Helping COVID-19 Patients Recover
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected most of us in some way. For those diagnosed with COVID-19, symptom presentation is variable. The range of potential symptoms continues to be updated by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and can impact people differently, resulting in different outcomes. The aftermath of COVID-19 can lead to physical and mental impairments as well as fear and uncertainty about long-term recovery. For many, once they have recovered from the acute stage of the virus, symptoms may remain, including weakness, fatigue and mental fog.
What is Pre-hab?
Do you have a surgery planned soon? Is your sport physically demanding and places you at increased risk of injury? Are you worried about weakness in your joints as you age? Preventative rehabilitation may be the key for you!
Preventative rehabilitation or “pre-hab” helps condition and strengthen the body to improve recovery after surgery, speed up the recovery process and may prevent injury from occurring. Oftentimes, we group pre-hab into two main categories: Prior to surgery and injury prevention. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of both of these pre-hab programs.
Why It’s Safe to Attend Physical Therapy During COVID-19
Rewind to mid-March – businesses were closing, new health regulations were developed and there was a lot of uncertainty as to what was considered safe. COVID-19 created a lot of swift changes in society as the world has adapted to a new “normal.” Essential health care businesses were able to remain open to see patients and provide services to those who needed them. Primary care offices, emergency departments and physical therapy clinics kept their doors open and continue to help those in need. However, patients may still wonder if it is, “safe to receive medical care.”
Athletico has implemented a wide range of health screening measures, social distancing guidelines and cleaning procedures in order to ensure the safety of all patients who entered clinic doors.
The Importance of Home Therapy Exercises
Our bodies are designed for movement. Without activity, sedentary lifestyles can lead to more problems. Problems associated with sedentary lifestyles include obesity, depression, and heart disease. However, repetitive movements and activity can also lead to aches and pains. These aches and pains may find you seeking help from a physical or occupational therapist. Physical and occupational therapists are equipped to examine and assess your pain and help provide treatments. Oftentimes, your therapist will provide you with therapy homework in conjunction with your visits. This homework is designed to help improve your results and carryover the treatment provided in the clinic. Many times we as therapists get asked, “Why do I need to do exercises at home?” Here are some of the reasons home therapy exercise programs are important.
Four Things to Know about Tummy Time
There is so much for new parents to know, including concerns as parents bring home their new baby. A huge need for babies is tummy time. As a physical therapist, I recommend to my parent patients that they should attempt to perform a few minutes of tummy time every awake period. This allows for the baby to avoid constantly laying on their back after and right before a nap. Below are four things you should know about tummy time:
What’s In A “Pop”?
One of the most common questions physical therapists receive is if “pops” and “cracks” are good or bad for your joints.
First of all, we need to understand what causes the popping and cracking in our joints.
Physical therapists are trained to be able to safely and intentionally create a pop or a crack through what we call manipulations. Manipulations are maneuvers that involve a high velocity and low amplitude thrust (HVLAT) force to a joint. This can be applied to different body parts including most commonly the neck and back areas. Some people are able to self-manipulate and get a pop on their own, such as cracking their neck or knuckles. The pop that we hear with a manipulation is the release of intra-articular gasses due to a quick release of pressure within the joint.1 It is also important to note that there is no evidence that pops and cracks in the joints result in early arthritis or any future problems.2
Answers to Embarrassing Pelvic Health Questions
Dysfunction in the muscles of the pelvic floor cause a variety of problems and are actually quite common. Certain physical therapists are trained in treating pelvic health and are ready to help! Here is a list of some of the questions that may seem embarrassing to talk about if you think you’re experiencing pelvic-related problems.
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.
