Synergy Healthcare: Helping Arthritis Pain

Synergy Healthcare: Helping Arthritis Pain

The Chronicle Getting You Back on Track

BEAT ARTHRITIS PAINANDGETMOVINGAGAIN! Moving Is Living...

Have you been told you have osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans.

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Inside This Newsletter • Staff Spotlight • Patient Success Spotlight • Get Your Active Lifestyle Back

The Chronicle Getting You Back on Track

Inside This Newsletter • Staff Spotlight • Patient Success Spotlight • Get Your Active Lifestyle Back BEAT ARTHRITIS PAINANDGETMOVINGAGAIN! Moving Is Living...

Although it occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65. There are many studies and patient success stories promoting the effectiveness of physical therapy for osteoarthritis. Our expert physical therapists at Synergy Healhcare are trained in specialized hands-on therapy for patients suffering with osteoarthritis, obtaining fast pain relief and improved movement. In a recent study, 83 patients with osteoarthritis were divided to receive either hands-on physical therapy or a sugar pill that actually did nothing to help their pain without them knowing. The group that received hands- on therapy had therapy to the knee, low back, hip, and ankle as required. They then performed a knee exercise program in the clinic and at home. The group taking the sugar pill had just low intensity ultrasound, a form of deep heat, to the problem area. Both groups were treated at the clinic twice weekly for 4 weeks. Tests were done to measure how well the people were doing compared to their initial visit, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 1 year later. The results were very impressive, showing that patients who had hands-on physical

therapy combined with specific exercises had significant improvements in their pain, mobility, and function. By 8 weeks, patients were able to walk further and faster with much less or completely resolved pain. Their joint stiffness, aches, and mobility had improved by 55% compared to the placebo group who had no treatment. At one year, patients in the treatment group still were doing great in terms of less pain and more mobility. Other benefits included less need for surgery with only 5% of patients in the treatment group having undergone surgery as compared to 20% with the placebo group. In general, if you are suffering from osteoarthritis, especially of the back, hip or knee, physical therapy decreases the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis and may delay or prevent the need for more invasive treatments, like injections or surgery. Isn’t it time you did something about your arthritis and your pains? Call us today so we can make a positive difference in your life. Annals of Internal Medicine: February 1, 2000 vol. 132 no. 3 173-181. Gail D. Deyle, MPT; Nancy E. Henderson, PhD, MPT; Robert L. Matekel, MPT; Michael G. Ryder, MPT; Matthew B. Garber, MPT; and Stephen C. Allison, PhD, MPT, ECS

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Samantha completed her education at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California and received her Bachelor of Science degree in OccupationalTherapy in 1993. She is a board certified Occupational Therapist. Her postgraduate work includes adult outpatient therapy and adult long-term care therapy. She spent several years specializing in post-traumatic hand therapy. Throughout her career, Samantha has developed an interest in orthopedics and rehabilitation during all stages of life. She has experience treating patients of all levels, from intercollegiate athletes to those with a more sedentary lifestyle. She enjoys the variety that goes along with being in a general orthopedic practice. However, Samantha’s passion for working with children has led her in the direction of a pediatric specialty. While Samantha enjoys interacting with the pediatric population, she has an innate ability to connect with adult patients and treat a wide variety of physical ailments. When it comes to treating arthritis, you may have more options than you realize. There is much you can do to reduce your aches and pains from arthritis while gaining more mobility and function. We offer consistent recommendations for our patients suffering with the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. If you want to know how to relieve and reduce the pain of arthritis, try our physical therapy first. Patients often experience pain from arthritis because of stiff joints, muscles, and other tissues. In addition, muscles become weak, therefore not supporting the arthritic joints. The customized treatments at Synergy Healthcare promote muscle strength, improve range of motion, increase mobility, and relieve pain. In addition, coupling your physical therapy with the following can also help you live life to the fullest and get you back to doing the things you love: Whenyourphysical therapy isover,your therapistwillhaveequippedyouwith the knowledge and exercises you need to continue progress on your own. Maintainingyour recommendedweightor losingweight ifyou areoverweight can lessen your pain. Weight loss specifically helps ease pressure on joints such as your hips and knees. If arthritis affects your knee, special footwear and insoles can reduce pain and improve walking. Osteoarthritis can cause instability in joints. A knee or back brace can help reduce pain, improve stability, and reduce the risk of falling.

Discover how our therapists can improve your posture and relieve your back or neck pain, allowing you to live a happy, active, and pain-free life.

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Staff Spotlight Samantha Whiting, OTR/L, Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Medicine Institute, an outpatient adult rehab clinic she owns, along with her husband, Tony. Samantha sits on the CAST board, is the PTO President at Hayden Meadows Elementary and is anactivevolunteer for theCDABackpackProgam. Samantha is the proud mother of 3 children and enjoys Zumba, dance, baking, biking, running, and spending time with her family and friends.

When Samantha was asked who her ideal patient would be she replied with: “I actually love to treat all diagnoses. I would say that I love fostering different learning styles and providing strategies for every child in play, academics, and in their environments. I think I try to support their strengths while nurturing their struggles in order to achieve goals successfully. Every child has a journey and I am privileged to be a part of that journey. I provide services to CDA Charter Academy also, so I work with not only children and parents but educators also in order to maximize independence and success at home, school, and play.”

Samantha currently assists with operations at Physical Therapy and Sports

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VALLEY (509) 413-1630

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Patient Success Spotlight

“Samantha has been a special addition to our family. As a therapist, she not only provides guidance where we were once flying blindly, but also a special friendship for my son. Synergy is a safe place that provides support for not just the child who is struggling but also the family who is struggling. Samantha has helped a transformation take place in my 11 yr old. From a once very downcast little boy who felt he was always different to a confident boy who tho still aware of those differences but is not ashamed. She has taught him coping mechanisms that are healthy and how to deal with his frustrations in healthy and constructive ways. My family and I could not be happier with the help Samantha has provided. It truly has improved the quality of our life and provided a support system in what can be a very hard situation to process. Most importantly it has put the sparkle back in our little boy’s eyes and the crooked grin back on his face.” - The Morris Family “My family and I could not be happier with the help Samantha has provided.”

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All About Kids The Newsletter About Taking Care of the Ones That Matter Most

POSTURE TIPS FOR PARENTS

Lifting and carrying a child, picking up toys off of the floor, and pushing a stroller are normal daily tasks for moms and dads. Here are some tips from physical therapists to help parents accomplish these daily feats without injury. Lifting Your Child from the Floor When picking up your child from the floor, you should use a half-kneel lift. First, stand close to your child on the floor. While keeping your back straight, place one foot slightly forward of the other foot, and bend your hips and knees to lower yourself onto one knee. Once down on the floor, grasp your child with both arms and hold him or her close to your body. Tighten your stomach muscles, push with your legs, and slowly return to the standing position. To place your child onto the floor, the same half-kneel technique should be performed. Carrying/Holding Your Child When holding or carrying your child, you should always hold him or her close to your body and balanced in the center of your body. Avoid holding your child in one arm and balanced on your hip. When using a child carrier, be sure to keep your back straight and your shoulders back to avoid straining your back and neck. Picking up Toys from the Floor Cleaning up is a constant. Keep your head and back straight, and while bending at your waist, extend one leg off the floor straight behind you. Lifting Your Child out of the Crib If your child’s crib has a rail that lowers, you will want it in the lowest position when lifting your child out of the crib. As you lift, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Arch your low back and, while keeping your head up, bend at your hips. With both arms, grasp your child and hold him or her close to your chest. Straighten your hips so you are in an upright position, and then extend your knees to return to a full stand. To return your child to the crib, use the same technique and always remember to keep your child close to your chest.

Pushing a Stroller When pushing your child in a stroller, you will want to stay as close to the stroller as possible, allowing your back to remain straight and your shoulders back.The force to push the stroller should come from your entire body, not just your arms. Avoid pushing the stroller too far ahead of you because this will cause you to hunch your back and shoulders forward.

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SPECIALIZING IN : Sensory Integration/Processing • Listening Therapies • Gross Motor & Coordination Skills Development • Play Skills • Fine Motor/ Visual Motor Skill Development • Oral Motor/Oral Sensory Development • Speech/Articulation Development • Expressive-Receptive Language Therapy • Literacy & Cognitive Development • Social Language Skills

All About Kids The Newsletter About Taking Care of the Ones That Matter Most

TIPS FOR PARENTS TO SAFELY USE BABY GEAR The physical demands of caring for a child can take a toll on your knees, shoulders, neck, and back. Here are a few simple tips to prevent or minimize pain and injury. Make sure your stroller fits you

Look for a stroller that fits your height and promotes a comfortable stride. Parents commonly push a stroller by hunching over it, locking their elbows, and bending their wrists backward when holding the handlebars. Instead, try these tips: • Keep your head and chin up, and your ears above your shoulders • Keep your shoulders down and back, leading with your chest • Keep your wrists straight when you are holding the handlebars • Engage your whole body, not just your arms, through all movements All strollers should roll easily over terrain, but city dwellers in particular should look for a stroller that can easily navigate curbs. Moms and dads who run with a stroller should be careful to maintain good posture while running — don’t stand upright; instead, lean forward, toward the stroller, while bending forward at the hips (not the back). Try to run close enough to the stroller that you needn’t reach forward and bend your back or crane your neck forward. Properly handle car seat carriers As you would do when lifting any heavy object, stand in front of the car seat, with the seat centered to your body. Bend at your hips and not your back, and bring the seat in close to your body. Before you stand, push your feet into the floor, exhale, and contract your pelvic floor muscles (as if trying to stop 1 or 2 drops of urine). Then, pivot with your feet (don’t twist your back) and stand. This ensures that your legs and hips, not your back, are doing most of the work. When it’s time to take your infant out of the car seat carrier, place it on a surface that is at your waist height to avoid squatting down to the floor (which can cause stress and strain). The best way to carry a car seat is to place 1 arm on each side of the carrier and hold it at the center of your body, like a laundry basket. Alternatively, you can place both hands on the handle, bend your elbows, and carry the car seat in front of you. It’s and staying as close to the stroller as possible • Keep your arms slightly bent; don’t lock them

important to remember that the less distance there is between your torso and the car seat carrier, the better for your back. Using both hands also helps distribute the weight evenly. Carrying baby near the body is a parent’s BFF Parents spend most of the day holding, rocking, and carrying their infants. Lifting and carrying a baby introduces new challenges to moving properly, since your strength and ability to complete tasks diminishes as the day goes on. Using a front carrier is a great way to foster better posture and body mechanics, while providing greater freedom of movement.

Acknowledgement: Marianne Ryan, PT, OCS

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