Back to School...the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

© Susan Leggett Dreamstime.com

When I was still in school, I remember that Staples commercial that would come on around this time of the year. Remember the one that had the elated parent shopping for school supplies, as the children are grim-faced, clearly not happy about the end of summer? I dreaded that commercial as a student! Staples used the holiday-themed song by Andy Williams, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” which, while clever, made me cringe at the thought of returning to school even more. Go here to reminisce and check out the commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPIIMbG9R4w

No matter how much cringing they may do, children are returning to school this fall. This is a good time for parents and teachers to observe how children are handling the demands of the classroom and homework. If you notice handwriting difficulties, poor cutting or coloring skills, difficulty with organizational skills, or decreased attention, it may be helpful to bring these concerns to your child's pediatrician and ask for a referral to occupational therapy.

Pediatric occupational therapists at Fauquier Health can offer support to your child if they are having difficulties in areas of both school and home. If your child already receives occupational therapy in the school system, we are able to work in conjunction with their IEP and provide them with supplemental occupational therapy services consistently each week. This has the potential to help them improve at an even faster rate!

On the other hand, many children may not qualify for school-based occupational therapy but still have difficulties that lie within the realm of occupational therapy. As an outpatient facility, our pediatric occupational therapists at Fauquier Health have a broader area of practice than school-based therapy, as the skills we work on are not limited to the school setting. We have the potential to address school-related needs in addition to other skills your child may need help with, such as self-care, coordination, strengthening, etc.

Written by one of our pediatric occupational therapists: Justine Davis, MSOT, OTR/L.

If you feel your child would benefit from occupational therapy & would like to learn more, please give us a call at 540-316-2680. Or to submit an inquiry via email, click on the button below.
We wish you and your children a happy back to school day!

Physical Therapists can help young athletes prevent Pitcher's Elbow

© Sonya Etchison Dreamstime.com



Pitcher's Elbow

Pitcher's Elbow, also known as medial epicondyle apophysitis, is a common injury that occurs among young baseball players. Caused by "overuse" and "repetitive motion," Pitcher's Elbow causes pain and swelling inside of the elbow, and can limit one's range of motion.



Causes

The forceful and repetitive nature of overhand throwing for baseball players (pitchers in particular) can cause inflammation of the growth plate inside the throwing elbow, causing Pitcher's Elbow. Adolescent baseball players are most likely to experience this injury because their elbow structure (bones, growth plates, and ligaments) is not fully mature or developed. The following risk factors contribute to Pitcher's Elbow:



Age

Young baseball players (particularly between the ages of 9 and 14) are at greater risk because their elbow joint (bones, growth plates, and ligaments) are not fully developed and are more susceptible to overuse injuries.

Pitching too many games. The number of games pitched should be carefully monitored and the league's pitch count rules followed. Research has proven that overuse in baseball contributes to injuries such as Pitcher's Elbow.1 If pain occurs before pitch count limit is reached, the player should stop immediately. Rotating pitchers within games is a good idea to ensure adequate rest is given to each pitcher.

Curveballs and breaking pitches. Both of these types of pitches appear to put more stress on the growth plate than other pitches.2 These pitches should be limited, especially in players between the ages of 9 and 14.

Improper mechanics. Improper throwing mechanics can put undue force on the elbow joint. Proper throwing mechanics can help a young player avoid unnecessary injury and develop proper technique that improves their game.





How a Physical Therapist Can Help

Physical therapists are experts in restoring and improving mobility and motion in people's lives, and eliminating pain. For young baseball players, this means a physical therapist can work with you to help prevent Pitcher's Elbow from occurring, and recover if it has occurred.



In addition to following the guidelines for pitch counts and recommendations for rest, a physical therapist can help baseball players prevent the occurrence of Pitcher's Elbow by teaching them stretching and strengthening exercises that are indivualized for their specific needs. Everybody is different, which means Pitcher's Elbow may occur for different reasons for each person. A physical therapist can help a player recover, by designing an individualized treatment plan to regain range of motion, flexibility, and strength.



1Fleisig et al: am J Sports Med 2011

2Lyman et al: Am J Sports Med 2002

If your child has had a sports injury and you feel he or she may benefit from physical therapy, please call us at 540-316-2680, or submit an email inquiry by clicking on the button below.

For further information about physical therapy, or to locate a physical therapist in your area, please visit the American Physical Therapy Association website: www.apta.org

A Night with My Physical Therapy Classmates

It was 14 years ago since I graduated from college.  I remembered my college years when we went out for dinner together with my old classmates from our physical therapy college years.

How come we were reunited after 14 years?

 

I was roaming around SM Naga to buy some stuff at Ace Hardware when I come to see the wife of one of my classmates in college.  I recognized her coming down from the escalator (I was going up to the mall’s second floor).  I begun with, “Is Dennis here in Naga? Please say hello to Dennis for me.”  She smiled as the escalator brought them down.

I was at the hardware when I recalled that I have to go to the nearby ATM machine to withdraw some money for my stuff.  Going to the ATM machine, I saw Dennis in front of a laboratory clinic beside the machine.  “Padi, kumusta?” I greeted him in Bicol and told him that I just saw his wife awhile ago (whom just went out from the lab clinic).  “Who’s going inside there?”  I asked.  Anyways, the conversation between me and Dennis went on as he told me about how he had failed twice in the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination) and how he passed the Physical Therapy Assistant examination in the States.  He also told me about the content of the examination and so on.  Then, he told me that he was planning to meet some of our classmates too one of these days.  I gave him my number and then he told me that he will just text me when the date will be.

I received a text from Roel (another college classmate of mine who is teaching at our alma mater’s Physical Therapy Department).  He told me that Dennis had asked him that we will meet that night for some get together.  After that, Dennis texted me about the plan.  They fetched me at around 8:00 pm that night from our house.  We fetched another classmate of ours, Tong and suggested to dine at Gerry’s Grill in the mall.

Roel, Tong, Dennis and Me at Gerry's Grill, SM Naga

It was a good dinner at Gerry’s Grill.  We let the waiter took some pictures and we continued to exchange stories about us and our families.  Dennis, as a ‘balikbayan’ from the States told us how he acquired his US citizenship, how physical therapists are in demand in the States and many more.  We left Gerry’s happy.  The night is still young; we decided to go to a bar nearby.  We had some beer and ‘pulutan’ and then the ‘kurumustahan’ and story-telling went on.

Good company

It was good to hear that as a Filipino physical therapist, Dennis demonstrated mastery of his craft with other races in his work.  He told us how he was also amazed by an old American physical therapist that he was assisting in treating his patients.  How he uses techniques that he had developed over years of physical therapy practice.  That there are PT techniques that weren’t taught in college, which are just learned upon scrutinizing the PT reviewers and the PT books or assisting other physical therapists.  That being a physical therapist is envied by some of his neighbours in their place.  That, if we want to go to the States, we should see to it that we pass the TOEFEL and the NPTE.  That it is much better to have an agency for the employers trust these recruitment agencies.  The examination in the States as compared to Philippine PT examination is much easier, say more practical questions are being asked in the test.

I thought his experience in the Middle East as physical therapist made his journey to the United States much easier.  And having a wife which is a nurse added to the fast processing of their papers too.

Well, we had a good time.  Thanks for our ‘balikbayan’ classmate, Dennis.  We had enough of information from him.  Someday, when we are the ones who will need to process our papers to work abroad, we are equipped from the information he had given us.

Good luck!

Physical Therapy Offers Tips to Golfers Coming Back from ACL Surgery

© Hannelas Nicolas Dreamstime.com

Strength, Fitness, and Flexibility Are Key Factors to Recovery and to Avoiding Future Injuries

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers consumers information on what to expect regarding recovery from this major knee surgery.

APTA spokesperson Bud Ferrante Jr, PT, OCS, MTC, who works with both professional and amateur golfers at his private physical therapy practice in Carmel, CA, says that full recovery from ACL surgery typically ranges from six to eight months when the ligament is completely healed. "Of course, every individual is different," says Ferrante. "A typical golfer post ACL surgery could be back on the golf course as soon as six months following surgery -- if the golfer works with a surgeon and physical therapist and follows the plan of care."

Ferrante notes that the first week post-surgery is mostly about controlling swelling, pain, and getting patients to start moving as soon as possible. "Individuals who undergo surgery often use crutches for the first week following surgery to limit the weight-bearing on the knee and then progress to one crutch or a cane," said Ferrante.

Physical therapy starts immediately after surgery, several times a day at first, beginning with very gentle knee range of motion exercises, notes Ferrante. Depending on the extent of the swelling, a physical therapist will then work with patients who undergo surgery on progressive range of motion exercises that focus on regaining any lost knee motion. Once the knee is healed, the physical therapist would work on helping the patient strengthen the muscles around the knee, including the hamstring, and quadriceps muscles.

"The most important thing following ACL surgery is that patients avoid any type of twisting motions of the knee and not overdo the activity in the first few weeks of healing. The knee takes about four to six weeks to heal. If swelling increases, this could impede recovery," said Ferrante. Post-surgical ACL patients need to be careful going down stairs and to avoid certain exercises such as knee extensions.

How to Avoid ACL Surgery

APTA says that awareness of proper posture and the importance of fitness and flexibility are just as important for weekend golfers as they are for the pros. Golfers should have access to a physical therapist who can assess their physical abilities and provide individualized training programs that address musculoskeletal balance, body mechanics, strength, posturing and cardiovascular fitness.

Just as in professional tennis, there has been a significant increase in injuries among professional golfers, primarily because the game has changed so drastically and training has become so intense. According to APTA, it is now the norm, not the exception, for professional men and women golfers to work with physical therapists on improving these factors. But, warns APTA, it is vital that these programs be tailored to their individual skills.

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. Having proper motion, strength, and function throughout the swing play a large role in preventing injuries. The payoff of a better swing is a more accurate ball strike, greater distance, and reduced stress on the muscles and joints.

Consumers can learn more about how physical therapists can get them back on the green as well as how to "Find a PT" by going to http://www.moveforwardpt.com/.

Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and manage individuals of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) is a national organization representing physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research.

If you live in northern Virginia and would like more information to see if you may benefit from physical therapy, please call 540-316-2680 to speak to a physical therapist. Or if you prefer to submit an inquiry via email, click on the button below.

Germinate Your Garden & Your Health This Spring

APTA Offers Tips for Pain‐free Gardening

© Alexey Stiop Dreamstime.com

As Americans anxiously await the arrival of spring’s milder temperatures, many are also looking forward to springing back into the garden. A place where plants, veggies and flowers thrive, a garden is also where people of all ages, fitness levels and shades of green thumb can enjoy physical activity. As with all types of exercise, there is a risk of injury if done improperly. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), it is important that gardeners take a health‐conscious approach to both prevent injuries and reap the health rewards of gardening. “Many gardeners injure themselves because they don’t view gardening as a workout,” says APTA spokesperson Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT. “Gardening is a strenuous activity and it is very easy for people to overdo it, especially for seniors or those who have pre‐existing conditions, limited mobility or who are normally inactive.” Common gardening tasks, such as digging, planting, weeding, mulching and raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints, primarily in the shoulders, back, neck and knees. APTA recommends the following tips to minimize the risk of injury:

• Warm up before you begin. Get your heart rate up by taking a 10‐minute walk followed by some stretches for your upper and lower back, neck, arms and legs. Roll your shoulders back in a circular motion and slowly move your head from side to side a few times to loosen up.


• Don’t overdo it. Be mindful of how your body feels. If you experience an aching back or neck, then slow down and stretch or stop and switch to a different task.


• Use a garden cart or wheelbarrow to move tools and heavy planting materials.


• Don’t kneel on both knees. Keep one foot on the ground to give your back more stability. If you have to kneel, use knee pads or a pillow to absorb some of the pressure.


• Change positions and take frequent breaks to avoid stiffness or cramping.


• Start with smaller projects and build gradually. Don’t try to do it all at once.


• Practice proper body mechanics. Bend at your knees when you grab something or pull a weed, bend your knees and contract your abdominal muscles to avoid straining your back.


• End your gardening session with a short walk or some light stretching. Take a warm bath or shower to help prevent next‐day soreness.


• If you experience pain, contact your physical therapist.

For more tips on a variety of activities and to learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat visit http://www.moveforwardpt.com/.

Consumers are also encouraged to follow APTA on Twitter (@moveforwardpt) and Facebook. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 77,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide.

If you feel you or someone you know may benefit from physical therapy, or if you have a question, please call 540-316-2680 to speak with a physical therapist. Or click on the button below to submit an inquiry via email.

Dr. Oz reports on Vaginal Panic Attacks

Dr. Oz recently spoke about “vaginal panic attacks” on his television show. You can see a video of this segment at this link: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/vaginal-panic-attacks

The medical term for vaginal panic attacks is Vaginismus, which is an involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles resulting in tightness of the vagina during attempted intercourse. This tightness may lead to burning, stinging, pain, or the inability to tolerate penetration during intercourse. Common symptoms of vaginismus (http://www.vaginismus.com/):

• Burning or stinging with tightness during sex


• Difficult or impossible penetration, entry pain, uncomfortable insertion of penis


• Unconsummated marriage


• Ongoing sexual discomfort or pain following childbirth, yeast/urinary infections, STDs, IC, hysterectomy, cancer and surgeries, rape, menopause, or other issues.


• Ongoing sexual pain of unknown origin, with no apparent cause


• Difficulty inserting tampons or undergoing a pelvic/gynecological exam


• Spasms in other body muscle groups (legs, lower back, etc.) and/or halted breathing during attempts at intercourse


• Avoidance of sex due to pain and/or failure

Vaginismus is a highly treatable condition with high success rates. One of the techniques used is retraining the pelvic floor muscles to relax in order to decrease tightness and pain. Physical therapists trained in pelvic floor physical therapy are health care providers who can help you with pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, control and relaxation.

At Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehabilitation, Kristen L. Pierce, PT, DPT, recently achieved her CAPP (Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy) certification from the Women’s Health Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She is trained to treat all types of pelvic floor dysfunctions.

Our outpatient center also has the same biofeedback unit that Dr. Oz demonstrates on his show, and our pelvic physical therapists are trained in its use. The biofeedback unit can be used as an adjunct in the patient’s rehabilitation program to teach muscle control and relaxation. It can also be used to help with strengthening. The use of the biofeedback unit in pelvic physical therapy is based on the individualized needs and goals of the patient. Our therapists utilize a variety of techniques as well as education to assure each patient’s needs are addressed. All pelvic floor treatments are conducted one-on –one in a private setting.If you feel you may benefit from physical therapy for vaginismus or other pelvic floor dysfunctions, please call us at 540-316-2680. Or click on the button below to ask a question to one of our therapists.

Benefits Accrued From Engaging in Resistance Training in Bodybuilding

The first step to building a fantastic macho looking body is getting into the gym and training hard, and it is the food of all bodybuilders. Yet this is always misinterpreted by bodybuilders to mean ignorant, disorganized hard work in the work out room. The best way which always brings positive and fast results is to organize training consciously with precise objectives. One of such best objective training strategies is resistance training.

Ideal resistance training should involve workout activities that primarily employ body weight, dead weights and training machines to exhaust and stimulate muscle groups completely. That is why resistance training is variously referred to as strength or weight training in body building circles. Recent research into body building exercises has irrefutably proved that resistance training is among the most essential ingredients of a body building program. It is actually commonly used by all kinds of athletes who require strong muscles in their particular endeavors like football, weight lifting, basket ball among others.

The trainee must however remember that resistance training does not essentially increase body size because the core factor is building on the muscle strength. That is why resistance training is ideal for almost every individual with a training program for body building or physical fitness. Resistance training builds up power and tones precisely the muscle groups that result to a compact, attractively solid body that makes the girls go gaga.

Resistance training is simple to implement because it basically involves the use of ordinary exercise equipments and body building machines such as bench press, barbells or even dumbbell. These weight equipments help challenge the muscles against the weights, over and over again always hitting the most extreme limit the muscles can go. Muscle cells must therefore adapt to the challenge offered daily by moderated extra weight added on course of the program by bulking up more fibers and tissues or strengthening the existing ones. More precisely what happens is called hypertrophy meaning the enlargement and growth of nerve cells within the muscle sites which essentially help the muscles during contraction.

Before initiating a resistance training program however, the athlete should go for a thorough check up especially if there is a preexisting medical condition or if he or she is overweight. Besides learning of the best weights to use, the athlete must stimulate and condition the body gradually before thrusting it to intense weight exercises. Actually, resistance training can be started without weights by adopting exercises like push ups.

Contemporary literature into bodybuilding exercises and fitness therapies recommend resistance training because it has numerous advantages. Among the most dynamic benefits that a person can reap from an effective resistance training program include increasing bone-mineral density which is almost impossible to maintain otherwise especially after the post-menopausal body can not produce hormones. Resistance training greatly increases muscle strength and bone firmness, essential for physical fitness. It thus helps the trainee be more active and productive in his normal life as a result of the boost in strength. More importantly, resistance training maximally burns calories and helps the body loose excess fats. Fat combustion and improved fitness and body strength will therefore lead to more healthy lifestyles without risks of cardiac and overweight conditions especially in elderly people. Indeed the heart rate and blood pressure is adequately lowered to the extent of preventing major heart diseases.

Dane Fletcher is the world's most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit http://www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_C._Fletcher