TherapySolutions.Back to School

TherapySolutions.Back to School

N E W S L E T T E R

SEPTEMBER 2020 WHAT’S INSIDE

DON’T LET PAIN SIDELINE YOU! How physical therapy can help you stay in the game

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT See how our specialty services can help you

MENTAL HEALTH & EXERCISE How you can improve your mental wellbeing

G E T R E A D Y F O R BACK TO SCHOOL! DON’T LET A SPORTS INJURY SIDELINE YOU THIS SEASON

Tips For Avoiding Sports Injuries Start the season out right

N E W S L E T T E R

G E T R E A D Y F O R B A C K T O SCHOOL ! D O N ’ T L E T A S P O R T S I N J U R Y S I D E L I N E Y O U T H I S S E A S O N You don’t have to be a professional or even an amateur athlete to suffer a sports injury. In fact, many times, those most susceptible to sports injuries are people who have just started exercising or participate on a recreational level. Sports injuries in this article will be defined as injuries to the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones and tissues such as cartilage. The most common sports injuries include: • SPRAINS: A sprain occurs when the connective tissue that joins the end of the bone with another is stretched or torn. Those connective tissues are known as ligaments. Sprains are caused by trauma such as a fall or blow to the body that knocks a joint out of position. Ankles, knees and wrists are most vulnerable to sprains. However, back, neck and shoulder sprains are very common too. • STRAINS: A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is pulled, torn or twisted. Strains are non-contact injuries, such as those that occur from overstretching. A common example of a strain is a muscle spasm. A back or neck strain is a very common injury treated in physical therapy.

• KNEE INJURIES: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the knee is the most commonly injured joint. Orthopedic surgeons see more than 5.5 million people annually for knee injuries, which can include runner’s knee (pain or tenderness close to the knee cap at the front side of the knee), tendonitis and iliotibial band syndrome (pain on the outer side of the knee). Severe knee injuries often include bone bruises or damage to the cartilage or ligaments. • SHIN SPLINTS: Shin splints occur when there is a pain along the large bone in the front of the lower leg, known as the tibia or shin bone. Shin splints most commonly occur in runners, especially those who are just starting a running program. This is usually due to poor alignment of the body, or weakness in the leg muscles. The team at Therapy Solutions can treat many orthopedic and repetitive motion injuries without the need for invasive surgeries or medications. In fact, most doctors have their patients try physical therapy first before recommending any other procedures. The licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants at Therapy Solutions can customize a program that addresses the weakness of your particular musculoskeletal system, allowing you to recover quickly and remain active. Even if you have an old injury, it is important to have it evaluated by our physical therapists to prevent long-term damage like arthritis. If you have

Learn more by visiting our website at Therapy-Solutions.net or schedule your consultation today by calling 701.483.1000 !

S TA F F S P O T L I G H T

My name is Maria Fairfield. I am excited to join the Therapy Solutions family full-time. I am a speech- language pathologist, which on the surface, the title may be misleading. Many think we only help people with speech disorders; however, there is so muchmore. The depth and complexity of the various diagnoses and deficits we treat goes far beyond that. SLPs can also treat voice, speech, language, swallowing, memory, and cognition. I am lucky

enough to have the opportunity to treat patients from birth to geriatrics and everyone in between. I ammost passionate about pediatrics, but also enjoy seeing adult clients. I am an upper peninsula of Michigan native, but attended UND in Grand Forks, ND for bothmy bachelors and master’s degrees (go Sioux). I moved to Dickinson in 2018 upon graduation. I have worked in the school setting for the last two years and have done some PRN work as well for Therapy Solutions. Inmy free time I enjoy traveling, ridingsnowmobiles, andspending time with my boyfriend and cat. I look forward to meeting new clients!

D O N ’ T L E T P A I N S I D E L I N E Y O U ! sports or orthopedic injuries like tendonitis, arthritis, a stress fracture or low back pain, our therapists can design a treatment plan to promote improved function, wellness and minimize the risk of re-injury. There is nothing more exciting than taking on a new challenge, sport or activity at school. For most of us, the thrill of accomplishing a physical goal is what we live for. Most sports injuries occur from ill-prepared individuals who just jump into the activity without first increasing their strength, endurance and flexibility. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues need to be warmed up to work properly. They take enormous strain during running and sports activities. Therefore, if they are not in top condition, they are more prone to injury. However, are you prepared for it? HOW DO MOST INJURIES OCCUR?

My name is Jeanne Kilzer. I am an ASHA Certified Speech Language Pathologist. I received my Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from UND, Grand Forks, ND. I’m certified in LSVT LOUD and VitalStim therapy. I have worked in a wide variety of settings including acute hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, schools, home health and in outpatient clinics. I’ve worked primarily with the adult population.

KEEPING YOUR HEALTH IN MIND Therapy Solutions is committed to thehealthandwell-beingof our patients. We are following social distancing guidelines by only allowing 10 patients in the treatment area at a time. Before and after every session, we are asking our clients and staff towashor sanitize their hands. Additionally, we have increased the number of times per day that we sanitize our equipment and facility. To do your part to prevent the spread of this contagious disease, we ask that if you are demonstrating symptoms of coronavirus— coughing, sneezing or fever—please stay home. Additionally, if you have been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of the virus, please notify us immediately. Your cooperation in this tough time is what makes us able to continue to provide valuable services to you and your family. We appreciate your ongoing support. For more information, be sure to call us at 701.483.1000. I enjoy working for a faith- based agency which is locally owned and invested in their community, clients served and in their employees. I have a deep passion to provide quality care in assisting clients reach their highest level of function in a compassionate team environment. I strive to provide quality, individualized treatment of communication, cognitive and swallow impairments in a wide variety of settings. Each person has their own story, method of learning and goals to meet. It’s rewarding to watch themmake progress toward these goals and to reach their highest level of function using strategies taught in therapy.

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: MANUAL T

HOW CAN MANUAL THERAPY HELP ME? If you are experiencing increased pain and stiffening in any of your joints and muscles, manual therapy is often helpful. Patients seek out this type of physical therapy for a variety of mobility issues. WHAT KINDS OF MANUAL THERAPY EXIST? Manual therapy is the hands-on component of physical therapy, but there are several different sub-categories within the practice of manual therapy. Each has its own benefits, depending on what the underlying problem is. Among the most widely used are: Soft Tissue Mobilization. Joint Mobilization. Neuromuscular Techniques.

HANDY TIPS FOR AVOIDING ILLNESS!

DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE

WASH HANDS OFTEN

AVOID BUSY PLACES

Learn more by visiting our website at Therapy-Solutions.net or schedule your consultation today by calling 701.483.1000 !

WE OFFER MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING! Therapy Solutions is one of the leading and premier counseling practices in southwest North Dakota and home to highly respected mental health professionals. Our mental health professionals offer therapeutic services to all ages on an individual, couple and family basis. Through counseling, individuals receive emotional support from licensed professionals, who help them try out new solutions to overcome difficulties, emotional pain and struggles. IN ADDITION TO SPEAKING TO OUR PROFESSIONALS, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS YOU CAN TRY TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH! Eat healthy foods Get adequate sleep Get exercise every day Take time to relax Take time to notice the good things about life, no matter how small BEFORE AND AFTER Knowing the right exercises to prepare for fitness activities is key. Our physical therapy experts have years of experience rehabilitating people after injuries and returning them pain-free to the activities they enjoy. What some people might not know is that physical therapists put specific exercise plans together based on your needs to prevent injury. If you do start to experience pain with activities, Therapy Solutions can get you back to enjoying your activities pain-free. Call today to learn more how our programs can help you feel great!

MENTAL HEALTH & E X E R C I S E

Everyone knows that regular exercise is good for the body. But exercise is also one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, andmore. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts overall mood. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better. Exercise and depression. Maintaining an exercise schedule can prevent you from relapsing. It promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your spirits and make you feel good. Exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression. Exercise and anxiety. Anything that gets youmoving can help, but you’ll get a bigger benefit if you pay attention instead of zoning out. By adding this mindfulness element—really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise—you’ll not only improve your physical condition faster, but you may also be able to interrupt the flow of constant worries running through your head. Exercise and ADHD. Exercising regularly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and improve concentration, motivation, memory, andmood. Physical activity immediately boosts the brain’s dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels—all of which affect focus and attention. Exercise and PTSD/ trauma. Evidence suggests that by really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise, you can actually help your nervous system become “unstuck” and begin to move out of the immobilization stress response that characterizes PTSD or trauma. Instead of thinking about other things, pay close attention to the physical sensations in your joints and muscles, even your insides as your body moves. Exercises that involve cross movement and that engage both arms and legs—such as walking (especially in sand), running, swimming, weight training, or dancing—are some of your best choices. Outdoor activities like hiking, sailing, mountain biking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and skiing (downhill and cross-country) have also been shown to reduce the symptoms of PTSD. When you’re under the cloud of an emotional disorder and haven’t exercised for a long time, setting yourself extravagant goals like completing a marathon or working out for an hour every morning will only leave you more despondent if you fall short. Better to set yourself achievable goals and build up from there.

For more information about how Therapy Solutions can help you, visit our website at therapy-solutions.net.

THERAPY

WHERE CAN I GET MANUAL THERAPY FOR MY PAIN AND STIFFNESS? Our expert physical therapists are highly qualified to practice manual therapy. With years of specialized training, we provide gentle, hands-on therapies that address a broad range of muscle and joint conditions and injuries. Call us today at 701.483.1000 to schedule an appointment!

Learn more by visiting our website at Therapy-Solutions.net or schedule your consultation today by calling 701.483.1000 !