Excel PT:Staying Active and Becoming Better Balanced

Excel PT:Staying Active and Becoming Better Balanced

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter

HOW YOU CAN STAY ACTIVE AND BECOME BETTER BALANCED

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one out of every three adults ages 65 and older fall each year in the United States². While there can be a strong motivation to remain healthy and active by improving your fitness level, some may choose to avoid certain activities for fear of falling. (continued inside)

By Christine Cooper, PT, DPT

INSIDE : • How You Can Stay Active And Become Better Balanced • It’s Never Too Late!

• Exercise Of The Month • Featured PT

www.excelphysicaltherapy.com

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter

HOW YOU CAN STAY ACTIVE AND BECOME BETTER BALANCED

OUR ALL NEW PASSYUNK CLINIC IS OPENING SOON!

(continued from outside)

INSIDE : • It’s Never Too Late! • Featured PT

• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

This fear may limit your physical activity and increase your likelihood of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle over several years is also associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature mortality¹. Luckily, research has identified several risk factors which can lead to falls, so we can mitigate the risk. These risk factors include (but are not limited to) lower body weakness,

who can help to reduce these risk factors. The physical therapists at Excel will create a specialized plan to address your needs. They are trained to improve strength and proprioception (knowing where your body is in space) in a manner that is safe and that will help to improve your balance. This will help to keep you moving to avoid injury while also decreasing your risk for developing chronic diseases. They can also safely monitor blood pressure and heart rate if you are already predisposed to these illnesses. Excel physical therapists are educated to identify and address gait deficits as well as make suggestions for assistive devices that may aid your balance to reduce your fall risk. Recommendations will be offered to improve home safety and minimize secondary risk factors that could lead to falls. Excel also offers specialties such as Vestibular and Concussion Therapy and LSVT-BIG which focuses on balance for specific populations. Understanding the importance of regular physical activity is paramount in preventing chronic diseases. Call Excel Physical Therapy today to get started with your safe and effective balance training, so that you can enjoy the active lifestyle your body deserves!

By Christine Cooper, PT, DPT

difficulties with walking, poor balance, dizziness, foot pain and poor footwear. Hazards in the home such as throw rugs or poor lighting can also contribute to falls as well. Side effects from medication and poor vision are also high on the risk hazard list. Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors, meaning the more factors you have, the more likely you are to experience a fall event. You may have been told many times by various practitioners that you are supposed to be active and walk 30 minutes per day, but if you have these risk factors, where do you start? You and your primary care provider can discuss what factors may be limiting your ability to stay active³. Your physician can review your medications as well as refer you to the proper specialists

Sources: 1.BoothFW,RobertsCK,LayeMJ.Lackofexercise isamajorcauseofchronicdiseases.ComprehensivePhysiology.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241367/.PublishedApril2012.AccessedSeptember16,2019. 2.HuynhD.Balanceand Falls.APTA.https://www.apta.org/BalanceFalls/.AccessedSeptember16,2019. 3. ImportantFactsaboutFalls |HomeandRecreationalSafety |CDC InjuryCenter.Centers forDiseaseControlandPrevention.https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/ adultfalls.html.AccessedSeptember16,2019. 4.Large-Scale Investigation:Falls-PreventionExercise InterventionsWork.APTA.http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2019/02/27/CochraneFallsPrevention/.AccessedSeptember16,2019.

PENNSYLVANIA ALLOWS DIRECT ACCESS TO PHYSICAL THERAPY WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN IF YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER COVERS THIS SERVICE

Jaime Alexis Del Palazzo, PT, DPT Jaime is a therapist at our Kennett Square clinic location. Read her full profile here: FEATURED PT

It ’s Never Too Late!

1. How did you decide to become a physical therapist and what motivates you to work with patients? I decided to become a physical therapist due to my own injury sustained when playing the flute (my past life is as a professional musician). I experienced PT as a patient and that experience, coupled with my growing interest in the human body and movement, convinced

me to return to school to complete pre-requisites and I made it into PT school as a non-traditional student. I wake up every day motivated to work with patients, knowing that I am helping them to live their lives in the way they want without limitations due to pain, injury, or the progression of chronic conditions. 2. In your words, what makes Excel Physical Therapy different from other physical therapy clinics? Excel Physical Therapy is different from other clinics in that at Excel, the patient always comes first. We are committed to the professional development of our therapists in order to maximize the quality of care provided to patients. The quality of care coupled with a positive treatment experience encourages patients to choose Excel again for their recovery needs and many of our past patients are so pleased with their outcome that they recommend Excel to their friends and family. 3. What was your most memorable patient experience? My most memorable patient experience is when the education I provide to the patient becomes meaningful and the patient begins initiating long term behavioral changes. I once had a patient who was less physically active and due to the education and goals we were working on during their episode of care, the patient was able to transform their behavior and joined a supervised exercise program that they consistently attended. Transforming the patient experience into seeing the long term benefits beyond the PT episode of care is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a PT. 4. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why? I would like to be a dog. They love unconditionally, they get to take lots of naps and are just generally happy. 5. If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be and why? Curious. Even as a student in elementary school, I was the one who always had a question. My teachers along the way encouraged me to never stop asking questions. Being a PT ensures that I’ll never stop asking questions and learning! 6. What do you like to do in your off time, outside the clinic? I’m a recreational runner, and I love to run half and full marathons. I love having a hobby that allows me to stay physically active and helps to relieve stress. I’m currently gearing up to run the 2019 Philadelphia Marathon!

It’s never too late to begin to exercise and there are many benefits to staying active. Implementing small changes to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle can yield significant results over time. There are plenty of ways to incorporate light activity into your lifestyle, such as:

• Taking a walk in the evening with your family

• Wearing a pedometer and trying to take more steps every day

• Joining your local community center and using the pool to swim laps several times a week

• Engaging in light weight training at home before work

• Taking a yoga class

These are just several examples of how you could incorporate more activity into your lifestyle without making many large changes to your way of life. If you feel that your physical health or an old injury is holding you back from being active, contact us. Working with an Excel physical therapist can help you achieve improved balance and a healthy lifestyle.

www.excelphysicaltherapy.com

OUR ALL NEW PASSYUNK CLINIC IS OPENING SOON!

Ardmore

215-545-8717 215-712-0300 215-634-9713 610-270-0300 610-651-8282 856-428-4030 484-268-1350 215-639-1600 215-383-0220 267-281-5253 610-558-5866 215-442-9060 215-886-5520 610-363-9060 484-730-8016 717-740-2678 610-832-7510 267-630-5740 610-850-0850 484-297-6491 610-904-8204 610-557-0220 215-676-6760 267-551-3464 484-444-0135 215-867-8753 484-420-7600 610-964-1700 215-629-1270 215-618-9669 610-792-8100 610-933-6232 610-323-4300

Patient Success Spotlight

Art Museum Area - Philadelphia

Bala Cynwyd

Bensalem

Berwyn

“When I first came to PT, I was having trouble with my balance, and I actually fell once. Since I have been coming to Excel‘s Levittown location and working with Jean Scott, PT, DPT and Sam Kelly, PT, DPT I am feeling so much better with my balance. I even was at the beach and able to stand in the water, not feeling off balance at all. When I first started, I would not have believed that exercises would do anything, but it turns out I was wrong, and they have helped me quite a bit. I am most grateful to everyone at Excel Physical Therapy! Thank You!” - Violet G. (Levittown Patient) Don’t delay we can help you! Contact us: Downtown Philadelphia & South Jersey, Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County, Montgomery County, The Main Line, Delaware County, Chester County, Allentown, Lancaster: www.excelphysicaltherapy.com/contact-us Stand on one leg and maintain your balance for 5-10 seconds. Next, hold your leg out in front of your body. Then return to original position. Maintain a slightly bent knee on the stance side. Repeat 3 times. Single Leg Stance - Forward EXERCISE OF THE MONTH “I am most grateful to everyone at Excel Physical Therapy! Thank You!”

Blue Bell

Business District - Philadelphia

Center City Philadelphia

Chalfont

Cherry Hill New Jersey

Emmaus

Exton/Lionville

Glen Mills

Havertown/Drexel Hill

Horsham

Jenkintown

King of Prussia Kennett Square

Lancaster

Lafayette Hill

Levittown

Media

Newtown Square

Northeast Philadelphia Passyunk - Open Soon!

Phoenixville

Pottstown - Coventry

Royersford

Society Hill - Queen Village

Southampton

Villanova

Washington Square

West Chester

Coupon Corner!

COMPLIMENTARY PAIN ASSESSMENT

WE OFFER 33 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS CALL TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

Your complimentary pain assessment may be conducted via telephone

THIS IS DESIGNED TO HELP IMPROVE BALANCE CALL YOUR THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY PAIN!

Call to schedule. Expires 1-31-20