Beginning January 2014 the professional staff at Forster Physical Therapy has been granted the right to evaluate and treat patients without having to first see a physician to make a diagnosis and provide a referral to PT services. After decades of advocacy for this new law, health care experts have succeeded in their fight against the California Chapter of the American Medical Association to allow the general public direct access to Physical Therapy services for patients with acute musculoskeletal injuries and chronic joint and tendon conditions. "The proven cost savings of direct access for Physical Therapists granted in other states could no longer be stifled by the turf protection practices of the California medical profession" reports John Papalia PT, a retired clinical instructor with over 40 years of experience in the field. "With health cost savings dominating the conversation across the nation and across the political spectrum, and with the education standards of today's Physical Therapists, this only makes sense."

Ron Berry, Master Physical Therapist at Forster Physical Therapy

The practice of seeing an orthopedic surgeon for obvious non-surgical injuries such as a sprained ankle, tennis elbow, rotator cuff strain and low back pain makes no sense financially or medically. Patients often complain about the cost and wasted time of an MD office visit, with unnecessary x-rays and MRI's and a two minute exam, just to get referred to Physical Therapy. At the same time, public opinion has veered away from medications, injections and avoidable surgeries in favor of the more natural approach of rehabilitation exercises, ergonomic instruction and education that characterizes the standard Physical Therapy approach. "My Physical Therapist performs a more thorough clinical evaluation and has a better understanding of the various aches and pains I suffer than my doctor ever did, so this approach is a welcomed change to the medical delivery system in California." reports Vicky Lynn Hansen an active 50 year old substitute teacher from Southern California. For decades the most accomplished physicians have supported this approach as the best surgeons have steered patients to physical therapy first before medications, injections, and surgery so the efficacy of this approach is well documented. 

 Physical Therapists receive an extensive education in kinesiology, physiology, pathology, joint and tendon function and various approaches to pain relief and rehabilitation over a three year post graduate education process. We are licensed by the state of California to evaluate and treat all physical ailments and many medical conditions including post-surgical cases and cancer recovery. With the health benefits of keeping an aging American population active and self-reliant, the role Physical Therapists as gate keepers to the world of physical medicine will play a big part in the American health care system moving forward.

>> Read each week's CEO Message here

Robert Forster PT

CEO and Founder of Phase IV Scientific Health and Performance Center

Every day we see research that shows exercise is the best medicine to keep your body working well and for the prevention and treatment of many of the lifestyle diseases that plague our population. Exercise is powerful medicine and, like with all medicine, proper use is critical to get the best results and avoid injury.

Hip impingement syndrome is increasingly common in teenage girls and female athletes, but simple exercises -- done correctly -- can help prevent it. Photo courtesy NBC Los Angeles.

Phase IV founder and CEO Robert Forster, PT, is a leading expert in physical therapy, physiology, and metabolic training, with over thirty years' experience with professional athletes -- experience he translates to athletes and everyday individuals of all levels as well. 

 

With hip impingement syndrome becoming increasingly common among teen girls and female athletes, Dr. Bruce Hensel, MD, of NBC Los Angeles spoke with Forster about exercises women of all ages, athletes included, can reduce the risk of or prevent hip impingement syndrome and the resultant surgeries. 

 

>> Watch the video here

 

Phase IV and Forster Physical Therapy, the Official Physical Therapy provider for the LA Marathon, are now the Exclusive Providers of EC3D gear in Los Angeles!

 

Find us and join some of our social networks for scientific health & training tips and advice as well as chances to win Phase IV services and products:

Forster Physical Therapy

Office: 310-656-8600  www.forsterpt.com

Phase IV Scientific Health and Performance Center

Office: 310-582-8212  www.phase-iv.net

Click Here to view archived newsletters