We are often asked if insurance will pay for sessions. The simple answer is usually not, but here are some ways that clients have had help paying for sessions in the past.
● Sometimes insurance will pay for sessions. Ask. Usually a doctor's prescription is needed. We can help you with vocabulary and ideas for talking with your doctor about a prescription. Usually, though, if you have been dealing with pain, doctors are willing to give a prescription for a therapy you've found that works.
● For car accidents, car insurance will often pay for sessions. Usually, you will need to pay up front and then be reimbursed in a lump settlement when you are done with therapy related to the accident.
● Tax Saver Accounts: These come in various forms, but basically you designate money to spend on medical expenses not covered by insurance. This money is put into a special account before taxes are taken out. Then, you can spend the money on sessions, saving at least 15% (more depending on your tax bracket). We had an account like this when we worked at Texas A&M University. Check with your human resources department to find out if you are eligible for this benefit.
● Health Savings Accounts: These are similar to tax saver accounts, but work in conjunction with a high deductible insurance policy. So, you have health insurance in place to cover any catastrophic health issues, but your day-to-day health needs are funded with pre-tax money you (or your employer) have put in your Health Savings Account (HSA).
● Health Reimbursement Accounts: With this account, your employer reimburses all medical expenses. This is our current plan and is ideal for family-owned businesses where one spouse is an employee for the other spouse. Then, all medical expenses are considered an employee benefit and are paid for by pre-tax (even payroll tax) money.
We are not experts, but will be happy to answer any questions. Also, talk to your accountant or human resources department for more information.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Shoe Issues
I've worked with two people recently that were helped by shoe inserts. Sometimes an issue presents in groups, and I start to think maybe I need to be learning something here... in this case, maybe it was to get me moving!
I have a pair of very comfy shoes that I wear most days. This is a major improvement for me since I usually have a hard time finding shoes that support my body and don't induce pain. Well, this pair of shoes does have one issue, but it's not so bad... "I can live with it." (Have you heard or said that one before?)
This pair of shoes needs a metatarsal support. A meta-whatsit support?!? you may ask... that's just a fancy (or should I say, Latin) word for the bones that make up the ball of your foot (and the equivalent pad for the smaller toes). So, a metatarsal support is a simple insert that goes across the ball/pad area just below the toes.
Why do these shoes need such a support? Because the way the shoe is designed has the toes slightly bent upward, putting the bottom of the foot in stretch.
Now, I have embarked on the shoe modification adventure--the issue did get me moving! I've added the metatarsal support, and find that I also need a heel support, because the design of the shoe encourages me to be weighted on my heels. But now, I have shoes that are comfy AND fit my foot!
Did you know that you can have a shoe ergonomics lesson during your next session in which you, too, can learn to modify your shoes to fit your foot! (No more squishing your foot in to fit the shoe!) Find out easy solutions that can provide astonishing results in foot comfort and even performance!
I have a pair of very comfy shoes that I wear most days. This is a major improvement for me since I usually have a hard time finding shoes that support my body and don't induce pain. Well, this pair of shoes does have one issue, but it's not so bad... "I can live with it." (Have you heard or said that one before?)
This pair of shoes needs a metatarsal support. A meta-whatsit support?!? you may ask... that's just a fancy (or should I say, Latin) word for the bones that make up the ball of your foot (and the equivalent pad for the smaller toes). So, a metatarsal support is a simple insert that goes across the ball/pad area just below the toes.
Why do these shoes need such a support? Because the way the shoe is designed has the toes slightly bent upward, putting the bottom of the foot in stretch.
Now, I have embarked on the shoe modification adventure--the issue did get me moving! I've added the metatarsal support, and find that I also need a heel support, because the design of the shoe encourages me to be weighted on my heels. But now, I have shoes that are comfy AND fit my foot!
Did you know that you can have a shoe ergonomics lesson during your next session in which you, too, can learn to modify your shoes to fit your foot! (No more squishing your foot in to fit the shoe!) Find out easy solutions that can provide astonishing results in foot comfort and even performance!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
New Client FAQ
What do I need to bring?
Should I come early?
No. We build in extra time to our sessions so that you'll have time to talk, transition, change clothes, etc. We endeavor to start your session at your appointment time, and your session may "run over" by as much as a half hour, depending on the needs. So, you may be in session for up to 2 hours for a 1.5 hour session and up to 1.5 hours for a 1-hour session. If you are on a tight time schedule, please let us know at the beginning of the session.
Can you accommodate mobility challenges?
Our current office set up is not wheel chair friendly. There are 2 shallow steps to the front door. We can create a temporary ramp and are more than happy to facilitate your entry into the office. This is also true if you have trouble walking distances. If you have mobility challenges, please discuss them with us by phone before you come... we'll be happy to work out a solution with you! We do have a motorized massage table that lowers to 18 inches.
- yourself,
- medical history,
- loose shorts,
- loose tank top (for women)
Should I come early?
No. We build in extra time to our sessions so that you'll have time to talk, transition, change clothes, etc. We endeavor to start your session at your appointment time, and your session may "run over" by as much as a half hour, depending on the needs. So, you may be in session for up to 2 hours for a 1.5 hour session and up to 1.5 hours for a 1-hour session. If you are on a tight time schedule, please let us know at the beginning of the session.
Can you accommodate mobility challenges?
Our current office set up is not wheel chair friendly. There are 2 shallow steps to the front door. We can create a temporary ramp and are more than happy to facilitate your entry into the office. This is also true if you have trouble walking distances. If you have mobility challenges, please discuss them with us by phone before you come... we'll be happy to work out a solution with you! We do have a motorized massage table that lowers to 18 inches.
What is an Aston-Patterning session like?
How does a session differ from a Swedish (relaxation) massage? Recently, a client summed it up as basically, we work on what needs to be worked on... rather than following a routine.
In a 1.5-hour session, you will
WIFM? (What's in it for me?)
The bottom line is that for most of our clients, Aston-Patterning moves them out of discomfort and into a new way of being FASTER than anything else they've tried--and most of them have tried MANY options. That's why Peter & I started with Aston-Patterning professionally, because personally, our lives were transformed out of pain and we began to design the life we desire!
In a 1.5-hour session, you will
- give an in-depth structural history (ex. braces, injuries, crutches, surgeries)
- have a visual assessment looking at the alignment and relationship between your body segments,
- walk and do other relevent movement pre-tests,
- have a palpation assessment to map the areas of high tone (tension) and low tone in your body,
- develop a hypothesis about what relationships in your body need to change to alleviate the issue you are concerned about,
- have specific bodywork to make those changes,
- learn a movement lesson to incorporate those changes into your daily movements.
WIFM? (What's in it for me?)
The bottom line is that for most of our clients, Aston-Patterning moves them out of discomfort and into a new way of being FASTER than anything else they've tried--and most of them have tried MANY options. That's why Peter & I started with Aston-Patterning professionally, because personally, our lives were transformed out of pain and we began to design the life we desire!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Traveling with Aston-Line Wedges
My youngest son and I traveled by airplane to Utah & Idaho last week. I have to tell you that flying by myself with a 3-year old--complete with car seat, stroller and bags is challenging. So, I'm sure you can imagine I don't add ANYTHING to the pile that I don't have to, ie doesn't benefit me greatly.
That said, I wouldn't travel without my Aston-Line wedges if you paid me... well, maybe if I was flying directly to get a few sessions with Judith Aston herself and you paid me ALOT of money...
Anyway, it's definitely worth the hassle of banging everyone in the aisle as we're the last people to board the plane and are seated in the LAST row--and I carry a sleeping toddler, my wedges, a carry-on bag, and bag o' snacks.
Without the wedges, I get a headache within about 5 minutes of being seated on the plane and my neck starts to ache, and then it just gets worse for the rest of the flight... and then Peter has to listen to me complain when I get home. With the wedges, I have a comfortable flight, can even sleep (provided toddler also sleeps), and can enjoy my family when I get home!
My newest innovation on this trip--I feel like a brilliant world traveler--I traveled with a large scarf/shawl and tied it around the wedges when getting on and off the plane. The wedges stayed together, bapped fewer people in the head, and stayed on my shoulder, AND when I sat down, I had a built-in blanket. :)
That said, I wouldn't travel without my Aston-Line wedges if you paid me... well, maybe if I was flying directly to get a few sessions with Judith Aston herself and you paid me ALOT of money...
Anyway, it's definitely worth the hassle of banging everyone in the aisle as we're the last people to board the plane and are seated in the LAST row--and I carry a sleeping toddler, my wedges, a carry-on bag, and bag o' snacks.
Without the wedges, I get a headache within about 5 minutes of being seated on the plane and my neck starts to ache, and then it just gets worse for the rest of the flight... and then Peter has to listen to me complain when I get home. With the wedges, I have a comfortable flight, can even sleep (provided toddler also sleeps), and can enjoy my family when I get home!
My newest innovation on this trip--I feel like a brilliant world traveler--I traveled with a large scarf/shawl and tied it around the wedges when getting on and off the plane. The wedges stayed together, bapped fewer people in the head, and stayed on my shoulder, AND when I sat down, I had a built-in blanket. :)
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