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Conditions Appropriate For An Appointment With Deb Fraine OT
Conditions Treated
Clients may bring a prescription / diagnostics to evaluation or make Deb Fraine OT their first step on the road to recovery. With over 36 years of experience, I am able to determine when a referral is needed to other specialists such as Orthopedics, Hand Surgery, Neurology, Physical Therapy, Psychology/ Counseling, Massage Therapy in order to achieve the best possible outcome. It often takes a "team approach" to expedite successful recovery.
Diagnoses / Conditions Frequently Seen:
- Adhesive Capsulitis/ Frozen Shoulder
- Post mastectomy/ lumpectomy related shoulder pain
- post surgical Cancer Care
- Shoulder Pain
- Shoulder Impingement
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Multidirectional Instability- Shoulder Laxity
- Scapula pain
- Tennis Elbow/ Lateral epicondylitis
- Golfers Elbow/ Medial Epicondylitis
- Humerus Fracture
- Elbow Fracture
- Forearm fracture
- Wrist Fracture
- Wrist tendonitis
- Dequervain's tenosynovitis
- Thumb pain
- post-surgical arthroplasty of hand joints
- Osteoarthritis
- FInger sprains/ fractures
- Joint stiffness
- Arm weakness
- hand weakness
- coordination difficulty
- Stroke with upper extremity weakness
- Quadriplegia
- Neurological conditions
- Paraplegia
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain/ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Traumatic injuries/ Post traumatic Stress Disorder
- call to determine if your condition is within my scope of practice
FAQs
What is the difference between an OT and a PT?
- An Occupational Therapist is trained with a specialization in the upper extremity . Both a PT and an OT may be seen treating an orthopedic condition such as a shoulder condition in an outpatient clinic. Occupational Therapists are trained in the evaluation and treatment of psychological conditions as well and are required to train in psychiatric settings in their education. The goal of Occupational therapy is to promote independence with full consideration of physical and mental health. Occupational therapists also are trained in custom fabricated splinting to facilitate healing, function and improved range of motion.
What is a certified Hand Therapist?
- A certified hand therapist is specialization of OT or PT. In order to take the board exam, clinician must have 5 years of practice in the area of hand therapy. Certified Hand Therapists are preferred by Hand Surgeons to treat their clients. Certified Hand therapists take the patient with a shoulder, elbow, hand, finger injury from surgery to recovery with splinting and detailed protocols for treatment.
Why don't you take Insurance?
-Over the years of practice, I have seen our caseloads increase and reimbursement from insurance payors decrease. As a matter of fact insurance companies were reimbursing more for OT and PT 15 years ago than they are now. This has compelled outpatient clinics to become fast paced with little time for individual, hands on treatment. I have become frustrated with the limitation of visits and the judgement from insurance companies (not therapists) on how much therapy a client needs for recovery. Co-pays have risen to 40-50./ visit in many cases. As I head into the last quarter of my career, I wanted to continue my dream of being the best therapist for my patients in a setting that would facilitate this. I plan to combine my passion for yoga, reiki and hands on treatment to facilitate recovery. Insurance is often not willing to reimburse for these modalities.
What do I need for therapy?
- Direct access care (fee for service) does not require a physician prescription under MA state law for OT or PT. Your therapist may request further information from an orthopedic physician and/or diagnostics to clarify your condition. Any information including a prescription with always be helpful in determining your best care.
-You will be asked to bring a list of medications and medical history to your first visit.
-Always wear comfortable clothing allowing exposure to your shoulder, upper back, elbow, wrist and hand.
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