Florida’s No-fault Automobile Insurance Laws

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Florida-no-fault-accident-pip-kaster-fort-myersIn years since 2012, all drivers licensed in Florida have been required to carry what is known as PIP coverage. That stands for Personal Injury Protection.

This much-needed rider allows you to get the medical help you may need following an accident regardless of fault or if the other party has auto insurance.

Unlike some other states, there are time constraints within which you are able to seek treatment for accident-related injuries.

In Florida, you have just two weeks (14 days) after an accident to start treatment.  If you do visit a doctor’s office or emergency clinic during this time frame you automatically lose your ability to use your PIP coverage. 

If you are not taken by ambulance from the accident scene please follow up with your doctor and your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Every policy issued in Florida carries the full $10,000 worth of PIP coverage, even though, in some situations, you may only be entitled to $2500, a reduced benefit. To access the full amount you must receive a determination of emergency medical condition. Many insurance companies will argue with you that you do not have a serious condition. Restrictions have been unjustly placed which discriminate against chiropractic physicians. because of this, we have to refer you out to another health care provider simply to get that determination on file.

If your auto insurer stops payment after $2500 for the $10,000 in benefits for which you pay a premium for, you may continue to obtain treatment with our office under a letter of protection if you are represented by a lawyer and are filing a claim for recovery against the at-fault driver.

DID YOU KNOW?: You can install our mobile app on your smartphone! With just a push of a button, we will know you need medical assistance and get you in as soon as possible. http://drkasters.com/web-app-download/

If you are in an accident – don’t worry about the specifics right away. Call our office at 239-332-2555 and come in for a post-accident evaluation, treatment plan, and adjustments. Let’s get you on the road to health and we will file all the paperwork for you.

For More Information on PIP Laws in Florida:

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation can assist you if you experience a problem or have a complaint. You can submit a complaint online by going to their consumer services website at https://apps.fldfs.com/eservice.

Chiropractor | Nutritionist in Ft Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

Chiropractic Treatment May Relive Arthritis Pain

Chiropractor Arthritis-fort-myers-dr-kaster

Chiropractor Arthritis-fort-myers-dr-kasterPainful joints make even the most simple movements unbearable at times. In cool weather and rain, they ache even more when you have arthritis.

While there is no cure for arthritis, it has been shown that chiropractic adjustments can lessen the severity of the pain you experience making the condition easier to live with.

Chiropractic is an amazing modality.
No two patients can be treated in the exact same way.There are over 150 techniques that chiropractors employ to manually adjust the spine, muscles, and joints with varying degrees of gentle force. Which techniques are used is dependent on the condition(s) of the patient. 

Chiropractors focus on the correlation between structure and function, says Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. who has been in private practice in Fort Myers, Florida for over 17 years.

When a joint is out of alignment it can’t move as designed. The aim of treatment with our practice is to restore proper joint function. The freer the movement you have the better you will feel.

If you have neck or back pain because of osteoarthritis, chiropractic is one of the safest routes of therapy.

Your chiropractor may use manual spinal adjustments or manipulate soft tissue to help relieve tenderness and muscle spasms. You may also be asked to do traction which slowly stretches the joints to increase range of movement, as well as ultrasound, ice, and heat. At-home physical therapy exercises they may assign you can do wonders as well. 

 Please take note: If you have an inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis) you need to be more careful and really talk with your doctor and listen to your body. If your medical doctor has told you that you have active swelling in your joints, chiropractic may not be the right path for you.

That doesn’t mean we can’t help. It just means we woud just need to take a different approach to the treatment for your case. A consultation is advisable to get you going on some alternative safe and effective therapies.

They may include:

Electrotherapy. These tiny electric pulses are not painful. They treat soft tissue injuries by stimulating nerves and muscles.

Low-level cold laser. This therapy uses a non-heat-producing laser or light that penetrates deep into the tissue, sometimes reducing inflammation.

Ultrasound. Many think of ultrasound as imaging technology, but when applied to soft tissues and joints, sound waves can also produce a massaging effect that helps reduce swelling and decrease pain and stiffness.

Infrared sauna. Imagine having a hot compress warm up your joints from the inside. These rooms use controlled amounts of heat to relieve pain and increase circulation.

Medical Doctors Agree

The American College of Physicians released updated guidelines in 2017. They now support the use of non-pharmacologic therapies. This includes chiropractic as well as acupuncture, as first-line treatment of pain, before medication.

If you are living with arthritis call the office of Dr. Kaster today. We would love to see how we can help you feel better and live well.

Chiropractor | Nutritionist in Ft Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

239-332-2555

www.drkasters.com to learn more!

Lower Back Pain Keeping You Awake? – Try These Simple Tips

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ower-back-pain-dr-kaster-fort-myers-800x527No one enjoys tossing, turning, getting up to take anti-inflammatories, hot baths, ice packs, or whatever may possibly sooth you enough to get to sleep. It makes for a long rough night.

Once you finally get to sleep if you fall asleep in a “bad” sleeping position it can actually exacerbate the condition even further. You make wake up feeling even worse than when you went to bed. It is all incredibly frustrating and exhausting. This happens because some positions put more pressure on the hips, back, and neck unnecessarily.

It is vital to maintain the natural curve of the spine while lying in bed. Without it, you do not have proper alignment or support.  Make sure your head, shoulders, and hips are aligned.  This way your back is properly supported. Sleeping on your back is the best possible position.

Switching up the position you may have slept in for years isn’t an easy task but it can be done. Don’t give up if you wake up in the old position. Keep trying. You will get there.

Best positions for back pain

#1 On your back with a pillow under your knees.

This position helps distribute your weight evenly. A small pillow under the neck supports the curve of the spine.

#2 If you are a side sleeper put a thin pillow between your knees.

This raises the thigh restoring the natural alignment of the spine. Make sure you have a pillow under your head as well. If you are a constant flipper, add another pillow in a hug position. This will keep you in place and making rolling over more difficult.

#3 The  fetal position 

This position may help bring relief during the night for those with herniated discs. Lying on your side with your knees tucked up to the chest reduces the bend of the spine and also helps loosen up joints.

Also, use a pillow under your neck as well.

#4 Facedown sleepers – If you must sleep on your stomach, do it with a pillow under your stomach area. This will help reduce pressure.

This is only helpful for those with a herniated disc or spinal disc degeneration. Use a flat pillow for your head or sleep without one.

#5 Sleep reclined (on your back)

This can help with lower back pain especially if you have spondylolisthesis. This will work in either an adjustable bed or a recliner chair. It may take a few nights to adjust. If you tend to roll over do not use this method as you may hurt your hips.

#6 See your Chiropractor Regularly.
Regular adjustments help your body stay in alignment allowing you the most restful painless sleep possible.

Ready for an adjustment? 

Chiropractor | Nutritionist in Ft Myers, FL

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Add to that, nutritional recommendations that can help your body heal itself. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

Chiropractic May Help With Sleep Issues

sleep-dr.-jason-kaster-fort-myers

sleep-dr.-jason-kaster-fort-myersMillions of Americans have sleep issues. Either they can’t fall asleep at all or they wake up tossing and turning. Either way, they aren’t getting the rest they need.

We have an idea for you if this is your situation…

Schedule an appointment with your chiropractor. It doesn’t just help soothe an aching back or a sore neck, it can actually help boost your sleep quality.

Medical Studies have indicated that as many as 33% of those who receive adjustments regularly get a better night’s sleep nightly on average. Best yet, those results are immediate.

Is Chiropractic Right For Your Sleep Dilemma?

If your sleep is being disrupted by any type of physical discomfort, the answer is yes. Chiropractic treatments can help to lessen or get rid of pain and discomfort while improving blood flow and promoting relaxation.

Certain types of anxiety can also be helped through chiropractic and nutrition supplementation.

Your chiropractor may be able to offer suggestions for getting better sleep including weaning yourself of stomach sleeping, getting a more supportive mattress, using a specially designed pillow, and helping you decide on the best sleep position for you. Nutrition may also play a part when your body is properly fueled and not deficient in any vitamins or minerals it simply works better.

This advice goes for both adults and children. 40% of infants are reported to experience deeper calmer longer sleep patterns after just one session with a chiropractor. When your baby sleeps better – you can catch some Z’s as well.

Ready to Make the Adjustment?

Chiropractic visits are covered by many health insurance plans, so call and find out. The office of Dr. Kaster also takes into consideration those who are uninsured or underinsured by offering very reasonable cash discount prices as well.

If you aren’t sleeping all night and waking up feeling refreshed you are selling yourself short. Over time it will wear you out and potentially cause more health issues. Come in today and get the sleep you so dearly need.

Visit www.drkasters.com to learn more!

Transdermal Human Growth Hormone

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somadermThe office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C., has found a way to revitalize your wellbeing and bring back the feelings of health you had in your youth. 

This may sound like doing the impossible but the fact is – it can be done.

On average, around the age of 30, our biology starts to slow. This can mean weight gain, foggier thinking, lines beginning to show on our faces, all the signs of age. We live in a youth-obsessed society where many of us will do literally anything to fight the signs of aging. Much of what is on the market and available can be a hindrance to our health if not downright dangerous.

Finally, an all natural answer

Human Growth Hormone also is known as simply HGH. HGH is a widely studied and scientifically documented hormone which drops in natural regulation as we get older. HGH, produced by the pituitary gland is what brings about growth in children throughout the natural life cycle. It helps control body composition, muscle growth, bone growth, fat and sugar metabolism, heart function, and all the fluids in the body. It essentially is a hormone that keeps you young and active.

Athletes have been turning to HGH for years to enhance performance and recovery as well as stimulate new muscle growth. The problem is that many products have been found to have side effects and even be harmful in its synthetic form.

You may even have seen supplement pills that promise to kick your body into gear again and trick it into producing HGH naturally. These claims are widely unfounded in science.

While we have believed in the power of HGH up until now we have never suggested it to our patients, let alone considered selling it in our office. Finally, an all natural homeopathic product has hit the mainstream market. SOMADERM™ Gel by New U Life works on a cellular level. It offers a cutting edge scientific breakthrough using the power of HGH.

The gel is applied topically and transported transdermally to the blood pathways in the body. Transdermal application is far more absorbable and effective than pills which lose potency during digestion.

You no longer have to accept the symptoms that come with age. With SOMADERM™ Gel, you can regain your youth. SOMADERM™ Gel – the ageless standard.

Interested? Come in for a consultation and talk with Dr. Kaster, D.C. to learn more!

Are You A Mosquito Magnet? How to put an end to it!

mosquitos

mosquitosWhile summer is many people’s favorite season, our time spent at the beach, the pool, at events outdoors and barbecues can all be hindered by our friend the mosquito. No one likes to be bit over and over again. It can really bug you.

While bug spray may keep the bugs off, they are not all that healthy for you. Have you ever noticed that you seem to have that one friend in every group who just simply doesn’t get bit? Meanwhile, you are scratching yourself silly?

It makes you question “What am I doing wrong? Or am I really ‘just that tasty’”? It’s frustrating!

Let’s take a look at what makes someone a mosquito magnet.

What Do Mosquitos Like in a Human?

First:  A factor that you can not control is the core basic fact that blood type O makes you the tastiest snack around. Research has found that type O blood is 2x as desirable as any other blood type. On the flip side, if you happen to be type A? You are likely safe.

Second: Your blood now has alcohol in it. Alcohol boost metabolism. When your metabolism is boosted you output more CO2. They are most attracted to beer drinkers.

Third: You are athletic. Lactic acid is high on the chart for mosquitos. Avoid going outside within an hour of working out hard.

Fourth: Pregnancy. Again, CO2 is the factor here. Pregnant women emit more CO2 than most.

Fifth: Dark or Bright Clothing. If you are in high contrast to your background environment, they see you. I know it sounds silly, but if you wear light colors that blend in with the sky, they miss you.

What if you fall into several of those categories, making you prime for mosquito attacks?

Repel them Anyway!

What they hate

Eat garlic, onions, or chili peppers – they hate it!

Wear light thick material for clothing. Bites can only pierce so deeply and as we mentioned above, the light fabric is like camouflage to them.

Shower before going out. Mosquitos love the smell of sweat. They don’t love clean skin nearly as much.

Use bug spray and avoid thickly populated mosquito hangouts such as water’s edge areas and wooded spaces.

Knowing what mosquitos are looking for is key to helping avoid the little buggers.
We hope this makes your summer more pleasant.

More interesting health information can be found at www.drkasters.com