Have you experienced a moment when you stood up or sat up from lying down and gotten very "light headed" or "dizzy"? This is a common happening for many older individuals. Causes can range from blood pressure issues to postural changes in neck or vertigo. They are fixable but sometimes not curable. Find out how!
561-833-1747 www.flalger-rehab.com
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Physical Therapy - It's YOUR Choice
Did you know that YOU have the right to choose your physical therapist? When you get a physical therapy referral from your physician, you can visit any provider you like. It's common for the physician's office to recommend a provider if the office is familiar with or has an affiliation with that provider. The choice is yours. You can either visit the provider recommended by your physician, or any other provider that you feel comfortable with.
Did you know?
- Most states allow the patient to see a physical therapist without a physician's referral. If you don't know whether you need a referral, don't worry. Just call our office and we'll get the answer for you.
- Some insurance policies may require a visit to your primary care physician before attending physical therapy or may require you to use 'preferred providers' only. This is also something we can look into for you when you give us a call.
- Your physician may advise you to visit their own in-office physical therapy facility or one that is run by a large hospital. You can do so, or research and use an independent physical therapist in private practice - the choice is yours.
- You are not obligated to go to any particular physical therapy office / clinic; even if your surgeon or physician suggests that office.
- The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) requires it's members to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics. This ensures that they are committed to providing competent and compassionate care.
article_body
Thought for The Day
Choosing The Right Physical Therapist For You
As a consumer, you have the opportunity to research your physical therapy provider before you make a decision. After all, you want to feel comfortable with your decision. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when choosing your physical therapist:
- Any physical therapist you choose should be licensed by the state he / she is practicing in.
- Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) should always be supervised by a licensed physical therapist.
- Make sure the clinic participates with your specific insurance company and plan. Ask them and they will find out for you.
- There are times when you may find a physical therapist who specializes in a skill that is related to your particular needs / condition that may not participate with your insurance. To ensure that your needs are best met, you may consider paying out of pocket for these specialized skills.
- Find out if your physical therapy clinic submits insurance claims on your behalf. If not, then you will have to submit your own claims.
- Your insurance company should be able to verify how many visits they allot for your particular problem and be able to tell you what your co-pay is. In most cases, the physical therapy clinic can also verify this information for you. You should also ask whether or not you have met your insurance deductible amount.
- Ask the physical therapist's clinic to help you determine what you will be responsible for financially.
tips_body
Message From Your Physical Therapist
First Visit - What To Expect
Your first visit to your physical therapist office will include a detailed initial evaluation. This evaluation will help the therapist to identify your problems using special testing procedures.
Once your physical therapist has evaluated your condition, they will be able to design a plan of care that specifically meets your needs. If you have certain concerns or goals, make them known at this time so your therapist understands what you are expecting from your visits. As a part of the program design, expect a treatment timeline with realistic goals. This timeline may be changed as you progress, depending on how well your body responds to treatment.
Along with regular visits to your therapist's clinic, you will most likely receive a home exercise plan (HEP) in which you will be given specific exercises to do at home in between your regular office visits. This will help facilitate faster recovery, so stick with the program at home!
Always speak openly with your therapist if you have any concerns or limitations. As your physical therapists, we will work with you closely and help you recover as quickly as possible. We hope to get the opportunity to work with you.
The Flagler Institute for Rehabilitation, Inc.
561-833-1747
Monday, January 21, 2013
Children, Sports and Exercise
Getting your child involved in sports is an excellent way to encourage exercise and prevent childhood obesity. This is a proud feeling for every parent, and the expectation is that the child will have fun, gain confidence and interact with other children in the process.
To determine what your child will enjoy participating in, help him / her decide by accompanying the child to different games and a variety of sports. The more sports and environments the child is made aware of, the higher the probability that the child will be able to pick a sport and enjoy it.
It is important to make sure that the child's sporting activity is age appropriate. In general, toddlers (aged 2-5) are too young to comprehend most organized activities and the importance of 'rules'. They need unstructured play to develop movement skills, attention span and social maturity. From the age of 8 and above, children can participate in team sports and group exercise.
If your child does not like athletic activities, take the opportunity to spend more time with your child and encourage physical activity with regular walks, swimming, tossing a ball around, or simply kicking a ball back and forth. Be creative and mix it up so your child does not get bored.
article_body
Importance of Safety First
Unfortunately, children can get injured while playing sports. When this happens, consult a physician immediately. In most cases, the physician may recommend the services of a physical therapist with extensive training in anatomy and physiology. The therapist will work closely with the physician to help your child recover as quickly as possible.
Specially trained in anatomy and physiology, a physical therapist will design a delicate, yet effective exercise program to help restore muscle balance and improve mobility in your child. The therapist will be aware of the child's limitations and will do everything possible to facilitate recovery as quickly as possible. Children tend to get restless during recovery, and a physical therapist will patiently work with the child to achieve compliance during the recovery process.
Physical therapy helps to heal, strengthen, and improve motion by treating your child's injured area with a variety of exercise techniques that incorporate fun and playful activities. With physical therapy, you can expect your child to recover quickly and resume athletic activity.
tips_body
Message From Your Physical Therapist
The Right Physical Therapist For Your Child
Although physical therapy can help children in the recovery process following an injury, there is a lot more that the therapist can do. As a parent, you can expect the physical therapist to use a variety of techniques to strengthen muscles and improve joint mobility. The therapist will make the exercises fun and interesting, and your child won't realize that he or she is 'being treated.' As a parent, you should encourage your child to participate and 'play along' with the treatment. The physical therapist may use play techniques including crawling, playing follow the leader, facilitating balance and coordination activities using beams, balls and other objects.
After an injury, a physical therapist will help your child regain full potential, allowing your little bundle of joy to experience the pleasure of sport and grow physically and emotionally in the process. Your child will look forward to the 'play sessions' and be an active participant in the recovery process. If your child (or another child that you know) is recovering from an injury, give us an opportunity to help the child return to normal as quickly as possible. Give us a call today, 561-833-1747, flaglrcorf@aol.com
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Physical Therapy Helps!
|
|
Physical Therapy In Sports: Golf Highlight
|
|
Posture,
fitness, and flexibility are critical to help remain fit and injury-free for any
sport, particularly golf.
The
achievements of professional golfers like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Lorena
Ochoa highlight a new athleticism associated with a sport that was once
considered "leisurely." Today's men and women golfers, both amateurs and
professionals, are training to be stronger and more flexible, capable of far
powerful swings than ever before.
According to
the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), awareness of proper posture
and the importance of fitness and flexibility are just as important for weekend
golfers as they are for professional athletes. Most athletes, including golfers
spend thousands of dollars each year on new and improved equipment, but the most
important piece of equipment is the human body.
Did you
know:
| |
Golf Conditioning By Your Physical
Therapist
|
|
Just like any
professional sport, there has been a significant increase in injuries among
professional golfers, primarily because of the increased physical stress and
intense training associated with the sport. Strength, flexibility, and endurance
are just as important as exceptional driving distance and keen putting skills.
It is now the
norm, not the exception, for professional and non-professional men and women
golfers to work with physical therapists to improve these factors. For golfers
to improve their swing, it is vital that these programs be tailored to their
individual skills. There are certain types of training that may actually hinder
- not help - athletes. What works for someone else may not work for you!
Call us today
to find out what you are missing in your training as you aim to excel at your
sport. We can help condition you for all sports, not just golf.
| |
Keeping Injuries Away
|
|
Professional
golfers make it look easy, but the golf swing is actually one of
the most difficult and complicated movements in all of sports, requiring
stability in some joints and flexibility in others. The ability to coordinate
motion, strength, and function throughout the swing play a large role in
preventing injuries. A better swing means a more accurate ball strike, greater
distance, and less stress on the muscles and joints.
Our physical
therapists work with individuals in all sports. We have observed that
recreational golfers often complaining of spine-related injuries, including
upper and lower back, shoulder and neck pain. Leisure golfers attempt to swing
with the speed and force of professional athletes, but did you know that with
each swing 7 to 8 times a golfer's weight is directed into the
spine?
With this kind
of force, it's easy to damage discs and strain muscles. Multiple core (not just
abdomen) stabilization exercises are critical for golfers. Pilates programs are
an example of excellent injury-prevention tools that can ultimately help golfers
improve their performance.
Golfers of all
ages and abilities should make a habit of the following:
If you or a friend require help or need information to direct you to the proper care please call.
The Flagler Institute for Rehabilitation, Inc.
561-833-1747
|
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction and Physical
Therapy
The temporomandibular joint (also known as TMJ) is
located in front of the ear on either side of the head where the upper and lower
jaws meet. It is used throughout the day during activities like talking,
eating and chewing.
In most cases, TMJ dysfunction requires a visit
to a dentist or orthodontist. Physical therapy is not normally considered the
first choice for treatment. However, it is important to note that the muscles of
the neck and jaw are closely connected to the muscles of the shoulders and neck.
Weakness or dysfunction in the neck and shoulder muscles affects the muscles
surrounding the jaw and this is one of the (several) causes of TMJ problems.
These muscles are some of the most actively used in the body. As a result,
untreated TMJ dysfunction has the potential to evolve from a mere nuisance to a
rather debilitating condition.
In the early stages, an individual may experience
difficulty talking, chewing, yawning, sneezing, and swallowing. Over a period of
time, the symptoms can get worse. They may include headaches, ear pain, bite
problems, clicking sounds, and locked jaw.
What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?
Causes of TMJ dysfunction include teeth grinding,
habitual gum chewing or nail biting, dental problems (jaw abnormalities or
missing teeth) and trauma or injury to the jaws. Occupational tasks (holding the
phone between the head and the shoulder, staying hunched over the computer for
extended periods of time) that trigger muscle imbalances in the neck and
shoulder also play a role.
When muscle imbalance is a contributing factor, the TMJ
attempts to compensate for the misalignment. Normally, TMJ motion is smooth and
coordinated, allowing the jaw to move in several directions including side to
side, forward / backward and open / close. When the movement becomes imbalanced,
the result is increased strain on the ligaments and the muscles of the jaw. This
can lead to a number of symptoms including jaw and facial pain, clicking and
popping when opening and closing the mouth, difficulty opening the jaw, neck
pain and headaches.
Stress is a common trigger for TMJ dysfunction.
Self-awareness and relaxation techniques can be beneficial. Avoiding hard,
crunchy, or chewy foods help reduce pain. Hot or cold towels can alleviate
swelling or muscle spasms and further help in pain reduction.
Significance of Physical Therapy
A dentist can evaluate TMJ problems and may recommend a
dental appliance or dental work. However, if TMJ dysfunction is associated with
headache or pain in the jaw, neck or shoulders, ask for a referral to a physical
therapist.
The therapist will evaluate the TMJ to determine
the degree of strength, mobility and tension in the surrounding muscles. This
information serves as the foundation for an exercise program to address muscle
imbalances. Strengthening, stretching, and relaxation techniques prescribed by
the physical therapist will help reduce pain and restore function.
Untreated TMJ dysfunction can result in impaired
concentration, inability to chew food (leading to poor nutrition), difficulty
sleeping and psychological distress. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms
of TMJ dysfunction, consider the services of a physical therapist as part of
your treatment. Physical therapy can reduce the pain and limitation associated
with TMJ problems and speed up the recovery process. We look forward to hearing
from you, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please call if you need help or a referral to a MD.
The Flagler Institute for Rehabilitation, Inc.
561-833-1747
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)