Q: Why the name Birchtree?
A: There is a funny story behind the name, but the short answer is Patrick and Tony chose Birchtree as the name to represent what we want for our patients. We want our patients to be as mobile as possible, to hopefully help them go outdoors and enjoy the world around them.

Q. Why do we sometimes use "Birchtree" and other times "Birch Tree Medical, Inc"?
A: In casual communications we use Birchtree because it is short, sweet and fun. Whenever we need to list the official company name we will spell it out.

Q: What is spasticity?
A: Spasticity is defined as velocity-dependent muscle tone, and is sensed by an affected individual as involuntary muscle contraction of a part of the body that usually impairs function.  It is one of the most disabling aspects of multiple conditions that affect adults and children, including cerebral palsy, stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, central nervous system diseases and tumors. It can lead to contracture.

Q: What is RLS?
A: RLS stands for Restless Legs Syndrome which is a relatively new but often times debilitating neurological condition, because of the interference it causes to sleep patterns and late evening activities. It is characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs (Please go to www.rls.org from more details) causing undue irritation and frustration when trying to concentrate or relax while sitting still or laying down.

Q: What is contracture?
A: Contracture is a gradual abnormal shortening of the muscle which leads to distortion or deformity. It manifests itself as a significant loss of motion.

Q: What is co-contracture?
A: Co-contracture is the simultaneous contraction of both the agonist muscles and the antagonist muscles, often resulting in uncontrolled muscle performance.

Q: What are agonist muscles?
A: Agonists are the "prime movers", the main muscles that do the "heavy lifting" of a limb such as the bicep bending the arm.

Q: What are the antagonist muscles?
A: Antagonists are the muscles that acts in opposition to specific movement of the agonists, it is responsible for returning a limb to its initial position.

Q: What is clonus?
A: Involuntary muscular contraction in rapid succession combined with rapid relaxation, sometimes manifesting as a flapping foot or hand.

Q: What are ADLs?
A: ADL stands for Activities of Daily Living. ADLs are the things humans regularly do over the course of a day such as feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, work, homemaking, and leisure. ADLs are often used as a practical measure for describing the level of independent functioning for those who have had a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy or other nervous system conditions.