I am in my 6th year of practice and am coming up on one year of serving patients in the Northland! My family has officially lived in Parkville for a year and we are really loving it. If I'm not in the office, I am probably baking something with chocolate in it, doing a project around the house, spending time outside or exploring the city with my family. Many of you have met Isla, my 1 year old, AKA “the office manager!” who spends a lot of her time running around the office. She keeps me pretty busy when I'm not working and I am loving finding a balance between work and being a mom. I'm thankful for  the community we've already built in our short time here and I am looking forward to spending many more years serving you all!

 

 

 

 

Beginning in the month of November and continuing through the end of the year, we will be hosting a winter coat drive in our office to donate to the members of our community in need. We will be collecting new and/or gently loved winter items including coats, hats, mittens, and scarves for both children and adults. Every item donated will get you an entry into our end of year giveaway! If you or someone you know is in need and would like to be added to our list of recipients, email Trenda with the needed items and sizes and we will do our best to match you with the items you are needing!

 

 

We will be switching to a new scheduling software at the beginning of the new year! This is very exciting and means that you will now be able to schedule, pay your bill, and more online- if you choose. If this does not sound like a change that suits you, you will still be able to call the office for scheduling and all other needs as well! We will also be offering texting for office updates on the new platform for things such as closings, etc. We are working hard to ensure a seamless transition for all of you and are so excited to simplify the way you receive care with us. Trenda has already begun offering paperless statements for billing. Please email her or call the office if you have any questions!

 

 

 

I am excited to announce that starting in the spring, I will be offering a new wellness service/resource. The content will include 3 main pillars: exercise, diet + meal planning, & self care. It will focus on how to seamlessly integrate healthy lifestyle changes into your day to day. We will have some great content and a collection of community referrals and resources to connect you with to help you get the most out of the content. The course will be available online to anyone, but I will be offering a 50% discount to all of my patients! Please send me an email or ask Trenda for details at your next visit for more information. 

 

INSURANCE UPDATES

Reminder! If you have an insurance plan that will be changing or needs updating before the new year, Trenda requests that you call or email her to give her the details! Some common plans that may be changing would be BCBS Medicare Advantage, and any Medicaid plans that require annual re-enrollment to be submitted. You have likely already received an email for medicaid re-enrollments so this is your friendly reminder that completing this process 30-60 days before its expiration is recommended to ensure continuity of coverage. We want to help make sure that your coverage is up to date going into the new year so give us a call or email the office if you need assistance. 

 

 

The research changes every few years regarding the efficacy of heat vs cold therapy as a treatment for muscle/joint pain. If you've been a patient with us for awhile, you have probably heard me mention that either can be a good option depending on what you personally find helpful, but my preference is mixing the two together for the best results. Let's break down what each one does & how they work together. 

 

 

Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, is generally recommended during the acute or early phase of an injury, which is typically the first 24-72 hours. Applying ice or cold packs to the affected area helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and numbs pain by constricting blood vessels and slowing circulation. This approach is especially useful for fresh injuries, such as sprains, strains, or bruises, where the primary goal is to control inflammation and prevent further tissue damage. Using cold therapy immediately after injury can limit excessive swelling and help prevent the injury from worsening, setting a solid foundation for healing.

 

 

Heat therapy can be particularly beneficial after the initial swelling has subsided. Think a few days to a week after the initial injury. Unlike cold therapy, which reduces blood flow, heat therapy promotes circulation to the injured area, which can relax and loosen tight muscles and reduce stiffness in joints. For ongoing issues or chronic injuries like lower back pain or joint stiffness, applying heat can ease tension and help muscles become more pliable. Moist heat packs, warm baths/showers, or heating pads can be used to gently increase blood flow, bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to the area to aid in the healing process and improve mobility.

 

 

For most injuries, after the first few days have passed, I recommend alternating back and forth between cold therapy to manage pain and inflammation, then to heat therapy for stiffness and muscle relaxation, and then ending with with ice therapy to flush the inflammation caused by the heat therapy. This oscillation between hot & cold will help to open and close the vessels and promote improved blood and oxygen flow to your muscles & joints! 

 

As always, my advice is to listen to your body and refrain from doing anything that increases your pain! Adding in therapies such as red light, stretching, and of course, getting adjusted will help to improve the effectiveness of using hot and cold therapy!