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Getting Back to Doing the Things She Loves: Neelam’s Success Story

August 31, 2023 | Patient Success Stories
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By, Allison R. Weder

“If I could not dance…I would go into a depression because I cannot do the things I love.” – Neelam, Goodrich, MI Patient

Neelam Puri is a dancer, a traveler, and a grandmother. Knee pain made enjoying life difficult. “I had arthritis. I had terrible pain for more than 4 years. The last year was really bad.” A trip to India prompted Neelam to try physical therapy to help ease the pain. She did not want to cancel the trip. She chose Advanced Physical Therapy Center, part of the Phoenix Physical Therapy family. The Goodrich, Michigan team came through for Neelam. “I came (to therapy) for two to three months. I requested they get me good enough to go to India. We did strengthening and flexibility exercises, and I used the TENS so the pain lessened.” A TENS machine delivers small electrical impulses to affected areas of the body. Those impulses can reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles.

The weeks of therapy enabled Neelam to travel, but she could not fully enjoy her time abroad. “I went to India, and it was so tough walking. I had to take (medication) at the end of each day, but it would affect my stomach. If I stopped taking it, the pain would come back. It was a vicious cycle.” Neelam almost gave up one her favorite things to do. “My husband and I love to travel a lot. I told him he was going to have to start going alone. He said ‘no, let’s do whatever needs to be done’.” That meant a total knee replacement for Neelam.

Three days after surgery, Neelam returned to the physical therapy family she trusted. Clinic Director, Amy James, LPTA, Heather Luna, PT, DPT and Shelli Mora, LPTA welcomed her back. “It was great coming back. They already knew me. It was important to me to come here after surgery because they had already relieved me of pain so I could go on my India trip. They did a good job.” The exercises began right away, but only at the pace Neelam could handle. “That’s why I’m comfortable here. They give you your own pace. It is very patient-centered.”

Neelam’s first few sessions started slowly, with exercises that delicately worked her newly reconstructed knee. “The initial ones were the easy ones now. We did leg raises a lot. We used bands to pull the leg, which worked on flexibility. The best one was for stretching. You sit on the chair, touch your foot and count to 10 three times.” Neelam quickly began reaching the goals she set with her therapy team. “Every week I would see progress. Every week I was getting more strength, more repetitions, and more confident about me. I was on a walker for two weeks. Then I moved to the cane. But I only had that for a few days. I hit little milestones.”

The exercises continued and increased in intensity as her knee healed. “I used the foam roller behind your knees. They put a weight on my upper thigh, and I lift it. After some progress, we increased the weight. I told them to do 15 pounds instead of 10. I told them I wanted to up it. They adjusted my routine depending on where I was. I really appreciated that.” Neelam also appreciates the treatment she receives when she calls the clinic. “There are times when, for whatever reason, you can’t come in. When you call, they never make you feel guilty and they’re always open to rescheduling. Some other offices make you feel badly for calling. I feel they understand that you have a life and if something happens they will accommodate you.”

Neelam is excited about the progress she has made and is making plans for a pain-free future. “I plan on dancing, vacationing, and living my life as an active woman in my 60s. I have that spirit because of my knee working. If I could not dance and I could not go, I would go into a depression because I cannot do the things I love. I have grandchildren who visit. Grandchildren are an integral part of my family unit. My husband is important and vacationing with him is important. Dancing is important. I’m on my way to being able to do all of it.” Amy is impressed with Neelam’s drive to accomplish everything she sets her mind to. “Neelam took her rehabilitation seriously and, in her eyes, there was no substitute for hard work. Neelam made a point to push herself each and every physical therapy visit to achieve the goals set.” And Neelam is grateful for the Advanced PT-Goodrich team for helping her reach those goals. “All the women work as a team. They back each other up. They are professional and they will tell you good advice. Heather, Shelli, and Amy became part of my team. When I was worried about whether I would recover because I couldn’t straighten my knee, they would tell me every case is different and encouraged me. They joined me as a team in making me successful. It’s family. A Physical Therapy family! I couldn’t have done it without this office.”

Neelam shares this advice for anyone hesitant to try physical therapy. “Doctors can only give you medicine and each medicine has a side effect. If you want to relieve pain in a natural way, a healthy way, try physical therapy. You feel so good.”

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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