Choice PT: How Much Is Prevention Worth?

Choice PT: How Much Is Prevention Worth?

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Typically, being a Physical Therapist, I tend to lean towards the sciences. Today, I’m going to give a bit of a history lesson, all the way back to 1736 when Benjamin Franklin was quoted saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (continued inside)

HOW MUCH IS PREVENTION WORTH?

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INSIDE: • Tips For Preventing Injuries With Physical Activity • #ChooseToGiveBack • Choice Physical Therapy News • Patient Success Story HOW MUCH IS PREVENTION WORTH?

(continued from outside) Again, I’m a science guy but according to the almighty Google he made this statement as Philadelphia was facing threatening fires. When I hear this it makes me think of how applicable it is to the human body and orthopedics, specifically. Classically, as a society and as a healthcare community we are very reactive when it comes to our “movement system”. We check our eyesight, our hearing, our cardiovascular system, our respiratory system and a number of other systems important to human beings. High blood pressure? We can talk about stress management techniques, diet, exercise and possibly medication to address it. Getting out of breath? There’s a plan for that. Trouble hearing or seeing? There’s a plan for that. Sore shoulder? Achy back? Trick knee which can help you predict the weather? Throw some ice on it, take a Tylenol, “it’s not that bad”...until it gets to the point where we no longer can do what we need and want to do throughout our day. What If There Was A Better Way? When was the last time you partnered with a healthcare provider to proactively check how you’re moving and lay out a preventative plan to address any compensations you may have? What if I told you there can be a plan for achiness and stiffness which if addressed, could decrease the chances of more serious orthopedic issues down the line? At Choice we pride ourselves on placing the person before the patient. In doing

so, we’re excited to announce that we’re implementing a new service: FREE SCREENS! A screen is a 20-30 minute, one-on-one, appointment with one of our Doctor’s of Physical Therapy to discuss any aches, pains, stiffness or symptoms you may be experiencing. During this time we will give you an idea of what is likely contributing to the symptoms you’re experiencing as well as discuss what your best preventative, actionable steps are. The screen is different from a Physical Therapy evaluation but it is an excellent way to learn more about your body, how it should be moving and what simple changes you can implement to keep moving well and living life! 2020 has taught us a lot, one of the things that sticks out the most is we can’t take anything for granted. We are each given only one body, what we choose to do with it and how we choose to take care of it can significantly impact our quality of life. If you’re looking to take a proactive, preventative approach to taking care of your body, feel free to give our Patient Care Coordinators a call to find a convenient spot for your screen.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, bring on 2021!

Best wishes, Joe

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TIPS FOR PREVENTING INJURIES WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

While it is always a wise decision to consult with a physical therapist, there are some tips you can implement into your personal life as well, in order to decrease your risk of sustaining an injury. These include: • Stretching. This is one of the most important ways to prevent injuries. Your tissues require water in order to be elastic, and stretching helps to bring water into the tissues. This increases muscle flexibility and prevents them from becoming stiff or tight, thus decreasing the chances of them over-stretching and/ or tearing. • Hydrating and eating nutritious meals. Did you know that your body is over 70% water? Because of this, it requires water in order to remain supple and function properly. Without adequate water and nutrition, your body’s tissues are more prone to over- stretching and injury. Make sure you drink the recommended 8 glasses of water a day, and always keep a water bottle with you when you are working out. If needed, you can also replenish your electrolytes with sports drinks, such as Gatorade. • Staying within your abilities. It is important to train and practice for any physical activity you’d like to try. Start small in the beginning and build up from there. For example, if you aren’t used to running but you’d like to complete a 5k, don’t start off with 3-mile runs. Begin with a half mile and slowly build up. When you push your body past its current limits, you make yourself more prone to injuries because your body is not prepared for the physical demands being asked of it. A physical therapist can help you understand the limits of your body and can create an exercise plan for you to reach your physical goals.

• Using the proper equipment. When engaging in any type of physical activity, it is important to make sure you have the right equipment. For example, running shoes, hiking boots, helmets, and more can help you avoid injury and stay safe while doing the activities you enjoy. They can make all the difference when it comes to preventing injuries. What should I do now? If you are suffering from aches and pains, you think you may have sustained an injury, or you’d like to learn more about injury prevention, contact Choice Physical Therapy today. One of our dedicated physical therapists would be happy to meet with you for a consultation and discuss how our different programs can help you remain active and pain-free!

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PAT IENT SUCCESS STORY

EXERCISE ESSENT IALS

HELPS ANKLE PAIN

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ANKLE DORSIFLEXION STRETCH Sitting with your leg straight out in front of you, wrap a long belt around the ball of your foot holding both ends of the belt. Pull the belt towards yourself while keeping your knee straight. Hold for 3 seconds, repeat 5 times.

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CPT TEAM NEWS

CHOICE PHYSICAL THERAPY TEAM MEMBERS OF THE MONTH!

Isabelle Churan, PCA (Speigletown) & Stefano Dato, PCA (Campbell Ave)

Congratulations!

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#CHOOSETOGIVEBACK

Throughout the month of November, we remembered all of the men and women in our country who have served in our military in war or peace for our freedom. Our #Choose2GiveBack was designed to raise awareness for our local veterans and their families, donating $400 to the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition in Ballston Spa. Thank you for helping us reach our goal of 200 check-ins on Facebook/IG story using #thankavet to raise awareness for the homeless veterans in the Capital Region. In addition, thank you to one of our patients on behalf of the Regional Food Bank of NENY, donated two full Thanksgiving Dinners to two veteran families who otherwise would not have had a meal!! Grateful, Erin