Monthly Archives: January 2014

Weight Loss

Physical therapy rehabilitation is a very important treatment procedure for people who have injuries and musculoskeletal damage resulting from accidents and surgeries. It involves a series of stretching and strengthening of your body parts, which were traumatized in an accident or surgical procedure. Besides giving you good health, it has the intention of regaining and restoring normal movements, joint range of motion and muscular strength. Some joints and joint capsules might exhibit rigidity that restricts your limbs from achieving proper movement.

This is where a physical therapist can improve the probability of achieving a full and proper recovery in your condition, helping you improve upon your activities of daily living. Further benefits include enhanced flexibility, coordination and proper equilibrium. To ensure you gain all the benefits that physical therapy has to offer, take yourself to see the best physical therapist.

Physical therapeutic procedures and modalities can be performed to treat ailments in addition to microbial infections. It can be executed with patients spanning various ages, dependent upon what variety of therapy procedure they require. Particularly, children should be clinically diagnosed and evaluated for any conditions and disorders which could require early physical therapy rehabilitation procedures. Children’s tissues are not as mature or fully developed as those of adults, to enable them to be rehabilitated easily. Adults can also be rehabilitated easily but might require a relatively long time, comparatively, to heal than children.

Physiatrists are health professionals who conduct physical examinations and deliver physical rehabilitation services to patients. They have sufficient knowledge to analyze and diagnose the maladies of their patients and prescribe appropriate physical therapy to them. A Physiatrist can prescribe prescription medications, as well as give injections of corticosteroids and prolo therapy injectibles. They generally do not perform therapies, themselves, but refer it out to a PT. However, there can be a synergistic benefit to using both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatments, if a combination of exercises, medication and rehabilitation is done properly. The medical doctor supervising the case also has the task of helping the patient maintain optimum function of body systems, such as those that govern breathing and blood circulation.

Physical therapy can be used to treat a broad range of conditions which consist of accident trauma, brain injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, cerebrovascular incidents, neuromuscular problems and spinal cord injuries. Some of these diseases will not resolve fully, even with appropriate physical therapy, which may necessitate an ongoing plan of care to maintain healthy function and normal levels of activity.

A therapist assists patients to function optimally in their work, recreation and activities of daily living. Rehabilitation complements medication treatment, as well as surgical interventions, with post-surgical rehabilitation being one of the prime reasons doctors refer patients to a physical therapist. Patients suffering form stroke should go to a rehabilitation center for stroke and neurological rehab, while those who have undergone surgery will go to a post-surgical rehab facility. The therapists in Mesa, AZ use clinical assessment skills to identify strengths and capabilities of their patients and provide a means to ensure easy daily life for them. PTs are additionally trained to heal not only physically, but also through motivation, encouraging a good attitude and right environment for their patients.

In pediatric physical therapy, children are treated for conditions which may stem from serious traumatic injuries of the brain caused by birth or other incidents. Other conditions may include muscle weakness and developmental delays, as well as rehabilitation from the effects of communicable diseases. Rehabilitation of pediatric conditions is vital for ensuring children are able to develop properly without dysfunction or disability. Pediatric rehabilitation may include stretching exercises, stretching training, balance, strengthening exercises, as well as coordination exercises.

Although there is a volume of data that could be covered regarding physical rehabilitation, this basic information will at least serve as an introduction. For more information regarding the scope of physical therapy, please follow this link. Since its inception, physiotherapy has played a very important role in the field of recuperation and rehabilitative activity and has helped countless people recover their normal body movement and strength. Follow the instructions given to you by your therapist and you will already be taking a step in the right direction for your optimum recovery.

Breast Augmentation

Each year, well over one million women go under the knife for the elective surgical procedure known as “breast augmentation surgery.” Over 300,000 of these procedures occur each year in the United States. Although it is common to hear about a movie star, television celebrity, model or pop diva and their latest round of cosmetic surgery, the vast number of people receiving breast augmentation are ordinary people whose livelihood is not dependent upon their physical presentation.

Most of the women getting the procedure are in their 20’s and 30’s and cite reasons including low self-esteem; unhappiness with underdeveloped breasts or loss of breast volume following pregnancy and/or breast feeding.

There are various types of breast enhancement and just as many reasons for the procedure. There is breast enlargement; breast lift and even breast reduction surgery. There are also procedures performed due to disease, such as mastectomies for cancer patients. Yet the majority of procedures continue to be elective.

Before deciding upon a procedure, a patient will typically consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine the goals of the surgery. This can dictate the surgical procedure that is used. There are various locations and techniques for the incision, including: below the breast; below the areola and through the axilla (armpit). Advances in surgical techniques now make it possible to look natural, without noticeable scars.

There are also advances in natural procedures, such as replacing the breast tissue with fat that is liposuctioned from another area of the body. Although this may sound like a better option, the procedure has certain drawbacks, including the dissolution of the transferred fat and even necrosis (death) of the transferred fat cells, which can then harden and calcify. Therefore, the standard procedure recommended is still silicone or saline implants.

One other caution regarding breast augmentation is the recent trend towards medical tourism. Each year, many Americans travel abroad for surgical procedures, including cosmetic surgery. However, not all foreign surgical centers employ the same standards as US hospitals and operating rooms. Although the doctors may have good training and board certification, the support staff and nurses may not be as adequate as in the United States.

Due to the high standards employed in the US, one would be much safer to get a breast augmentation surgery in Phoenix Arizona, where there are better bio-sanitary regulations governing cleanliness and sterilization to avoid bacterial infections which can complicate a procedure, than in a third world country like the Dominican Republic. There is no financial savings worth the risk of contracting a mycobacterial wound infection that could be potentially life-threatening.

After a breast augmentation surgery, there may be swelling and soreness, which can be expected with almost any surgical procedure. However, it is recommended that you avoid physical activity that could stretch sutures or put too much stress on the healing tissues. You may be advised to wear a compression bandage for a few days and also a support bra during the recovery phase. This helps the breasts retain the optimum shape and contour while healing.

Once healed, you may resume normal activities. There may be some tightness of the skin and restricted movement at first, until the elasticity returns to the healing tissues. Some breast implants are inserted under the pectoralis muscle and this may alter the function and mobility of the upper extremities a bit. It is best to consult with your physician to determine if this type of procedure is the best for you. Most implants are placed over the top of the muscle.

Before any elective surgical procedure, do your due diligence and ask your doctor about their level of certification, years in their specialty and any potential complications. Informed consent is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for any eventualities and also will give you piece of mind before undergoing a cosmetic surgery.

How a Physical Therapist Can Help You Recover

Frequent visits to a physical therapist may be tiresome at the beginning and you can be tempted to discontinue therapy early. You might be wondering what the importance of accomplishing the whole of course of physical therapy is. It can also seem to you that it is a journey where you make two steps forward and one step backward. This is probably not the way most of us want to spend an hour or more of our day, a few times per week. But once you know the benefits you gain by your visits to a physical therapist, you will be a lot more likely to stick it out and gain the full results. Let’s find out why physical therapy is important to your health and why you should follow through with your full prescription.

The truth is that after you have an injury, your body’s muscles become very weak due to the muscle damage and resulting loss of muscle use. You may think doing physical exercise on your own would help, but do you know the risk that can be associated with such exercises? This is where a qualified PT comes in to help you recover slowly and regain your normal healthy function. They know how to safely engage you in exercises that will not cause extra damage to your injured muscles. If you do exercise without their advice, you might end up causing more injuries, which will lengthen the recovery period or lead to less than optimum rehabilitation.

PTs are highly trained to first know how to evaluate the inefficiencies and weaknesses of your biomechanics. They will study your condition and know how to handle it before engaging you in any therapy. They assess your areas of weakness and do strengthening and stretching to make them stronger and increase ranges of motion. Properly done, your body can finally regain the strength it had before your injury. They are also trained to understand surgical procedures and how to do proper post-surgical rehabilitation.

Therapists know how to improve range of motion of restricted joints and muscles by just careful stretching therapy. When resting after any injury, the muscles are likely to become tight and affected by limited mobility. This may cause further injuries and damage to them down the road. You might also experience an alteration in your gate (manner of walking) because muscles are limited to normal stretching. A physical therapist will properly stretch the restricted joints to improve the movement of any injured body parts. The same type of therapy can work very well in breaking up the scar tissue which appears after any surgery. When it is broken up, you will have improved mobility as well as fuller range of motion.

A physical therapist will also give you instruction and recommendations for home exercise and treatment when it is feasible for you to do so without direct guidance of a therapist. For example, they will instruct you on how to use ice as well as heat to have a successful healing process. As simple as this sounds, it can play a very important part in recovery, as most patients are unaware of the correct uses of hot and cold in injury rehabilitation. There may be some exercises that you can do at your home comfortably, but only under prior instructions and directions from a qualified physical therapist.

There are also many types of passive therapy modalities that may be used. Such therapies include ultrasound therapy as well as electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). These are generally used under direct supervision of your PT.

In order to get the maximum benefits of physical therapy, all you need to do is make all of your appointments and follow your therapist’s instructions. It might be a difficult and tiresome activity but it won’t go on forever, and it is very beneficial to regaining and maintaining your health.  Look for a well-trained therapist with experience and specialization in your particular condition or injury to be sure to receive the most appropriate care. Your health is important!

Physical Therapy And Rehabilitation Tips For a Successful Patient Interaction

Rehabilitation providers and physical therapists help clients raise their hope concerning their health. When a client visits one of these professionals, they often feel like all their health problems have been solved. Patients who get their physical therapy experience this on a regular basis. Parents also have trust in them to handle their children in case of development delays and many other pediatric abnormal behaviors and physical problems.

However, if a healthy relationship is created and maintained between the client and the therapist or rehabilitation provider, it opens a new chapter of successful treatment as well as care planning. The cooperation between the two is vital in gaining the best results of activities like respiratory rehab therapy or even in PT rehabilitation. In fact, we are certain this is why the Cobourg Physiotherapy Office, We Fix U, was voted #1 for the past 12 years. Here are some of the tips to ensure the interaction is successful:

*        Welcome your client with a friendly smile: If they realize that you are excited to see them, they are most likely to reflect the same. Remember that a smile is contagious, so you smile your client will be happy regardless of the problems they have. They will be able to follow up the therapy visits you have instructed them. This insinuates that you will be successful in achieving a successful physical therapy respiratory rehabilitation or regular physical therapy treatment.

*        Ensure you make patients feel important. By doing so, you will team up and be able to carry out PT rehabilitation with ease. If you, as the therapist, take all the responsibilities in the healing process, the client may feel left out and might not cooperate well with you. Remember that working as team makes therapy procedures very easy and successful. So make them part and parcel of the rehabilitation.

*        Make connections: In cases like development delays in children or long term disabling situations, therapists may see their patients for an extended time. This gives a chance for therapists to have time to participate in the clients’ activities. Therapist will be able to suggest possible movements to ensure the rehabilitation is successful.

*        Give room to ask questions: This is very important to you and your client. You will be able to hear their views about the services you are offering. You will be able to clarify some issues that may in one way hinder the success of any therapy like respiratory rehab therapy which has become more needed in recent years.

*        Listen to them: It is very crucial for you to listen to your patients. They might have something that will benefit the success of the rehabilitation process. They will also have information about what they might be feeling about the process; if they are experiencing any hardships or if they have any complaint or suggestion about the therapy. By doing so, you will both have the same goal and the care plan will be successful.

*        Discuss the treatment schedule: You might have changed the time for appointments and the client has no clue. It is important to communicate to them in advance so that they can also reschedule their own personal arrangements. This ensures that there is no absenteeism in physical therapy process.

*        Let them know you are concerned about the next step: This will make the client feel important and valued by the therapist. You are supposed to help them feel assured that their health is the most important thing you are considering. Let them understand that the next visit is equally important in achieving a good state of health.

Those are some of the tips which any therapist should embrace to handle all clients well. Remember patients have all their hope in you.