Mind Your Body Podcast
DME Evaluations & Equipment: Supporting Your Recovery and Function
Prescribing Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is more than just providing a device; it requires a thorough evaluation to ensure the proper fit, function, and integration into your overall care plan.
At Body and Mind Pain Center, a crucial part of a successful treatment plan is ensuring you have the right support to protect healing tissues, improve biomechanics, and enhance your functional capacity. Dr. Zev Nevo carefully selects and prescribes a wide range of high-quality DME to complement your treatment. Our goal is to provide you with the expertly chosen tools you need to reduce pain, improve stability, and get back to your life with confidence.
Our Comprehensive DME Evaluation Process
To ensure you receive the maximum benefit from your supportive device, we conduct a detailed DME evaluation. This is a comprehensive assessment to determine the most appropriate intervention for your specific anatomical and functional needs.
Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment: The process begins with a detailed physical examination, a functional movement assessment, and a review of your medical history and diagnostic imaging. We discuss your lifestyle, daily activities, and specific goals to understand the demands placed on your body.
Step 2: Precise Prescription: Based on the assessment, Dr. Nevo determines the exact type, size, and specifications of the DME that will be most effective for your condition, whether it’s a custom brace to offload a joint or an ergonomic tool to correct posture.
Step 3: Custom Fitting & Education: Proper fit is critical for both comfort and efficacy. We ensure your device is fitted correctly and provide detailed education on how to use it, when to wear it, and how to care for it.
Step 4: Integration & Follow-Up: The prescribed DME is integrated into your broader treatment plan, including physical therapy and other modalities. We monitor your progress to ensure the device is providing the intended support and make adjustments as needed.
Our In-House DME Offerings
We offer a curated selection of medical-grade braces, supports, and therapeutic tools to address a variety of musculoskeletal needs. Our inventory includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Orthopedic Bracing & Supports
Wrist & Hand: Neutral wrist/hand orthoses (for carpal tunnel syndrome), Thumb spica splints.
Elbow: Counter-strap braces (for Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow).
Shoulder: Shoulder abduction pillows and immobilizers.
Spine & Posture: Bauerfeind® sports back supports, lumbotrain corset braces, SI-LOC sacroiliac belts, and posture correcting braces.
Knee: Bauerfeind® GenuTrain knee supports.
Ankle & Foot: Bauerfeind® MalleoTrain ankle supports, medial arch support insoles, lateral wedge insoles, toe spacers, and metatarsal pads. - Therapeutic & Recovery Tools
Electrotherapy: TENS units and NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) devices.
Thermal Therapy: Medical-grade heating pads and cryotherapy pads/coolers.
Myofascial & Soft Tissue Tools: Vibrating massage guns (e.g., Hypervolt Go), foam rollers, and Thera Cane massagers.
Ergonomic & Postural Support: Craniocradles, Tri-Core cervical pillows, tailbone wedge cushions, TRTL travel neck pillows, standing desk mats, and medicine ball chairs. - Rehabilitation Equipment
Resistance bands.
Balance boards.
…and others. If you have a need for a specific piece of equipment not listed, please let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance cover DME?
Coverage for DME varies widely depending on your insurance plan and the specific item prescribed. Many plans, including Medicare Part B, cover a portion of the cost for medically necessary equipment. Our office will assist you in verifying your benefits and understanding any potential out-of-pocket costs.
Why do I need a specific brace prescribed by a doctor? Can’t I just buy one at a pharmacy?
While pharmacies offer generic supports, the DME we provide is medical-grade and prescribed following a thorough evaluation. This ensures the device is specifically suited to your diagnosis, provides the correct level of support or offloading, and is fitted properly to your body. An ill-fitting or incorrect brace can be ineffective or even worsen a condition.
How long will I need to use my prescribed DME?
The duration of use depends entirely on your condition and treatment plan. Some devices may be used for a short period to support healing after an acute injury or procedure, while others may be recommended for longer-term use to manage a chronic condition or correct a biomechanical issue. Dr. Nevo will provide clear guidelines for your specific situation.
What is the difference between a TENS and an NMES unit?
A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit is primarily used for pain relief. It sends low-voltage electrical currents to block or change your perception of pain signals. An NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) device sends electrical impulses to cause muscles to contract. It is used to help retrain and strengthen muscles, often after surgery or injury when a patient has difficulty contracting the muscle on their own.
The Body and Mind Pain Center Difference
We don’t just hand you a device; we conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure it’s the right fit for your specific condition and treatment plan. Dr. Nevo provides expert guidance on the proper use of all DME to maximize its therapeutic benefit. By integrating these tools into your overall care, we help to stabilize injuries, offload stress from healing tissues, and empower you to take an active role in your recovery.