Four Things to Know About Adult Bowel Health
Bowel health can be uncomfortable to discuss, but it provides a good indication of your overall health. Developing and maintaining healthy and regular bowel health routines are imperative for staying healthy. For some, improper bathroom habits, such as ignoring the urge to defecate, hovering over the toilet, or not allowing enough time to empty the colon, can develop in childhood and follow us into adulthood. Others develop bowel issues as adults through sickness, sensitivities, microbiome changes, pain, or various diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and...
Read More6 Tips To Prevent New Parenting Injuries
The months following the birth of a child are some of the most rewarding for new parents—and the most challenging to a new parent’s body. Lifting and carrying a child, picking up toys off of the floor, and pushing a stroller are normal daily tasks for moms and dads. Here are some tips on how using proper body mechanics to help ease the strains and stresses of parenting: 1. Lifting Your Child From the Floor When picking up your child from the floor, you should use a half-kneel lift: First, stand close to your child on the floor. While keeping your back straight, place one foot slightly...
Read More3 Tips For Backpack Safety
Kids Backpack Children—or anyone—should follow these simple tips when wearing a backpack. Wear both straps. Use of one strap causes one side of the body to bear the weight of the backpack. By wearing two shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed across the shoulders. Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles. Pay close attention to the way the backpack is positioned on the back. It should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and allow free...
Read More3 Strategies to Maintain Health and Fitness During Social Distancing and COVID-19
3 Strategies to Maintain Health and Fitness During Social Distancing and COVID-19 Although COVID-19 has caused temporary changes to our way of life, we shouldn’t let it put a damper on doing healthy activities. Now more than ever is the time to keep an active, healthy lifestyle, while still following the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread. Doing so will help in fighting this virus. And regular physical activity boosts your immune system, prevents chronic conditions, and even helps to fight anxiety and fear. Physical therapists...
Read More7 Tips to Avoid Aches and Pains While Gardening
7 Tips to Avoid Aches and Pains While Gardening Common gardening activities, such as digging, planting, weeding, mulching, and raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints. The following tips can help minimize aches and pains: Get moving before you garden. A 10 minute brisk walk and stretches for the spine and limbs are good ways to warm up. Change positions frequently to avoid stiffness or cramping. Be aware of how your body feels as you work in your garden. If a part of your body starts to ache, take a break, stretch that body part in the opposite direction it was in, or switch...
Read More6 Reasons to Consider Telehealth Physical Therapy
6 Reasons to Consider Telehealth Physical Therapy Have you ever wanted your physical therapist to teach you how to move better in your home? Do you have a difficult time getting to your appointments? Telehealth — a live, one-on-one video appointment with your PT — may be a solution. Telehealth is becoming a popular option that enables patients to see and talk to their health care providers, including a growing number of PTs, from the comfort and convenience of home. Here are a few reasons to consider telehealth physical therapy: 1. Accessibility. Telehealth can help you stay connected with...
Read MoreOsteoporosis Prevention
Osteoporosis Prevention Healthy bones can help you stay strong and active throughout your life. If good bone health is achieved during childhood and maintained, it can help to avoid bone loss and fracture later in life. For healthy bones, it is important to maintain a physically active lifestyle and eat a balanced diet with plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and perhaps other supplements as needed. Physical therapists can design a unique program for you to help keep your bones healthy. Osteoporosis is a common bone disease that affects both men and women (mostly women), usually as they age. It is...
Read More7 Things To Know To Age Well
7 Things To Know To Age Well We can’t stop time. But with the right type and amount of physical activity, we can help stave off many age-related health problems and live life to its fullest. Physical therapists are movement experts who can help you optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. Here are 7 things physical therapists want you to know to age well: Chronic pain doesn’t have to be the boss of you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016 an estimated 20.4% (50 million) US adults experienced...
Read More6 Tips to Shovel Snow Safely
Snow shoveling is a repetitive activity that can cause muscle strain to the lower back and shoulders. Back injuries due to snow shoveling are more likely to happen to people who may not know that they are out of condition. Following these tips can help you avoid injuries: Lift smaller loads of snow, rather than heavy shovelfuls. Bend your knees and lift with your legs rather than your back. Use a shovel with a shaft that lets you keep your back straight while lifting. A short shaft will cause you to bend more to lift the load. Using a shovel that’s too long makes the weight at the end...
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