The doctor that other doctors go to and the therapist that other therapists see has the most qualified referral I can think of . . . the recommendation of their own peers.
So where do massage therapists go when their own bodies needs a tune up? Our own co-op member and talented massage therapist, Dana Buhl, goes to Israel Sostrin.
His official title is physical therapist but his real title should be “motion maximizer” since he spends his days helping the injured, the aging, athletes and new parents work smarter not harder to move and rest well.
Like a lot of us in Portland, Israel wasn’t completely satisfied with “the way things are done” and went searching for better ways across several parts of the planet and multiple modalities. For Israel the journey included Baltimore, Arizona and Seattle and several schools of massage and physical therapy before coming to Portland. He originally picked up a book on the Feldendrais method of physical therapy for his own personal interest – in part because he and the method’s creator, Moshe Feldendrais, have similar Jewish roots. Happily, he found his way into the best four years of his professional education to date.
In talking with Israel, it’s easy to tell that he’s also found a piece of his life’s passion that he gets to share with clients who, up until they meet him and the Feldenkrais method he uses in his practice, often think physical therapy is just a series of hot and cold packs and a list of stretches to do at home.
Everything we do with our body uses some combination of our strength, our flexibility and our endurance. Addressing just one of these three and not the others, as some of us can vouch for, can make the problem even worse. Israel’s work is all about better coordinating our own body’s natural balance while honoring that simple truth that we have gotten into whatever pinch we are in for very good reasons more complex than it all first appears.
One part of physical therapy that doesn’t have to be complex is getting qualified for regular care. The State of Oregon mandates that the first 60 days of physical therapy should be reimbursed without a referral for all insured patients. Still there are policies that vary from insurer to insurer and even within the various levels of coverage from each insurer requiring certain notifications or approvals.
While you and I only navigate our insurance policies (car, body or home) every once in a while, the office Israel works in on Hawthorne lives and breaths that special insurance language every day. One quick call or email and they can evaluate your policy more easily than you can and let you know what’s available to you.
I was surprised and delighted to find out that, having Kaiser, I could still be eligible to see Israel for physical therapy. His front desk staff was great to work with and had an answer in just one day on what my deductible and co-pay would be plus the steps I had to take through Kaiser to be approved.
While most of his patients are working through insurance for their care, he does bill some patients directly. His current rates are $100 for the initial visit and $85 for follow up appointments. I can’t speak to your co-pay but mine would be $35 per visit. Best of all, you are never shuffled off to an aid with your physical therapist just overseeing your care. Israel spends time directly with his patients, listening and learning what’s right for your body and your life.
A lot of us will be very happy to know that his office space is fabulously kid friendly with a great big stuffed lion in one corner for those appointments where you need to bring your little loved ones along.
Israel’s littlest loved one is his 10 month old daughter Aubrey. If your injuries or nagging aches are from the funny positions you’ve gotten into feeding, caring for and picking up (or picking up after) the newest members of your family, Israel will be both sympathetic and empathetic while he helps you adjust to the higher stress/lower sleep way of life you’re now living.
Like Dana, Israel is a popular practitioner with a busy schedule. He purposely leaves a few spaces open every week for emergencies like motor vehicle crash injuries that can’t wait and for new, first time patients just getting started in his care.
Whether you are dealing with some new stresses and strains or have been dealing with unresolved physical issues for a while now, both Dana and Israel are great family resources to help get you back to a place of comfort and ease.
You don’t have to save and then recall this exact email to get in touch with them or any of our great community minded Roost sponsors. They are all a click away on the Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op home page at www.sunnysideswapshop.org .
To contact Dana Buhl right away for a relaxing and very therapeutic
massage:
1128 SE 30th Ave. (just 5 blocks from the Swap Shop)
503 807 6697
danabuhl©gmail•com
Appts. Mon and Thurs noon – 8, Wed and Fri 9 – 4
To set up a first time appointment with Israel Sostrin:
Anisha – Center for Holistic Health
4031 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland, Oregon 97214
Israel Sostrin MSPT, CMT, GCFP
P: (503) 231.3633
