Total Care PT: Helping Arthritis Pain

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

AVOID ACHES & PAINS IN THE GARDEN THIS SPRING Common gardening activities, such as digging, planting, weeding, mulching, and raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints. This is especially true for senior citizens and people who are normally sedentary. Different body areas such as the shoulders, neck, back, and knees can be vulnerable to injury during gardening.

These tips can help prevent injuries: • Warm up before you garden. A 10 minute brisk walk and stretches for the spine and limbs are good ways to warm up. • Change positions frequently to avoid stiffness or cramping. • Make use of a garden cart or wheelbarrow to move heavy planting materials or tools.Be sure to keep your back straight while using a wheelbarrow. • If kneeling on both knees causes discomfort in your back, try kneeling on one and keep the other foot on the ground. Use knee pads or a gardening pad when kneeling. • If kneeling or leaning down to the ground causes significant pain in your back or knees, consider using elevated planters to do your gardening. • Avoid bending your wrist upwards when pulling things or using gardening tools.Instead, keep your wrist straight and use your shoulder muscles to pull and lift. • End your gardening session with some gentle backward bending of your low back,a short walk and light stretching, similar to stretches done before starting.

Author: Andrea Avruskin PT, DPT

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

FINDING THE RIGHT TREATMENT & SOURCE OF YOUR ARTHRITIS “Who Needs Relief From Arthritis Pain?”

Inside:

• Relieving Your Arthritis Pain Naturally

• Healthy Recipe

• Relieve Back Pain In Minutes

• Patient Success Spotlight

There are many studies and patient success stories promoting the effectiveness of physical therapy for osteoarthritis. Our expert physical therapists at Total Care Physical Therapy are trained in specialized hands-on therapy for patients suffering with osteoarthritis, which helps them obtain fast pain relief and improved movement. In a recent study, 83 patients with osteoarthritis were divided into two groups, receiving either hands-on physical therapy or modality only treatment with therapeutic ultrasound. The group that received hands- on therapy had treatment performed to their effected areas and also performed an exercise program in the clinic and at home. The modality only group had low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound applied to the problem area without any other interventions. Both groups were treated in the clinic twice weekly for 4 weeks. Tests were done to measure how well the patients were doing compared to their initial visit at 4 weeks out, 8 weeks out and 1 year later. The results showed the patients who had hands-on physical therapy, combined with

By 8 weeks, the hands-on patients were able to walk further and faster with much less or completely resolved pain. In addition, their joint stiffness decreased and their mobility improved by 55% compared to the group who had treatments with ultrasound only. 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 modality only group. In general, if you are suffering from osteoarthritis, especially in the back, hip or knee, physical therapy is effective in decreasing both pain and stiffness. Physical therapy also may delay or prevent the need for more invasive treatments, like injections or surgery. Isn’t it time you did something about your arthritis pain? Call us today so we can make a positive difference in your life! Look inside to learn more about our programs and say good-bye to that aching joint pain!

pain, mobility, and function.

www.totalcarept.net

“Relieving Your Arthritis Pain Naturally!”

WHAT CAN HELP ARTHRITIS PAIN?

Many people think that once they have osteoarthritis nothing can be done to treat it besides taking anti-inflammatory medications and other nutritional supplements. However, what most people don’t know is that physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for OA and can help relieve symptoms significantly. Whether you have been suffering for a short or long time, a lot can be done to help joint alignment, stability, and pain. Our physical therapy focuses on addressing your individual problem, improving normal mobility, and strengthening the muscles around the joint. Different treatments are performed to relieve pain,swelling,andrestoremusclebalancearound the affected joint. We then teach you valuable techniques on how tomaintain your joint health so youcangetbacktotheactivitiesyouenjoy.Therefore, you can have a life with less pain and more movement. Call us today to find out how!

www.totalcarept.net

Healthy Recipe: Roquefort Pear Salad

INGREDIENTS • 1 head leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces • 3 pears • 5 ounces Roquefort cheese • 1 avocado • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions • 1/4 cup white sugar

• 1/2 cup pecans • 1/3 cup olive oil

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar • 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup of sugar together with the pecans. Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces. For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

Patient Success Spotlight

Refer A Friend

Do You Have Friends Or Family Unable To Do The Following:

“I want to thank Tom and his staff for all the help and motivation they have given me. After double knee replacement surgery, I could hardly walk when I came in. Shortly after I started, I could see improvements weekly. Now, I can walk without any assistance, and my life is back to normal. Tom is an amazing therapist and has helped me tremendously throughout my journey. I will recommend you and your staff to all of my friends and co-workers. Even though its hard work, I love coming to physical therapy. I appreciate everything you have done for me.” - Donna B. I love coming to physical therapy

Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help? � Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely � Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active and healthy lifestyle If you know someone suffering with aches and pains, give the gift of health! Just pass along this newsletter and have them call us directly to schedule an appointment. When they call have them mention your name to receive your gift card. • Cost Effective • Non-invasive • Safe & Natural • State-of-the-art Facility Features of Physical Therapy: DO YOU HAVE JOINT PAIN?

www.totalcarept.net

Relieve Back Pain In Minutes Try these stretches if you are experiencing back pain. SINGLE KNEE TO CHEST STRETCH While lying on your back, hold your knee and gently pull it up towards your chest. Hold for 30 seconds. Alternate legs and repeat 5 times. Helps With Low Back Pain

Mention This Coupon To Receive A FREE ARTHRITIS PAIN ANALYSIS

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