RehaBlog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Stroke? CVA? TIA? With so many acronyms and names, it can be overwhelming to understand how and why a stroke might happen. A stroke, or a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), is a medical emergency in which the blood supply to the brain is limited or interrupted. This causes a lack of nutrients and oxygen that may result in brain damage and cell death.

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.

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.