Author: Aptiva Health Editorial Team
Articles
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Spine Care: Understanding Neck and Back Pain
What is spine care? Spine care focuses on the column of bones (vertebrae), discs (the cushions between them), nerves, and muscles that run from your neck to your lower back. Aptiva’s Spine Department brings together spine surgeons, pain specialists, and rehabilitation providers who emphasize conservative treatment first. Common conditions Herniated disc — when a spinal…
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Sports Medicine: Getting Back to Activity
What is sports medicine? Sports medicine focuses on injuries related to movement and exercise, and on helping you return to activity safely. You do not have to be a competitive athlete — this care is for anyone who is active, including “weekend warriors.” Common conditions Sprains (stretched or torn ligaments) and strains (stretched or torn…
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Physical Therapy: Movement as Medicine
What is physical therapy? Physical therapy is treatment that helps your body move and function better. A licensed physical therapist (PT) designs a plan of exercises and hands-on care for your specific problem. PT is often one of the first steps in treating pain and injuries because it can help you avoid more invasive care.…
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Interventional Pain Management: Targeting the Source of Pain
What is interventional pain management? “Interventional” means using procedures rather than medication alone. This specialty uses minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to locate and treat the source of pain — not just mask it. The goal is to lower pain enough to move, work, and take part in physical therapy. Common conditions Long-lasting neck and back…
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Concussion Care: What to Do After a Head Injury
What is a concussion? A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by the brain moving inside the skull. It changes the way the brain works for a time, but usually does not show up on standard scans. You do not have to be hit on the head or lose consciousness to have…
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Mental Wellness: Caring for Mind and Body Together
What is mental wellness care? Mental wellness care includes talk therapy (psychotherapy), psychiatric care (which can include medication), and psychological and neuropsychological assessments. Aptiva’s approach is whole-person, considering medical, psychological, and environmental factors — including how a physical injury can affect mood, and how mental health can affect recovery. What it can help with Anxiety…
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Medical Imaging: Understanding X-rays, MRI, and Ultrasound
What is medical imaging? Medical imaging uses different technologies to create pictures of the inside of your body. These pictures help a provider confirm a diagnosis and plan treatment. Common types include: X-ray — a quick test that shows bones well; good for spotting fractures MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) — uses a strong magnet and…
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How health insurance actually works
Health insurance is a deal between you and an insurance company. You pay them on a regular schedule, and in return they agree to help pay for covered medical care. The catch is that “help pay” almost never means “pay everything.” Understanding who pays what, and when is the whole game.
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Plan types explained: HMO vs PPO vs EPO vs HDHP
When you shop for coverage, plans come in a few standard “shapes.” The letters describe how the plan handles networks, referrals, and out-of-network care. Here’s each one in plain English.
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HSAs and FSAs in plain English
Both an HSA and an FSA let you set aside money before taxes to pay for medical costs — which means you keep more of your own money. They sound similar but work very differently.