Category Archives: Blog

May 2016 Events

April 26, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Events

Check out our new Physical Therapy Monthly Events Calendar! Focusing on events from PTandMe.com participating physical and occupational therapy clinics. Read more to find out what’s happening in your community in May 2016!

GEORGIA PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

JEKYLL ISLAND
DATE: May 13th, 2016 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
2016 Turtle Crawl
CLINIC: Advance Rehabilitation Physical Therapy – Brunswick / St. Simons
Advance Rehabilitation Physical Therapy is proud to be a sponsor for the 2016 Turtle Crawl in Jekyll Island. What could be more fun or more worthwhile than running to save endangered sea turtles? Between the triathlon and 5K & 10K races, the new Beach Village will play host to Turtle Crawl Festival. Join GSTC for a celebration of the start of the sea turtle nesting season. Play in field day-style games hosted by the Center, dance with the GSTC mascot Scute during one of several live music performances on the Village Green, and grab a bite from a regional food truck. Enjoy the evening’s festivities while learning about what small changes you can do to make a huge difference in the life of a sea turtle. For event information click here. For more information about Advance Physical Therapy in Brunswick and St. Simons click here.

IDAHO PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

BOISE, ID
DATE: May 7th, 2016
Boise Walk for the Cure
CLINIC: Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation – Boise
Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation is proud to be a sponsor for the 2016 Boise Walk for the Cure. For more information about Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation click here.

HOMEDALE, ID
DATE: May 11th, 2016
Boise-Cascade Annual Safety Fair
CLINIC: Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation – Boise
Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation is a proud participant in the 2016 Boise-Cascade Annual Safety Fair. For more information about Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation click here.

MICHIGAN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

ARMADA, MI
DATE: May 16th, 2016
New Clinic Opening
CLINIC: Plymouth Physical Therapy – Armada
Plymouth Physical Therapy is excited to announce the opening of its 15th location in Armada, MI. The Armada Center is scheduled to open its doors and accept new patients on Monday, May 16th. For more information about Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists you can visit them online by clicking here.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI
DATE: May 13th, 2016
Sport and Fitness Expo
CLINIC: The Center for Physical Rehabilitation – Grand Rapids
Sports & Fitness Expo is a 1 day event being held on May 13th, 2016 at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, MI. This event showcases product from medical, pharmaceutical, sporting goods, toys and game industries. Free admission, open to public, 100+ vendors, food samples, discounted apparel and prize drawings. For more information about The Center for Physical Rehabilitation click here.

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI
DATE: May 12th, 2016
Ford/Sterling Heights Plant Health Fair
CLINIC: Fit2WRK Therapy Partners of Michigan
Fit2WRK provides an integrated approach to ensuring overall client satisfaction. Our industrial specialists will review your own needs and co-develop programs designed to expedite return to work as well as positively impact future injury costs. For more information on Fit2WRK please visit their website here.

MISSISSIPPI PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

CLINTON, MS
DATE: May 19th, 2016 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Business Block Party
CLINIC: Arrowhead Physical Therapy – Clinton
Arrowhead Physical Therapy and the other tenants of the Parkway Center are getting together to show off their services to the community. Stop on by the Arrowhead Physical Therapy Clinic to meet the staff, see the clinic and have a great time! For more information about Arrowhead Physical Therapy in Clinton, MS click here.

TENNESSEE PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

BOLIVAR, TN
DATE: May 13th, 2016
Physical Therapy Open House
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – Bolivar
STAR Physical Therapy is celebrating 10 years in the Bolivar community. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with an Open House! Join for food and fun, meet our therapists and see the clinic. For more information about STAR Physical Therapy – Bolivar visit their website by clicking here.

NASHVILLE, TN
DATE: May 13th, 2016 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Free Run Well Event
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – East Nashville
Join health and wellness experts discussing and demonstrating ways to enhance your exercise routine and running technique to improve ease, comfort and performance. This free event will provide several approaches including a specific assessment of your running biomechanics through video analysis. For more information about STAR Physical Therapy visit their website by clicking here.

OOLTEWAH, TN
DATE: May 15th, 2016 12:30PM – 3:00PM
Taste of Ooltewah and Harrison
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – Ooltewah
The 2nd ANNUAL TASTE OF OOLTEWAH AND HARRISON that was rained out last weekend will now take place on Sunday, May 15th! Join us and Ooltewah Harrison Education Foundation from 12:30-3:00 at Cambridge Square in Ooltewah for this great event! James Gose, Ooltewah Clinic Director, will be on hand providing free balance assessments and answering any physical therapy questions that you may have. https://www.facebook.com/events/1724699561149707/

TEXAS PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

ARLINGTON, TX
DATE: May 12th, 2016 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Physician Mixer Networking Event!
CLINIC: Green Oaks Physical Therapy – Mansfield, North and South Arlington
Please join us for our Physician Mixer at Bar Louie, Arlington Highlands. A fun evening of networking with your peers from the Arlington/Mansfield area. There will be complimentary drinks and appetizers. Door prizes include: Fit Bit, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, golf accessories and more! For more information about Green Oaks Physical Therapy click here.

FORT WORTH, TX
DATE: May 6th, 2016 11:30am – 1:00pm
Green Oaks Physical Therapy 5th Annual Cookout!
CLINIC: Green Oaks Physical Therapy – Fort Worth
Come and experience some Green Oaks Hospitality. Stop by for brisket, ribs & sides. Check out the clinic & meet the staff!! Please RSVP to 817-335-7946 and enjoy some great food and fun. Located at 160 W. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 2, Fort Worth, TX 76104. For more information about Green Oaks Physical Therapy in Fort Worth click here.

FORT WORTH, TX
DATE: May 12th, 2016 1:00pm – 4:00pm
GE Manufacturing Solutions 2016 Health Ahead Day
CLINIC: Physical Therapy of Trophy Club – Trophy Club
Physical Therapy of Trophy Club will be available to GE Employees at the GE Manufacturing Solutions 2016 Health Ahead Day. Along with others we will go over ways to live a safe healthy and stress free life. For more information about Physical Therapy of Trophy Club click here.

HOUSTON, TX
DATE: May 25th, 2016
National Senior Health & Fitness Day 10:00am – 12:00pm
CLINIC: Action Physical Therapy – Houston
Action Physical Therapy, in Houston, TX is proud to be participating in the 23rd Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day! Join us in Houston’s First Baptist Church – Harbor Room for hearing tests, bone density scans and to meet our fitness trainers! A healthy lunch will be provided for the first 50 attendees. For more information about Action Physical Therapy in Houston, click here.

LAS COLINAS, TX
DATE: May 14th, 2016
Habitat for Humanity Build with Green Oaks Physical Therapy
CLINIC: Green Oaks Physical Therapy – Las Colinas
The Green Oaks Physical Therapy team members from Las Colinas, Fort Worth, and South Arlington are participating in a Habitat for Humanity build. If you happen to be out there come see us and help us with a great cause! For more info on the Dallas area Habitat for Humanity click here. For more information on Green Oaks Physical Therapy, click here.

WISCONSIN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

WAUSAU, WI
DATE: May 03rd, 2016, 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Worker’s Compensation Symposium
CLINIC: Sport & Spine Physical Therapy
No cost to attend! This event is designed to be of interest to anyone who works for or cares for, Wisconsin’s workforce. Employers, HR directors, safety directors, case managers, nurses, physicians and physician’s assistants. Hosted by Sport & Spine Physical Therapy of Weston. Click here for more information or visit their website here.

Click here to print a downloadable events flyer.

Long Work Hours May Increase Risk of Stroke

April 14, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Neurological Rehab

Stroke is a brain injury caused by an interruption in blood flow. It is a leading cause of death in the US, and can also cause disability, decreased quality of life and increased healthcare expenses. There are many lifestyle factors that affect you risk of stroke including diet, exercise, smoking and stress. Other lifestyle habits like long periods of standing or long work hours are also being reviewed for their impact on stroke risk.

Earlier research has suggested that long working hours may be linked to stroke, but the evidence is limited. Researchers wanted to determine if there was a possible connection between long work hours and the risk of stroke. The study, published in Lancet, found that employees who work long hours have a higher risk of stroke than those who do not.

About the Study
The systematic review of observational studies included 528,908 men and women from Europe, the U.S. and Australia who were free from history of stroke at the beginning of the study. The participants volunteered their work hours and were tracked for the development of stroke. During an average 7.2 year follow up there were 1,722 stroke-related events.

Compared to those who worked standard hours (35-40 hours/week), participants who worked 49-54 and more than 55 hours a week had an increased risk of stroke.

The effects remained apparent even when other stroke factors like age, sex and health history were accounted for.

How Does This Affect You?
A systematic review pools a large number of trials to create a larger pool of data. The larger the pool of data, the more reliable outcomes are. However, the review is only as reliable as the trials that are included. The included studies were all observational studies which means a direct cause and effect link could not be established and the studies can only show a potential link between factors.

There is a reasonable link between extra work hours and stroke since longer hours are often associated with extra stress and less relaxation time. If you have long work hours, you may want to talk to your doctor about your personal risk factors for stroke and follow other stroke prevention methods such as:
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limiting dietary salt and fat
• If you smoke, talking to your doctor about way to quit
• Increasing your consumption of fish
• Drinking alcohol in moderation
• Managing chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes

Rehabilitation doesn’t reverse the effects of a stroke. Its goals are to build your strength, capability and confidence so you can continue your daily activities despite the effects of your stroke.

What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.

• A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die.

What are the Effects of Stroke?
The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can’t reach the region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body won’t work as it should. Rehabilitation is probably one of the most important phases of recovery for many stroke survivors. The effects of stroke may mean that you must change, relearn or redefine how you live. Stroke rehabilitation helps you return to independent living.

Rehabilitation doesn’t reverse the effects of a stroke. Its goals are to build your strength, capability and confidence so you can continue your daily activities despite the effects of your stroke.

What Will I Do in Rehabilitation?
What you do in rehabilitation depends on what you need to become independent. You may work to improve your independence in many areas. These include:
• Self-care skills such as feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting and dressing
• Mobility skills such as transferring, walking or self-propelling a wheelchair
• Communication skills in speech and language
• Cognitive skills such as memory or problem solving
• Social skills for interacting with other people

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

RESOURCES:

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org

American Stroke Association
http://www.strokeassociation.org

Kivimäki M, Jokela M, et al. Long working hours and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished data for 603,838 individuals. Lancet. 2015 Oct 31;386(10005):1739-1746. Available at: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2815%2960295-1/fulltext. Accessed January 19, 2016.

Risk factors for stroke or transient ischemic attack. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated December 28, 2015. Accessed January 19, 2016.

Last reviewed January 2016 by Michael Woods, MD

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

PT News

April 12, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, PT News

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

1. The Rapid Recovery Blueprint
Written by the Therapy Team at Cornerstone Physical Therapy

Exercise tends to break down muscle fibers while rest allows muscles to recuperate and emerge stronger. The appropriate amount of exercise, followed by recovery leads to an ongoing cycle of improvement over time. Strength and endurance improve, creating a foundation for long-term health. Read more

2. Can We Get Stronger as We Age?
Written by the Therapy Team at the Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy

The answer to that question is – absolutely! After age 40 or so, we all begin to lose muscle strength and bone density, and our hormone production slows. Read more

3. Overtraining Doesn’t Help, It Hurts
Written by the Therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy

Working to achieve a sports or fitness goal can drive many people to overtrain in an effort to get stronger, better, faster. Our PT’s have seen many injuries related to overtraining. Read more

April is Occupational Therapy Month

April 7, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Events

This month we celebrate occupational therapy, which helps individuals get back to doing all the things they love on a daily basis. Occupational therapy enables people of all ages live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, prevent or live better with injury, illness or disability. It is a practice deeply rooted in science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each individual is supported by data, experience and “best practices” that have been developed and proven over time.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on “doing” whatever occupations or activities are meaningful to the individual. It is occupational therapy’s purpose to get beyond problems to the solutions that assure living life to its fullest. These solutions may be adaptations for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings or helping individuals to alter their own behaviors.

When working with an occupational therapy practitioner, strategies and modifications are customized for each individual to resolve problems, improve function and support everyday living activities. The goal is to maximize potential. Through these therapeutic approaches, occupational therapy helps individuals design their lives, develop needed skills, adjust their environments (ex: home, school or work) and build health-promoting habits and routines that will allow them to thrive.

By taking the full picture into account a person’s psychological, physical, emotional and social makeup as well as their environment—occupational therapy assists clients to do the following:

• Achieve goals
• Function at the highest possible level
• Concentrate on what matters most to them
• Maintain or rebuild their independence
• Participate in daily activities that they need or want to do

Written by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
For more information, go to: www.aota.org

Frozen Shoulder: How Physical Therapy Can Help

April 6, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Shoulder

Physical therapy can help patients experiencing frozen shoulder regain movement faster. If your initial pain doesn’t go away with usual pain relievers, it’s probably time to check with a physical therapist. That’s because it can take up to TWO YEARS to go away on it’s own! This is definitely not something to be ignored.

Adhesive capsulitis is more commonly known as frozen shoulder, and with good reason: It can render your shoulder so stiff, it’s almost impossible to button your shirt — that is, if you aren’t in too much pain to get dressed in the first place.

Where does this injury Come From?
In general it comes on after an injury to your shoulder or a bout with another musculo-skeletal condition such as tendinitis or bursitis. Quite often its cause can’t be pinpointed. Nonetheless, any condition that causes you to refrain from moving your arm and using your shoulder joint can put you at risk for developing this injury.
It affects 10-20 percent of people with diabetes according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Women are more likely to develop this injury than men and it occurs most frequently in people between the ages of 40 and 60.

Where does the diabetes come in?
Well, doctors still aren’t exactly sure. But they believe that excess glucose impacts the collagen in the shoulder. Collagen is a major building block in the ligaments that hold the bones together in a joint. When sugar molecules attach to the collagen, it can make the collagen sticky. The buildup then causes the affected shoulder to stiffen, and the pain prevents you from moving your arm. Ouch!

This injury has Three Stages:
FREEZING
Pain slowly becomes worse until range of motion is lost.
(Lasts 6 weeks to 9 months)

FROZEN
Pain improves, but the shoulder is still stiff.
(Lasts 4 to 6 months)

THAWING
Ability to move the shoulder improves until normal or close to normal.
(Lasts 6 months to 2 years)

Physical therapy is often very effective in treating frozen shoulder. If your initial pain doesn’t go away with the usual pain relievers, it’s probably time to check with a doctor. That’s because it can take up to two years to go away on its own! This is definitely not something to be ignored.

TREATMENT
Treatment focuses on controlling pain and getting movement back to normal through physical therapy. Sometimes surgery is also considered. Talk to your doctor about treatment options that are right for you.

PREVENTION
Because doctors don’t really understand the causes, it can be difficult to prevent them in most cases. Keeping your blood sugars under control is always key to avoiding all complications. Doctors have also found that people who’ve suffered an injury to their shoulder or stroke are also at an increased risk, because of the immobility the other condition has caused. If you have diabetes and have had a shoulder injury, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about what kind of exercises you can do to make sure this doesn’t happen to you.

Written by the Therapy Team at Advanced Physical Therapy

Achilles Tendon Care – New Therapy Can End Months of Pain

March 29, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Ankle, Blog, Foot

The Achilles tendon is the large cord-like structure at the back of the ankle. It is responsible for transferring the muscle forces generated by the calf, which in turn allows you to roll onto the ball of your foot during walking and running.

We don’t realize it, but this tendon can withstand tremendous stress. It can tolerate forces of greater than 1000 pounds. However, it is also a tendon that can become inflamed and injured. Symptoms include pain (in the tendon or where it attaches to the heel bone), swelling, weakness in the leg and morning stiffness. The discomfort that resolves as the day progresses is common.

Often, physical therapists see clients that experience chronic Achilles pain. New research concludes that there is hope for these patients. Recent studies have shown that a certain Achilles condition called tendinosis, responds very well to a specific program of, what we call, eccentric loading. Given enough time and proper technique, physical therapists can help these patients recover from a problem that may have been bothersome for several months.

Who do you know that is experiencing Achilles or some other type of foot pain? There is a good chance that physical therapy can help, and make dramatic changes in someone’s condition. Please, don’t hesitate to call your physical therapist.

PUT ICE ON A NEW INJURY
What should I put on a strained muscle or joint? This is a popular question. The answer is a simple acronym:

• R est
• I ce
• C ompression
• E levation

You need to rest an injured joint, muscle or ligament. Ice helps with pain relief and to some degree, decreases swelling. Compression and elevation help decrease the swelling that results from a soft tissue injury. Excessive swelling can cause additional cell/tissue damage.

VIEW A RICE PICTURE
Picture of a proper RICE technique on the knee:
http://www.ptclinic.com/downloads/1-1.pdf

March is Athletic Trainers’ Month

March 24, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Events, Sports and Fitness

This month, we recognize all athletic trainers and their hard work making everyone look and feel better. Here are some key messages from NATA (National Athletic Trainers’ Association):

ATHLETIC TRAINERS ARE EXPERTS
Working to prevent and treat musculoskeletal injuries and sports-related illnesses, athletic trainers offer a continuum of care unparalleled in health care. ATs are part of a team of health care professionals – they practice under the direction of and in collaboration with physicians. ATs work with those individuals who are physically active or involved in sports participation through all stages of life to prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers should not be confused with personal trainers or “trainers” who focus solely on fitness and conditioning. Always refer to an “athletic trainer” or “AT” to ensure clarify of profession and quality of care.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS SAVE LIVES
Sports injuries can be serious. Brain and spinal cord injuries and conditions such as heat illness can be life threatening if not recognized and properly handled. ATs are there to treat acute injuries on the spot. Athletes have chronic illnesses, too. People with diabetes and asthma can and do safely work and exercise, and the athletic trainer can help manage these critical health issues as they relate to physical exertion.

NOT ALL ATHLETES WEAR JERSEYS
The duties of many workers – such as baggage handlers, dancers, soldiers and police officers – require range of motion and strength and stamina, and hold the potential for musculoskeletal injuries. ATs work with individuals in various settings to help with the prevention and treatment.

THE ATHLETIC TRAINER IS THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR ATHLETES AND OTHERS
Athletic trainers are on site. They work with patients to avoid injuries; they’re there when injuries happen and they provide immediate care; and they rehabilitate patients after injuries or surgery. It’s a continuum of care. They know their patients well because they are at the school, in the theater or on the factory floor every day.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND LOWER RISK
School administrators, athletics directors and coaches have their own jobs, which may pose a conflict of interest with athlete safety; they are not experts in managing injuries or sports-related illnesses, nor should they be responsible to do so. Handling injuries at school or at work, rather than sending the patient to the emergency department, saves money and time loss – and gets them back to their activity faster. Just as professional athletes do, recreational athletes should have access to athletic trainers.

For more information please visit: www.nata.org

Managing an Aging Back

March 22, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Aging, Back, Blog

Most people at some point in their life will have to deal with a painful back. The time and intensity of the back pain is different for everyone, some will have had symptoms when they were in their teens, mid-life or in their golden years. No matter when you first start to receive symptoms more than likely these symptoms will increase in intensity and frequency as you age. Fortunately there are ways to manage back pain as well as counteract our aging process to prevent further problems from developing.

In the back there are many conditions which can develop. The important thing to remember is that not all back conditions are the same and what works for one condition doesn’t necessarily work for other conditions. This is important because in the age where answers are literally at your fingertips every piece of information on back pain needs to be taken with a grain of salt. In order to help manage your own condition it is important to really pay attention to what makes your symptoms better and what makes them worse. By being in tune with your body and what is going on with your symptoms you can take some beginning steps at managing your back pain.

As we age our body changes dramatically in all areas especially in the back and often once we understand how our back ages it is easier to understand your own symptoms.

1. JOINTS: As we age whether in our back or in other areas of our body our joints begin to break down. By breaking down we literally mean that the edges of the bone that interface with other bones change in shape and surface area. Some joints literally develop bone spurs or extra calcification of a bone surface as well as elimination of bone or jagged surfaces as opposed to flat rounded surfaces. With all the changes in the boney surfaces it causes movement between the surfaces to be less fluid or more restrictive resulting in stiffness, loss of motion and pressure put on other structures such as nerves.

2. MUSCLES: Our muscles during aging also begin to lose fluid and suppleness. As we age certain muscle fibers are lost which are more responsible for strength and power and we are left with more fatty tissue. Our muscles also lose elasticity and become more rigid and tight. This all in turns leads us to have a loss in motion, flexibility and strength.

3. DISCS: As discussed with degenerative disc disease and the conditions associated with the disease, the discs in our back literally shrink down. We lose the big cushiness of the fluid filled disc which unfortunately causes us to loose some shock absorption forcing more force.

With all of the changes described above there is an underlying theme of restricted motion and mobility in the spine. Therefore it is important to remember in order to counteract these changes we need to work on restoring and maintaining appropriate flexibility, mobility and strength. For example as described above our discs shrink which causes our joints to take more brunt of the force of the body. Therefore in order to prevent a constant break down of our joints our muscles must be flexible and strong enough to absorb this force and strain on our body.

Managing your back as you age can be possible but requires many steps and hard work. It isn’t something that can be done in two days or two weeks it takes a long in order commitment to change your body. It took a lifetime for your body to age so it isn’t realistic to expect a change in the aging process in a few weeks. Key aspects in managing your low back are:

1. FLEXIBILITY: As we mentioned motion and stiffness is a key factor in our aging process therefore it is extremely important to make sure our muscles stay as lengthened as possible. Some of examples of these exercises are: press ups, long thoracic rotations, SKTC, DKTC, and corner stretch. Remember these are key exercises for the back but it is important to keep all muscles flexible as all of our joints in our body break down.

2. CORE STRENGTHENING: This is a term which has been widely popularized in the last few years. It specifically describes strengthening the muscles which are responsible for controlling your entire spine. This means these muscles help to absorb the shock and forces put on your spine and body by preventing them from going to your joints. Another term also associated with this is lumbar stabilization exercises. Which means working on strengthening both sides of the spine at one time in order spread the force out evenly throughout the back. Some basic examples of these are: bridges with a squeeze, prone alternating arms and legs, seated marches with and without arms on ball, and supine alternating arm to legs.

3. POSTURE: As we age our posture is certainly affected. As a society we tend to be very prone to sitting and slouching forward and as we age this process is enhanced by the changes in our body which force us more into a forward flexed or “hunched” position. Therefore in order to retaliate against this it is important to work on key exercises which work on extending or maintaining the proper position of the spine. Some of these exercises are described in our stretching exercises but others are: scapular squeezes, extension over a roll, and standing hip extension.

When dealing with back pain it is important to remember that exercising is a key to help manage and control your current symptoms as well as prevent further symptoms. Unfortunately we can not take back the changes that occur as you age but we can change certain aspects of your body to help minimize these effects. By making a commitment to work with your back and body as it ages you can truly change the way your body will perform specific movements and how these movements will affect your body. In exercising with a problematic back it is important to remember that discomfort and general soreness is normal but true pain is not. You need to listen to your body and pay attention to how certain symptoms are affected by your new exercise routine.

If you have had symptoms for a long period of time and they aren’t changing with exercises or are getting worse it may be time to seek formal medical attention. This is especially important if symptoms are beginning to travel into your leg or symptoms are advancing to more neurological signs such as tingling/numbness in your feet/leg and weakness or giving way of your legs. This is a sign that symptoms are progressing and are becoming more neurological.

Physical Therapy can be a successful tool in combating back pain. In going to physical therapy you will have a formal evaluation in order to determine your condition and based on this condition an appropriate treatment strategy. This often will occur with appropriate modalities in order to help with the inflammation of muscles and nerves as well as help reduce pain. Once pain has gotten under control you will be instructed on specific exercises/activities that will be beneficial to your back. You also will be given specific tools to help reduce the inflammation of certain structures and improve the overall condition of your back. Your therapist should also work with you to set you up with a program in which you can continue to perform while you are at your home.

Industrial Athlete Tips for Health and Work Recovery

March 17, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Industrial Rehab

THE INDUSTRIAL ATHLETE
Industrial workers use their bodies to perform their jobs just as an athlete would. An athlete may do his/her job for 3 hours during a game whereas an industrial worker uses their body for 8 hours every day. It is important to take care of the most important tool you have at your disposal, your body.

HYDRATION
It is important to maintain hydration to prevent premature exhaustion and muscle injury. Appropriate fluid levels are important for cells in the body to recover and repair. This is especially important in workers who are in a warm environment or have to use heavy non-breathable PPEs. Some studies recommend drinking 1 cup of water every 30 minutes.
• Maintaining hydration is also important when not at work. When a person has sign of dehydration, it is usually too late. No longer sweating or becoming thirsty are signs of dehydration.
• Alcohol can have an adverse effect as it increases the rate of dehydration.

REST
Proper rest is important for proper muscular recovery and prevents fatigue at the end of the day and week. When the body and mind do not have the necessary “shut down” time, physically – fatigue and injury can result and mentally – unclear thinking, poor decisions and shortness of temper can result.

STRETCHING
A good method of injury prevention is stretching. A good program will be developed for the most significant muscle groups you use during your work day.

General rules for stretching:
1. Stretching is to be done slowly, gently and should not produce pain.
2. Perform stretches until you feel a slight pull and hold.
3. DO NOT BOUNCE during stretches.
4. Hold stretches for seconds, not counts.
5. It is not uncommon to have some muscular soreness for 3-5 days after performing stretches that you may not be accustomed to.
6. If you feel sharp pain with any stretch – stop performing that particular stretch.

Article about the industrial athlete was written by the Therapy Team at STAR Physical Therapy.

PT News

March 15, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, PT News

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

1. The Right Time to Exercise
Written by the Therapy Team at The Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy

Patients often ask if there is a right time of day to exercise. They wonder whether it makes a difference if they work out in the morning, afternoon or evening, and if it’s possible to synchronize their body’s natural rhythms with their daily activities. Read More

3. The Importance of Sleep for a Healthy Life
Written by the Therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy

Do you love hitting the snooze button? I think it’s safe to say that many of us do! Do you do it so often it causes you to be late for work, meetings, or school? If so, it may be time to look at your sleep routine. Read More