by jsurdej | Oct 30, 2017 | Physical Therapy News
The flu can come out of nowhere, hitting hard and bringing high fevers, coughing, muscle aches, headaches, chills and fatigue — lasting anywhere between a few days and a few weeks. It’s no wonder that in a recent survey 86 percent of parents admitted they are annoyed when others send their sick kids to school or daycare. But what constitutes good illness etiquette?
“In the same survey, 30 percent of adults said they have sent their kids to school or daycare when they were sick or contagious, so I think we have a lot to learn,” says Victor Wong, a pharmacy owner with Shoppers Drug Mart. “By following a few simple rules of illness etiquette, we can easily stem the virus’ spread and avoid putting other families at risk.”
Be honest with other parents. Whether it’s a birthday party or family get-together, you’re responsible for disclosing the sick status of your kids to other parents. The flu spreads easily and can have especially serious repercussions in families with young or old members, so be courteous and tell people or just keep your sick kids at home.
Know the cutoff point for fevers. Children should stay home if their temperature passes 100 degrees. “Make sure your kids are fever-free for 24 hours before they go back to school or play dates,” reminds Wong. “The same rule applies to parents going back to work.”
Teach your kids the basics. Using tissues for runny noses, coughing into sleeves and hand-washing are all things kids can easily do to halt the spread of germs. Because the flu is contracted through mucous membranes, reminding kids to keep their fingers away from their mouths, noses and eyes can also be helpful. “Make it fun and you’ll make it a routine,” suggests Wong. “Teaching vampire coughs or giving your kids a 20-second hand-washing countdown are great ways to subtly share good hygiene practices.”
Get vaccinated. “Vaccination is part of a comprehensive flu prevention plan and one of the best things you can do protect your family and others,” advises Wong. “Spending just a few minutes to get vaccinated could save you and your kids weeks of misery, and it might even save someone else’s life.”
— News Canada
ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.
by jsurdej | Oct 16, 2017 | Physical Therapy News
1. Leg problems. Your body was made to move, and a lack of physical activity can lead to poor circulation and blood pooling in your legs. Excessive sitting can even lead to blood clots or thrombosis, according to Thrombosis Canada. Like most other conditions here, a few simple stretching and walking breaks can help lower your risk.
2. Sick building syndrome. Did you now that the air inside a building can be up to 100 times dirtier than the air outside? You’re also exposed to a mix of unhealthy gases, chemicals and pollutants from air conditioning, dangerous bacteria and mould. To combat this, make sure to head outside for some fresh air during your lunch break.
3. Weak glutes. An inactive desk life can cause you to lose muscle tone, but recent headlines claiming that sitting makes your glute muscles completely break down are exaggerated. As long as you keep up with your gym routine, you won’t hurt your toned physique.
4. Mental health issues. Working long hours, tight deadlines and overexposure to harsh lights can all contribute to stress, which may lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Even motivational company meetings can sometimes lead to feelings of depression, as forcing people to feel positive can serve to highlight how unhappy they might be.
5. Serious illnesses. Research shows excessive sitting and other hazards that come with working an office job can increase your risk for cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and obesity — all of which can also up your chances of developing an irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation) and blood clots (thrombosis). Ergonomics specialists recommend switching up positions every eight minutes and taking frequent two-minute moving breaks.
Find more information at www.thrombosiscanada.ca.
— News Canada
ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.
by jsurdej | Oct 9, 2017 | Physical Therapy News
Now that the kids have been back to school for a month, is your son or daughter complaining of back or shoulder pain? If so, their backpack could be the cause.
A physical therapist can help you choose a proper backpack and fit it specifically to your child. Children come in all shapes and sizes, and some have physical limitations that require special adaptations.
Additionally, a physical therapist can help improve posture problems, correct muscle imbalances and treat pain that can result from improper backpack use. Physical therapists can also design individualized fitness programs to help children get strong and stay strong—and carry their own loads.
Following are three tips for backpack safety:
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.
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 movement of the arms. Straps should not be too loose, and the backpack should not extend below the low back.
Lighten the load
Keep the load at 10 to 15 percent or less of the child’s bodyweight. Carry only those items that are required for the day. Organize the contents of the backpack by placing the heaviest items closest to the back. Some students have two sets of books so as not to have to carry the heavy books to and from school.
— American Physical Therapy Association
ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.
by jsurdej | Sep 25, 2017 | Physical Therapy News
A diagnosis of heart failure can be devastating, especially for those without a support network. But it turns out dancing — whether it is ballroom, tap or line dance — might be a key to living better and longer.
According to Dr. Gavin Arthur, senior manager of Promote Recovery at the Heart & Stroke Foundation, keeping active at any age is important, but for people with heart failure, it is even more so. Just be sure to check with your doctor first.
“Choosing physical activity that has a social component is particularly great for people living with heart failure. Often people who are diagnosed with this disease can experience isolation and depression,” he explains. “Being involved in a group activity can help strengthen social and emotional connections, an important aspect of taking control of this condition.”
That’s why heart failure patient Jerry Alfonso has made line dancing his passion.
“I started because I wanted to be doing something in the evening. I learned a few dances, then one thing led to another and now I teach several classes every week,” he says. “I reach out to people to get up and exercise and while they come and dance with me I try to talk with them and encourage them to eat a healthy diet.”
Alfonso’s enthusiasm is infectious, and now his classes range from beginners through to advanced line dancers. He knows that having a strong support network can be a safety net for people living with heart failure, and encourages everyone — whether you are living with heart disease or just looking to keep active — to think about joining a class or community group.
Connecting with people who understand can be a great source of information and support. In-person and online support groups can be very helpful to combat social isolation.
— News Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation
ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.
by jsurdej | Sep 19, 2017 | Physical Therapy News
With the weather cooperating, there’s no end in sight to the local running season. However, one thing that could shorten your season is a common running-related injury such as:
• Runner’s knee or Patellofemoral pain syndrome
• Achilles tendinitis
• Hamstring issues
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shin splints
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Stress fracture
To prevent these common injuries from occurring, the physical therapists at ProActive Sports Rehab in Hamburg and Orchard Park recommend the following:
• Proper stretching of quadriceps, hamstrings, calf and hips.
• Strengthening of hips, which provides proper alignment of knees. Because running is performed mostly in one plane of motion, runners need cross-training involving lateral and rotational movements.
• Proper running sneakers for your foot, assessed by a physical therapist or running store associate, to fit your individual foot structure.
• Gradual progression of running time and distance. Training with a running club may be a good strategy.
If pain occurs, seek medical evaluation from your physician or physical therapist. Common PT treatments include assessing running technique, addressing muscle imbalances, improving range of motion and strength, pain and inflammation control, and ASTYM, a specialized tool-assisted treatment that works on soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons and ligaments to promote healing and tissue regeneration, allowing for improved mobility and decreased pain. ASTYM is also shown to speed up recovery time and allow pain-free running more quickly.
ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.
by jsurdej | Sep 11, 2017 | Physical Therapy News
As we “fall” back into our regular routines, we don’t always realize the impact the weather has on our health. For most, feeling the crisp fall air while walking and enjoying the changing colors is a welcome and enjoyable activity, so many of us are looking forward to an active outdoor season.
However, others may notice a shift in their ability to breathe as easily. Some people may not notice if they are becoming short of breath until doing simple daily tasks and having difficulty breathing. This could be something as routine as cleaning your home or walking to the corner store. Changes in your ability to breathe well, or a slow decline over time, may be more noticeable for those with a serious lung disease like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
If you are living with COPD and have a history of one or more disease flares each year, it means your COPD could be better managed.
Difficulty in breathing can be a result of worsening symptoms or new persistent ones. If the symptoms are serious enough, hospitalization may be required. Talk to your doctor about your difficulty in breathing. There are treatment options available that may help you manage your COPD.
Living with COPD doesn’t mean you are limited to a life of not getting out and about. Don’t let fear of a disease flare prevent you from enjoying a walk through the park, a corn maze with your grandkids or apple picking with your family. Speak with your doctor about better management options.”
— News Canada
ProActive Sports Rehab, with offices in Hamburg and West Seneca, offers one-on-one physical therapy and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call 674-9600 (West Seneca office) or 648-8700 (Hamburg office). You can also follow ProActive Sports Rehab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProActiveSportsRehab for frequent updates.
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