Keeping Our Friends Upright and Moving
Geriatric Physical Therapy
Our nation’s elderly population is susceptible to numerous age-related injuries and illnesses, such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and knee replacements, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and more. On top of that, one out of every four older people falls every year, with about 20 percent of these falls causing a serious injury (e.g., broken bones, head injuries, etc.). It’s likely that a similar fate could await the generations that follow.
What can be done to delay these conditions?
One of the top recommendations from medical experts is to keep our aging population as active as possible for as long as possible. Whether currently active, sedentary or recovering from an injury, geriatric physical therapy (PT) can play an important role in delaying the physical challenges of aging.
Participating in a rehabilitation program or a geriatric physical therapy program can restore people’s range of motion and functionality, reduce pain and improve their quality of life. Experienced PT professionals understand that they’re not training future Olympic athletes with a strict dietary and exercise regimen. They’re helping the elderly accomplish daily tasks and recommending exercises that can be done safely and effectively.
Specific kinds of geriatric PT include:
- Orthopedic PT: In addition to helping patients recover from orthopedic surgeries, orthopedic PT focuses on treating injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Its goal is to restore function to the patient’s muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments.
- Cardiopulmonary PT: This PT aims to increase endurance for those who have had heart attacks or other cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions, like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or pulmonary fibrosis.
- Neurological PT: This PT addresses both brain and bodily functions. Here, physical therapists teach seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s disease or brain injuries to adapt to their physical and mental limitations (visual, mobility, balance, muscle loss, etc.) so they can continue to complete their daily activities.
An increasing number of geriatric PT locations use a broad range of gentle, yet effective strategies, including stretching, light exercise, walking, hydrotherapy, massage, and more. The goal remains to make basic tasks easier for senior adults and to help them be as independent as possible.
If you or a loved one are battling age-related injuries or illnesses, perhaps you should consider geriatric physical therapy? There are many options to explore, as a professional, like the geriatric physical therapy team in Baltimore, MD at a PT rehab center like Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractor, can explain.
A Chiropractor’s Tips for Staying Fit
Chiropractor
Why wait for Summer when you can get fit right away and stay healthy! Whether you are 17 or 48, there is no limitation to getting into the habit of a healthy lifestyle. We all go through different grade of stress in our daily lives. Some of us spend hours at the regular 9-5 desk jobs, even grind at construction sites and some of us play dangerous sports.
While trying to stay fit might seem like added minutes of effort, it is still the best, and perhaps the most cheapest action you could ever engage in. In fact, your body will thank you in the later years. Also, wouldn’t it be amazing to not have to go to a chiropractor? That is why we have accumulated some professional chiropractic tips to kick start your good habits for a healthier lifestyle.
- Sit Straight Y’all!
If you haven’t done it yet after we said it in the previous line, then try now! We seriously cannot stress enough on the benefits of sitting with a good posture. A good sitting posture is essential to keep your neck and back pain miles away from hitting you. It decreases physical stress over the bones, spinal discs, pelvic muscles and ligaments holding your spinal joints together. Besides, you always look presentable and attentive in front of your boss so that’s a plus!
- Sleep Comfortably!
Get some chiropractor recommended pillows and back cradling mattresses that will give you amazing sleep consistently. An additional tip to ensure restful sleep is to include yoga in your bedtime ritual. It will relax you into a deep sleep within minutes of resting your head. Try sleeping either by lying flat on your back, or on your side to relieve the muscles and your spine.
- Eat Healthy
What’s as important as exercising daily? That’s right, eating healthy! Chiropractors always advise on eating in moderation and watch out for obesity. Not only does bad eating make you obese, more health issues follow with it. Bones around your back, knees, feet and joints get affected the most. So if you want to avoid chiropractic treatment, then start maintaining a healthy weight from today.
- Keep Yourself Active
Moments after a heavy meal, we tend to slip under the sheets or slouch on the couch. Instead of giving in, try taking a stroll across your office or your living room. It will help your back and keep your digestion proceeding. Besides exercising and stretching on a daily basis, engage in a hobby. This will keep your muscles moving, take your productivity to the next level and help you to stay fit.
Conclusion
Trying to stay fit should not have to be challenging, stressful or bank breaking. That is why these professional chiropractic in Mesa, AZ tips are cheaper and will support you in the long run. You have to agree that you have heard most of these tips before!
Thanks to LifeCare Chiropractic for their insight into chiropractic care and tips for staying fit.
Chiropractor Treatment
What to Expect at the Chiropractor
If you are about to have your very first visit with a chiropractor, you may not know exactly what to expect. Though you’ve probably heard of other people’s experiences, it could be intimidating to go without prior experience yourself. The good news is that chiropractic treatment or physical therapy can be life-changing. The following are some things that you can expect.
Length of Your Visit
Your first visit will more than likely last longer than follow up visits because the chiropractor will want to make a full assessment of your condition and overall health. This could take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. Adjustments only take a matter of minutes, so most of the initial visit will be talking, going over your medical history and getting your financial matters taken care of.
Follow up visits could last anywhere from five to 20 minutes, depending on the severity of your condition and the type of care you’re receiving.
What It Feels Like
Have you ever done a workout for the first time in a long time? You know that sore feeling you get at the end that’s a good-sore? If you feel any pain at all after a chiropractic adjustment, it will be that same good-sore feeling. If you have more serious pain than that, you should discuss it with your chiropractor for the chance it’s something more serious that needs a different sort of treatment.
Returning for Follow Up Care
Not every patient will have to return for follow up care. It’s possible the issue you’re dealing with can be fixed in a matter of one appointment. It’s also possible it will take multiple appointments that span over the length of many years. Depending on your problem, you may need to return to the chiropractor for follow up visits for the rest of your life, just as you would go in for dental exams and medical physicals on a regular basis. Your chiropractor will discuss this with you at your initial appointment so you can know what to expect moving forward.
Paying for the Visit
Many health insurance plans cover chiropractic care, though this is something you should speak with your provider about. You may have to use an in-network chiropractor and you might only be allotted a certain amount of visits per year, so it’s important you understand the details of your plan. If you don’t have insurance coverage, you may be able to work out a payment plan with the chiropractor.
Getting in Touch With a Chiropractor
Visiting the chiropractor doesn’t have to be a stressful event. To learn more about what you can expect at your next visit, get in touch with a chiropractor today.
Getting Help with Numbness or Tingling From a Chiropractor Therapy
If you are experiencing tingling or numbness, then we advise seeing a chiropractor for an assessment right away. A sensation similar to “pins and needles” of the extremities can be very uncomfortable and quite annoying. Numbness and tingling are two symptoms that could be associated with health concerns, so it is important to respond promptly by getting medical care.
To rule out major health concerns, a chiropractor will try to identify where the cause of this sensation is coming from. Usually, tingling or numbness means there is something awry within the spinal column. Rest assured that if this is the case, we can create a care plan to get you back on track.
The Cause of Numbness and Tingling
More serious reasons that numbness and tingling may be happening is due to a stroke, seizure disorder, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis. But for most patients that a chiropractor sees, these sensations are due to less serious conditions, such as migraine headaches or carpal tunnel. Essentially, what could be occurring is a nerve is getting pinched. When the flow of blood is restricted from a pinched nerve, people can experience numbness or tingle in their fingers, hands, legs, or arms.
How Chiropractics Can Address These Symptoms
Chiropractics focus on the central nervous and musculoskeletal system, including function of nerves. So, it makes sense to see a chiropractor if you are feeling tingling sensations or numbness, as these symptoms are associated with nerve-related issues. When the spine gets misaligned, it can lead to migraines, carpal tunnel, or pinched nerves. These misalignments can cause interference of nerves, which hinder sufficient blood flow and impact communication between brain and body. When messages cannot be effectively sent throughout the body, dysfunction can arise.
Chiropractic Adjustments
A chiropractor can examine a patient’s spine, and perform an adjustment to remove incorrect alignments while reducing nerve interference. During these adjustments, a chiropractor is using his or her hands to apply gentle force to specific areas of the spine as a way to move vertebrae back into placement. Many patients express feeling immediate relief and a sense of mental calmness after their treatment session.
After realigning the spine, blood flow can open up and the body can function as it was intended to once again. For a significant number of patients, regular chiropractic care can correct the uncomfortable and intrusive nature of numbness and tingling sensations. Additionally, chiropractics can help people maintain overall health and wellness of their entire body so they can feel at their very best.
Don’t let unsettling tingling and numbness prevent you from enjoying your daily life. At a chiropractic clinic, they can help figure out where the source of this issue is coming from and take immediate steps to correct it. If you would like to book your appointment with a chiropractor or find out more information, don’t wait to call a clinic.
Do You Need a Chiropractor After a Personal Injury Accident?
Personal Injury Doctor Glen Burnie, MD
When you have been in a personal injury accident, you may wonder why your lawyer is sending you to a chiropractor. In fact, immediately following your accident you probably aren’t worried about much else except whether you can safely move, if your passengers are safe, and getting the contact information of the other driver. Wondering what kind of medical help you need and whether you will get compensation for your injuries or personal property damage is probably not the first thing on your mind. However, chiropractors have worked with many patients and their attorneys after a personal injury accident. They know it can be daunting to be going through both medical and legal ordeals at the same time, which is why they strive to help patients out with both.
How can a chiropractor help after the accident?
When you visit an office, you are getting a team of chiropractors who knows how to help patients suffering from a personal injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence. They often help treat injuries such as:
- Muscle Tears
- Whiplash
- Headaches and Migraines
- Bone Fractures
- Spinal Damage
When should I see a chiropractor?
Often, patients come to a doctor after waiting weeks after the accident because they were hoping their injuries would just go away. Unfortunately, this is not how the body works, and to rid your body of the pain you should get treatment as soon as possible. They believe it is important for your health to come to our office immediately following the accident so we can diagnose your injuries and get you on the right treatment plan. Further, insurance companies do not want you to get medical help shortly after the accident because they can use this against you.
Can you help with my legal claim?
You will need evidence to support your argument when you are speaking with the insurance company. We provide you with a full write-up of your diagnosis, the injuries you have, the proposed treatment plan, and why we believe chiropractic care is the best option for your treatment as opposed to any other medical service. Further, when you see a chiropractor, you may be able to avoid more costly treatment options such as surgery. An insurance adjuster may be more willing to accept your compensation amount when they see a reasonable price instead of surgical procedures.
When it comes to your healing after a car accident, we know that it is both physical and emotional. While your doctor’s primary goal may be to help your body heal, they can also work with you and your attorney to give you the emotional closure you need by helping with your claim. For more information, please give a personal injury doctor in Glen Burnie, MD from Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab and Chiropractic a call now.