One of the questions a Long Island SEO company gets from its clients is how relevant SEO is. And you can’t blame them for asking, since there are many viewpoints that are splashed across the web. Some raise your anxiety level while others are more reassuring.
Will we be celebrating the death of SEO soon as a result of the disappearance of the concept of the keyword or search term? Or will SEO still be around for a long time while passing through an evolutionary stage?
There are many sites that claim “SEO is dead”, which is why people search for this phrase in the first place. These viewpoints claim that even if the practice of SEO may not be dead, it is ineffective. And there are the others that maintain the view that whatever happens, SEO will never lose its importance. Obviously there is a middle ground here, and you need to figure that out if you must implement the right SEO strategy to help your business or organization succeed in digital marketing and get its earnings on track.
SEO Isn’t Dead, It Has Just Evolved
SEO has indeed changed significantly, but that doesn’t indicate it isn’t there. It’s just that SEO and digital marketing aren’t just about keywords and links anymore. It is about providing a better user experience, which is what Google focuses on. That’s why it is important that you give users value in all that you do. That would involve quality, relevant and comprehensive content that’s also attention grabbing and share-worthy, a website layout that is well optimized for user-friendliness, a link profile that’s strong, and a strong brand. You need all these factors working together to ensure your online visibility is great and you manage to draw traffic to your site.
Providing the Optimal User Experience
Ultimately it is user experience that matters, and you must be able to provide it in a manner better than your competitors do. To do that, you need to ensure the user experience you provide is optimized for the device your potential customers could use for accessing the Internet. That involves incorporating a responsive web design that ensures your website loads well on mobile, tablet, laptop and desktop.
It’s No Longer Just Typing Search Terms
You also need to understand that search is no longer just about typing words on the search engine, it’s also about asking questions verbally with voice search. People could ask stuff randomly, such as “What’s the weather?” or “How to check blood pressure?” To ensure Google selects your answer to place directly on the search results page along with your link, you need to ensure that relevant bits of information are splashed all across the content of your web pages.
Sometimes it is video content that Google finds appropriate for certain queries. It is therefore important to incorporate informative and engaging videos and infographics in your page content, depending on the field of work your organization deals with. Make sure that your page design isn’t confusing or cluttered. You want visitors to be able to find the information they need fast, without having to scroll through paragraphs of content. Highlight relevant points in your website pages.
Google considers loading time an important element of a website’s performance, making it a vital ranking feature. While responsive design ensures your website loads equally on all devices, you need your base design to be efficient too.
Optimizing for Smart Speakers and Connected Devices
And it’s no longer safe to assume that people would search only through mobile or desktop. This is the age of connected devices, and the typical home now has its residents using smart home speakers such as Google Home and Alexa, smart watches, smart refrigerators, etc. This Internet of Things (IoT) revolution is spreading rapidly in the United States and globally too. People search by asking questions to their smart speakers. Many times, they don’t search at all but just give voice commands such as, “Play Justin Bieber” or “MLB game scores”. For information-related questions, the smart speaker reads out the most appropriate answer.
In fact, it is artificial intelligence (AI) that is powering the connected experience. AI helps understand the interaction of users with the connected devices and thereby offers them an improved experience. SEO needs to evolve to the connected experience. Businesses need to get their websites and digital marketing strategies optimized across all the smart devices to be successful in the present and the future.
To sum up, SEO is still alive. But the basic tenets have evolved significantly. SEO needs an integrated approach targeting textual and video interactional content, smart and responsive website design, typical efficient user search process, general user behavior, and connected devices.
An experienced Long Island SEO company has the resources required to design successful digital marketing strategies, make changes or even totally overhaul your SEO strategy.
Digital marketing services focus on ensuring an optimized website, better website ranking and good online traffic for a business. Search engines provide users the best results relevant to their queries and if your website ranking is good in the search engine then many targeted consumers will come to you. So, a smart SEO campaign based on how potential customers conduct searches is important.
The key point is to know the intent behind keyword search. When a user wants to find specific information, Google uses advanced algorithms to analyze which results are the best match for the given keyword. So, knowing the various categories of intent is important to have a search engine optimized content strategy to target not just the keywords but the intent behind keywords.
What Is Search Intent?
Search intent is a new concept that focuses on why people conduct a search. Categorizing keywords based on intent provides a solid foundation for your search engine optimization and content marketing campaigns. For e.g. if you are a plastic surgeon and someone searches for a plastic surgeon with the name of the town where you are located (plastic surgeon NYC), then there is a high possibility that you provide what they want. This helps medical practices to get in front of potential patients at the right time to satisfy their requirements and this is the most effective marketing strategy.
Businesses looking to establish their brand and target customers higher in the market funnel must necessarily develop a deep understanding of the intent behind search keywords. searchengineland.com stresses the importance of understanding 3 categories of search queries to achieve this objective.
Navigational query: This is a query in relation to the website you want to go to. Google Chrome enables search from the address bar and you need not type in “www” or “.com.” Other popular browsers also allow searching from the address bar now. There are two main considerations in navigational search:
Businesses get an opportunity to get listed with other businesses and build brand awareness. This is an opportunity to create fear or anxiety among competitors by presenting your business as a force to reckon with.
This offers high-value traffic for the brand or business being searched; therefore it is important to ensure that your business enjoys a good reputation and has favorable reviews and social signals. This will earn you a high ranking in the search engine results.
Informational search query: These types of queries enjoy the largest volume and are usually based on a wide range of topics ranging from business and marketing to health, fitness and so many others. Information is the end goal and most businesses will have opportunities in informational search. So, identifying the queries related to the product or service you offer, and developing content based on it helps you to be more visible to your potential consumers, build brand awareness, credibility and traffic.
Commercial or transactional query: Commercial queries relate to the action you want a prospective customer to take. Such queries can be obvious or simple ones or more research-oriented. People could search for “plastic surgeon,” or “best plastic surgeon in New York.” The action you want someone to take will depend on your business and could include things like signing up for a newsletter, take a free trial, call your office etc. These keywords are commercial in nature and therefore high value. So, target these keywords and ensure that you are focusing on helping the visitor achieve what he/she wants once they reach your site.
Understanding Search Intent
It is important to ensure that your landing page fits the search intent of your prospects. For instance, when people search for information, don’t show them your product page. Similarly, if people want to purchase your product or service, make sure that they don’t land on an article page. Ensure that they are led to your shop.
Sometimes it is difficult to have a clear idea of the search intent of a query. Different people may have slightly different user intent, yet land on the same page. Asking your audience is a great way of clearly understanding search intent. Make a small survey with questions regarding what people were searching for and have that survey pop up if visitors come to your website. This could throw more light into the search intent of your specific audience.
Content Strategy and Search Intent
Understanding the intent behind the keywords you target simplifies the entire process of SEO. For organic SEO, identifying search intent is very important. Creating content that ranks high requires a clear understanding about what a searcher wants. Once the intent is clear, review the content and look for aspects that can improve the ranking of the content. You can take search intent rather than word count as the primary target when developing content so that you can work out how well you might perform against competitors targeting the same area. If you can answer a user’s query satisfactorily, and even provide additional information to show you are an authority on a particular topic in 300 words where your competitor has 800 words, you can always go for the shorter content.
If you wish to improve your SEO techniques to increase leads and conversions, consider obtaining reliable search engine optimization services from a reputable Long Island SEO company.
Page speed optimization is now important for all users focused on digital marketing and will be a major solution provided by an SEO company. In July 2018, Google announced page speed as a ranking factor in their mobile search results, just like on desktop searches. Earlier in 2010, this search engine giant had considered page speed as a ranking factor only for desktop searches.
The Speed Update, as Google refers to this update, will only affect pages that deliver the slowest experience to users and a small percentage of queries. It is highly recommended that web developers consider how your site will impact user experience and what can be done to attract targeted audience. According to Search Engine Land, once you get above 3 seconds, many visitors leave before the page loads, many more will bounce, and your conversion rate will drop.
An experienced SEO company in Long Island, NY, we strive to maintain our page load time to within 2 seconds, though it varies depending on user’s device capabilities and network conditions. Site Speed Page Timings in Google Analytics helps to evaluate the average page load time, in seconds, for pages across your site and helps to spot any anomalies.
Here’s a real example of one of our client websites-
Major factors that impact your website’s loading time include hosting and technical issues, size of the data or image, as well as network issues.
Key Tools to Check Your Site’s Page Speed
Google recommends using these resources to evaluate a page’s performance.
Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX)
This report is a public dataset of key user experience metrics for popular destinations on the web, as experienced by Chrome users under real-world conditions. Users can access the data in Page Speed Insights by checking at a page level. The resulting data is also made available via Public Google BigQuery project and PageSpeed Insights.
As this data is based on real-world measurement, it reflects how real users experienced the visited origin and, unlike synthetic or local testing where the test is performed under fixed and simulated conditions, captures the full range of external factors that shape and contribute to the final user experience.
Lighthouse
A part of Chrome Developer Tools, Lighthouse is an open-source, automated tool for auditing and improving the quality of web pages. Users can run it against any web page, public or requiring authentication. It provides audits for performance, accessibility, progressive web apps, and more.
When a URL is given to audit, this tool runs a series of audits against the page, and then it generates a report on how well the page did. The failing audits can be considered as indicators on how to improve the page. Each audit has a reference doc explaining why the audit is important, as well as how to fix it.
PageSpeed Insights (PSI)
This is a tool that indicates how well a page performs on the Chrome UX Report and suggests performance optimizations. PageSpeed Insights reports two metrics: First Contentful Paint (FCP) and DOMContentLoaded (DCL). FCP measures when a user sees a visual response from the page and DCL measures when HTML document has been loaded and parsed. Faster times are more likely to keep users engaged.
PSI reports on the real-world performance of a page for mobile and desktop devices and provides suggestions on how that page may be improved. While the Speed score categorizes a page as being Fast, Average, or Slow, the Optimization score categorizes a page as being Good, Medium, or Low by estimating its performance headroom. Google recently updated the PageSpeed tool to use data from the CrUX.
Other tools that can be used include
Pingdom
With Pingdom, users can monitor their website’s uptime, performance, and interactions for a better end-user-experience. The tool helps to get instant insights into your website’s availability and performance so that you can outsmart competition with an amazing end-user experience. It can View file sizes, load times, and other details about every single element of a web page. This tool can also test your site’s availability and can enhance site performance with data from actual site visitors.
Google Mobile Test
A mobile-friendly website can improve your online presence. Google reports that 70% of mobile visits are still on a 3G data connection and are expected to stay there until 2020. This Google Mobile Tool shares a summary of your site page’s performance on 3G and also provides a report. It also provides a comparison with other sites in this specific industry and some suggestions for a fix. Users can also request a report that provides detailed advice on what needs to be fixed to speed things up.
When it comes to maintaining the ideal page speed for your medical website, you can rely on the services provided by a professional healthcare digital marketing agency in your area.
Healthcare SEO, like all other SEO specializations, would have found the month of May strange particularly because Google seemed to have made an about turn by reducing the snippet length back to 160 characters for the desktop and 130 characters for the mobile, based on observations in various SEO circles. In late 2017, Google had raised the visible snippet length to 230 characters. But now it seems to have reduced it again.
Is there a Fixed Character Count for Snippets Now?
Google’s John Mueller says that the length varies since the search results UI is dynamic. So the snippet length that works the best for the page is chosen. So is there any clarity here? Danny Sullivan went on to say there just isn’t any fixed length for snippets anymore. It would vary depending on what Google’s systems deem useful. Snippets are generated dynamically.
Based on RankRanger information, Search Engine Roundtable reported 160 characters for desktop sites and 130 for mobile sites. But Danny Sullivan maintains that webmasters must ensure that snippets are short and relevant. Rather than focusing on a character count, Sullivan urges creating Meta descriptions that are short and concise. But if you want your entire snippet to be displayed on the result pages, it is better to restrict it to 130 characters just to stay on the safe side.
Stay Safe by Adding All Relevant Elements in 110 to 130 Characters
With these varying requirements of snippets, there is one way to stay clear of the confusion. Whatever happens to Google’s snippets policy, ensure that the most descriptive and relevant elements of your description are present in the initial 110 to 130 characters. So even if Google truncates the snippets, you’d have the most relevant elements visible.
Meta descriptions are important in physician website design, since they can bring about improved click-through rate and increase traffic to your website. Not only that, they are a major factor in improving your SERP position.
Other Factors Causing Snippets to Be Cut
While Google cuts off snippets that get too long for the available space, there are also some content management systems that shorten Meta descriptions. Now Google sometimes does not make use of the original Meta description, and rewrites it. In such situations your snippet isn’t cut because of any quality issues in your Meta description. While there isn’t any direct measure to prevent Google from rewriting the Meta description you’ve already written, you can ensure that it is descriptive and relevant enough, without being too long or too short. That strategy usually works since Google realizes that your Meta description accurately describes the page.
Meta Descriptions Are Still Important
Now don’t think that since Google automatically generates a Meta description by itself you don’t need to take the effort to do that. While large websites ranking well don’t use Meta descriptions, with Google generating the snippets, you can’t afford to set aside the SEO benefits of Meta descriptions. We saw earlier that it can improve your click-through-rate significantly. Make sure you have one that is relevant and really builds interest because it is important for your SEO. Whether Google uses your Meta description in your search page snippets or not, the SEO advantages just can’t be overlooked.
To start with, you can evaluate the pages in your site generating the best ROI from organic traffic.
Pick those pages and optimize their Meta descriptions.
Make sure you have enough information in those initial characters to capture the user’s attention. Ensure that you don’t add any information that is not needed for the user to click through.
If you can include the primary keyword naturally, go ahead and add it, but not in an artificial manner.
A call to action must ideally be included to invite the reader to check out your website.
The first 130 characters should convey the most important and compelling part of your message.
Advanced healthcare SEO and medical mobile SEO services can help write the most appropriate Meta description for your desktop and mobile websites. That can go a long way in improving your click-through-rate and building organic traffic.
Running a healthcare website is a dynamic task since new search innovations keep altering the healthcare SEO landscape. Google has been making some changes to serve the mobile searching user base more. The mobile-first index could be here anytime, though its full launch has always been delayed.
Google advised webmasters in late 2017 to check their log files to notice if they found any increased Smartphone Googlebot activity. If so, Google said that it could be an indication of Google’s mobile-first index being tested on their site.
What Is the Mobile-first Index?
Back in November 2016, Search Engine Land’s Barry Schwartz indicated that Google would be rolling out a mobile-first index. As part of this update, Google would be creating and ranking search listings based on the page content’s mobile version. Google won’t be crawling the web from the perspective of a desktop browser, but a mobile browser.
In 2016 Google said that for webmasters having a desktop site but no mobile site, it would be indexing the desktop version. Webmasters having a mobile site must ensure the content on that site is similar to its desktop version. Google would crawl the mobile version, unless you only have a desktop site.
Google therefore recommended a responsive website design which works for desktop systems as well as mobile devices. With a responsive design you have the same page-by-page content as your desktop site on your mobile site.
By mid-December 2017, Google confirmed its launch of the mobile-first index not for all sites, but a few. It also revealed that it is monitoring those sites closely to test the impact of the roll out.
Google’s Tips for Webmasters
Google has also offered some other tips on its Webmaster Central blog to help your site get ready for the fuller rollout of the mobile-first index:
Ensuring that your site’s mobile version contains high quality and relevant content with images having alt-attributes, text, and videos – Google specified that the content should be in indexable and crawlable formats.
The mobile version of your site as well as your desktop version should contain structured data. URLs in the structured data must be updated on your mobile site pages. This is essential for user-friendly search features and indexing.
Both site versions should contain metadata. Metadata provides the vital clues about the page content to index and serve it. The Meta descriptions must be equivalent across your desktop and mobile versions.
There aren’t any changes required to interlink with sites having separate mobile URLs, such as the m-dot sites. Sites having separate mobile URLs can maintain the existing link rel=canonical as well as link rel=alternate elements.
In the case of separate mobile URLs, check the hreflang links. When you’re employing link rel=hreflang elements to internationalize, ensure that you link between your desktop and mobile URLs separately. Your mobile URL’s hreflang must point to the other region or language versions on the other mobile URLs. Likewise, use hreflang link elements for linking your desktop URL with the other desktop URLs.
The servers that host the site must have sufficient capacity for handling the improved crawl rate by Google’s servers. This is an issue only in the case of sites having their mobile version on a distinct host. Sites with dynamic serving and responsive web design wouldn’t find this a problem.
Your medical website needs to be visible, and for that it must have a great mobile site rich in useful content with a user-friendly layout. Professional mobile SEO services can help ensure your website performs well in the rankings and gets to the people you are targeting while serving their health information needs.
Mobile SEO services are really important for healthcare practices these days, since a good deal of search is carried out on mobile phones. Social networks such as Facebook are capitalizing on this trend.
Facebook Local Is Here
Your specialty healthcare center needs to figure in local search results. But it’s also important to have an active Facebook business page with good user ratings and reviews particularly since the social media giant has now launched Local, an app that helps users search for places or events in their vicinity. So not only is appearing in Google’s local search results important, but figuring in Facebook Local’s suggestions as well since it looks set to become a really popular tool for people looking for something in their town or city.
Facebook Learns Lessons from Failed Events App to Launch Local
Facebook’s Events app was not as successful as Google Calendar. But that hasn’t discouraged the social networking giant. It is kind of re-launching Events, but is now aiming it at Foursquare, Yelp and other such local search platforms, and it’s called Facebook Local. This is an improved version of the Events app and aims at enabling people to find stuff to do or places to visit nearby.
Facebook really wants to be an influencing factor in local search. To provide these results, Facebook will be drawing on its 70 million business pages along with reviews of these businesses and check-ins of the user’s friends.
As of now, ads are not featured. So you can’t expect to stand out with some marketing, but Local’s product manager Aditya Koolwal indicates that advertising could be incorporated in the future.
This App Can Really Get Popular
Facebook Local is available for Android and iOS. With this, people can look for places such as restaurants, clubs, picnic spots, tourist destinations, cinemas, and hospitals or clinics. They can also search for events such as concerts, exhibitions, etc. Users must log in to their Facebook accounts to use the app. That gives the app further information about the places or events the user’s friends have liked on Facebook.
Users Set a Destination and the App Shows Them What They Want
Users can search for events and locations by category or by name. They can also browse the listings on Facebook. For the users the app organizes locations and events into various categories such as music, games, fitness, food, drinks, and health. These results can be sorted in terms of popularity, relevance, rating and distance from the user’s location.
When users select a location, they also get its address, working hours, Facebook rating, popular keywords used by people on Facebook when describing the location, and also pictures of the location posted on Facebook. Other information available includes directions to the location with the help of a maps app, and links to call the place. Users will also be led to check out the location’s Facebook page or its website.
As users download the app, they have to log in to their Facebook accounts. That’s how Facebook Local can reveal what their friends have liked and who among them has liked a particular location. They can allow Facebook to track their locations, or decline the request. They can also set a location, such as a town or city as their preferred destination for recommendations. The place need not necessarily be the location where they are residing.
Easy Categorization of Events and Destinations
The home tab of the app has a search bar at the top with links for browsing locations on the basis of category.
Below that home tab you have lists of upcoming events happening nearby in three sections:
The “For You” list mentions trending events near the user’s location and events RSVP-ed to by the user’s friends through Facebook.
The “Events” list mentions events nearby in chronological order.
The “Guides” section classifies the events by interest such as games and music, arts and culture or causes and fundraisers. Causes and fundraisers are something your clinic or hospital can conduct to attract the socially conscious.
Even if users don’t allow Facebook Local to track their location, they need to set some location to use the app for searching or browsing. This enables Facebook to gauge the interests of people in that location. If users set some location, it is an indication that they are interested in the destination.
Identifying People’s Interests in a Destination
For your healthcare center to make the most of Facebook Local’s potential, it would be great to organize interesting events that raise health awareness and are related to the treatment options you provide. Since users on social network apps usually search for restaurants, malls, theaters, nightlife destinations, and events normally connected to these, your events must revolve around what people tend to like in your destination, such as awareness programs relating to health hazards of binging, impact of regular partying on the body, things that could go wrong in a club, alcohol and drug rehab programs, etc.
The experts at an experienced healthcare digital marketing agency offering mobile SEO services can strategize the right plan to make use of emerging mobile search services.
Summer Shootout Barrel Racing beckons all horse lovers to the Oklahoma City State Fair Park from the 19th to the 21st of August, 2011. The event will be held from 8 AM to 8 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the State Fair Arena and SuperBarn. It is sure to be a weekend of fun, and Oklahoma City is full of natural and urban attractions not least of which is the Bricktown entertainment district. Hotels at Bricktown offer you affordable hospitality, beckoning one and all.
Cost-effective but Unforgettable Hospitality
With the cost-effective packages offered by hotels in Bricktown, you can expect comprehensive features to make each day a memorable one, right from the creature comforts at the rooms to the 24-hour shuttle services that chauffeur you to your destination and also take you through the many must-visit attractions of the city. Here’s what you can expect:
Exquisitely comfortable mattresses
Free high speed wireless Internet
Complimentary breakfast
Stainless steel fridges & microwaves
Personal voicemail
Complimentary shuttle service
Business center
Iron & ironing boards
Coffee makers
Digital cable TV
Hair-dryers
Working desks with plug-ins
Extra pillows for comfort
Sensory & spa products
The rooms are exquisitely designed and the complimentary breakfast is sumptuous. Guess there’s nothing more you could ask for to have an unbelievably marvelous time at Oklahoma City.
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Loads of Fun at the OKC State Fair Park
The OKC State Fair is a hugely popular annual competition and entertainment extravaganza held at Oklahoma City every year at the State Fair Park. The 2011 OKC State Fair features live music, family-friendly and kids’ events, competitive events and lots more from the 15th to the 25th of September, 2011.
Non-stop Entertainment at the OKC State Fair
The Chesapeake Energy Stage features great entertainment with live bands, while Disney On Ice has entertainment for kids including the staging of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 from the 15th to the 20th. You can experience the vibrancy of color during the 60th Annual Oklahoma State Fair Band Day as mid-high, junior and high school bands from around the state compete on September 19, 2011. Competitive events are conducted in the categories of Livestock/ FFA/ 4-H, Horse, Creative Arts, Wine Contest and Band Day Competition. There are plenty of other events taking place as well including a beauty contest, so please visit okstatefair.com for tickets (not all events require tickets) and more information.
Southern Hospitality Affordably
The hotels at Bricktown provide you with excellent hospitality to make any visit worth remembering and coming back to. Family-friendly Southern hospitality blends with world class service to offer guests a very memorable experience in an affordable manner. Enjoy features such as:
Exquisitely comfortable mattresses
Free high speed wireless Internet
Complimentary breakfast
Stainless steel fridges & microwaves
Personal voicemail
Complimentary shuttle service
Business center
Iron & ironing boards
Coffee makers
Digital cable TV
Hair-dryers
Working desks with plug-ins
Extra pillows for comfort
Sensory & spa products
With unforgettable hospitality and tons and fun, there’s nothing keeping you from checking out OKC.
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Oklahoma State Fair Is Waiting for You
From September 15 to 25, 2011 Oklahoma City will erupt with excitement and fun thanks to the Oklahoma State Fair. It is an annual event containing competitive and entertaining events at the OKC State Fair Park.
Great excitement in Store at Oklahoma State Fair
This year’s edition is no different, with competitive events in the Horse, Livestock/FFA/4-H, Wine Contest, Band Day Competition and Creative Arts classifications raising the competition fever. There are entertainment shows such as live music at the Chesapeake Energy Stage and the staging of the Disney Pixar Toy Story 3 from the 15th through the 20th of September. On the 19th, the 60th Annual Oklahoma State Fair Band Day will entertain with high school, mid-high and junior high school bands adding a splash of color. Many events are free while some have tickets. Visit okstatefair.com for more details.
More Than the State Fair to Entertain you – the Hospitality
It isn’t only the State Fair that will entertain you, but a host of other vibrant attractions Oklahoma City and its Bricktown entertainment district are known for. But you need affordable but fine hospitality to make your experience memorable. Hotels at Bricktown are known for their affordable but fine Southern hospitality. The experience is completed by comprehensive features such as:
Exquisitely comfortable mattresses
Free high speed wireless Internet
Complimentary breakfast
Stainless steel fridges & microwaves
Personal voicemail
Complimentary shuttle service
Business center
Iron & ironing boards
Coffee makers
Digital cable TV
Hair-dryers
Working desks with plug-ins
Extra pillows for comfort
Sensory & spa products
Oklahoma City beckons you to fun and more. And with great hospitality, you don’t need to think twice.
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Five New Strategies for Revenue Cycle Management
In the evolving healthcare landscape, hospitals and medical practices need new revenue cycle management (RCM) strategies. Choosing an experienced, technologically savvy medical billing service provider will ensure valuable support to optimize reimbursement. However, as the business of healthcare has become very complex, medical billing is no longer a simple administrative function. In a recent Beckers Hospital Review report, industry experts recommend specific new strategies to ensure that hospitals’ RCM efforts are focused and financially stable.
Tracking claim denial rate: Following up on claims and denials is a critical aspect to enhance revenue generation. The claims tracking process involves reviewing accounts receivable (AR) and measuring the average number of days it takes to collect the payments due to the healthcare provider, and identifying patterns in payment by insurance companies. Automating key revenue cycle workflows, finding more efficient ways to submit clean claims, and improving collection efforts,and focusing on the appeals process can reduce days in AR and boost cash flow. In fact, AR management is an important element of the RCM solutions provided by medical billing companies.
Review of chargemaster: Experts recommend that hospitals conduct a comprehensive review of their chargemaster and ensure price transparency for patients. This is an important requirement to prepare for the CMS’ price transparency rule coming into force Jan. 1, 2019. Under CMS’ annual Inpatient Prospective Payment System rule, hospitals need to publish a list of their standard charges online in order to help patients understand the cost of care and prepare for any out-of-pocket costs. CMS also requires providers to update that information every year. A recent report from the National Association of Healthcare Revenue Integrity, an expert recommends that hospitals take the following steps to prepare to post their chargesmaters online:
Review existing state hospital pricing and price transparency requirements
Review the chargemaster for consistent pricing
Inform all stakeholders about the new requirements, including IT personnel responsible for the online posting of the chargemaster
Fix a date for post the chargemaster
Create customer service scripts to deal with patients’ questions about the chargemaster and pricing
Price transparency is critical to boost patient satisfaction and collection of patient financial responsibility.
Reduce operating room delays and last-minute cancellations:Operating rooms are a very costly area of hospital operations.Depending upon the complexity of the procedure, last-minute cancellations or delays can prove very costly for hospitals. When planned surgical procedures are cancelled, it leads to considerable loss of revenue and waste of resources,and also results in significant psychological, social and financial consequences for patients and their families.Experts say that, to improve financial performance, hospitals should review their OR operations for avoidable costs and focus on minimizing cancellations and delays in procedures.
Strategies to improve OR operations include focusing on same-day cancellations, on-time procedure starts, equipment availability and parallel processing to increase efficiency.
Blocking OR time by the day rather than stints of hourly blocks
Adjusting block times based on the balance between under- and overutilization of the OR
Avoiding potential delays and gaps for missing equipment by assessing the risk of potential problems in advance
Avoiding tardiness in the OR by starting cases on time
Turnover time reductions:
However, as ORs differ considerably based on patient population, type of hospital and type of surgery and anesthesia, it is difficult to set universal benchmarks for all Ors.
Using online estimator tools to help patients understand their potential out-of-pocket costs: In an era of regulation, high-deductible plans and increased patient responsibility for bills, using a customer-friendly online estimator can ensure that patients get the information they want. Experian’s price-estimator tool, for instance, calculates patients’ out-of-pocket cost based on the hospital’s chargemaster price, its claims history for providing that service, its contract terms with the patient’s insurer, and the patient’s benefit structure and deductible status. It also estimates out-of-pocket costs for self-pay patient. Using a price estimator tool can boost patient satisfaction and attract more patients. Experts advise that when using the tool, hospitals should also post a disclaimer with standard charges, so patients know that the price list they are viewing may not indicate their actual out-of-pocket costs.
Include both clinical interactions and nonclinical interactions when considering net promoter scores: Net promoter scores reflect how likely patients are likely to recommend the organization to another person. Patient care involves both clinical and nonclinical support services. Even the best clinical services cannot be truly optimal without dedicated nonclinical and clinical-support staff.Experts recommend that hospitals include both clinical interactions and nonclinical interactions when considering net promoter scores. Healthcare providers need to use the same approach as retail businesses and tap into what the patient not only wants but also expects by examining how every nonclinical touchpoint is interacting with the patient. Net promotion scores will provide hospitals with a more accurate picture of patient satisfaction.
Medical billing is the core of healthcare RCM. The medical billing process is complex and difficult to manage, but with the right processes, proactive strategies, and the support of an experienced medical billing and coding company, providers canoptimize RCM and reduce days in accounts receivable.
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Thermo Scientific Indiko™ Plus Clinical and Specialty Chemistry System
A leading supplier of high-quality lab equipment, Block Scientific offers the Indiko™ Plus Clinical and Specialty Chemistry System from Thermo Scientific. This fully-automated random access benchtop system offers optimal operational excellence for clinical and specialty chemistry testing. A reliable, fully supported solution integrating analyzer, reagents and consumables, this system offers laboratories ease of use and time-saving automation to supports routine daily work. It is an ideal option for small and medium sized laboratories.
In addition to offering true operational reliability and walk-away convenience, this analyzer is self-contained with no need for external water or drainage connections, which makes it quick and easy to install.
Indiko™ Plus Analyzer – Reliable and User-friendly
The Indiko Plus is a flexible system with uncompromised level of performance. Three different sample racks are available for user convenience:
Two 9-position racks can be adjusted for different aspiration heights and used for 0.5 and 2.0 ml cups and 5, 7 or 10 ml tubes
The 18-position for non-barcoded 7 ml tubes can be used either for 0.5 and 2.0 ml cups or for non-barcoded 7 ml tubes
The system’s reagent disk can accommodate 42 reagents. Its unique, low-volume cuvette design guarantees small reagent volumes, minimal amount of reagent waste, and thus secure low reagent cost. As it enables users to work with disposable cuvettes, this analyzer helps lower the risk of contamination and shortens the time of analysis. The simple and clear user interface eases patient sample handling and also allows control of the reagent levels in real-time during work.
Key Features
Minimal maintenance, maximized analyzer uptime
Optimized, liquid system reagents
Automated clot detection
Built-in real-time QC program
Automated real-time monitoring of the reagent usage and expiry date
Ready-to-use, maintenance-free electrodes
Bi-directional LIS connection
Specifications
Operating Principle: Fully automated, sample oriented, random access analyzer
Capacity: photometric tests/hr: up to 350; ISE tests/hr: up to 135
On-board capacity: up to 108 sample positions and 42 reagent positions
Sample volume: 2 to 120μL
Reagent volume: 2 to 240μL (1 to 4 reagent additions/test)
Reaction volume: 120 to 300μL
Incubator: 9 x 10-position single-use cuvettes, totally 90 cuvette positions
Photometer: 12 filter positions
Absorbance range: 0 to 3.5A
Water consumption: 2.5L/hr.
Workstation: separate PC
Bi-directional LIS-connection
Power consumption: 300w
Dimensions (L x W x H): 27.6 x 37 x 24.4in. (70 x 94 x 62cm)
Weight: 242 lb. (110kg)
Block Scientific offers the Thermo Scientific Indiko Plus, NEW, including Installation, Training, Validation, 1 year warranty, and Shipping.
Contact Us
To place an order for the Thermo Scientific Indiko™ Plus Clinical and Specialty Chemistry System or to check out other chemistry analyzers we offer, visit our online store – http://www.blockscientificstore.com. To contact us, call 631-589-1118 or send an email to info@blockscientific.com.
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Food Service Products
Aluminum Foil Sandwich Wrap – Silver
The Silver Aluminum Foil Sandwich Wrap is made of exclusive foil/paper lamination to retain heat, absorb steam and resist curl. Its honeycomb design creates air pockets for superior heat retention. The moisture-absorbing paper layer helps to keep food fresh.
Product Features
Dimensions – 14 X 16
Excellent deadfold capability
Case: 1000
Case Weight – 16#
Blue Foil Sheets – 10.5 in. x 13 inch
The Blue Foil Sheets are foil insulated wraps that come with a honeycomb design for superior heat retention, moisture/grease resistance and holding times. Their superior dead-fold design helps to hold the shape of the wrapped food items. A moisture-absorbing paper layer helps to maintain the freshness of crispy breads and buns longer.
Product Features
Dimensions 10.5 in. x 13 inch
Case Pack – 4@500
Surpasses rigid clamshells in raw-material waste reduction and heat retention
D Vour Absorbent Powder
The D Vour Absorbent Powder absorbs and coagulates spilled liquids and bodily fluids, as well as eliminates all the repellent odors. D Vour deodorant powder, made of special polymer, ensures effective results in short time. When sprinkled lightly on liquid, the powder converts it into an odorless, semi-solid mass within seconds, enabling easy and fast clean-up. D Vour is the perfect choice for removing spills and unpleasant odors in restaurants, schools, healthcare facilities and grocery stores. Its quick absorbent formula sets spills of all free-flowing liquids, except oils and strong oxidizing materials such as acids.
Product Features
Volume: 16 oz.
Lemon fragrance
Absorbs spills 100 times its weight
Sets liquids and remove repulsive odors within seconds
Weight: 7
Pack: 6 cans per case
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Round Eye Supply
Conex Rolled Rim Graduated Medicine 1.25 oz. Clear Cup
Made of durable, crack-resistant polypropylene, Conex Rolled Rim Graduated Medicine cups are ideal for many diverse applications. These 1.25 oz. clear cups are suitable for dry and liquid medications, household, dining, and carryout applications. For dining, these Conex clear polypropylene cups can serve anything from small side dishes to salad dressing and whipped butter. For carryout, when coupled with a secure fitting clear lid, they safely transport side sauces such as ranch dressing, marinara, salsa, and more.
Features
Covers all market needs
Durable polypropylene construction
Polypropylene increases product visibility
Secure lid fit
Rolled rim
Lids Sold Separately
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Fresh, Fun Contemporary Area Rugs
Decorating with fresh, fun contemporary area rugs is a stylish and fantastic way to add a bright splash of color to the décor of any room. These area rugs can be the focal point of the room, giving the entire room an inviting, modern look.
Area Rugs in Contemporary Style to Fit Any Room Décor
From the vast selections of area rugs available in the market, you can select those that are perfect for your purpose. Nowadays, contemporary area rugs can easily and harmoniously fit into any room of your home, including doorways, bedrooms, family rooms, kid’s rooms and kitchens. Machine-made or hand-knotted museum pieces, big or small rugs, square or round rugs, discrete or fun rugs, you can find these in a variety of different styles and patterns for every walk of life – from the leading name brands you know and love. To brighten your kid’s room, you can find rugs detailed with bright, fun designs in attractive colors.
Fine Choice of Materials and Colors
A variety of rugs ranging from those made from traditional materials to multi-functional area rugs can be found in a variety of striking colors and at all price points. Wool, cotton, polypropylene, faux silk, and olefin are just a few of the materials that work well with striking and trendy contemporary touches. One can also avail of these in sizes such as 6’x 9′, 4’x 6′, 8’x 10′, 9’x12′, and 10’x14′. While making a choice, you have to take into account factors such as the size of the room, the feel you want to create, and more.
Purchasing online is considered the most cost-effective way to find high quality and durable contemporary area rugs. You will find hundreds of online vendors offering the finest quality area rugs in contemporary designs. Whether you need looped, shag, woven, or outdoor rugs – all can be purchased online in just a few minutes.
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Floral Area Rugs - Add a Warm Welcome
Use floral area rugs to add a warm welcome to your home or office space. It is a good choice for those who want to beautify their homes in a creative and cost-effective manner. By decorating with floral area rugs, you can bring the beauty of nature into your home.
Wide Selections, Great Choices
Apart from protecting high-traffic areas like hallways or sitting areas, these are sure to bring a touch of elegance to your interiors in entryways, guest room, dining room, bed room, kitchen, or any other place where you would like to add brightness and charm. In today’s market, floral area rugs in all modes, from traditional to modern in a variety of sizes ranging from small sized 4’x 6′ to large to 10’x 14′ and every size in-between. These also come in a variety of styles, designs, shapes, and vivid colors to liven up a household.
Online floor covering stores offer a wide variety of new and striking floral rugs in fresh patterns and designs, including begonia, cala lily, orchid, sunflower, tulip, and more. Machine-made rugs, hand-knotted museum pieces, big or small rugs, and square or round floral rugs from leading brand names are available in the stores. Area rugs in floral designs made from polypropylene, silk, or wool can be purchased.
Floral Rug Options
As it can list the prices, styles, and sizes of branded collections, online shopping is considered the best and cost-effective way to shop for these products. Most of the online vendors who are engaged in providing exceptionally beautiful rugs, offer a fine line of floral area rugs that are chosen to complement any decor.
Always take your time when making a choice. A good dealer can provide customers with a great selection of floral rugs, superior product knowledge, excellent service and expert installation – all at reasonable rates.
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Medical Coding for Skin Biopsies - Use the Correct CPT Codes
Biopsies are used to obtain a sample of your tissue or cells for diagnostic histopathologic examination performed independently or unrelated/distinct from other procedures/services. The removal of tissue or cells for analysis is called a biopsy. A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a physician cuts and removes small samples of skin or cells from the surface of your body to get it tested. The sample obtained from a skin biopsy is further examined to diagnose certain skin conditions such as skin tumors, infections and other types of growth or skin conditions. A biopsy of a lesion of the skin can help physicians report the difference between a skin cancer and a benign or noncancerous lesion. The skin sample obtained during a biopsy is further sent for laboratory analysis under a microscope.Dermatology medical coding involves several difficult aspects for coders to memorize unique termsrelated to sizing wounds and lesions. As skin procedure codes take into account the type of removal, the size and location of the lesion (such as length, depth, width, and circumference), the provider’s intent and pathologic results, documenting the service and selecting the right medical codes can be confusing. Outsourcing the task to a reliable and experienced medical billing and coding company is a feasible strategy that helps physicians simplify their documentation process. Coders must be familiar with terminology related to benign and malignant masses along with actions such as shaving, destruction, and performing biopsies.
Why Is a Skin Lesion Biopsy Done?
Generally, a skin biopsy is performed to determine the cause of a growth, sore or rash and could include –
Skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma
Rashes or blistering skin conditions
Pre-cancerous cells
Non-cancerous growths
Chronic bacterial or fungal skin infection
Changing moles
Actinic keratosis
Warts
The potential risk factors associated with this procedure include – excessive bleeding from the biopsy site, pain, skin infections, local reaction to the anesthetic, scarring and other healing problems.
Types of Skin Biopsies
There are four main types of skin biopsies which include –
Shave biopsy – Physicians will remove only a small section of the top layers of skin (epidermis and a portion of the dermis) using a special razor blade or scalpel.
Punch biopsy – Physicians use a circular tool to remove a small section of skin including deeper layers (epidermis, dermis and superficial fat).
Excisional biopsy – This type is used to remove the entire lesion/abnormal skin, including a portion of normal skin down to or through the fatty layer of skin.
Incisional biopsy – This is used to remove a small part of a larger lesion.
After the biopsy, the wound will be covered with gauze and other bandaging. Patients will be able to go home once the sample has been taken.
Undergoing Skin Biopsy – Preparations Required
Generally performed in the doctor’s office, patients undergoing skin biopsy will be asked to change into a hospital gown so that the area of suspect skin can be more easily seen and removed. Before undergoing the procedure, patients must disclose information about – current medicines consumed (including over-the-counter drugs, street drugs, or herbal or nutritional supplements), any allergies/reactions to medications (especially to local anesthetics, such as lidocaine or novocaine, or to iodine cleaning solutions, such as Betadine), pregnancy and bleeding problems if any.
The physician will first cleanse the biopsy site (with a sterile soap solution) and then numb the skin by using a local anesthetic (pain-relieving) injection, usually lidocaine. Patients will experience a brief prick and stinging sensation as and when the medicine is injected. After the skin is numb, the physicianwill perform the biopsy and the tissue will be removed. The removed portion of tissue will be sent to the laboratory for analysis by a pathologist. After the procedure, the wound will be covered with gauze and other bandaging. A skin biopsy typically takes about 15-20 minutes, including the preparation time, dressing the wound and instructions for at-home care.
CPT Codes for Skin Biopsies
Dermatology medical codinginvolves the use of specific CPT codes to document different types of skin biopsies. The CPT codes for skin biopsies include –
For the first biopsy, submit code 11100 – Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane [including simple closure], unless otherwise listed; single lesion). For each separate biopsy after the first one, use the add-on code 11101 – Biopsy of skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or mucous membrane [including simple closure], unless otherwise listed separate procedure; each separate/additional lesion [List separately in addition to the code for primary procedure].
For instance, if three lesions are biopsied, codes 11100, 11101 and 11101 should be submitted. If skin biopsy is performed more than the maximum number of times, it is important to submit supporting documentation to avoid denials. If the removal is simply for diagnosis, the procedure is coded as a biopsy. If the entire lesion is removed, the excision codes should be used.
The new CPT codes that range from 11102 – 11107 are reported on the basis of method of removal, which offers greater specificity. The new CPT codes are as follows –
11102 – Tangential biopsy of skin (e.g., shave, scoop, saucerize, curette) single lesion
+11103 – Each separate/additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
11104 – Punch biopsy of skin (including simple closure, when performed) single lesion
+11105 – Each separate/additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure
11106 – Incisional biopsy of skin (including simple closure, when performed) single lesion
+11107 – Each separate/additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure
Prior to the above new CPT codes, biopsies were reported with CPT code 11100 for the first lesion and 11101 for each additional lesion biopsied regardless of method of removal. However, the new biopsy codes are reported based on method of removal including –
Tangential biopsy (Codes – 11102 and 11103)
Tangential biopsy includes removal via shave, scoop, saucerization or curette. The procedure is performed with a sharp blade like a flexible biopsy blade, obliquely oriented scalpel or curette. A sample of epidermal tissues is removed with or without portions of the underlying dermis. This type of biopsy does not involve the full thickness of the dermis. When the full thickness of the dermis is involved, the procedure is reported using the codes – 11300-11313 (removal of epidermal or dermal lesions).
Punch biopsy (Codes -11104 and 11105)
Performed using a punch tool, the purpose of this biopsy is to remove a sample of a cutaneous lesion for a diagnostic pathologic examination. Simple closure is included and cannot be billed separately.
Incisional biopsy (Codes -11106 and 11107)
An incisional biopsy requires a sharp blade (not a punch tool) to remove a full-thickness sample of tissue via a vertical incision or wedge, penetrating deep into the dermis, into the subcutaneous space. An incisional biopsy may sample subcutaneous fat. When the entire lesion is excised, it is important report the excision codes – 11400-11646 (depending on type of lesion – benign or malignant).
Multiple Biopsies
If more than one biopsy is performed on the same date, report only one primary biopsy code. When more than one biopsy is performed using the same technique, the appropriate primary biopsy code is reported for the first biopsy and the add-on code is reported for each additional lesion.
Recovery after the Procedure
Once the skin biopsy is complete, patients may experience some soreness around the biopsied site for a few days. Physicians will either put a bandage or stitches (in some cases) over the biopsy site. In most cases, physicians may instruct patients to keep the bandage over the biopsy site until the next day. They may be advised to change the bandage daily, wash the wound and apply antibacterial ointment. Tylenol is usually sufficient to relieve discomfort. However, patients who have stitches around the biopsy site need to keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Healing of the wound can take several weeks, but is usually complete within two months. Wounds on the legs and feet tend to heal slower than those on other areas of the body.
Medical billing and coding can be complex and requires knowledge regarding appropriate coding, modifiers and payer-specific medical billing for correct and on-time reimbursement. With all the complexities, the support of an experienced medical coding serviceprovider could be useful to report skin biopsy procedures correctly for optimal reimbursement. Professional coders in reliable medical billing and coding companies can ensure accurate reporting of diagnostic and procedure details.
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Common Knee Injuries and Treatment Options
The knee is a fragile and sensitive joint which plays a vital role in the body’s stability and motion. The knee is made up of many structures and these can be severely injured by a traumatic event or disease. Injuries generally occur due to twisting or bending force applied to the knee or a direct blow suffered while playing sports, or by a sudden fall or accident. In addition to sudden injury, repetitive overuse and underlying medical conditions like osteoporosis can cause knee pain. There are different types of knee injuries all of which involve various symptoms including pain, swelling, and stiffness. Injury to the knee can cause instability and become debilitating if not treated quickly. Fortunately, effective nonsurgical knee injury treatment is available in established pain management and rehabilitation centers in Brooklyn, NYC.
Common Injuries of the Knee — Symptoms and Causes
Injuries to the knee are mainly defined by the affected anatomy of the knee and the mechanism that caused the injury. Let’s take a look at some common knee injuries –
Sprains – A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that hold the knee together. Sprains are graded by the amount of stretching or tearing of the ligament fibers and how much instability it causes. Ligament tears include – injuries to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). ACL injuries occur as a result of a twisting or pivoting movement. PCL injuries are the result of a powerful force such as a football player falling on a knee that is bent. The LCL runs along the outside of the knee joint and stabilizes the knee so that the bones do not slide from side to side. A common injury among athletes, MCL sprain occurs due to a blow to the outside of the knee, which forces the knee inward.
Strains – Strains occur when the tendons or muscles surrounding the knee are stretched, usually due to hyperflexion or hyperextension of the knee. Strains can cause pain outside the joint as well as dysfunction of the normal range of motion of the knee.
Tendinitis – Tendinitis refers to inflammation or irritation of a tendon (the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone) that connects the kneecap to the shinbone. Also known as jumper’s knee, tendonitis is common among athletes who frequently jump. However, any physically active person can be at risk of developing this condition.
Bursitis – This is a painful condition that affects the bursae – small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae swells and become inflamed with overuse or repeated pressure from kneeling. Most cases of bursitis respond well to self-care measures. However, in some instances, antibiotics or aspiration (a procedure that uses a needle to withdraw excess fluid) may be required.
Runner’s knee – Patellofemoral pain syndrome or runner’s knee is one of the most common causes of knee pain in young athletes. It is caused by overuse of the patellofemoral joint (the joint between the kneecap (patella) and thighbone) — causing pain in the front of the knee.
Meniscal tears – One of the most frequently occurring cartilage injuries of the knee, meniscal tears generally occur when the knee twists or pivots. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, locking, and decreased range of motion. This type of knee injury is common in contact sports like football as well as noncontact sports requiring jumping and cutting such as volleyball and soccer.
Fractures and dislocations – Knee fractures are usually the result of trauma such as falling directly on the knee, repetitive stress injuries, osteoporosis and tumors. Dislocation is the displacement of a joint from its normal position, which is usually caused by a blow, fall or other trauma. Symptoms include loss of motion, swelling and pain and sometimes, a visibly out of place joint.
Cartilage injuries – Cartilage, the tough, flexible tissue which covers the surface of joints, can get damaged as a result of a sudden injury, such as a sports injury, or gradual wear and tear (osteoarthritis). Symptoms include – knee joint pain, swelling, stiffness and clicking or grinding sensation.
Chondromalacia patellae – This condition occurs when the cartilage on the undersurface of the patella (kneecap) deteriorates and softens. It is the result of repetitive wear and tear of the kneecap that can occur due to acute injury to the patella or due to aging. A work or sports activity that puts great stress on the knee increases the risk of developing chondromalacia patella.
Knee Injury Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Diagnosis will typically begin with a detailed physical examination of the joint, wherein the physician will examine the bones and check whether any of the joints are out of place. Diagnostic imaging tests such as x-ray and MRI scan may be conducted to examine the condition of the bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments and tendons and the extent of injury. Once the diagnosis is established, a team of pain management professionals will collaborate to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Knee injuries that are not severe can be effectively treated without surgery. The first course of action is rest, application of ice packs and a compression bandage. Most minor injuries improve with rest (after two to three weeks). However, if the pain persists beyond three weeks despite these measures, medical treatment will be necessary.
Multispecialty pain management centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective nonsurgical treatment modalities to address chronic pain symptoms. Nonsurgical modalities used in knee injury treatment include – physical therapy, injections, anti-inflammation medications, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), and Game Ready Cold Therapy.
Exercises to Strengthen the Knee Joint
Physical therapy for knee injury will include exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility. Strengthening exercises help build up the muscles around the joints. Strengthening the muscles around the knee such as the quadriceps and hamstrings will reduce stress on the joint and help it absorb shock. Gentle stretching or flexibility exercises stretch the muscles in order to restore range of motion, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent injury. In addition, patients will be educated on how to manage injury when it occurs and how to prevent re-injury. This will help prevent potential damage and disability in the long-term.
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