AQPT

Happy TPTA Legislative Day! AQPT spent the day down at the Capitol meeting with legislators to promote SB584 and HB625. The goal is to expand direct access to PT to at least 30 days without a referral and to lower co-pays. Texas is far behind in this movement, and unfortunately it is you, the patient, that suffers. Contact me for more information and make sure to reach out to your legislators to support these bills!

It was last week but I still think daily about the amazing time I spent with colleagues and friends in San Diego for the AAOMPT Annual Conference. I always learn so much and relish that time to reconnect with old friends and mentors. Who can pass up learning from the likes of Laurie Hartman and Stanley Paris? Never stop learning or looking forward! Until next year…

Another success story to share!

“I’ve had such a positive experience working with Ariel to help resolve shoulder and back pain! Not only was I pain-free within a matter of weeks but she really took the time to explain how the various muscles work and how certain movements and postures impact my individual body. I enjoyed each of my sessions with her and it was so great to work with her one-on-one for each session. I would recommend her to anyone if they are seeking out a physical therapist!” - MK

Contact me for a consultation or to book an appointment. Why wait to feel better?

“Towards the beginning of Covid, I visited with a spinal surgeon and he convinced me that I needed a hole drilled through my neck to fix a pinched nerve going down my left arm. I was sure he was right and the pain was intolerable. I reached out to you hoping PT might be an option. The surgeon said it might help temporarily, but I would be back in his office in time. Well over a year later, I am pain free and I am so grateful I came to you before making a terrible mistake with that surgery. I can’t thank you enough! Your skill and knowledge of how the body works saved me from what I’m sure would be years of regret. Of course surgery may be a necessary option in certain situations, but I think it can sometimes be harmful and I know that at least for me, PT will always be my first step.” - EK

That is amazing. And that is why I do what I do. Nothing else makes my work more worthwhile than hearing that I've truly made a difference in someone’s life. My goal this year is to continue trying to make a positive impact on each and every one of the clients that walk through my door.

This reminds me just how valuable the role of manual physical therapy can be. Very few professions can demonstrate such in-depth knowledge of our musculoskeletal system and body’s mechanics. Equally, if not more important, is the insight and skill to fix it! I have such respect for my orthopedic medical colleagues, but I always have to advocate for the most conservative treatment first and manual physical therapy should be at the top of that list. I know I’m preaching to the choir about a lot of this, but always know that I am available for a free phone consult to see if PT is right for you.

Hello, my friends and fellow Texans!
With the recent announcement by the governor regarding business guidelines and masks, I want to clarify that masks will continue to be required at AQPT and cleaning protocols and precautions will not change. Local and state public health officials acknowledge that this decision is premature and it would be extremely unfortunate to lose the recent progress made. I consider your health and your family's health to be the highest of priorities in my practice and I plan to continue implementing all Covid-19 precautions until infection numbers are extremely low and a much higher number of community members are vaccinated. I truly appreciate your support in this effort. Hang in there and stay well!

It's a new year - so what's next? - https://mailchi.mp/4c72324e6001/its-a-new-year-so-whats-next

It's a new year - so what's next? - https://mailchi.mp/4c72324e6001/its-a-new-year-so-whats-next

AQPT updated their phone number.

AQPT updated their phone number.

Now that we are all trying to adjust to the changes that the new Coronavirus poses to our daily lives, I hope we can be adaptable in managing our new situation. I want to relay assurance that my practice will continue through the upcoming weeks and months and that proper precautions are being taken to keep you healthy. Any surface that a patient touches in my office is thoroughly disinfected before and after each visit. Hand and wrist washing occurs before and after each visit as well as frequent trips to the hand sanitizer.

One of the advantages that I have versus other PT settings is that you are only seeing me in a private space and you are not exposed to multiple other patients or staff in a busy clinic. I also use personal protective equipment and social distancing practices as appropriate. If you are more comfortable not coming into the office but want to stay consistent with our physical therapy progression, I can also offer phone or telehealth visits. I am flexible and willing to work with your particular situation.

Above all, I want you and your family to stay healthy, so please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone if you have questions going forward over these next few months.

All the best,
Ariel

Going Ankle Deep | Austin Fit

If you cannot get your hands on a hard copy of the magazine, you can read my latest article in the February issue of Austin Fit online. It has some additional pictures for the exercises I have described that were not in the hard copy. Take care of your body, people -- especially your ankles! Stay well...

Going Ankle Deep | Austin Fit How strong and mobile ankles can help you avoid pain and injuries.

Grab a copy of the February issue of Austin Fit and check out my latest article on how to take care of your ankles!

Whether you are training for a marathon, half marathon, or one of the numerous races that Austin holds year-round, consider a gait analysis to optimize your walking or running form. Even minor adjustments can help you to avoid injury and feel your best crossing that finish line! I will be offering a gait analysis for select clients at Infinite Fitness this Saturday. Contact AQPT if you are interested in scheduling your own assessment.

Whether you are training for a marathon, half marathon, or one of the numerous races that Austin holds year-round, consider a gait analysis to optimize your walking and running form. Even minor adjustments can help you prevent injury and feel your best crossing that finish line! I will be offering a gait analysis for select clients at Infinite Fitness this Saturday. Contact AQPT if you are interested in scheduling your own assessment. marathon fitness

Reflecting back on a fantastic learning weekend with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists with some amazing colleagues and friends. Thanks, Orlando!

Check out Austin’s fitness and wellness movers and shakers in the latest edition of Austin Fit. Specifically page 56. Recognize anyone?!? Happy National Physical Therapy Month!

Check out Austin’s fitness and wellness movers and shakers in the latest edition of Austin Fit. Recognize anyone?!? Happy National Physical Therapy Month!

Come experience a wellness visit or an injury assessment in an ideal physical therapy space where you are the sole focus. Contact AQPT today for a consultation!

New law enables Texas patients to see physical therapist without physician referral

Better late than never!

New law enables Texas patients to see physical therapist without physician referral Gov. Abbott signed HB 29, although physical therapists must meet certain standards.

Today is the day!!! You can now officially come see me for physical therapy without having to see your doctor to get a referral first. See the press release below from the Texas Physical Therapy Association for further information. Contact me and I can help you feel better sooner!

It’s a big day for Texans! Direct Access has come to Texas!!!

(From the Texas Physical Therapy Association)

“At 11:32 pm (28 minutes before the final deadline to pass bills) on May 22, 2019 House Bill 29 providing Texans Direct Access to Physical Therapy was finally passed in the Texas Senate. The bill is now on its way to the Governor’s Desk and will become law on September 1st. This day has been over 20 (maybe over 30) years in the making.

There will be more information about HB 29 over the next few months and there are still some rules the Board of PT Examiners will have to promulgate, but today is a day to celebrate.

Direct Access Has Come to Texas!!”

Once Governor Abbott signs the bill into law and the law goes into effect, you can come see me directly for PT treatment without having to see your doctor first! This is so long overdue.

Who Represents Me?

Ok, everyone - I'm a little excited about this and it's really important if you ever think you might need to go to a physical therapist here it Texas. We are SO close to getting direct access which will substantially improve Texans' access to important healthcare. Please take the time to read this passage from the Texas Physical Therapy Association and contact your legislator to urge them to vote for direct access to PT! Many many thanks!!! - AQ

"We are on the verge of bringing Direct Access of Physical Therapy to everyone in Texas. HB 29 by St. Rep. Ina Minjarez was passed out of the Public Health Committee by unanimous vote and has now been set by the Calendars Committee for floor action TODAY MAY 7th.

Please take a couple of minutes and call or email your State Rep. and remind them that HB 29 is on the Calendar and urge them to support it. Tell them that you support HB 29 because it will provide Direct Access to patients that need treatment from a Physical Therapist. TPTA will be in all 150 House Member’s offices passing out information reminding them as well.

You can find the contact information for your State Representative here - https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home.

Once HB 29 passes the House Floor it will be sent to the Senate where it will be substituted for SB 732 which was passed out of the Business and Commerce Committee on a unanimous vote. It will then be placed on the Local and Consent Calendar, which is for bills where there is no objection, and passed through the Senate. Once both of those votes occur the final step will be for the Governor to sign the bill.

We are really close, for the first time ever, to achieving Direct Access to Physical Therapy for all Texans. Thank you to all of you who have worked so hard to see this happen (some of you for over 20 years.) This legislation is a huge win for patients throughout the state who will soon be able to access the care they need in a timely, cost efficient manner. It wouldn’t have happened without a lot of hard work by many of you.

Now please, one more push. Please call or email your St. Rep. today and remind them HB 29 is on the Calendar and urge them to support it. Thank you!"

Who Represents Me? Who Represents Me provides information about current districts and members of the Texas Senate, Texas House of Representatives, the Texas delegation to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and the State Board of Education.

Most Texans do not realize the steps required to see a physical therapist until they actually need to see one. In Texas, patients have the option to go directly to see a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, massage therapist, acupuncturist, or chiropractor when they need treatment for an injury or musculoskeletal pain. Unfortunately, to see a musculoskeletal expert, which is a physical therapist, and more importantly, to receive treatment, a patient must first have a prescription from another provider (physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, or dentist). This means additional time and money out of pocket before a patient can actually receive treatment. Texas ranks 47th in the nation in access to primary care providers, so it can often be a couple of weeks to a month to get in to see a provider that can give a prescription before you can even start treatment with a PT!

It is time for Texas to catch up with the rest of the country and give patients direct access to physical therapy. Texas and Missouri are the only remaining states without some version of direct access. If better access to great physical therapy care and avoiding further overuse of medications is important to you, please take the time to contact your legislators and ask them to support HB1080, HB29 and SB732.






For more information, see:

Texas Physical Therapy Association
https://www.tpta.org/legislative-current-issues

Physical Therapy by Choice https://www.facebook.com/groups/422775088470549/

Meet Ariel Quintana, owner and physical therapist at AQ Physical Therapy. A Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists and a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopaedics.

AQPT updated their website address.

AQPT updated their website address.