by Dr. Loni Rodriguez | Jul 16, 2018 | Uncategorized
When I tell people I have an assistant, their eyebrows raise and they look impressed. Not going to lie, It is pretty cool to say, “Oh, yes, my assistant will send that to you by the end of the week…”
When I first started the business, I needed to keep that overhead low! I wanted to do EVERYTHING. I was not going to give up the reins and pay anyone else but myself to do the work that needed to get done. I worked countless hours on projects unrelated to patient treatment. I was up late nights making flyers, creating social media posts, sending bills to patients, etc. Many of those things I was not efficient at and took much longer than it should have.
I met Lisa through my practice at Cynergy CrossFit. She was one of my first physical therapy patients. She kept talk all PT with an occasional, “…when you’re ready for help, let me know.” I kept this in mind, but mainly brushed it off because I was managing just fine without help… was I though?
One Thursday morning, as I began to start my session with my first patient at Cynergy, I looked down to find a small trash can. Now, this was not just an ordinary trash can. It was a grey one with my logo on it. I had been using a small Lululemon bag… I needed a trash can! However, it was not on the “C-list” of things to do. I immediately realized who had taken the time to make me a personalized trash can. It was Lisa, and she was hired.
I realized that I valued help like this from someone who cares about their job. She genuinely enjoys putting effort in to help small businesses grow, and help people live a bit more stress-free.. This screen printed trash can job does not amount to a measurable percentage of what she has done for me thus far. She has kept me afloat when life has been challenging, through bookkeeping, helping me find a new office, and teaching me the beginnings of entrepreneurship. She has been my go-to for all things business!
This blog post is not only to give a HUGE shout out to this SOLID assistant and plug Dargie Virtual Solutions, but to introduce all of you to the person you may receive a few emails from. Meet Lisa: support staff number 1.
If you are stressed out with the many things you are juggling in life, a small business, a side hustle? Check out the Services this lady provides. My level of stress has decreased tremendously and I would recommend her services to ANYONE.
by Dr. Loni Rodriguez | Jul 6, 2018 | Uncategorized
The importance of making the connection.
This post is not only directed towards my clients to help you understand my treatment style, but also my fellow providers. As providers, we can not forget WHY we do what we do…
I try to make connections with every client that I come in contact with. The connection I make with someone is one of the most important pieces that leads to a positive prognosis no matter what. When people are in pain, they are looking for answers. They are afraid, and in many cases, in a bit of a depression because of what they are dealing with. Calming that fear, lessening the worry, showing them that I understand and empathize can immediately allow them to open up.
Comfort at FIRST interaction looks like this:
“Hello, nice to meet you”
or on a phone call with, “Hello, what can I help you with? What can I do for you?”
Who are the first people you tell about something important or something of concern in your life? The people closest to you, right? Sometimes it is difficult to express your concerns to providers who do not act like they care or act as if you are just another person walking in their door. I’m not going to lie, personal issues and things I deal with on the day to day have impacted my time with patients. Yet, I try very hard to leave that outside the doors of my office.
The first impression and connection we, as providers, make with a client can push treatment immediately in a positive direction. This was not something that I learned right out of school, however. It took time to understand the power of body language, reactions, and responses. Beginning the initial interaction with getting to know the person as a PERSON can go a long way. Finding a common interest, mutual friend, or simply relating to them in any way can start things off on the right foot.
When it comes to talking about the reason why they are seeking treatment. LISTENING to them is the first step. Hear what they are saying, show them that you understand and can help them. A simple, “Okay, I have seen this before, let me explain to you what I feel you are dealing with…” can go a long way.
Of course, I want to fix every ailment that walks in my door, however, I know that is not possible and fixing is not what I do. My job is to give answers, debunk misconceptions, inform clients about their concerns and empower patients to take control over their symptoms. There is no quick fix… I put the power in the client’s hands.
Providers! These people are looking to YOU as the experts. Make sure that you are giving them your 110% and make them feel comfortable. Listen, pay attention, and respond thoroughly. Ease their fears, don’t heighten them.
Are you looking for someone who will listen to your concerns about pain? Not sure if what you are dealing with is something that can be helped with PT? Find a PT and ask!
Want something answered right NOW?! Click HERE to book your complimentary consult.
by Dr. Loni Rodriguez | Jun 29, 2018 | Uncategorized
As year one comes to a close, I have had time to look back and reflect. What a year it has been! If you had asked me 2 years ago if I thought I would ever want to open my own clinic, I would have laughed and said, “…absolutely not”. I was convinced that I would be working under someone else for the rest of my life versus becoming a small business owner. Little did I know, my future would look very different.
Here is my story…
Many of my patients and friends ask me, “How did you do it?”, or “What made you want to go out on your own?” The answer is easy! I love my career and I felt as though I could be more successful doing things MY way over working under someone else.
The business story is fun to tell… It all started with sticking strangers with needles in my basement… true story. No, but really… I began treating friends, and friends of friends, etc.. at my house. Yes, people who didn’t know me, would come to my house because their friend and trainer, “Meg”, said that I worked miracles. Thanks, Meg
Meg is the well-known and loved head coach at OrangeTheory Fitness in Quincy. Poor Meg had a nagging knee injury that plagued her 2017 Boston Marathon. I met her one day after taking one of her classes and she was interested in this dry needling treatment. I told her that I would love to help her and she adamantly made an appointment. Sure enough, Meg showed up to my house, we went into my newly redone basement and that was it. I was fortunate enough to find a way to help her and she was sold. She told me that I could make a business out of this… the rest is history.
I began receiving calls from people who would say, “I was referred to you by Meg at OTF, I have this issue with my [ENTER PAINFUL AREA] and she said you can help me…” I thank Meg daily for being my first referral source!
Not only was I treating people in my basement, I began helping out the members of Cynergy Crossfit in Hanson. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to come down to their gym on a Sunday morning and give a small talk on dry needling. I did a demonstration and every person wanted me to come back the next week to be treated. I left that day with a sign-up sheet packed with 6 hours of patients to be seen the following weekend.
As patients continued to call and inquire about my services, I started going through the motions of starting a business. I began a ton of research about starting an out-of-network practice. The business model was exactly what I had been looking for. It gave me the opportunity to treat people as people and not numbers. It allowed me a flexible schedule, higher income, and I could bring my dogs to work!
July 1, 2017 I opened the door to my office out of CrossFit 781 in Weymouth. I continued to be part-time at my job in Cambridge, while treating people outside those hours at this new office. My schedule soon filled as I was receiving referrals from other CrossFit gyms in the area including Crossfit Prosperity, CrossFit Fit Factory Kingston and Quincy City CrossFit. Additionally, referrals from OrangeTheory Fitness gyms in Kingston, Quincy, Dedham, and Hingham poured in and the word of mouth referrals increased. Before I knew it, I was faced with going full-time and I made the leap mid-August 2017.
Being a business owner has its pros and cons. There is definitely a huge element of stress! If I don’t work, I don’t make money. If I don’t get things done that need to be done, no one else will (that is unless you have a killer Virtual Assistant that takes care of you). I also had zero business experience prior to this – it has been a learning experience to say the least. I have made some mistakes along the way, but have learned from each one of them. I plan to continue to grow and not give up on my dream of creating a killer PT clinic. I want to continue to serve people in pain the way they deserve to be treated!
Thank you to all my friends and family, patients who have become great friends, multiple CrossFit gyms and OrangeTheory Studios who have welcomed me with open arms and have spread the good word. I could not have done this without you – on to year TWO!
by Dr. Loni Rodriguez | Mar 31, 2018 | Uncategorized
There are plenty of self treatment strategies and ideas that I give to many of my patients to treat their pain. One of the most important things that every patient should know about PT is the 99:1 Rule. The time spent in the clinic accounts for 1%, The other 99% is the time spent making positive changes on your symptoms. That 99% holds much more value than any time spent with your therapist. Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to fix neck pain and optimize your 99%.
Constant posture adjustment
Frequently changing positions will be the best way to combat neck stiffness and pain. As stated previously, in Neck Pain Epidemic Part I, “your NEXT posture is your BEST posture.” When you can, just get up from your desk, your airplane seat, or whatever you are sitting on. MOVE! If you just can not get up, simply roll your shoulders, look up, down, left and right. Try it right now…. felt a bit better, huh?
Driving Adjustment
First, sit up with good alignment of your head, neck and shoulders. Be sure you can reach the pedals and steering wheel comfortably(adjust the seat as necessary).
Then, adjust your mirrors to allow yourself to be able to see with them. If you begin to slump, the minute you try to use your mirrors, you will notice that you have lost that posture and will re-adjust.
Work-set up
This is a topic for a whole other discussion, however, desk set-up is KEY. Here are a few things to consider:
- First, If you are constantly performing a repetitive movement with one arm or one side of your body (ie. Using a mouse, reaching for a phone, holding your phone to your ear), your body will eventually create an imbalance and a habit. This can lead to repetitive overuse and possibly pain. Try and switch it up! Use a headset, bring your mouse more in front of your body on a small keyboard shelf, or frequently change the placement of your document holder.
- Second, if your computer height is below eye level, you may be subject to a constant forward head position. This can lead to overload stress on all the muscles on the back side of your neck. Additionally, the distance you are from your keyboard or mouse can lead to straining in that forward position as well. This, my friends can really create chronic neck issues! Try bring your monitor to eye level and sit as close to the keyboard and mouse as possible.
- Third, your chair… As for the height, be sure your feet can touch the ground. As for the armrests, be sure that they are at a height in which your shoulders are not elevated and your elbows can sit at 90 degrees. Finally, the chair should be pulled up close to your keyboard to eliminate straining and reaching forward.
Sleeping Position
Stomach sleeping is strongly discouraged! I do not have a specific pillow recommendation, however I would err towards recommending one that will keep your neck in a more neutral position vs forward or back bent.
Give this a try….
- Place a small towel roll inside your pillow case
- Flip the pillow over
- Sleep with the towel roll closest to you. *You can add additional towels for additional support.
Frequent Chin Retractions
Check out this video HERE >> Chin Retractions
Okay everyone, I know, this is not the most flattering movement in the world, but it is very helpful for treatment of neck pain. It is an exercise that helps the neck and upper back understand where it is in space. It is called kinesthetic awareness! Many who suffer from neck pain lack this level of awareness. When this awareness is lost, our neck does not know where it should hold itself. This can cause muscle tension and strain on structures that should not be strained.
Self Release
Muscle release is a great way to create a short-term decrease in pain. Listed below are the most common areas to release for neck pain. Click on the links to access step-by-step videos on how to perform the self release
Upper Trapezius
SCM (Sternocleidomastoid)
Scalenes
Thoracic Movement
Not only do we want to work on the joint mobility of the thoracic spine, but also the ability to actively move through flexion (or forward bending) and extension (back bending). This area has a huge impact on the cervical spine and needs to be happy and mobile. You can perform thoracic extension over a foam roller followed by banded thoracic flexion / extension on your hands and knees to reinforce the passive mobility with the foam roller.
What can the PT do for me?
- Perform a detailed assessment
If you are dealing with neck pain, it is best to be assessed and treated by a trained professional to be sure your pain is being managed appropriately.
- Provide you with an explanation and reduce your fear and anxiety
As discussed previously, fear and stress can increase and prolong your symptoms! Reduce that fear by seeing a professional who can help you take control of your symptoms. Knowledge is power, my friends!
There are many treatments that can be helpful for the treatment of neck pain. A physical therapist has the ability to perform myofascial release, joint mobilizations, and trigger point dry needling to help decrease your pain.
All neck pain is not the same. The above information are common recommendations and treatment strategies that have been successful with many of my clients. However, what works for some, does not work for all. It is important to be provided with a personalized exercise program. This is the most important part of the rehab routine. If you do not develop a habit of a regular routine, there won’t be a desirable change in your symptoms. Does this seem overwhelming? Sometimes the exercises that are prescribed are not the exercises you are imagining. They are activities that you can do while sitting watching TV, driving, or sitting on a call at work!. The time spend outside the clinic is much more valuable than the 1-hour you spend in the clinic with your PT.
If you are having neck pain and would be interested in a complimentary phone consult, please visit the booking link, BOOK NOW!
by Dr. Loni Rodriguez | Feb 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
My new location!
The address is 293 Libbey Industrial Parkway, Weymouth, MA 02189. It is a 1-story brick building located just up the street and across the road from CrossFit 781.
You will find the entrance where the blue dot is on the image.
Buidling Directions:
1. Look for the door numbered 300/200 on building 293
2. Enter and take the elevator to the 1st floor
3. Come out of the elevator, turn right and follow the signs down the hallway
4. Take a right at the end of the hall
5. Take an immediate left
If you need to book and appointment use this link.
If you have any questions, please contact me directly at 617-249-4011.
In case you missed them, here are links to my most recent blog posts! Check out some great content on DRY NEEDLING, KNEE PAIN, and INJURY PREVENTION
Be sure to follow me on social media for the most up-to-date content on self treatment strategies and some of my go-to exercises for treatment of all types of injuries!
