All articles tagged with #physical therapy
A geriatric physical therapist explains that highly active seniors can suffer from repetitive-stress injuries when recovery is neglected. She recommends diversifying movement to include cardio, strength, balance, and tissue-restoration, scheduling rest days and prioritizing high-quality sleep, and consulting a physical therapist to tailor a safe, well-rounded plan.
A randomized trial of more than 50 chronic stroke patients found that training the less-impaired arm for five weeks improved everyday hand tasks more than training the most-impaired arm, with gains persisting for six months, suggesting a positive feedback loop where better arm function leads to more use and further improvement.
Aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling, and swimming, can significantly reduce knee pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life for those with osteoarthritis, with low to moderate-impact activities recommended for managing symptoms effectively.
This article presents eight simple exercises that can be done while sitting at a desk to improve grip strength, which is essential for daily tasks and can be weakened by conditions like arthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and aging.
Good posture can significantly influence how young and energetic you appear, with common mistakes like slouching, forward head tilt, and uneven weight distribution making you look older. Small adjustments such as rolling shoulders back, bringing screens to eye level, and balancing pelvis tilt can help you look more youthful and vibrant. These changes are simple, within your control, and can improve both your appearance and overall well-being.
Physical therapists emphasize that avoiding injuries involves balancing activity and rest, avoiding sudden increases in intensity, and being mindful of daily habits to prevent strain and overuse injuries.
Amber Meade suffered from severe, persistent pain after foot surgery, which was eventually diagnosed as chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a complex and lifelong condition. Despite various treatments including physical therapy, medication, and ketamine infusions, she continues to manage her symptoms and aims to improve her quality of life, highlighting the challenges of diagnosing and treating CRPS.
A 28-day hip mobility program, developed by physical therapist Lara Heimann, helped improve the author's hip flexibility and comfort in poses like sitting cross-legged through targeted exercises that strengthen and lengthen key muscles, with noticeable progress and increased awareness of posture.
Physical therapist Lara Heimann recommends four simple exercises—chair squats, bear crawl holds, lateral lunges, and spinal segmentation—to promote strength, balance, and mobility, supporting healthy aging and independence. Doing these exercises twice daily can help maintain muscle mass, improve coordination, and enhance spinal health, contributing to a more vital and independent future.
Men often overlook pelvic floor health, which can lead to issues like incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and pain. Causes include tightness from stress or injury, or laxity from surgery. Treatment involves physical therapy, exercises, and lifestyle changes. Awareness is increasing, helping men seek help earlier.
Exercising in water, such as at a pool or through aquatic therapy, can significantly aid in physical and mental recovery after surgery, offering a beneficial alternative to land-based exercises.
The article discusses various products that may help alleviate sciatic nerve pain, including stretching tools, supportive braces, self-massage devices, foam rollers, and exercise equipment, emphasizing the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before use.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, after spending 286 days in space, are still recovering from muscle loss, fatigue, and pain, despite completing extensive physical therapy. Their recovery highlights the physical toll of space travel, and they continue to work on their rehabilitation while also assisting with Boeing's Starliner program, which has faced delays and technical issues. The astronauts' experience underscores the challenges of returning to Earth after long-duration space missions.
A study published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders suggests that adding noninvasive brain stimulation, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), to physical therapy can significantly improve balance and walking speed in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The research, conducted in Australia, involved a six-week program where participants received tDCS before physical therapy sessions. Results showed that improvements in mobility and quality of life were more sustained in those who received tDCS compared to those who did not, indicating the potential of tDCS to enhance the long-term benefits of physical therapy in MS patients.
Physical therapist Tash Gale recommends a seven-move mobility routine to alleviate lower back pain for runners, which includes stretches like roll down, downward dog, and cat-cow. These exercises, which require no equipment, should be incorporated into cool-down routines to improve spinal mobility and running performance. Limited spinal mobility can negatively affect running form and increase energy consumption, so regular stretching and core-strengthening exercises are advised. Persistent back pain should be evaluated by a medical professional.