Northern PT Vermont_Relieving Arthritis Pain

Northern PT Vermont_Relieving Arthritis Pain

Newsletter

As a recent graduate of the PTA program at River Valley Community College in Southern New Hampshire, I am so excited to explore my career in therapy here at NPT. I grew up in the NEK and attended Lyndon Institute. After high school, I spent some time living in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts exploring what else New England had to offer. My journey with NPT began as a young athlete with a sports related injury long before I had an interest in physical therapy. My experience with the staff here really got me excited about therapy and the way the body works. This interest eventually led me to get my license in Massage Therapy at Seacoast Career School in Manchester New Hampshire in 2013. While working as a Massage Therapist I found that I enjoyed working with people who were recovering from injuries and sought massage in addition to their therapy. After realizing this interest, I decided that I wanted to be part of the physical therapy world and applied for the PTA program at River Valley. Almost 10 years after my first visit at NPT I am working with the people who inspired me to work in this field… and that is pretty cool! Hannah Cornell PTA StaffSpotlight

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Newsletter ARTHRITISPAIN Natural Ways To Relieve Do you find your knees or hips hurting after sitting for too long? Has bending or squatting, become difficult or even painful? This is a common complaint of people with knee or hip osteoarthritis. Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that 1 out of every 2 people will have symptoms of knee osteoarthritis sometime before the age of 85? The incidence of osteoarthritis generally starts to increase after age 35 and decreases one’s ability to performwalking, bending and every day tasks. Osteoarthritis can occur for a variety of reasons: • Normal or abnormal wear and tear on joint cartilage • Injuries that damage cartilage and joints • Diseases that damage cartilage • Lack of joint support from poor muscle strength and tissue flexibility What is Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis describes the condition of abnormal wear and tear of cartilage from a joint surface causing bone on bone rubbing. This can be quite painful and occurs more in the knees, hips and ankles. This is due to the fact that these joints bear the weight of your body and have to endure an average of 3,000-6,000 steps a day.That isoveronemillionsteps/bendingandmovementsayear! Knee osteoarthritis pain is generally felt under the knee cap, but can travel up the thigh or down your lower leg. The pads below your knee generally become thicker and more swollen. At times, your knee may even become slightly swollen or even red. Hip osteoarthritis pain is generally felt in the groin on one side or deep in the buttock. Pain may actually feel better with walking, but become worse after sitting for a few minutes, then trying to move again. What can be done? Most pain is caused by poor joint movement and strength of the muscles around the joint. This causes instability to the joint and greater pressure on the cartilage causing more inflammation and pain. Physical therapy is the preferred method of treatment, because it discovers the abnormal movement in the joint and naturallycorrects it. Withhands-on therapy, special strengthening and balance exercises, knee or hip pain can typically be completely relieved. For more information on natural ways to relieve arthritis pain, call us today!

Ben McCormack, PT, CEO

“Just because the process hurts doesn’t mean the result won’t be beautiful!” -unknown Quote of The Month:

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5 Ways To Naturally Relieve Arthritis Pain

1. Exercise This is essential for people suffering from arthritis. It is vital to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility and improve blood flow. Cartilage actually receives its nutrition from joint fluid, so the more you can exercise the better. It is also important to mix between weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercises, such as aquatic exercises or bicycling. A balance between aerobic and strengthening exercises is highly recommended. It is highly recommended that you see a physical therapist first before starting an arthritis exercise regime. Our physical therapists are medical specialists in selecting the right exercises for individuals with arthritis and can teach you how to protect your joints. 2. Vitamins According to theArthritisFoundation, thereareamixofstudiesshowingsomebenefits to usingglucosomineandchondroitin.Glucosomine isnaturallymade in thebodyandhelps support the cartilage by retaining water and preventing wear. Additional supplements may help. Some studies show that glucosomine may slow down joint damage. 3. Avoid Inflammatory Foods There are foods that increase the body’s natural inflammation response. Arthritis is a condition of joints that become inflamed. Therefore, by avoiding foods with high fat, fried foods, sodas, high sugar content and processed foods, you help to naturally relieve the inflammation in your body. This helps a number of other systems in your body too. 4. Calcium and Magnesium Many people are deficient in calcium and magnesium.These are vital minerals needed for hundreds of processes in your body. Having enough calcium and magnesium, builds strong bones and reduces irritated nerve endings, decreasing pain. If possible, find supplements that are in powder form that can be easily digested and help your body’s intake of these essential minerals. 5. Sleep Sleep is a time for our body and brain to repair itself. It is important to make sure you are getting enough sleep. 7-8 hours at least to allow your body to repair and decrease pain. When you are tired, your body does not function as well, increasing the inflammatory response and reducing your pain threshold. Physical therapy is one of the best ways to improve your arthritis pain. We help your joints reduce pain and inflammation, then increase your strength and flexibility so your joints are healthier. Call us today for more information on our Arthritis Program and discover how you can live life pain free!

Exercise Essential

Helps With Arthritis Pain

SHORT ARC QUAD Place a rolled up towel or object under your knee and slowly straighten your knee as you raise up your foot.

Patient Testimonial

Fall Crock Pot Recipe

“They knew what they were doing.” “It was great. Normally I hate going to doctors or anything in the medical field but I looked forward to my appointments here. Great people, great conversation, good music, and they knew what they were doing.”

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NPT Values Highlight

Easy Hot Apple Cider

Interest in CommUnity That capital “U” stands out as a representation of our interest in “YOU” or, in proper semantics, “them.” They say “it takes a village” but in our case its an entire community that allows us to thrive. Our patients and our community give us wonderful purpose (and jobs for us.) So we embrace and support our schools, area business, chambers, and public events. At the schools we provide free body screenings for teachers and staff, and backpack lectures for students. We attend senior exercise groups in order to help train the trainers. We donate money to fundraisers and youth sports, and we cover health needs of competitors at local running and biking events. We attend wellness events for local employers, and we participate in Green Up Day. We use manpower, our clinical resources, and our professional skillset to support our great community. 1 8 5 1 9 4 3 5 9 5 4 9 7 6 6 9 6

INGREDIENTS • 1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle apple cider • 3 cinnamon sticks

• 1 teaspoon whole allspice • 1 teaspoon whole cloves • 1/3 cup brown sugar

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DIRECTIONS In a slow cooker, combine apple cider and cinnamon sticks. Wrap allspice and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth, and add to pot. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, and keep warm.

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Energetic Engagement Celebrate the successes of patients, each other, and the business 7 1 http://1sudoku.com

Physical Therapy MEME’s

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