Going Gluten Free

Gluten is the protein found in rye, barley, and wheat that gives dough an elasticity quality. It is also found in not only pasta, cakes, and cereals but, canned soups, dressings, and tons of processed foods. For some, a gluten-free diet is absolutely necessary due to their health conditions. Those with Celiac disease have to be a on very restrictive gluten-free diet. When gluten is ingested by someone who suffers from this disease, the immune system attacks the small intestine. Even if it is not a necessity to cut gluten from your diet, there are many benefits of going gluten-free.

Gluten-free diets can aid bloating, migraines, stomach pains, reproductive issues, weight gain/loss, skin issues and other ailments that are common. Some of these issues can be grouped in as general ailments. Other people that the elimination of gluten can help with are people with autism, depression, chronic inflammation, thyroid disease, weight gain and diabetes. Once someone decides to take the leap and go completely gluten-free they find that those issues that were constantly bothering them are almost gone. People may not know how bad they were feeling until they have gone gluten-free. This has created the gluten-free health craze. More people are choosing to go gluten-free than the people that are a medically obligated to eliminate gluten.

Gluten is an unnecessary processed protein added into many delicious food items. For most, a gluten-free diet is optional and based on the individuals health goals. For the small percentage of people that have Celiac Disease, it is critical for them to stay strictly gluten-free. Since this is a huge health trend those with the disease are in luck because it gives them many options while grocery shopping and going out to eat. Many restaurants have gluten-free menu options. As well as many baked recipes can be substituted with gluten-free products.

Whether, this lifestyle choice is necessary for some or an option for others; it is a trend that is gradually getting easier to follow. Many followers of this diet will recommend to try it first and see how well you feel after.

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Lymphedema

Lymphedema is the condition where there is a persistent swelling of the arms or legs. It may occur after a series of different things like the removal or damage of lymph nodes, after a mastectomy, or following infection or scar formation which blocks the lymphatic fluid flow. It can also occur in other places other than the leg or arm. However, the arm and leg is most common. Lymphedema can occur weeks or months after the initial injury. This condition can also be inherited, as well.

The lymphatic fluid is transported out of the body through a network of lymph vessels. When there is a buildup of protein-rich fluids in one specific area, the result is swelling in that area. Due to this, the body has an inflammatory reaction called fibrosis. Because of the fibrosis it makes it much harder for the body to release the fluid. The increased fluids and fibrosis prevents the flow of oxygen which in turn delays the healing process and creates a higher risk for infection.

Symptoms include swelling, heaviness or tightness, restricted range of motion, aching or discomfort, recurring infections, or hardening and discoloration of the skin. It is crucial to contact a doctor when experiencing these symptoms for a prolonged period of time. Lymphedema often gets confused with another condition called edema. It is important to not get them mixed up.

Physical therapy is a great way to ease the pain when experiencing lymphedema. It is a physical therapist’s job to make you as comfortable as you can be while trying to ease the pain and relieve lymphedema. Custom-made compression bandaging and compression garments, postural and therapeutic exercise, and massages are all treatment options a physical therapist might suggest for lymphedema. Compression garments are helpful by enhancing the blood flow back to the lymph vessels. In turn, this can help soften fluid-swollen areas. Exercising should be done while wearing these compression garments. Research shows that resistance training helped with lymphedema.

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400.

Associative Awareness Technique

Do you suffer from chronic pain, trauma, stress, depression and anxiety, or unexplained pain patterns? Are you one of the many individuals who go through constant reliance on medication, treatment failure, with the end result being no relief? Well you’re in luck, there is a newly formed approach called the Associative Awareness Technique. This technique is designed to bring back balance using three levels of the brain to find the relief and happiness you have been waiting for.

The Associative Awareness Technique is a six step process that brings back the balance within your central nervous system and stops sending bogus alarms through your body that causes you discomfort. The major component of this technique are the three levels. Level one entails steps 1 and 2 which thoroughly forms balance within your Autonomic Nervous system. Level two entails steps 3 and 4 which focuses on the Limbic System and proceeds in the discontinuity of emotional associations that ends in the result of activation of fight and flight shielding patterns. The last level, is level three, which is steps 5 and 6, which is specific in ending anticipatory assumption in the Neo-cortex.

This technique proves that the basis of your chronic conditions lives in the brain, not in the symptom is exposes. These long-term problems, are constant triggered by your everyday thoughts, memories, and interactions; which generate the protective patterns that cause you the pain and torment you go through. It’s time to break this habit, and give this technique a chance to bring alleviation.

This Associative Awareness Technique bring hope upon individuals who have tried everything, and have no found any relief. Haven’t found anyone in the area who are experienced in this technique ? Well you are in luck Zoe and Robert from Lake Country Physical Therapy and Sportscare, are certified in this advanced technique.

February Heart Month

This February marks the 50th anniversary of America celebrating Heart Health Month. The purpose of February Heart Health is to raise awareness to America’s leading cause of death for both male and females. Although the number of people who experience heart disease has decreased by 1 million per year over the past 50 years, our nation still suffers greatly from this horrible disease. Heart disease is still responsible for one in four deaths in the United States.

President Obama wrote in the annual federal proclamation that “By adopting a few healthy habits – getting regular exercise; not smoking; eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol – each of us can reduce our risk.” Seems simple enough. February Heart Health is a time to make change. The month of awareness has definitely made a positive change in our country’s history but we still have a long way to go to before we reach our goals.

Some of the leading causes of heart disease are obesity and hypertension or high blood pressure.  Both of these factors can be treated simply by exercising. An easy brisk walk a couple times a week can greatly decrease your chances for acquiring this disease. By adding some muscle-strengthening and getting out for 30 minutes a day, you can make your chances even lower. Commit to 30 minutes a day and you are helping yourself for the rest of your life and creating habits that will stay with you.

Throughout this month there will be health fairs and informational sessions to inform and promote healthy living. For more information on February Heart Health you can log on to www.heart.org. This February practice healthy living and don’t forget to show your support on February 7 for National Wear Red Day!

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400.

What is Sportscare?

For an athlete, the worst possible thing, but probably the most common to deal with are injuries. After suffering from a minor injury or a more serious one that may require surgery, the main goal on every athletes mind is how quickly they can get back on the field. Sportscare is a sector of physical therapy that sets up a specific plan to cater to the needs of the athlete. The goal in mind for sportscare is to help increase mobility and function as well as keeping pain at a minimum.

Sportscare uses a combination of manual therapy and modalities to optimize the results of the athlete. Manual therapy or manipulative therapy consists of three parts: manipulation, mobilization and massage. Manipulation is often the most painful part because its main goal is to break down the gas bubbles that are in the specific joints. Following manipulation, a therapist will use mobilization. The main purpose of mobilization is to increase flexibility through soft tissue stretching. Massage is the final step of manual therapy where the therapist rubs or kneads at the target area to absorb swelling or decrease spasms in the muscles.

Along with the the manual therapy a therapist would use modalities. The goal of this process is to strengthen and heal the muscles. A therapist can use a variety of modalities to help a patient depending on their injury. Common modalities are hot packs, cold packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and biofeedback, and all of these processes work together along with the manual therapy.

Therapists very often give you specific exercises to do at home in your own time to enhance your results and sport performance. If you are suffering from a sports related injury and your main goal is to get back to playing as soon as possible see a physical therapist and work on getting a sportscare plan set up so you can be back on the field in no time!