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Most people immediately think of surgery and cosmetics for remaining youthful, but a younger looking visage will not help people stay mobile and active. Most do not want to face the effects of aging but the older we get the harder it is to stay mobile. Physical therapy has treatments and therapies to help you stay physically fit and improve your overall daily wellness.
People with jobs that require repetitive motion, standing or sitting for long periods at a time, and employment that places unusual stress and strain on joints will eventually take its toll on the body and increase the risk of disorders such as arthritis. Construction workers, musicians, and dancers, along with mechanics, teachers and office workers are among the individuals that often find their bodies demonstrating the signs of aging long before they anticipated. Stress is one of the biggest factors that cause the cosmetic and physical effects of aging. When people are stressed, the body releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body for a fight or flight response. These hormones take a toll on the appearance, as well as cause the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise. The hormones can also interfere with sleep that’s essential for the body to repair itself. A physical therapist can help with many treatments that reduce stress, help with mobility, relieve pain, and promote better sleep. Exercise is a major component of maintaining a youthful body that allows you to engage in your favorite activities. Not all personal trainers at the local gym have the extensive knowledge and training necessary to address the vast number of variables involved in your individual situation. Individual situations include co-morbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, and history of stroke. However, we have worked with many physical trainers to ensure you are getting the right amount of exercise to decrease strain on your joints and improve functional strength and wellbeing. A well-designed exercise program aids in digestion, stimulates the immune system, helps maintain lean muscle and increase bone density, while not increasing pain. Your physical therapist can also show you ways of moving that lessen the stresses on the body as well as provide orthotic devices that alleviate pain and align the spine for easier movement. Ergonomic and lifestyle recommendations can be provided that will lessen the risk of falls and injuries. Aging gracefully encompasses more than a youthful looking appearance. If you are not able to move freely and enjoy your life, you are losing out on some of the most important years of your life. Conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis can severely curtail your quality of life and prevent you from doing what’s important to you. Physical therapy is an investment in your health. It provides a variety of treatments to keep your body in good health and working correctly, allowing you to enjoy every stage of your life with a more youthful and functioning body. Call us today to set up an appointment with one of our therapists to improve your health now.
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Gua sha, also known as scraping, is a healing technique that uses a smoothed-edged bone or stone tool to release muscle tension. Also called the Graston Technique™, which is performed by athletic and physical trainers, gua sha dates back to Eastern Asian medicine. Like acupuncture, cupping and reiki, gua sha works to unblock qi (pronounced “chee”), a Chinese philosophy of energy medicine that regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. It is believed that blockages of qi cause pain and other negative conditions in the body.
Gua sha treatment is performed by our team of skilled acupuncture practitioners to help heal both acute and chronic conditions, including:
During your gua sha visit: What to expectDuring a gua sha treatment, the practitioner isolates the area of skin where there is an injury or imbalance and creates a therapeutic rash using a technique called “press-stroking,” which involves rubbing a smooth-edged instrument across the surface of the skin several times in a therapeutic direction away from the head. The rash is believed to alleviate pain and other conditions attributed to congestion of blood and qi by increasing the surface circulation of blood. Gua sha is most often used on the back, neck and shoulders. For some, gua sha can cause discomfort and leave temporary marking or petechiae (the end of blood vessels opening up below the skin of the treated area). Gua sha is primarily used as a complimentary treatment to other therapies including acupuncture, massage and physical therapy. Your gua sha practitioner will work with you to determine how many sessions you need. Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness. According to the holistic medicine philosophy, one can achieve optimal health -- the primary goal of holistic medicine practice -- by gaining proper balance in life.
Holistic medicine practitioners believe that the whole person is made up of interdependent parts and if one part is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected. In this way, if people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall health. A holistic provider may use all forms of health care, from conventional medication to alternative therapies, to treat a patient. For example, when a person suffering from migraine headaches pays a visit to a holistic doctor, instead of walking out solely with medications, the doctor will likely take a look at all the potential factors that may be causing the person's headaches, such as other health problems, diet and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices. The treatment plan may involve drugs to relieve symptoms, but also lifestyle modifications to help prevent the headaches from recurring. Principles of Holistic Medicine Holistic medicine is also based on the belief that unconditional love and support is the most powerful healer and a person is ultimately responsible for their own health and well-being. Other principles of holistic medicine include the following:
Holistic Medicine: Types of Treatments Holistic practitioners use a variety of treatment techniques to help their patients take responsibility for their own well-being and achieve optimal health. Depending on the practitioner's training, these may include:
Surfing is popular with participants on coastlines throughout the world. At some stage, most surfers experience some degree of lower back pain or stiffness. A 2014 Australian study reporting it as the highest-ranking of surfing injuries at 23.3%. The most common form of lower back pain when surfing is characterised by tight muscles and a constant dull ache, and is most often caused by an over-arching lower back and a very stiff upper back. Unfortunately, many surfers are also plagued by back pain that hinders or terminates their participation in the sport. The older surfers (age higher than 40) and more experienced surfers (more than 20 years of surfing) have higher relative risks of injuries, with the 35-55 age bracket being the most affected by lower back pain. Common Causes of Back Pain in SurfersThe most common reasons for low back in surfers is due to one or more of the following:
What would a Physical Therapist be looking for ? An objective assessment would include the following Surfing position and "pop up" technique - look out for:
These include:
Physical Therapy treatment program will address :
Manual Therapy skills to improve the client's condition. These skills include:
Include some or all of the following stretches:
Surfing Technique Guidance The PT will instruct on ways to lessen extension in paddling and "pop ups". eg learn to engage core before popping up, learn to arch whole spine when extending not just low back, instruct on need to loosen up body and back before and after surfing to maintain back health. Check that muscles have sufficient flexibility, strength and co-ordination for surfing postures. Conclusion: This blog highlights the lower back as a key region where chronic injuries occur in surfers. This can assist in reducing the occurrence of injury through appropriate assessment, treatment and the use of sports-specific strength training and conditioning. Happy Surfing ! Are you planning on having surgery and are you worried about the recovery? You might have heard of lymphatic drainage massage for quicker recovery. Many health care experts and plastic surgeons swear by lymphatic drainage massage post-surgery. But does it work? Let’s find out. The Body’s Natural Lymph SystemBefore we go any further, let us explain what the natural lymph system of the body does? It is a cleansing mechanism of the body that gets rid of toxic fluids. Because of these fluids, our body can experience pain and swelling. We might also feel lethargic along with numerous other health problems. A functional lymph system ensures that our body gets rid of all the toxins frequently. As a result, we feel healthier and energized. A Lymphatic Drainage Massage:
A Few Things to Know About Manual Lymph Drainage
Think of it as manual assistance to the body’s natural drainage system. This technique originated in Germany for treating lymphedema (body swelling). This is caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, part of the immune and circulatory systems. Lymphedema is most commonly caused by lymph node removal or damage due to cancer treatment. The massage is not only used to drain excess fluids in the body but also to eliminate swelling and pain. Sometimes, patients might experience excessive water retention and swelling due to other reasons. Over the years, the technique became widely popular amongst patients of cosmetic surgery and people struggling with the dysfunctional lymph system. The top benefits include:
The entire lymphatic system comprises various vessels and nodes that are constantly working to keep your body in a healthy state. The lymph itself is made up of fatty acids, immune cells, toxins, proteins, and hormonal cells, which are processed by the nodes. If the body is under any kind of stress, surgery, infection or illness the entire process slows down. The benefits of MLD are not only limited to health. In fact, lymphatic drainage massage has proven to be beneficial for improving the quality of the skin and can help keep you looking young for longer. Moreover, it can boost the radiance of the face and minimize the early morning swelling some people struggle with. All in all, one cannot deny its importance for both health and beauty reasons. Lymphatic Drainage Massage and Cosmetic SurgeryWe are all aware of the fact that all cosmetic surgeries come with some form of swelling. This is fairly normal as this is how our bodies heal. Certain surgeries such as liposuction and tummy tuck disrupt the natural pathways which are used by the lymphatic system for drainage. In these cases, lymphatic drainage massage can be great. Choose Post-Surgery Garments Wisely There is a reason why your surgeons ask you to wear a compression garment for a specific amount of time after the surgery. They help with the entire lymph drainage process as well as the swelling. These garments help to prevent the build-up of toxins carrying fluids in one area. Moreover, it is a great pre-MLD measure to take as it helps prepare your body for the massaging process. Listen to your surgeon’s advice in this regard and ask them to recommend some great options for compression garments. Always Consult Your SurgeonAfter reading this post, you might be convinced that going for a lymphatic drainage massage is the best thing you can do for your body post-surgery. While it can be amazing if done right, you should always, always, and always consult your surgeon before going ahead with anything. Only your surgeon can give you the final word of whether it will be beneficial for you or not. If your surgeon is ok with it, ask him/her about how many weeks post-surgery you should get it done. What to Expect During the First Lymphatic Drainage Massage?During your first session, your therapist will ask you about your medical history as well as what type of surgery you have undergone. These details are necessary to treat the condition effectively. The massage itself is a simple process that involves only a massage table and a few clean towels. It will be a very relaxing experience. The therapist will use gentle, rhythmic motions all over your body to aid the drainage. Once the massage is complete, the therapist will ask you to put on compression garments along with some post-care instructions. Duration of the SessionMost people are curious about how long the massage will last. It typically lasts anywhere from thirty to ninety minutes. After your first session, you might be asked to come in every other day for the first few weeks. After that, the therapist will perform a massage once a week for four to six weeks. Eventually, it will be done only once a month for four to five months. Please note that it is a general guideline. Your experience can vary drastically depending on the condition of your body and the therapist you see. Preparing for the Lymphatic Drainage MassageAny treatment or health care practice requires a little bit of homework to achieve the right results. Here is how you can prepare for the MLD treatment;
How often should you get a lymphatic drainage massage after surgery?
Happy healing! The article was originally published at followign source – Source link The vast majority of youth sports injuries aren’t life-threatening or permanently disabling. It is important, however, to be prepared for some type of injury if your child plays sports. About 1.35 million kids and teens experience youth sports injuries each year. With early intervention, sprains, fractures or overuse damage doesn’t have to become a long-term problem. Physical therapy for youth sports injuries addresses a broad range of athlete-related problems.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON INJURIES? Sports injuries in young people fall into three major categories.
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR OVERUSE INJURIES A physical therapist can show you how to best use the RICE techniques of rest, icing, compression, and elevation. As simple as RICE techniques are in theory, it can take some practice to get those compression bandages or ice pack timing just right. The next phase involves a carefully-designed series of stretches and range-of-motion exercises. These help the young athlete ease up injured joints and body tissue. In addition, physical therapy for overuse injuries includes resistance exercises to help build up muscle strength in the areas surrounding the area. Working on core strengthening is often part of physical therapy for overuse injuries. Even if the problem is in a shoulder or ankle, a strong core helps prevent re-injury anywhere in the musculoskeletal system. PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR STRAINS AND SPRAINS Physical therapy for youth sports injuries involving sprains and strains has some overlap with fracture or overuse injury therapy. For example, RICE techniques, stretching and resistance training can help. In addition, sprains and strains often heal more quickly with hands-on manual therapy. This type of targeted massage is known as soft tissue mobilization. It’s designed to break up scar tissue and prevent other fibrous tissue from building up along the injury site. PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR GROWTH PLATE FRACTURESThe growth plates in young people are the areas at the ends of long bones. These smaller areas haven’t yet become hardened bones. Casting and even surgery are often required. After a fracture or while resting from injury the growth plate is immobilized. This often leads to the surrounding muscles to weaken. Physical therapy helps strengthen those weakened muscles. Range-of-motion exercises keep attached joints from becoming permanently stiffened. If a child or teen is involved in team or individual athletics, youth sports injuries are hard to avoid. More than a million injuries happen to kids and teens each year. The majority are strains, sprains, and fractures. Some of these problems might go away on their own. But physical therapy can often help ease short-term pain and prevent long-term problems. Contact our team at Zenergy to schedule your appointment today! Maybe you’ve heard of it, but you weren’t sure what it meant. Maybe you were too embarrassed to look it up or ask. Women’s health PT is a specialized area of physical therapy that can encompass A LOT of different diagnoses throughout a woman’s lifespan.
A women’s health physical therapist goes through additional training to evaluate and treat conditions specific to women. These may include:
The goal of women’s health physical therapy is to restore normal function, relieve your pains, restore your confidence, and get you back doing the activities you enjoy. WHO NEEDS A WOMEN’S HEALTH THERAPIST? Women from all walks of life can experience pelvic floor dysfunction. I see a lot of women post-childbirth, women who are post-menopausal, and every stage in between. Some patients come to me following a car accident, surgery, or sports injury. Maybe this doesn’t seem to apply to you because you don’t have kids or haven’t been injured or haven’t gone through menopause. Even women who haven’t experienced these changes can have pelvic floor dysfunction. Luckily pelvic floor rehab can provide relief. WHAT IS THE PELVIC FLOOR? The pelvic floor is a group of striated muscles that attach from your pubic bone to the coccyx (tailbone) and in between your ischial tuberosities (“sit bones”). It makes up the “floor” of your core, so it has an important role in:
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? While these conditions are not life-threatening, they can be distracting. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction can interfere with your everyday life and limit your ability to be active and participate in activities. The good news? Women’s Health Physical Therapy at Zenergy Physical Therapy can help! There’s no need to be embarrassed. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is common and treatable. Stop dealing with pain and discomfort. Get relief. By addressing the symptoms and the cause, we can restore strength to your pelvic floor and ultimately free you from the symptoms that keep you from living your best life. |
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