Southwest Rehab

No tags yet.

Follow Us

Dry Needling by a Physical Therapist: What You Should Know

Dry Needling by a Physical Therapist: What You Should Know

Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use (where allowed by state law) for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. The technique uses a "dry" needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle. Other terms commonly used to describe dry needling, include trigger point dry needling, and intramuscular manual therapy. Dry needling is not acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by ac

10 Reasons Why Physical Therapy is Beneficial

10 Reasons Why Physical Therapy is Beneficial

Physical therapy helps people of all ages who have medical conditions, illnesses or injuries that limit their regular ability to move and function. A customized physical therapy program can help individuals return to their prior level of functioning, and encourage activities and lifestyle changes that can help prevent further injury and improve overall health and well being. Primary care doctors often refer patients to physical therapy at the first sign of a problem, since it

Physical Therapy Guide to Vertigo

Physical Therapy Guide to Vertigo

Physical Therapy Guide to Vertigo What Is Vertigo? How Is It Diagnosed? How Can a Physical Therapist Help? What Kind of Physical Therapist Do I Need? Further Reading Vertigo usually is described as a spinning sensation, whereas dizziness usually is described as "lightheadedness." Often, they have different causes and different treatments. If you have vertigo accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, immediately call 911 or emergency medical services (EMS) so that

5 Tips to Fall Proof Your Home

5 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. Falls are not a normal part of aging, and they are preventable. If you f

Working Remotely During Covid-19

Working Remotely During Covid-19

Your Mental Health and Well-being The coronavirus (COVID-19) is presenting new and unique challenges. We are navigating unchartered waters with this virus, making it important to find new ways to work and interact while also taking care of our mental health and well-being. Many are teleworking full-time for the first time, isolated from co-workers, friends and family. Our daily living routines are disrupted causing added anxiety, stress and strain—physically, mentally, and fi

10 Habits for Better Sleep

10 Habits for Better Sleep

Sleep is an essential part of our well-being. It plays an important role in healing, muscle recovery, and memory. Adults should get seven or more hours of sleep a night. School-aged children and teenagers need eight to 11 hours. Regardless of age, everyone should get a minimum of seven or more hours of sleep each night. Managing your sleep is key to your overall health. Not getting enough sleep can be a problem, and can contribute to the development of chronic pain. It also

World Lymphedema Day March 6th

World Lymphedema Day March 6th

Our SWRA @ YRCC Outpatient Lymphedema/ Speech Team Helping Raise Awareness! WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA? Lymphedema is an incurable but treatable medical condition caused by injury, trauma or congenital defects in the lymphatic system. When the impairment becomes so great that the lymphatic fluid exceeds the lymphatic transport capacity, swelling results as an abnormal amount of protein-rich fluid collects in the tissues of the affected area. Two types of lymphedema exist: primary and

Stretches to Relieve and Prevent Low Back Ache

Stretches to Relieve and Prevent Low Back Ache

Low back pain is the most common condition in older adults that leads to pain and disability. It’s experienced by both sedentary people and athletes. It can be caused by numerous different factors, which for older adults can include arthritis or disc degeneration. However, a large proportion of low back pain is muscle-related. If you’re currently experiencing low back pain from excessively tight muscles (see your doctor or physical therapist to be sure), these three lower bac

5 Best Foods for Boosting Collagen

5 Best Foods for Boosting Collagen

Here’s a quick primer on skin and wrinkles. There’s a tissue in the tough inner layer of the human dermis — collagen — that tightens the skin, making it look young and healthy. As your skin ages, it loses collagen and elasticity, making it more slack, which in turn causes wrinkles. Even though wrinkles are a natural part of aging, most of us want to avoid them any way possible. So, how can you keep the collagen in your skin? The good news is that, in addition to topical cream

Immune-Boosting Foods: What Works?

Immune-Boosting Foods: What Works?

Q Which foods or nutrients can help strengthen my immune system this winter and make me more resistant to whatever bugs are going around? A It’s as inevitable as the return of the pumpkin-spice latte. As the weather turns cooler, stories on “immune-boosting foods” start popping up in magazines and on the internet. Unfortunately, the evidence that specific foods can lower your susceptibility to infection and strengthen your immune system is a lot flimsier than these articles m

7 Habits That Help Keep the Mind Sharp

7 Habits That Help Keep the Mind Sharp

1. Regular exercise Exercise transforms the brain by stimulating the release of growth factors — chemicals in the brain that influence the health, abundance and survival of new brain cells and the growth of new blood vessels. Exercise can also help improve our mood, sleep patterns and stress level, all of which contribute to cognitive impairment. For years, experts have been aware that exercise causes a spike in a unique group of chemicals called endorphins, although little h

5 Brain Boosting Foods

5 Brain Boosting Foods

Simple diet changes can have a powerful effect on brain health. Research shows that antioxidant-rich foods, moderation, and eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, healthy fats, and choosing whole grains over refined grains help us retain cognitive function as we age. Recently, Baycrest Health Services at the University of Toronto published a Brain Health Food Guide. The downloadable guide is based on studies of adults 50 years of age and older who changed their d

5 Leg Strengthening Exercises to Fight Knee Pain

5 Leg Strengthening Exercises to Fight Knee Pain

You love working out, and morning runs have become an essential part of your day. Problem is, your knees aren’t in agreement. Rather than hanging up your running shoes, consider incorporating strength training exercises into your workout routine. While strengthening certain muscle groups may not entirely eliminate knee pain, it can help minimize it. A traditional workout routine of squats and lunges is not the place to start. Instead, begin with specific movements to target b

Exercise Counters Cognitive Decline

Exercise Counters Cognitive Decline

A recent study in the journal, Medicine Science in Sports & Exercise, adds to the ever-growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of exercise. In addition to the plethora of physical benefits, it was found that moderate-to-vigorous exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by 36%, as reported in Time (Exercise Keeps the Brain Young: Study - December 29, 2016). With an aging population and continued projected increases for age-related cognitive impairments such a

5 Tips to Avoid Chronic Pain

5 Tips to Avoid Chronic Pain

1. Know Pain, Know Gain. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that understanding how our pain systems work is an excellent strategy in managing it. The great news is that you don’t need to know a lot! Simply knowing the basics of how our brain and nerves work, and their role in pain, can help reduce your chance for developing chronic symptoms. 2. Keep moving. Gradually and steadily. Living an active, healthy lifestyle not only improves our general well-being and hea

Physical Therapy vs Opioids: When to Choose Physical Therapy for Pain Management

Physical Therapy vs Opioids: When to Choose Physical Therapy for Pain Management

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sales of prescription opioids have quadrupled in the United States, even though "there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report." In response to a growing opioid epidemic, the CDC released opioid prescription guidelines in March 2016. The guidelines recognize that prescription opioids are appropriate in certain cases, including cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-lif

Study Finds That Teenagers Get as Much Exercise as 60-Year-Olds

Study Finds That Teenagers Get as Much Exercise as 60-Year-Olds

Before technology became so prevalent, kids spent a lot of time outdoors. They played stick ball in the streets, flew kites and rode their bikes everywhere. However, things are much different now. Thanks to smartphones, we have constant, mindless entertainment. Technology is a lot of fun, but it has its downsides. Because of its influence, a recent study says that the average teenager gets about as much exercise as the average 60-year-old. The study was conducted at Johns Hop

Recognizing Concussions in Student Athletes

Recognizing Concussions in Student Athletes

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, face, or neck. In the United States, an estimated 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually. In high school gender-comparable sports, girls have a higher concussion rate than boys. Female athletes have also been shown to have a greater recovery time in postconcussion symptoms as compared to males. Signs of a Concussion Concussion symptoms usually appear within minutes of the injury; how

Arthritis: Does cold weather make it worse?

Arthritis: Does cold weather make it worse?

Many people with arthritis dread the cooler months. In fact, some swear blind they can even predict a drop in mercury simply by the increase in swelling and pain in their joints. But is there any truth to this notion that stiff and sore joints flare up when temperatures fall? And if so, what's causing it? While it's a topic that's been explored in a large number of scientific studies, the results have been mixed, says Deakin University pain expert Dr Michael Vagg. Some studie

5 Bodyweight Exercises to Fix Your Posture

5 Bodyweight Exercises to Fix Your Posture

Sit Up Straight! Fixing your posture requires more than standing (or sitting) at attention. That's because common postural issues including lordosis, an excessive dip in the lower back, and kyphosis, commonly called "hunchback" are really symptoms of an underlying issue. Fixing that issue - often nothing more than weak back and core muscles - is critical. " over time, consequence of excessive curvatures in the spine can contribute to back pain, difficultly breathing and nerve

1

2 3 4

Recent Posts

Search By Tags

Featured Posts

Archive