United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

HI Carolyn

I'm hoping you or someone else reading this post can advise me on how to get a note of medical necessity for water therapy. And is the benefit of this note for tax purposes??? I already have a pool and my problem with my right arm have only recently become quite serious. Yesterday I began wearing the Duragesic patch as well as taking Vicodin every four hours and my internist has now recommended I see an orthorpedic surgeon. However, I'm having no luck finding one here in Tucson that really has dealt with BPI and had hoped that when I told my internist that he and Dr. Nath had done their residency at the same time at Northwestern, it didn't seem to generate any more interest in my problem.

Thank you for any advice you might have.
Sharon

Nancy?? Kathleen?? I only have medicare who won't yet acknowlege OBPI as needing PT...I am paying for use of a pool at a woman's health club.

I believe we adults should document and share our medical issues and start getting some statistics.

Sharon, please share about your BPI;Right or leftsided? What has your internist done for you other than prescibbed vicodin? Since I found UBPN,I am only going to have specialists in BPI do assessments and prescibe...the RESOURCES tab on UBPN home page is full of information. If I have to I'll go to Texas to see Dr Nath even at age 66.
Carolyn

It sounds to me from everyone's info that the "heated" aqua therapay verses an outdoor pool is the best. Is that what I understand? I'm interested in that and getting a rx from the dr. etc. Thanks.

The "heated" pool is what my daughter's doctors recommended. The warm water tends to relax the muscles, therefore allowing for greater flexibility. My daughter enjoys it.

My son is 16 months so we got him a little pool. Try not to put cold or cool water in it. I make it warm like a bath so he stays in longer. I also sometimes put bubbles or colored tablets in there. It has worked doing this water therapy in the pool. HIs arm has loosened. Insurance should cover any therapy stuff like your pool. GEt a note from the doctor or therapist or apply for a waiver. Ann