How Physical Therapy Can Get You Stronger for Your Next Marathon
The running landscape has changed quite a bit as a result of the global pandemic. Running a marathon, even virtually, is perhaps one of the most challenging accomplishments that a person may embark on in their lifetime, requiring both physical and mental strength. During training and on race day, physical limitations are pushed to the brink via muscular and respiratory fatigue. Mental willpower is tested as oftentimes you keep going when everything else in your body is telling you to “stop.” Preparation is paramount for success in running a marathon, and though choosing a correct endurance plan and running group is important, there are other components that will help you run your next 26.2-mile journey with even greater success.
Leaf Raking Injury Prevention Tips
As we tire of the hot and humid, days of summer, many of us look forward to the cool, crisp fall air. This time of year is beloved by many for so many reasons. Football, apple picking and going to the pumpkin patch are just a few! Even though most of us love to admire the scenery as the leaves change from green to various shades of yellow, red and orange, most would agree that raking them is one of the dreaded jobs of autumn. While raking leaves seems easy, the sheer volume of leaves can turn what seems to be a simple tasks into several weekends of work.
To help you combat some of the aches and pains that are often associated with fall yard work, here are a few tips to help you get those leaves out of your yard and if you still have any energy – maybe give you something to look forward to in the spring!
Tackling the Transition: Back to School Guide for Parents & Students
Starting a new school year can be stressful during the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life and children are feeling these changes too, especially as we transition back to a not-so-normal school year. While the return to school will be exciting for some students (and maybe a welcome change for parents), others may be feeling anxious or frightened. Here are some tips to help you handle the back to school transition, navigate emotions your children may be experiencing, and resources for parents tackling remote learning.
Staying Physically and Mentally Healthy
As we continue to move through the season, we are looking at a very different world than a year ago. However, it is important to return to the familiar as the world continues to change. One of the most difficult things to do in unfamiliar times is to relax and enjoy moments. While we have all made changes, and continue to make changes, it is important to center ourselves and get back to doing the things which make summer so great! Here are a few tips to help bring us back to the present and help us appreciate the moments which make summers so enjoyable.
At-Home Balance Exercises
Walking down a hallway, up and down stairs, or going for a bike ride are just a few things that require balance.
Balance is comprised of three primary systems: visual, proprioceptive and vestibular systems that collectively work together in order to optimize the ability to balance.1 If one or more of these systems are impaired, the ability to balance becomes increasingly difficulty and can lead to falling.
Scar Management: Tips & Tricks
Scarring is what allows the body to rapidly repair following an injury. This speedy tissue repair process protects the body from fluid loss and infection. However the new tissue is not quite as good as the original tissue. Scarring produces an excessive amount of connective tissue as a part of the reactive, inflammatory, and repairing process. The longer it takes a wound to heal, the more damage is caused, leaving a greater likelihood of an adherent noticeable scar.
Self-Care for Social Distancing
COVID-19 has impacted each of us and continues to change our lives every day. The constantly changing news and disruption to our lives has caused us to confront a primal emotion we do not often feel: fear. Fear has forced us into survival mode and increased our stress levels. Practicing self-care is one way to reduce your stress and respond to it in a healthier way. The truth is, we are all trying to cope the best we can. Sometimes, stepping back to work on our mindset is what we need to get through the hard times.
Sleep Hygiene: The Benefit of Getting Zzz’s
Sleep is important for both physical and mental health. The CDC reports that 1/3 of U.S. adults get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Not enough sleep has been linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, depression and type 2 diabetes. Poor sleep has also been linked to increased pain levels.
