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Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Tick Season Is Here: How to Protect Yourself from Lyme Disease

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Tick season is ramping up across Westchester and the Hudson Valley, where Lyme disease remains a persistent concern. Experts say this year’s mild weather and active tick populations are a reminder to take precautions before spending time outdoors – even in your own backyard. Dr. Laura Rivera Pizzoli, infectious disease physician at Scarsdale Medical Group, shares what you need to know.

When is Tick Season?

Black-legged ticks–also known as deer ticks–can be active any time temperatures are above freezing. That said, the highest risk is from spring through fall, roughly April through November, when ticks are most active and people are spending more time outdoors.

How to Protect Yourself

The Infectious Disease Society of America recommends:

  • wearing long sleeves and pants
  • tucking pants into socks
  • using EPA-approved repellents (DEET, picaridin)
  • treating clothing with permethrin

After spending time outdoors, conduct thorough tick checks on family members in areas like the underarm, nape of neck, ears, navel, groin, and back of the knee. If your pets go outdoors, remember to check them as well.

Bathing or showering within 2 hours of outdoor activity and drying clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes can also be helpful. Early tick removal within 24 to 48 hours may prevent disease transmission entirely.

What To Do if You’re Bitten by a Lyme-Carrying Tick

 In most cases, a tick must be attached for at least 36 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Early symptoms usually appear within 3 to 30 days and may include:

  • a slowly expanding “bull’s-eye” rash
  • fever
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • muscle or joint aches

If left untreated, symptoms can worsen over weeks and may lead to complications such as arthritis, nervous system involvement, or heart rhythm problems. If you have been bitten by a tick and are concerned you may have been infected, contact your physician, as antibiotics may be recommended. Treatment of Lyme disease is tailored to symptom onset and duration.

Dr. Laura Rivera Pizzoli is a board-certified Infectious Disease physician at Scarsdale Medical Group. To schedule an appointment, call 914.723.8100.

This story originally appeared on Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.

White Plains Hospital Expands Its Team-Based Approach to Multiple Sclerosis Care

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Cases of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves (the nerves that transmit signals from the eyes to the brain), are on the rise in the United States, impacting nearly 1 million people nationwide. For many patients, a diagnosis can feel overwhelming and raise questions such as:

  • What does this mean for my future?
  • Will I be able to work or maintain my lifestyle?
  • What treatments are available?

At White Plains Hospital, patients have expanded access to specialized, comprehensive MS care close to home at its Multiple Sclerosis Center, which has been based at the Hospital since 2004. Over the years, the Center has continued to grow and evolve, expanding its team of dedicated MS specialists and broadening its treatments and resources for patients.  

White Plains Hospital is the only healthcare organization in Westchester designated as a Center for Comprehensive MS Care through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Partners in MS Care program.

Coordinated Care Led by an MS Specialist

The Center is led by Dr. Ute Traugott, an internationally recognized MS specialist with more than 40 years of experience. She specializes exclusively in MS and related neuroimmunologic disorders and serves as Program Director, guiding a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary team.

“Certification by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is very important,” Dr. Traugott says, “as it assures patients that there is a highly qualified group of specialists forming a treatment team to provide the best and up-to-date comprehensive care.”

The program recently expanded with Dr. Mark Tullman as Associate Director, who brings two decades of MS-focused experience, and Dr. Samantha Epstein, enhancing patient access to expert care across the disease spectrum.

A Team-Based, Patient-Focused Model

With a team of experts working together under one roof, patients at White Plains Hospital’s MS Center experience care that is coordinated, comprehensive and supports every aspect of living with MS. Key benefits include:

  • Expert evaluation and diagnosis: Accurate diagnosis using MRI, blood tests, and spinal fluid analysis, distinguishing MS from related conditions.
  • Personalized treatment plans: Disease-modifying therapies tailored to reduce relapses and slow disease progression. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies to alleviate the daily symptoms of MS often play an integral part in patient care.
  • Access to advanced therapies: At this time, over 20 FDA-approved treatments are available. In addition, new medications are in clinical trials targeting inflammation and myelin repair.
  • Integrated specialty services: Physical and occupational therapy, urologic care, pain management, and mental health support.

In addition, the team meets regularly with colleagues specializing in neuroradiology to review complex cases, ensuring that every patient receives the most appropriate care.

Understanding MS: Symptoms and Diagnosis

“In patients with MS, the immune system attacks and damages the central nervous system – the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves,” says Dr. Epstein. “That damage can result in weakness, numbness and tingling, vision problems, fatigue, and difficulties with coordination and balance.”

“There is no single diagnostic test,” Dr. Epstein adds. “MS is diagnosed through a combination of clinical history, neurologic examination, imaging, blood tests, and, if necessary, evaluation of spinal fluid.”

Specialized Care for Complex Conditions

Drs. Epstein, Traugott and Tullman also treat patients with rare autoimmune neurologic disorders such as:

  • Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
  • Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-associated disease (MOGAD)

“These conditions can resemble MS but require distinct approaches,” Dr. Tullman explains. “My focus complements Dr. Traugott’s leadership to care for patients at every stage – from newly diagnosed to long-term management.”

“We work closely with rehabilitation specialists and other subspecialists to address the full spectrum of patient needs,” Dr. Traugott says.

“Our goal is not just excellent clinical care, but an exceptional patient experience,” adds Dr. Tullman.

With the addition of new physicians and ongoing advances in treatment and research, the Center remains committed to providing patients with expert, coordinated care at every stage of their MS journey.

Learn more about White Plains Hospital’s Multiple Sclerosis Services.

When Experience Meets Innovation: A Precision-Based Approach to Pain and Movement

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Real Time Ultrasound Imaging

In my clinical practice, I often meet patients who have done “everything right,” committed to recovery yet still frustrated by lingering pain or limited movement. What is missing is rarely effort; it is precision. That is why I built my practice around one guiding principle: every patient deserves care that is precise, individualized, and evidence-based.

I founded Mohini Rawat PT PC to move beyond generalized, protocol-driven care and provide physical therapy that is targeted, efficient, and grounded in objective clinical data. My approach integrates advanced diagnostic tools with hands-on rehabilitation to identify the true source of a patient’s symptoms and address it directly.

Over the past two decades, I have worked in clinical practice, education, and professional leadership within physical therapy and diagnostic imaging. One principle has remained consistent: better clinical information leads to better outcomes.

Neuro Re-education

When appropriate, I incorporate real-time musculoskeletal ultrasound and electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS) into the evaluation process. These tools allow me to assess muscles, tendons, joints, and peripheral nerves dynamically, often while a patient is moving or reproducing their symptoms. This level of assessment provides clarity that cannot be achieved through symptoms alone.
Rather than guessing which structure is contributing to pain, I can determine whether a tendon is degenerative, a muscle is under-recruiting, a joint is not functioning optimally, or a nerve is involved. Treatment is then designed around these findings, not around a generic diagnosis.

This precision allows care to be more focused and efficient. Patients are not asked to perform unnecessary exercises or attend prolonged treatment plans without clear goals. Rehabilitation is targeted, measurable, and continuously reassessed based on how the body responds.

My practice operates as a one-on-one, boutique model, allowing the time and attention required for this level of care. Each session is both therapeutic and educational. Patients see their findings, understand the reasoning behind treatment decisions, and are actively involved in the recovery process.

EMG Nerve testing

Many of the individuals I see are active adults, athletes, and adults who want to maintain their independence and mobility. Some have complex or persistent conditions; others want answers early to prevent prolonged issues. In every case, the goal is the same: restore movement and function with accuracy and intention.

Innovation in healthcare is often discussed in terms of technology alone. In my experience, innovation is most meaningful when paired with clinical expertise, thoughtful reasoning, and individualized care. When experience meets innovation, physical therapy becomes not just treatment but a clear, efficient path forward.

Ultimately, my goal is to combine the rigor of science with the nuances of individual care. By integrating safe and advanced imaging, electrodiagnostic testing, and hands-on assessment, I can identify the cause of dysfunction and design treatment that is both targeted and measurable. For patients, this means care that is not only effective but efficient, helping them return to the activities they value with confidence and clarity. In my practice, precision is not just a technique, it is the foundation of meaningful recovery.

At Mohini Rawat PT PC, we specialize in combining advanced ultrasound imaging with individualized, one-on-one physical therapy. Our goal is to help you move better, prevent injury, and regain confidence in your body.

Ready to learn more or schedule an evaluation?

Visit www.mohinirawatptpc.com and take the first step toward understanding what your body is really telling you.

Keeping Workouts from Being Wipeouts This Winter

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Whether it’s from shoveling heavy snow, slipping on ice, or hitting the slopes (and having the slopes return the punch), back injuries are all too common this time of year. While many mild strains heal with rest and self-care, others can be more serious–and knowing the difference can help you recover faster and avoid lasting damage.

1. Start with rest and home remedies

“For most muscle strains, a few days of rest, gentle movement, and alternating ice and heat can ease discomfort,” White Plains Hospital Spine Surgeon Dr. Jared Brandoff advises. “Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help reduce soreness and inflammation, while prescription-only corticosteroids like prednisone may be recommended for more serious injuries. Avoid heavy lifting, twisting, or high-impact activity until you’re pain-free.”

2. Know the red flags

If pain lingers beyond a week, radiates down your leg, causes numbness or weakness, or is accompanied by trouble standing or walking, “It’s time to call your doctor,” Dr. Brandoff says. “Those symptoms may indicate a more serious injury, such as a herniated disc or nerve compression.”

3. Speak to a spine specialist

If conservative treatments aren’t enough, a spine surgeon can help identify the root cause of your pain. White Plains Hospital’s nationally recognized spine program specializes in advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments for the full range of spinal disease and disorders–from the simplest cases to the most complex.

Dr. Brandoff uses advanced diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat spine injuries with less pain, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times. His approach “focuses on restoring mobility and helping patients return to the activities they love–whether that’s skiing, skating, or simply enjoying the season pain-free,” he explains.
The bottom line: Don’t ignore back pain this winter. Early evaluation and the right treatment plan can prevent small injuries from becoming big setbacks–and get you safely back in motion.

Dr. Jared Brandoff is a board-certified spine and orthopedic surgeon at White Plains Hospital. To make an appointment, call 914-849-7897.