Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

How Physical Therapy Can Help Vertigo

If you have been suffering from dizzy spells or feel unbalanced, there is a good chance your vestibular system is out of whack. This is often a sign of vertigo. There are treatments that can help strengthen your vestibular system.

Your vestibular system is actually a sub-system of the nervous system that uses sensory information from the surrounding environment in order to maintain body positioning. Located in the inner ear, the vestibular system signals to the brain information about gravity and the environment. The sensitive nature of this area can trigger many illnesses and can bring about periods of dizzy spells but true vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and cervicogenic dizziness are two common causes and symptoms of vertigo and can be treated in one to three sessions at Lake Country Physical Therapy. We are unique in that our treatment programs for these conditions can take only 1-3 sessions in order to see results.

In a session with your physical therapist, he or she will actually be able to train your vestibular system so that it can sense environmental conditions more accurately. It also will predominantly train other sensory systems to compensate for a weak vestibular system and help to keep you on your feet. Damage to the vestibular system can be permanent so alternatives must be set in place.

Exercises will include being seated, lying down, standing, and walking with a focus on utilizing your visual cues in order to gain information from your environment. Eye and neck movements will be used strategically in order to help change the way your nervous system receives sensory signals.

Conducting these exercises with a physical therapist will be not only be the most effective means but also the safest. Vertigo can be a dangerous condition, testing your boundaries without the help of a professional is risky.

A physical therapist will be able to monitor your progress and provide you with a personalized action plan. Every patient is different so there is not just one correct program that’ll cure vertigo. Through mutual hard work and dedication, you will have better footing in no time.

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.

The Jaw and Physical Therapy

Your jaw is guided by the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and issues with this joint is called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The disorder is caused due to bad posture, chronic jaw clenching while sleeping, sleep alignment issues, a fracture, or other injuries. TMD can be identified by pain in the jaw, head, neck, and upper back, hearing a clicking, locking, and popping sound when the mouth is being opened or closed, jaw fatigue, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

It is recommended you meet with a physical therapist in order to get a proper diagnosis and to help lessen the pain of TMD. A physical therapist can examine your medical history, discuss previous surgeries or injuries, and conduct a physical examination of your neck and jaw. The posture of a patient and the way the neck moves will help the physical therapist determine if the TMJ pain is being caused by the alignment of the teeth.

The physical therapist will be able to treat the TMD in various ways after a thorough and proper diagnosis. Posture education is one way in which the physical therapist will be able to treat a patient, especially if it is found that the patient sits with their head in a position that places strain on the TMJ. While becoming more aware of posture is one way to improve the TMD, another way is to improve the movement of the jaw. Manual therapy will help increase movement in the jaw, relieve pain, and calm the nervous system overall. In severe cases, the physical therapist may want to use electrical stimulation in order to help reduce pain in the TMJ. If you are experiencing any pain or clicking in your jaw, it is advised to stop by your local physical therapist for an examination today!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Physical Therapy check up before the New Year

The unfortunate side of aging is that more issues occur as more time passes. You may suddenly wake up with new aches in your knees or back or you may be experiencing a slow escalation of pain over time.

Pain doesn’t have to be a necessary daily occurrence. If you noticed you were developing more ankle pain episodes, lower back pain, or wrist pain over the past year, something you are doing may be causing these painful moments to increase. Rather than letting the pain continue to escalate, it is best to nip it in the butt early!

Take the time to listen to your body as you go about your daily activities and take note if you are having difficulties using the stairs, getting out of bed, or performing other normal activities. Jot down what causes you discomfort, the locations of your pain, and any other pertinent information.

It is best to bring this information to a physical therapist. Your physical therapist will be able to diagnose the root cause of the problem and provide you with an action plan for reducing pain and deterioration by showing you proper motioning techniques.

It is extremely important that when you begin to have pain that you take action. Certain repetitive movements can cause joint issues and could lead to painful and expensive surgery if left to deteriorate.

We only get one body and we need to take care of what we have. The new year is the perfect time to reflect and take the time to give our body what it needs to thrive in the aging process. Start off 2016 right and you will have a new spring in your step come next year!

Proper Shoveling Technique

The cold weather is approaching rapidly, and if there is one thing that native New Yorkers have to prepare for, it is snow. The idea of snow and the reality of snow are two separate entities entirely—snow is a beautiful thought, but in reality it can be a real pain to deal with. Knowing the techniques of how to shovel snow properly is essential to surviving this winter.

The chore of shoveling snow is usually at the forefront of many people’s minds when they think of the winter season. The first step in preparing for the snow is to purchase the right shovel, and many people may think that buying the biggest shovel would be ideal. Although shovels with a larger scoop are able to hold more snow, it makes it harder to lift and can result in back, shoulder, and neck damage. The shovel should be moderate in size and made from a durable, yet lightweight, material. The most ergonomic kind of shovels have Z-shaped shafts because they reduce the amount of bending over involved in scooping snow and thus produce less pressure on the lower back.

There are some tips and tricks to improve the way snow is shoveled if purchasing an ergonomically idea is out of your price range. Stretching the muscles can help prepare a shoveler in case there is snow that needs to be lifted and walking closer to the snow instead of trying to reach the snow with the shovel can reduce the strain of your muscles. Although many people are accustomed to lifting the snow and throwing it to the side with the shovel, it is actually easier to push the snow out of the way whenever possible. If you must lift the snow, however, it is strongly recommended to bend at the knees with a straight back.

It is always important to remember to stay as safe as possible in harsh winter conditions and following these techniques can help ensure an easier shoveling experience.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Managing Holiday Stress

The holidays are a time of joy and celebration with friends and family, but it is also the time of year when stress, anxiety, and depression are at its highest. It is the time of year when not a day goes by without planning parties, trying to beat the crowds at the mall, or cooking enough food to feed an entire extended family. There are some stress management techniques, however, that will help you keep your sanity and maybe even enjoy the holidays a little more.

The most important part of stress management is also the easiest—breathing. It may be difficult to find the time to relax and take a needed break, but you will find the time will be better spent if you aren’t constantly in rush mode. Find a chance to sit down, even if it is for ten minutes, and practice heavy breathing exercises if needed. Sometimes a little breather is all it takes to push through.

Family drama can be a major stressor and can take its toll on everyone. It is much easier to set aside your differences and problems for a couple of weeks than to have it escalate into something much bigger. Remember, a friend or family may be on edge because they are feeling the same anxiety or stress as you.

Money can also be a cause of stress or anxiety. The easiest way to avoid a financial crisis is to budget your gift and shopping spending correctly. While it may seem like common sense, gifts can start to add up if you are not keeping track. A good tip is to make a list of everyone you are buying for and to put a cap on how much you are willing to spend.

Don’t forget to exercise! We all tend to overeat and maybe drink a little bit too much during the holidays, and you may feel the urge to skip a few days at the gym, but research has shown that even just 20 minutes a day of exercise can reduce stress and depression.

The holidays are a great time of year to spend with friends and family, but all the planning and shopping can get a little chaotic and stressful. If you stick to healthy habits, though, you will be able to manage that stress and maybe even enjoy the holidays a little bit.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Prevention of Osteoporosis

The joys of getting older can be marred by having to face ongoing health problems. The most common health problem we start to notice as we get older is osteoporosis. About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or have low bone mass which may increase the risk for the condition.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which bones become brittle and fragile due to a loss of tissue as a result of hormonal changes or lack of calcium or vitamin D. Since the bones of the body become weak, simple actions such as bumping into something or a minor fall can cause a bone to break. Studies have shown that approximately one in two women and one in four men ages 50 or older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

As you get older, you may start to notice that you cannot tolerate injuries the way you once did. Osteoporosis is a serious condition and should not be taken lightly. If you avoid seeking treatment for your osteoporosis, recovery can take quite some time or you may be faced with severe pain that will not go away. Broken bones caused by osteoporosis may occur in the hip, spine, and wrist, and osteoporosis affects your posture and height. These problems will become noticeable when the condition causes the bones of your spine to break or collapse.

Osteoporosis can prevent you from enjoying the activities you once did and in turn can lead to depression and other health problems. It is important to keep yourself in good health as you cannot afford to have an accident when you are older. A broken hip is fatal in about 20% of seniors due to the problems related to broken bones or surgery necessary to repair the broken bone. If you break a bone or suffer from osteoporosis, a physical therapist can help you get back on your feet and into a regular routine once again.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

What is Incontinence?

Incontinence is the inability to prevent urination or defecation of any amount. This condition affects millions of people each day and can be the result of many factors. Incontinence is often called a symptom and is preventable in many cases with treatment of the cause. However, focusing on pelvic strengthening exercises can make a huge difference.

Incontinence comes in many forms. Temporary incontinence is a circumstantial symptom due to such things as alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and medicine as well as issues such as urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and constipation. There is also persistent incontinence which can be due to the aging process, arthritis, pregnancy, enlarged prostate, and obstructions from things such as bladder stones.

Pelvic floor exercises and Kegel exercises can be a crucial step towards quality of life improvement. These exercises will strengthen the supporting muscles in the pelvic region, helping with incontinence as well as strengthening your core, increasing stability, and improving sexual health.

Performing these exercises for about 5-10 minutes a day will minimize incontinence issues over time. Both kegel and standard pelvic floor exercises can be incorporated into your daily fitness routine. Standard pelvic floor exercises include variations of squats, bridges, and more. A majority of patients will see results within the first three months, however many will see results in half the time.

Strengthening your pelvic floor can have many positive effects aside from incontinence. Both men and women will see increased sexual gratification and performance as the pelvic floor strengthens. In men, pelvic floor exercises will reduce prostate issues. In women, floor exercises can also prevent vaginal and uterine prolapse.

Seeking professional help is key if you are unsure of what pelvic floor exercises are right for your condition. A physical therapist can guide you through pelvic floor exercises that would be the most effective to long term incontinence prevention and will minimize the risk of doing more harm than good.