By Robert Kalfus
Patients resumed treatment at TherapyCare Physical Therapy of Yonkers on Monday, hopefully a sign of renewed life returning to usual. The practice reopened May 3rd on a limited basis, servicing patients Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The practice was closed since March 20, when New York State ordered social isolation to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. TherapyCare’s owner and therapist Dr. Karthigayen Gopala Krishnan, known to all as Dr. Kart, planned the reopening to help his many patients suffering from a lack of pain management, decreased mobility, muscle weakness, and stiffness.
“We were not able to provide patients manual therapy, therapeutic massage, or stretching treatments for the past 7 week closure due to restrictions of no close contact. We now see many patients returning with weakness, stiffness and pain that was not manageable by themselves at home, especially in cases of chronic pain and post-operative care,” said Dr. Kart.
“In addition to providing the very best physical therapy, our prime concern now is for the safety of patients and staff during treatment”, stated Dr. Kart. “There is no close contact between patients and staff. All patients and staff must wear masks at all times, and a box of free masks greets each patient as they enter. We give a free mask to the patient entering TherapyCare if they do not have one. We are also teaching proper use of masks, as many do not know how to breathe properly with one. All patients’ temperatures are checked upon arrival with an infrared thermometer, and it and all pens used are disinfected before and after use.”
“Therapists wipe and disinfect any chair, table or any equipment before a patient uses it, and after use. Chairs are placed no less than 6 feet apart and are regularly disinfected, and wipes are stationed throughout the office. Therapists are double gloved and change their gloves they come in contact with patients or equipment,” continued Dr. Kart. “Two shifts of cleaning services daily clean thoroughly the entire clinic with disinfectant wipes.”
Mrs. Tabitha Perez was already in treatment with Dr. Kart and experiencing relief and healing, when this past summer, her car was hit and demolished by an unlicensed driver. She required spinal surgery to repair the damage. After recovering from surgery, she trusted only Dr. Kart at TherapyCare to heal her using his pain relief and physical therapy techniques. She was making good progress with TherapyCare, until Governor Andrew Cuomo required the almost complete shutdown of NYS services to isolate and quarantine the COVID-19 Coronavirus after Sunday, March 22.
Mrs. Perez, a 22 year veteran NYC schoolteacher, was able to work from home teaching her first grade class during the quarantine, and continued home therapy exercises provided her by Dr. Kart. But Mrs. Perez was eager and thrilled to resume her healing with TherapyCare Physical Therapy on Monday.
Mrs. Perez wrote in a review “Kart is amazing and will address all your therapy concerns. I have complete trust in his knowledge and ability to help me recover! The entire staff at TherapyCare are welcoming and always friendly, they genuinely care about their patients.” Referring to Dr. Kart’s having opened the newly expanded Yonkers clinic last August, with new equipment and greatly increased capacity and staff, Mrs. Perez wrote “The newly opened facility is well kept and provides access to a variety of therapy techniques and tools, including fitness equipment. It is truly the best place to receive therapy. I highly recommend it!”
Dr. Kart notes the new expanded Yonkers facility, in addition to all the
current therapy services, has a senior fitness center as an integral part of his physical therapy center. “Our focus is on delivering exceptional results and services, learning new techniques, advancing our capabilities, and of course, having an exceptional team environment,” said Kart. “We have many different types of therapies, all designed to improve patient’s movement, increase strength and functioning, and relieve pain without the use of medication. We utilize the Mulligan Concept and others, seeking to improve patient’s movement with the application of pain-free hands-on techniques.
Dr. Kart began his academic career at Pondicherry University where he received a Bachelors in Physical therapy (First Class). He has a Masters in Physical Therapy and a Masters in Business Administration (Health Care) which allows him to manage the patient care for his patients’ best outcomes.
TherapyCare is located at a new and expanded street level Yonkers location, for easy wheelchair and handicapped access. Free parking is available in the parking lot. Visit the website at www.TherapyCares.net or call (914) 294-0080, to make an appointment for care on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, at 1254 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers or at 3163 Bainbridge Avenue,Bronx, where the same quality of services are available.
