Fritz_Staying Active and Becoming Better Balanced

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Staying Active & Becoming Better Balanced

Some say the secret to a long and happy life is to focus on family; others say it all comes down to finding the right career. Whatever choices you make in your life, and whatever your values are, there are several fundamental truths that are almost always accurate: To stay healthy, you must stay active, and to stay happy, you must stay balanced. Mental and Physical Balance Staying active and staying balanced in many ways go hand in hand. Staying active refers to the amount of activity that you engage in daily. This of course can refer to how much time you spend at the gym, but it can also refer to how many steps you take in a day, how often you find yourself running around the office, and how frequently you head out to the backyard to run around with your children or your dog. Balance in many ways works on the same principles.

There are some activities that you do every day because you have to do them — work often falls into this category, as do household chores. But what about the activities that you simply love to do? What about the activities that you enjoy? Think about the last time that you sat down with a book that you loved and made yourself a cup of tea or coffee and really enjoyed the moment. Perhaps it isn’t reading that you wish you had more time for, but instead it is a garden that has grown weeds as it has been neglected. It could be a project at your home that you have looked forward to completing or an old car that you’ve wanted to fix up. There are special hobbies and interests that appeal to each of us, and spending time with those hobbies can help you live a more balanced life.

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Here’s a simple test for you: Can you close your eyes and stand steady on one leg for 10 seconds? If not, then your balance is not up to par. Your ability to balance is an incredibly complex action that requires millions of nerves and hundreds of muscles to work together to help you move and stop you from falling over on your face. Many people think having poor balance happens in just older people. However, poor balance is one of the leading causes for sports injuries, chronic back pain and much more. Having poor balance often goes undetected until it is very severe and puts one at exceptional risk for injury. It is even worse for older adults, especially over age 65, of which one third fall each year. People who experience a fall are at increased risk for future falls too. Major injuries, including fractures, head trauma, and soft tissue injuries, occur in about 10% of individual falls. However, minor injuries are much more common. Balance and walking progressively decline as you age. There can be fears of going up steps or curbs, walking on grass or walking in dark areas of your house. One reason is joint stiffness and weakness in muscles of the hips, lower extremities and feet. When there is a loss of the mobility in the ankle joint and multiple joints of the foot, you cannot adapt well to uneven terrain. If you feel unsteady on your feet and would like some help, call today and let us help you or someone you know enjoy Elite balance!

PATIENT SUCCESS

“I just want to say ‘thank you’ to your entire staff that I cam in contact with, particularly Summer. The amount of care, concern and genuine interest to heal is apparent. Everyone’s dedication, professionalism and compassion makes you a cut above the rest. I will surely share the quality of care I received with others.! Thank you.” - D. Perella-Nogal “I recommend you to everyone I meet.” “To everyone at Fritz Physical Therapy, I want to thank all of you, especially Summer, for your help in reaching my goals during my rehab after knee replacement surgery. I saw Dr. Fluhme last week and he was very happy with my progress. At two and a half months after surgery, he said I was where he would expect me to be at five or six months out. You all played a part in helping me to have such great results! I recommend you to everyone I meet. Should I need physical therapy in the future, I know exactly who to call.” - J. Novelli “The amount of care, concern and genuine interest to heal is apparent.”

DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE PAIN-FREE

At Fritz Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions. It’s time to get Fritz Physical Therapy if: • You’re tired of living in pain • You want to feel better and move better • You have been in an auto accident or injured on the job • You want to prevent injury 1. Call and talk to your therapist 2. Discover why your pain has come back 3. Get your custom recovery program

Here Are 7 Activities You Should Do To Alleviate Pain

If you have back or joint pain, there are probably some times when all you want to do is lie in bed all day. It’s tempting, but it might make the problem worse. Doctors used to prescribe bed rest for back pain and other chronic pain conditions, but studies have found that people who exercise and stay flexible manage their pain much better than those who don’t. If you do have a chronic pain condition like back pain or hip, knee, or shoulder problems, you shouldn’t begin an exercise program without guidance. Check with your physical therapist first. They have the expertise to help you develop an individualized exercise program. Have a professional; a physical therapist show you what is appropriate to do given your condition.

Try these activities

1 . Walking 2. Swimming 3. Yoga 4. Tai Chi

5. Pilates 6. Stretching 7. Aerobics

1597 Washington Pike, Ste. A-15 Bridgeville, PA 15017 Phone: 412-278-1221 Fax: 412-278-0201

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Exercise Essentials Try this simple exercise to help you feel better...

Strengthens Hips

HIP ABDUCTION While lying on your side, slowly raise up your top leg to the side. Keep your knee straight and maintain your toes pointed forward the entire time. The bottom leg can be bent to stabilize your body.

Exercises copyright of

The above exercise is designed to be performed under the instruction of a licensed physical therapist. No Doctor Referral Necessary Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury or you want to improve your health, a doctor referral is not needed. In the state of Pennsylvania you have direct access to chiropractic care and physical therapy! www.simpleset.net

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