COVID and Physical Therapy
Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, is caused by a contagious virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. There is ongoing research about the lasting side effects of COVID-19, often referred to as “long COVID” or PASC, which stands for post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2. Long COVID is defined as anyone who hasn’t recovered after four weeks of illness. These individuals are sometimes called long haulers. Long COVID presents a serious threat to health and function — for some, long after the infection is gone. Researchers estimate...
Read MoreSix Exercises to Promote Balance That You Can Do at Home
Falls are common in people over 65 years of age and can result in serious injury, and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 million older adults are treated in the emergency room for fall injuries each year. The average health care cost per fall is $35,000. Performing safe home exercises can help strengthen your lower body to promote balance and reduce your overall fall risk, among other health benefits. Always check with your health care provider before beginning a home exercise program. A physical therapist can evaluate your balance and recommend...
Read More5 Tips to Safely Benefit From Walking for People With Arthritis
Walking is a safe, enjoyable, low-cost and low-impact physical activity enjoyed in all seasons and locales, individually or in a group. Those living with arthritis, an estimated 54 million American adults, can enjoy and benefit from improved strength and endurance from walking. The following are a few tips to help make a walking program safe and enjoyable for those with arthritis: 1.Talk before you walk. Have a conversation with your physical therapist to discuss if anything would prevent you from walking for routine exercise. How far or how long should you walk? What intensity or speed? Are...
Read MoreFive Tips to Manage Chronic Pain
1. Knowledge is power There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that understanding how pain works is a key strategy in managing it. Simply knowing the basics of how our brain and nerves work and their role in pain, can decrease your chance of developing chronic symptoms. 2. Keep moving (gradually and steadily) Living an active, healthy lifestyle not only improves our general well-being and health, but can also reduce our chances of developing chronic pain. Our body was built to move, and we need to understand that not all aches or soreness is cause for concern. 3. Spend time with a...
Read MoreFive Ways to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy
Ensure that your body is ready to carry a baby by addressing before pregnancy any pain or problems associated with posture or weakness. Here are some physical therapist tips for helping to prepare your body for pregnancy and to guard against musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction during and after pregnancy. Strengthen your pelvic muscles. To strengthen your muscles, use pelvic floor contractions (commonly referred to as Kegels), which involve gently squeezing the sphincter muscles (rather than the buttocks and thighs). These tightening exercises help prevent leakage when a woman...
Read More5 Tips for Creating Good Habits While Toilet Training Your Child
Toilet Training Toilet training is an important developmental milestone for children and is one of the first steps to becoming more self-sufficient. However, toilet training can be challenging for both children and their families. The following tips will help your child create good, lasting habits and avoid future bowel and bladder problems. Wait for it! Bowel and bladder development occurs around 18 months of age. Starting toilet training too early can create frustration and lead to poor habits or avoidance of toilet training altogether. It can also lead to bowel and bladder problems such...
Read More4 Tips to Stay Active and Independent As You Age
Aging can have a bad reputation; however, there is no reason that growing older can’t be a journey full of adventure and opportunities to live life to the fullest. All you need is proper guidance, proactive steps, and a positive attitude. And there is proof. Research suggests that improvements in physical function are possible well into older adulthood, and supports that continued activity as you age helps fight cognitive decline. Regular physical activity can benefit your physical, mental, and social health, and prevent or improve many chronic conditions, such as heart disease,...
Read MoreFive Tips To Fall Proof Your Home
Falling down can sound harmless. But for older adults it can result in serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls, and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries as well as the number one cause of harm and resulting deaths among older Americans. And treating injuries caused by falls is costly, totaling more than $50 billion in 2015. A physical therapist can develop a personalized physical activity plan to help improve your strength, stability, and mobility and reduce your risk of falling. Falls are not a...
Read MoreFive Common Myths About Low Back Pain
Low back pain is common. At some point in their lives, 80% to 90% of the adult population will experience low back pain. Unfortunately, studies show that many people with low back pain don’t get treatment that aligns with best evidence-based practices. Physical therapists are movement experts who treat low back pain and improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. Here are five common myths associated with low back pain: Myth 1: Spinal manipulation (mobilizing the joints in...
Read More
