Category Archives: Blog

heart health

February is Heart Healthy Month, Make Blood Pressure Control Your Goal

- Blog, Events

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Heart health is the focus this year as we celebrate American Heart Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Million Hearts® – a national effort to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the United States by 2017 – are encouraging Americans to know their blood pressure, and if it’s high, to make control their goal.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. In fact, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are four times more likely to die from a stroke and three times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure.

High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is important. It’s easy to get your blood pressure checked. You can get screened at your doctor’s office and drugstores or even check it yourself at home, using a home blood pressure monitor.

senior pumping iron

Make Control Your Goal
If you know you have high blood pressure, take these steps to help get it under control:
• Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be. Set a goal to lower your pressure with your doctor and talk about how you can reach your goal. Work with your health care team to make sure you meet that goal. Track your blood pressure over time.
• Take your blood pressure medicine as directed. Set a timer on your phone to remember to take your medicine at the same time each day. If you are having trouble taking your medicines on time or paying for your medicines, or if you are having side effects, ask your doctor for help.
• Quit smoking — and if you don’t smoke, don’t start. You can find tips and resources at CDC’s Smoking and Tobacco website.
• Reduce sodium intake. Most Americans consume too much sodium, which can raise blood pressure. Read about ways to reduce your sodium and visit the Million Hearts® Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Resource Center for heart-healthy, lower-sodium recipes, meal plans, and helpful articles.

For more information on February Heart Healthy Month visit: www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth
or: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics#.WkuaxFWnHIU  

Information on ways to help  lower high blood pressure without medication

physical therapy near me

More PTandMe Articles on blood pressure can be found here

high blood pressure

 

spine rehabilitation

Spine Rehabilitation and Its Benefits

- Back, Blog

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31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time. Back pain is the most common cause of loss of activity among adults under 45. It’s estimated that over 80% of all American workers suffer back pain at some time during their careers. From chronic to acute back pain, physical therapists are highly trained to accommodate the spine rehabilitation needs of a variety of patients.

COMMON BACK PROBLEMS SEEN BY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS INCLUDE:

COMMON CAUSES OF BACK PAIN:
Poor Posture and Body Mechanics
Poor posture is when your spine’s normal curves are either increased or decreased. This puts uneven stress on your spine and all of the supporting tissues. This uneven stress leads to pain and dysfunction and increases the likelihood of injury. The most commonly seen poor posture is a flat low back. Losing your natural low back curve is a major risk for back pain.

Poor Lifting Techniques
Poor lifting techniques is another cause for back problems. The forward bending position with your legs straight puts a great deal of stress on the muscles and ligaments of your back. The discs in your back are also under tremendous strain in this position. This position can increase your chances of ligamentous and muscular strains. It also increases your chances of getting a bulging or herniated disc.

Poor Physical Fitness
Poor physical fitness also contributes to potential back problems. Poorly conditioned muscles lack the strength and endurance that conditioned muscles have. They become fatigued much sooner and cannot provide the type of support a well conditioned muscle can.

back pain

WHAT DOES A SPINE REHABILITATION PROGRAM INVOLVE?
Physical therapists provide a comprehensive approach incorporating manual therapy, prescriptive therapeutic exercise and modalities. A program will improve the patient’s physical condition and symptoms. Therapists also provide the patient with movement awareness, knowledge of safe positions, functional strength, and coordination. All of this promotes the management of low back pain (LBP).

TREATMENTS OFFERED INCLUDE:
• Comprehensive Evaluation with an emphasis on determining the source of the problem.
• Individualized & Specific Exercise Programs
• Manual Therapy (hands-treatment)
• Modalities as Needed
• Progressive Home Program to help restore independence and self-management

GOALS:
• Improve Mobility
• Knowledge of Safe Positions
• Movement Awareness
• Functional Strength
• Coordination

If you have back pain that is prohibiting you from doing the things you enjoy, take the first step towards your recovery and contact your physical therapist.

Post Workout Nutrition

Post Workout Nutrition Tips for an Intense Workout

- Blog, Sports and Fitness

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After an intense workout you need to replenish your body with the nutrients and vitamins that were lost while exercising. We have compiled a post workout nutrition guide to help you make good choices as you refuel your body.

PROTEIN, CARBOHYDRATE AND WATER:
Intake within 30-60 minutes post workout for optimal nutrient uptake (muscles and energy system get the most out of the nutrients).

PROTEIN TO CARBOHYDRATE RATIO OF 3:1 (chocolate milk is perfect: 8g Carbs/ 24g Protein)
TAKING IN PROTEIN WITH CARBOHYDRATES
• Slows nutrient uptake into the bloodstream (keeping blood sugar from spiking up, minimizing production of insulin which in turn slows fat storage)
• Maintains a steady burning metabolism
• Helps to more effectively restore muscle glycogen (energy)
• Begins to heal muscle tissue quicker.

BASIC POST WORKOUT MEALS INCLUDE:
• Wheat Bagel with Almond Butter
• Tuna on Wheat Crackers
• Cereal with Skim Milk
• Greek Yogurt with Fruit
• Stir Fry
• Turkey/Chicken Sandwich
• Protein Bar
• Hummus with Whole Grain Pita
• Sports drink with Protein Shake
• Water, Water, Water!!!!

weightlifter woman

There are many more choices, and creativity is always an option. The important part is to choose a lean meat or protein source (chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef, tofu, beans, nuts), healthy carbohydrate source (whole grain, fruits, vegetables, nuts) and a small amount of healthy fat (Unsaturated: Avocadoes, almonds, walnuts, olive oil). Mixing and matching these is the best approach. This guarantees the widest range of vitamins and minerals in your meal.

pediatric physical therapy

Is Physical Therapy Right for Your Child?

- Blog, Pediatrics

pediatric physical therapy

PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY
is recommended for infants, children, and teens who have a musculoskeletal injury or who have movement problems from an illness, disability or disease. Physical therapy after an injury is required to decrease pain, improve range of motion and strength thus returning the youngster to pre injury status. We will also teach the child and parent strategies to prevent future injury.

What Can Therapy Do?
PHYSICAL THERAPY IS TYPICALLY RECOMMENDED WHEN A CHILD HAS LIMITATIONS IN MOBILITY AND DIFFICULTY WITH ADL’S (Activities of Daily Living).

What To Expect
In the pediatric population, physical therapists use purposeful play in the evaluation and treatment of each child. Following the child’s lead we create a fun and empowering treatment session. The primary role of physical and occupational therapists is to help children, play grow and achieve their developmental milestones. Skills are learned and mastered through the context of therapeutic play in hopes of enhancing performance of functional and purposeful activities. Developmental skills are emphasized allowing for progress toward age appropriate activities and movement patterns. This therapeutic approach addresses the needs of the child’s physical, social and emotional needs.

APPROACHES / TOOLS
• Strengthening, Endurance & Coordination
• Developmental Screenings / Evaluations
• Sports Rehab
• Orthopedic Rehabilitation
• Manual Therapy

The following is a list of diagnosis, conditions, or disease entities that may benefit from pediatric physical therapy:

• Acute Trauma affecting muscles, joints, or bone or limiting mobility and function
• Birth Defects such as Spina Bifida
• Developmental Coordination Disorders
• Cancer Related Fatigue
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental delays
• Down Syndrome
• Genetic disorders limiting mobility and function
• Diseases affecting the heart or lungs
• Head Injury
• In or Out toeing when walking
• Orthopedic disabilities or injuries
• Limp when walking
• Limb deficiency or Amputation
• Muscle diseases
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Muscle tone issues – spasticity or hypotonicity
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Sports injuries
• ACL knee injury pre or post op
• Shoulder Pain
• Ankle sprain / pain
• Toe Walking
• Back Pain / Scoliosis
• Torticollis
• Brachial Plexus injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Elbow or hand pain
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• Juvenile Arthritis
• Juvenile Diabetes
• Headaches / Neck pain
• Hip Pain
• Urinary Incontinence (from a specialist)
• Knee Pain
• Patellar dislocation
• Patella Tendonitis / Jumpers knee
• Obesity
• Osgood-Schlatters
• Sever’s Disease
• Shoulder dislocation

special needs child

What Role Does Family Play?
Family participation is encouraged for successful implementation and carry over into the home environment. Comprehensive individualized home programs are created further empowering the family and child.

PT News

- Blog, PT News

This Month in PT News. Featuring articles from PTandMe partnering clinics!

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1. Put Your Shoulder Separation Back Together
Written by the Therapy Team at The Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy

The shoulder, with the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body, is also one of the most complicated structures in the body. (The shoulder actually includes four different joints.) Because of the shoulder’s wide range of motion, complications may arise when it can’t move around freely or when the complex system of ligaments and muscles can’t keep the joints in the correct relationship.
Read More

Burger Man

2. Carbohydrates and You
Written by Jessica Vandenberg MS, AT, ATC, CSCS – The Center for Physical Rehabilitation

Here is a great article on the role of carbohydrates in daily function. It also has a quick and easy calculation to know if you are getting the right amount of carbohydrates in your daily life.  Read More

airport travel

3. Pain-Free Travel This Holiday Season
Written by the Therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab

Busy airports, crazy drivers, everyone rushing to their destination; the holidays are here again and chances are, you’ll be traveling too. Traveling should be an exciting experience but more often than not, traveling can cause aches and pains that you will feel during the trip and when you arrive to your destination.  Read More