Prescription for Life
Dr. Trasey Falcone is a 2001 graduate of Logan County High School. She is a graduate of Brescia University and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Fla. She is the daughter of Donald and Teresa Holloway of Deer Lick. She and her husband John have two young children. The following article appeared in Vim & Vigor, the quarterly magazine of Owensboro Health. She says, “I'm really excited about the hospital and community interest in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Hopefully I will have some novel skills to add to an already flourishing healthcare system!”
Physical medicine specialists like Trasey Falcone, DO, are helping patients rediscover the spring in their step.
It could be a nagging injury—a bum ankle, a creaking back, a throbbing shoulder—that turns the activities you once loved into painful hurdles to overcome.
Or it could be a serious condition, such as a brain injury or a stroke, that makes tasks which were once routine seem out of reach.
But when you lose the ability to do things that are important to you, the wound isn’t just physical, says Trasey Falcone, DO, a physical medicine specialist with Owensboro Health. It actually penetrates a person’s feelings of identity and self-worth.
“Many patients feel like they’ve lost a piece of themselves—of who they were,” Falcone says. “In physical medicine, our goal is to help people recover some of those missing pieces and restore that sense of purpose.”
Restoring Function, Self-Worth
Physical medicine—technically known as physiatry—is a growing field that combines elements of orthopedics, neurology and rheumatology. A physiatrist can treat a wide range of physical impairments related to conditions such as stroke, brain injury, and cerebral palsy.
What makes physical medicine a unique specialty is that it emphasizes nonsurgical approaches, from diet and nutrition to exercise and physical therapy. Patients get better, Falcone says, by putting their muscles to use.
“Physical medicine relies less on medications and more on patient autonomy,” Falcone says. “It’s a new era, with the physician taking on more of a coaching role with the patient.”
Treatment plans vary on an individual basis, Falcone notes, but some common elements can help maximize the potential for success.
Getting to know the patient
A complete picture of the patient’s life—including family, work and hobbies--can help the doctor design the right plan. “I want to know what the patient looked like before the injury,” Falcone says.
Setting goals together
Working with a doctor to set program goals is great motivation and a step toward recovering independence. “If you liked to cook before the injury, than we want to work on regaining some of those motor skills.”
Making strides
A physical medicine program often yields tangible results that build a patient’s confidence and self-assurance. “Patients see and feel the condition getting better, and they know their efforts are making a difference.”
A holistic approach
Instead of the traditional evaluate-and-treat model of care, a physiatrist focuses on the whole body and how different systems function together. “There is a cause and effect to most things, and factors like nutrition and activity level are keys to regaining strength.”
Not Just for Injuries
While physical medicine is an excellent option for people who have suffered injuries, other conditions can improve with specialized care from a physiatrist, Falcone suggests, such as impairments of the muscles, nerves, joints and spine. Former athletes who want to maintain their fitness level have also benefitted from physical medicine.
“I believe we are created to be healthy and active, and I want to empower people by handing them the reins to their own health,” Falcone says.
Is an injury or physical impairment affecting your quality of life? Trasey Falcone, DO, a physician with Owensboro Health Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, can help you regain function and improve your confidence. Call 270-417-7925 for an appointment.