RehaBlog

The full or partial loss of a limb is a challenging, life-altering event. Those who experience it often endure changes in many aspects of their life from their work to their relationships to their perception of themselves. There is a grieving process due to the loss of the limb, and the apparent loss of the life that they had once lived. These factors can leave individuals with limb loss struggling with their personal identity or

The core and its importance in exercise is far more complex than most people know. In its entirety, the core can be thought of as a box that includes the abdominals in the front, the spinal and gluteal muscles in the back, the diaphragm as the roof, and the pelvic floor and hip muscles as the bottom. When all these muscle groups are equally strong and working together, safe and stable exercise is possible. However,

Although we don’t realize it, frequent use of technology, such as phones and computers, takes a heavy toll on our necks. Learn what tech neck is and what you can to do ease the discomfort.

If you have received physical rehabilitation services at some point, your therapist likely said to you, “Today, we are going to collect some outcome measures to see where we are starting.” Hopefully, you also heard, “Today, we are going to repeat those outcome measures to see how well you are doing.” Those two statements alone should provide some insight as to why outcome measures are being performed. Outcome measurement can give therapists an idea of

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can have far reaching effects on daily life by impacting vision, balance, memory, attention, problem solving, emotions, and sleep. Occupational therapists specialize in rehabilitation and adapting activities of daily life. Occupational therapy is highly individualized and centers on the specific roles, impairments, and demands of each person. Based on the specific needs of the individual, occupational therapy is often used to address the following after

Lymphedema refers to an injury or issue with the lymphatic system that leads to excessive accumulation of lymphatic fluid. This fluid can build up anywhere in the body and result in swelling. Lymphedema is most often caused by cancer treatment such as lymph node removal or radiation therapy though some other common causes include surgery and venous insufficiency.

Aphasia (pronounced uh-FEY-zhuh) is the medical term used to describe difficulty with the production and comprehension of language. This can occur after a stroke or other injury to the brain. In addition to speaking, aphasia can also affect listening, reading, and writing. Individuals with aphasia may experience trouble finding the right words and producing intact sentences, which can impact their ability to express themselves as well as having trouble understanding what others are saying to

After suffering a life-changing event such as a stroke, oftentimes patients wonder “Now what? What can I do outside of therapy to help with my recovery?” One of the best things you can do is MOVE! What is good for your heart is also good for your brain. To help drive that recovery, exercising at a certain level of intensity can be one of the best things you can do. It increases blood flow to

Manual physical therapy is a hands-on treatment involving the application of targeted pressure, stretching, and manipulation of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the body. There are many reasons to perform manual therapy such as reducing pain, improving mobility, and improving posture and alignment. This type of therapy is performed by a licensed physical therapist and is commonly used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, often in conjunction with therapeutic exercise.

What exactly is a traumatic brain injury? A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain that can be caused by a forceful jolt, bump, or hit to the head. It can also be caused by a sharp object that pushes through the skull and into the brain. Such injuries are often caused by car accidents, falls, sports, or natural disasters. For example, a concussion is a mild form of TBI; however, not

Feeling lightheaded, off balance, or like you’re floating, spinning, or moving are all ways people describe dizziness. It’s one of the most common symptoms reported after a concussion, but a concussion is just one condition that can make you feel dizzy.

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the most widely used joint in the body. It is estimated that 50-70% of the adult population will suffer from at least one symptom of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in their lifetime. However, many people do not realize the symptoms they experience are a result of TMD. When assessing the TMJ, we typically assess both sides of the jaw as they function as a pair. We also assess the individual’s

A concussion occurs when a large amount of force is applied to a person’s body and/or head. This linear or rotational force causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. As a result, there is a short-term change in the metabolic functioning of the brain, which is why concussions are classified as brain injuries. Most people are familiar with concussions due to sports injuries, however, there are also other events that can cause a

For most of us, these next few weeks will be filled with love, laughter, family, and friends, all accompanied by a fair amount of stress. You may spend all your time organizing and trying to prepare so all of your holiday festivities are smooth sailing. However, everything may not go according to plan. If your plans go awry, your stress levels can skyrocket, making a simple problem feel like a complicated issue.

Many different conditions can cause speech impairments, including, but not limited to, a stroke, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a brain tumor, a neurodegenerative illness such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, or a congenital diagnosis such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. However, the most common cause for motor speech impairment is a stroke. Speech is affected by motor planning, or the brain’s ability to program the movements needed for speech to occur. Motor

It’s safe to say that everyone wants to age with grace. One of the key components to aging optimally is having sufficient mobility to perform activities of daily living with ease. Another component of optimal aging is having the capacity to live safely and independently in your community of choice. As we age, our bodies undergo many changes, some of which are inevitable, and chronic health conditions start to take a greater toll.

A concussion occurs when a large amount of force is applied to a person’s body and/or head. This linear or rotational force causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. As a result, there is a short-term change in the metabolic functioning of the brain, which is why concussions are classified as brain injuries. Most people are familiar with concussions due to sports injuries, however, there are also other events that can cause a

The structure of the back and neck is an intricate system that works together to support your body. The upper back curves in the opposite direction of the neck and lower back. Together, these curves distribute force every time someone takes a step in order to protect each individual unit of the back and the amount of force going into their head. However, stiffness can throw this entire system off course. If any section of

Having a stroke can be life-altering, but Sheltering Arms Institute is here to help. A stroke is a neurological event caused by either a blockage of blood flow (ischemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Depending on the areas of the brain that have been impacted, individuals may experience different impairments. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are certified professionals who can help with a variety of post-stroke difficulties, including speech and language, swallowing, and

The holidays are some of the best times of the year filled with laughter, lots of food, and friends and family. Even though holidays may look a little different this year, we hope you find endless ways to enjoy them. When it comes to holidays, typically, lots of food is involved as well as distractions that may make you end up overindulging. Here are some ways to not overindulge, but still enjoy your holiday meals!

After a brain injury, your brain must heal in order to return to your prior level of function and maximize mobility. That is the goal of physical therapy, which combines intensity, repetition, and desired goals. It enhances your ability to produce neuroplastic change. In other words, you must rebuild connections among nerve cells and “re-wire” your brain.

Decreasing the intensity of symptom variability can improve tolerance of daily activities and exercise. Fewer days of very high symptoms can lead to fewer required recovery days due to intense fatigue, pain, and symptoms, so more consistent activity tolerance is likely. Improving awareness of symptom changes in the body is often a good place to start managing fatigue and activity intensity.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, approximately 14 million people in the United States have symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Over time, the cartilage on the bones that form our knees begins to wear away; this causes inflammation, which we refer to as osteoarthritis. As the disease progresses, it can affect surrounding muscle, tendon, and ligaments, therefore, contributing to significant pain and dysfunction.

As we gracefully age, maintaining our physical health becomes even more essential to enjoy a fulfilling and active lifestyle. One area that deserves our attention, particularly for adults aged 65 and older, is fall prevention. Falls are a significant concern among seniors, often leading to serious injuries that can impact independence and quality of life. Every year, more than one out of four older adults fall in the United States. The good news is that

The vestibular system, sometimes referred to as the inner ear, is responsible for your orientation or the awareness of your body’s position in relation to gravity. This system gives you your sense of upright in a static or still position as well as when you are moving. Vestibular system dysfunction has a wide range of symptoms and may be caused by a variety of problems such as BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), vestibular hypofunction, Meniere’s

Mirror therapy is an intervention primarily used when one side of the body is affected more than the other. An individual places a mirror in the middle of their body facing the non-affected side, obstructing their view of the affected side. The non-affected side then appears in the reflection of the mirror providing an illusion of two identically functioning sides. Individuals then complete exercises and activities with their non-affected side while focusing on the mirror

Many of us have mild, achy pain as we move around in our daily activities whether it be a slight low backache, a mild throbbing knee, or stiffness in our shoulders. It is tempting to lie in bed, but that could make the problem worse. It feels counterintuitive, but exercise can improve your pain. Your workout regime may just be too intense, not hard enough, or a key exercise could be missing that would allow

After someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, they are frequently referred to physical therapy to address the physical impairments associated with this disease. Parkinson’s disease does not just impact physical impairments but can also affect speech, swallowing and cognition. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializes in evaluating function and providing treatment in the areas of communication and swallowing across the lifespan (ASHA, 2016).

Have you ever avoided introducing a friend to someone you vaguely know because you are scared that you’ll call them the wrong name? Or decided not to go to a gathering because you’re nervous you won’t have many people to talk to? What about going on a date and not knowing who should pay? It can be human nature to want to avoid situations in which we aren’t exactly sure how to act. No one

Pain is a part of life and, even though it may not seem like it, it can be a good thing. For example, if you accidentally touch a hot stove, you feel pain as our brain’s defense mechanism tells you to take your hand off before you get burned. Unfortunately, pain can stick around for longer than it’s useful. Chronic pain is typically defined as pain that lasts three to six months or longer and