RehaBlog

RehaBlog

Top 3 Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and are looking to start a new exercise program? Research has indicated that exercise can help reduce the progression of Parkinson’s Disease and can provide relief from motor symptoms, stiffness, or mood changes that can be associated with the diagnosis. It’s recommended to see a physical therapist who is experienced in treating people with Parkinson’s Disease to identify specific areas of improvement and to

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Avocado toast with turkey bacon and tomato
RehaBlog

5 No-Egg Healthy Breakfast Ideas​

As many of you may know, there’s been an ongoing egg shortage due to the bird flu, which has significantly impacted egg prices — up by more than 50% from last year. While this may have made your usual breakfast routine a bit more challenging, fear not! There are plenty of other protein-rich options to fuel your day.

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Q&A: What to Expect When Facing an Upper or Lower Limb Amputation

In the United States alone, approximately 185,000 amputations occur each year, and 2 million people are living with limb loss. In recognition of Limb Loss Awareness Month, this article addresses common questions surrounding limb loss, from the reasons for amputation to returning to favorite activities following surgery. An amputation is the surgical removal of part of the body, usually an arm or leg. There are three main reasons for amputation.

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The Interdisciplinary Approach in Rehabilitation to Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million people in the United States alone. MS is an immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin insulation that surrounds the nerves in the central nervous system. This damage causes widespread symptoms varying in severity, including fatigue, weakness, sensation loss, visual impairments, and walking and balance impairments. These symptoms of MS can impact someone’s mobility, quality of life, ability to work and provide for their

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9 Ways to Improve Sleep After a Concussion

After a concussion, there are a lot of common misconceptions about sleep. Mainly, is it safe to sleep following this mild traumatic brain injury? The answer is yes – it is okay to sleep after a concussion! This misconception stems from an out-of-date recommendation to wake the person up every hour to check on them. However, that is only if there is concern about the risk for a brain hemorrhage or bleed that wasn’t immediately

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How to Measure Exercise Intensity

Target heart rate (HR) is a great way to measure exercise intensity to get the most out of your workout. For most people, it provides an accurate way to measure the safety of an activity in relation to the percentage of your maximum heart rate. However, for some people, because of several medications that regulate HR (such beta blockers) or the availability to acquire a device that monitors HR, using HR alone to measure exercise

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How to Maximize Physical Therapy Visits from Insurance

As a new year begins, so do new health insurance deductibles and benefits. It’s important to be aware of your healthcare expenses to plan for the year ahead. For those seeking physical rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, it’s important to remember that health insurance may not cover unlimited sessions. Understanding how to make the most of your visits covered by insurance is key to maximizing your benefits. Read on to learn how you can get

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Tips To Cure Winter Boredom

It’s common to feel bored during the winter months when you’re spending more time indoors and routines shift. However, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged and have fun at home. From boosting mental sharpness to connecting with others, these activities can help turn boredom into an opportunity for growth and enjoyment.

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Identifying & Treating Rotator Cuff Injuries

An injury to the rotator cuff, or the group of four muscles that help to stabilize your shoulder and allow you to move your arm different directions such as overhead and behind your back, is a common cause of pain among adults. In fact, an estimated 30 percent of adults over age 60 have a rotator cuff tear. Rotator injuries can occur from a traumatic event like a fall; however, it is also common for

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How Physical Therapy Can Help Scoliosis

Imagine seeing a tree defiantly growing sideways in your yard, prompting thoughts of how to redirect its growth. In a parallel scenario, teenagers with scoliosis exhibit a noticeable trunk shift in their posture. However, the journey to rectifying their upright stance delves into a realm of complexity and intricacy. Proprioception, the body’s innate sense of movement and position, is the key to unlocking proper posture. Through targeted exercises and activities that enhance balance, coordination, and

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Tips to Reduce Stress During the Holidays

The holiday season is meant to be joyful, but it often brings its own set of challenges, from financial stress and crowded social events to managing your health and fitness goals. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce stress and enjoy the season with more calmness and clarity.

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The Role of Occupational Therapy in Recovery

Whether we realize it or not, we always engage in some kind of activity, even when we’re asleep. Occupational therapists assess a person’s routines, like taking a shower, making breakfast, or checking the mail, as well as a person’s habits, or those expressions of occupation that, for better or worse, create predictability for a person to help navigate life demands.

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Music Therapy Resources

Music therapy is the evidence-based use of music to achieve non-musical goals. It’s a creative approach to wellness and a form of non-verbal self-expression that supports interaction, confidence, and self-esteem. Music can be adapted to support cognitive, speech and language, and sensorimotor goals, and provide emotional and social support. Learn about the various diagnoses music therapy can support and resources for accessing music therapy services.

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3 Things You Need to Know About Exercise if You Have Diabetes

Exercise is an important component in managing blood sugar levels for those with diabetes. It can acutely lower your blood sugar, and lower A1C if performed regularly long term. Exercise can increase insulin sensitivity, resulting in more glucose from your blood being metabolized with smaller amounts of insulin available.

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Can CBD Help with Pain Management?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid product derived from hemp or cannabis plants. Unlike its more controversial counterpart THC, which causes the euphoric “high” experienced with recreational cannabis use, CBD is becoming associated with a variety of health benefits. Discover its potential uses, side effects, and the research behind it.

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Navigating Daily Life with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects many aspects of daily life with symptoms that can evolve over time. Learn more about the challenges, management strategies, and potential interventions for adults living with CP.

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What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is the use of a very thin filament (needle) to address areas of muscle tension and pain. The purpose is to relieve pain by increasing blood flow to the muscles and joints, helping nerves become less irritated, and encouraging the relaxation of muscles. Dry needling addresses musculoskeletal issues by targeting muscle trigger points to alleviate pain and muscle tightness, while acupuncture uses needles at specific points along energy pathways to address the body’s

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Smartphone Apps to Help Spinal Cord Injury Patients

In contemporary life, we as individuals and communities are constantly connected to each other. We crave social interaction, leisure activities, and access to each other as well as the world around us. Over the past decades, modern technologies such as smartphones have facilitated our desire to engage not only in communication with each other, but with our environment as well.

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Managing and Preventing Incontinence with Physical Therapy

More than 25 million adult Americans suffer from incontinence. Men and women are often embarrassed to seek treatment for loss of bladder or bowel control. Urinary and fecal incontinence can cause low self-esteem, create social isolation, and impair quality of life. Incontinence is the lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation. There are two major types of incontinence and they are treated differently.

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Backpack Safety

Backpacks are a convenient way for students to carry around their schoolbooks and supplies throughout the day, but using them incorrectly can lead to serious muscle and joint injuries. Carrying a heavy load can strain the shoulders, back, and neck. As a result, the body tries to compensate by leaning forward or sideways, which can lead to misalignment of the spine and weakening of muscles.

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How to Keep Your Wheelchair Running Smoothly

Poor wheelchair maintenance can increase the risk of your wheelchair breaking down, which can lead to personal injury or even death, and increase the cost of your medical care. Additionally, wheelchair breakdown can limit your mobility and social participation. Here are tips to keep your wheelchair running smoothly.

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5 Assistive Tools to Help with Daily Living

Staying independent and functioning efficiently in your daily life is important for your overall well-being. Occupational therapists are trained to analyze an activity and find the best tool to assist you. Here are 5 common examples.

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New mom holding baby postpartum
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Does Every New Mother Need Physical Therapy?

Have you or a woman you know experienced leaks when laughing? Contrary to popular belief, this is not normal. The U.S. is following in the footsteps of other countries when it comes to postpartum health. Sheltering Arms Institute’s pregnancy recovery services aim to prevent such issues as more women receive education and a referral from their doctor to see a women’s health physical therapist after childbirth.

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Tired man rubbing eyes
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How to Improve Fatigue

One of the most common symptoms among people with chronic medical conditions is fatigue. For some people, fatigue is their most debilitating symptom. Disease-related fatigue is associated with a poorer quality of life and increased disability; however, many people feel like they do not have a treatment plan to address fatigue. Here are some common questions you may have regarding fatigue.

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Apps for Improving Memory

In a time where people are focused on their health more than ever before, many are seeking out ways to not only improve their physical health, but their cognitive health as well. As a speech-language pathologist, one of the most frequently asked questions I receive is, “Are there any apps that I can download to improve my memory?” The first line of defense is to speak with your physician about your memory concerns; however, there

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Novel Ways Occupational Therapists Can Use Bodyweight Support Technology

Bodyweight support technology (BWST) is used in physical rehabilitation to offload a percentage of an individual’s body weight with a harness and robotic technology. Many existing technologies implement body weight support. Bodyweight support technology decreases a person’s risk of further injury while also optimizing the challenges implemented in therapy. It can help increase confidence for both the patient and clinician when trying new, taxing activities in a safe environment. Strength, activity tolerance, and balance can

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Physical Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain; approximately one in 10 people will develop it at some point in their life. The plantar fascia is a tissue that supports and helps maintain the longitudinal foot arch. Plantar fasciitis is an over-stretch injury; inadequate arch support can lead to plantar fasciitis. The good news: nearly 90 percent of individuals respond to conservative treatment such as physical therapy.

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