase in the production of nitric oxide (that is otherwise massively produced by plant-based sources like beetroot which are rich in nitrates that convert to nitric oxide) leading to a lowered blood pressure.
Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that aids blood vessels to relax and dilate, positively affecting blood levels.
The Final Verdict:
Spirulina’s title as a superfood that is ‘nutrient-dense stands true along with the crazy health benefits it has to offer.
As mentioned above, spirulina suppresses oxidation while reducing blood pressure and lowering blood sugar. It also improves blood lipids and may have anti-cancer properties.
One can simply consume spirulina in tablets and powder form. There are supplements widely available and used for their amazing health benefits.
If you want the goodness of spirulina along with other green vitamins then you can check out bGreen's super greens and fruits that help you bridge the daily gap in your nutrition.
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A good night out with the guys or gals is never a waste, if done properly, they are usually still spoken of months down the line, and if you’re anything like me then you would have had your fair share of good times.
Alcohol has been around for hundreds of years, being tweaked as the years advance and tastes different over time, the main objective of enjoyment though has never changed. There are many reasons why people feel the need to drink on an evening out, some of which we look at in this article.
Then there are the whispers of the new kid on the block, even though this ‘kid’ has essentially been around way before any of us and dating back to ancient Chinese emperors and English royals, I’m talking about a blessing from Mother Nature, CBD.
To find out the more in-depth version of this ingredient you can click here what is CBD but it boils down to a plant grown naturally in nature and these days specifically grown and harvested for many properties, the positives are far outweighing any skeptics.
CBD, when used as a treatment for ailments, can be very beneficial, and the success stories are significantly increasing as awareness grows throughout the globe. What we are going to be having a look at today is if you are a CBD user for whatever reason and decide to go on an excursion where there will be alcohol, what are the effects likely to be?
CBD vs alcohol
When we think about both products in their cases we conclude that relaxation is a by-product and one that we look forward to.
Both work on the neuro system, one regulating the pain receptors and how the pulses are sent in a more regulated fashion while the other influences our social behaviors and moods. Thus if we think about using them combined, the results would be that much more intense.
Each ingredient would be serving the same purpose but in a different method of implementation, and could result in an overdose or significantly increased side effect of ‘too much of a good thing.’
If it is something you have been thinking about leading up to a planned weekend away, then being safe is going to be your main priority, why not try these out for ideas on how to be more vigilant and come out to the other end in one piece, so to speak.
It’s isn’t always going to be easy to know what to do and when, but with a bit of homework and research we can be sure that safety is a priority.
Read: What is the Ideal CBD Dosage for You?
Similar reasons why people drink alcohol or use CBD products
When we feel relaxed and not under pressure to impress we can be ourselves, others can get to know the real you and not the ‘act’ you want them to meet. We have less stress and anxiety about meeting new people and can show our true colors and personality because life is too short to be someone else.
Pain relief. Whether emotional or physical pain is never great, we look for any solution to be out of our discomfort, and CBD with alcohol can do this for us. If you are experimenting with CBD cocktails as they have come to be known as moderation is key. Being careful with recipes and measures and taking your time getting it right.
This is quite similar to peer pressure, but if being surrounded by others who have great benefit from using CBD what have you got to lose? A chemical-free product that creates overall well-being, win-win if you ask me.
Other opinions are always available we know people love to give advice, check out this blog for what others have to say on liquids and CBD consumption.
You may be the wallflower in your group of friends and being out on the town can cause you to panic, being more relaxed and coping better with your surroundings makes for better social interaction. You can be more involved in activities of your circle of friends without feeling overwhelmed by your introvert trait.
Whatever you decide to do with your life, do what makes you feel comfortable and live your life to the fullest.
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A muscle injury of any type can be extremely painful, weaken the body, and make it difficult to proceed with your daily activities. Muscle injuries include a pulled muscle or muscle strain and can occur for various reasons. Speeding muscle recovery time is crucial to carrying on with your life without pain.
Muscle injuries can limit the muscle’s movement, not only in that muscle but in surrounding ones attached via tendons and aponeurosis. Arteries, veins, and nerves penetrate the epimysium (connective tissue sheath surrounding the muscle). When a muscle is damaged, nerve impulses are sent to the brain, signaling pain. Blood flow can be compromised in severe muscle damage, and blood loss into the surrounding tissue can cause a bruise or hematoma.
Skeletal muscles also need signals (impulses) from the nerve cell to contract the muscle fiber. When an injured muscle cuts off these nerve impulses, the muscle cannot perform. In bodybuilding, muscle injury is what builds stronger, larger muscles as new cells fill in the tears. However, extreme damage can lead to serious issues.
How Does A Muscle Injury Happen?
A muscle strain can occur in various ways, each causing a different set of problems. Fatigue will not result in the same pain and damage that extreme exercise can cause.
Any strain on a muscle can reduce motion and cause pain. Minor and moderate injuries are easily treated at home. However, more severe damage (diagnosed as grade 3), such as rotator cuff tears, Achilles ruptures, or hamstring ruptures, might require surgery.
Muscle injury can occur in three different areas: within the muscle, at the connection between the muscle and tendon (most frequent), or in the tendon that attaches the muscle to the bone.
Muscle strains and injuries can happen to anyone. While athletes are more likely to experience these injuries, the general population is also at risk. Acute strains can occur while walking if you lose your footing or slip, throw an item, lift something heavy, jump, run, or lift something improperly.
Muscle injuries include:
Strains: these contraction-induced injuries occur most often when muscles work across multiple joints during rapid acceleration and deceleration more than the tensile forces the muscle fibers can withstand
Contusions: caused by compressive force to the muscle, such as in contact sports collisions that lead to muscle damage with bleeding resulting in a bruise
Lacerations: most often occur due to injuries, such as industrial or traumatic accidents that cut the muscle
Here are some of the most common causes of muscle injury:
Poor Conditioning
Engaging in physical activity when the muscles have not been adequately conditioned can increase the risk of injury.
Improper Exercises
Doing extreme, high-intensity exercises or those your body is not used to can cause exercise-induced muscle damage. The ensuing trauma can lead to inflammation, swelling, increased passive tension, decreased muscle strength, soreness, reduced range of motion, and problems with insulin sensitivity as the muscles are involved in glucose uptake.
Fatigue
Overexertion of the muscle can lead to muscle fatigue, weakening it and making it more susceptible to injury.
Improper Warmup
Working the muscles without preparing them through proper warmup exercises and stretches can cause muscle injury. Lack of flexibility can increase the risk of injury as the muscle fibers are tighter than they should be.
Overuse
Repetitive tasks can cause micro-trauma to the muscles. For example, someone on the computer all day doing repetitive movements with the keys or the mouse may experience muscle pain in the inner elbow or wrist.
Injury
Whether caused by sports or trauma, an injury can result in mild to severe damage to the muscle. Bruising is a sign of bleeding, and while minor bruises are not dangerous, some forms of hematomas can be life-threatening in the case of serious injuries, including when fractures or internal organ damage is present.
Poor Posture
Sitting or standing in the wrong position for a long time can strain the muscles. Muscle strains are more common in the neck, back, shoulders, and hamstrings.
What Can You Do For Muscle Injury?
The treatment you need depends on the severity of the muscle strain. Muscle injury is categorized into three grades as follows:
Grade 1: mild damage to less than 5% of individual muscle fibers, causing minimal loss of motion and strength.
Grade 2: more muscle fibers are affected with increased damage, yet no complete ruptures. The injury can cause significant loss of motion and strength and may take two to three months to heal.
Grade 3: complete muscle or tendon rupture that may require surgery to reattach the damaged tissue.
The tips below can help you speed up recovery from a muscle injury:
Rest
Injured muscles need time to heal, and that means letting them rest. An injured muscle is more vulnerable to further damage, so avoid activities that can further increase the strain.
Sleep
Getting adequate sleep is crucial to muscle recovery, as that is the time when growth hormone and insulin growth factor 1 promote cellular regeneration and tissue repair. Anything less than 7 hours reduces recovery efforts inside the body.
Hydrate
Hydrated muscles heal better than dehydrated ones. Along with water, increasing intake of fruit and vegetables provides additional fluids along with crucial vitamins and minerals the body needs for muscle repair.
Compression
Compression wrapping of the affected area supports and reduces swelling in the injured area. Do not make the compress too tight, which can cut off circulation.
Elevate
Raising the injured muscle above heart level decreases blood flow to the area, helping to reduce swelling. The sooner you can do that, the better it is to speed healing.
Ice
Applying ice packs to an injured muscle immediately can help reduce swelling and pain. Focus on doing it for 15 minutes every hour for the first two to three days (longer if necessary).
HGH Therapy
It has been clinically proven that HGH not only boosts muscle development but also enhances muscle repair and recovery. Find out what is the HGH cost in the US and whether HGH therapy is right for you.
Manual Therapy
Physical therapy targets the damaged muscle to improve circulation, increase mobility, decrease swelling, reduce pain, and promote healing.
Heat
After icing for three days, apply heat a few times daily to restore blood circulation to the area for healing.
Pain Management
There are many ways to manage pain, including over-the-counter medications, prescription painkillers (which can lead to addiction if used long-term), supportive braces, and getting help from a pain management specialist, if needed.
Increase Protein Consumption
Muscles need protein, and eating more protein, along with taking collagen or whey powder supplements, provides the muscles with nutrients to speed the healing process.
Consume Tart Cherry Juice
Studies have shown some benefits of tart cherry juice for reducing inflammation, soreness, and damage to the muscles.
Switch To Low-Impact Exercise During Injury Recovery
Strength and flexibility exercises can help improve strength and range of motion while speeding muscle recovery. A physical therapist can help determine the appropriate exercises for your condition.
Surgery
Serious injuries may require surgical intervention to improve healing. Seek medical help for severe muscle injuries.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
PRP injections may accelerate muscle tissue regeneration in the damaged area.
Conclusion
Muscle injuries can cause significant pain, bruising, swelling, decreased range of motion, and loss of strength. The pain can be sudden, sporadic, stabbing, achy, ongoing, or combined.
As the muscle heals, stem cells around the injured area regenerate new muscle fibers, and scar tissue forms around the area. Torn muscle tissue may never fully regenerate, making it susceptible to future muscle strains.
Trying the RICE method of rest, ice, compression, and elevation is always the best step to take immediately. A newer recommendation is the PEACE approach, which has you protect the area from further injury by reducing use, elevating to decrease swelling, avoiding anti-inflammatory treatments (ice and NSAIDs) to allow inflammation for healing, compressing the area with a bandage, and educating yourself about the recovery period.
Protecting the muscles from injury is crucial, and giving strained muscles time to heal can reduce the risk of further damage. Seek medical attention if the pain and weakness are ongoing or severe.
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