Tag Archives: Occupational Therapy Uses

Have a Pain Free Holiday!

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The holidays are here!

No matter what you celebrate around this time a year, there are so many traditions to follow. Whether it is lighting candles, rolling out cookie dough, or decorating a tree. There are tons of beautiful moments to share with your family and friends. So many of these activities involve your upper extremities. What if you were hindered because of hand, wrist, or arm pain? Thankfully we are here to help!

How can we help?

With the help of occupational and physical therapy, we can get you back to making holiday memories.

First…

We would want to look to strengthen and mobilize the muscles that are impacted. We would want to build up the muscles that may be weaker and hope to improve the overall movement of any sort of joint or muscles that may be affected. This can be done with various stretches, exercises, and hands on manipulation from our therapists!

Next…

We would want to analyze any activities you wish to complete and see if there is any way to modify your activities to complete them pain free. This could involve repositioning your hand and wrist placement to use other muscles that may be stronger. This new placement could take pressure off of underperforming muscles, giving yourself less pain. Or we could implement  different gadgets that could be used instead of doing everything by hand. For example, tubing could be added to utensils to make a grip bigger, this way you use larger muscles in your hand then smaller muscles that may be weaker. 

Finally

We would be here to support you every step of the way, whether it be in one of our clinics or in your home! We are happy to visit your home and assess for safety, furniture placement, and modifying everyday activities to keep the pain from recurring even after the holidays are over. 

Come visit us!

Elite is happy to help you be your best this holiday season and into the new year. Call today to schedule therapy so good, it’s Elite!

Long COVID? No Thank You!

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The U.S. is officially two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and we are continuing to see it’s effects on our communities and families. Many who are infected with COVID-19 have been able to recover, but there is still a portion of survivors who are suffering from on-going symptoms. Mallory Yu of NPR reported, “A study published in JAMA Network Open found that about 30% of participants across multiple age ranges reported persistent symptoms more than six months after their COVID-19 infections.” Yu goes on to explain that there were an estimated 200 symptoms that patients are experiencing post COVID, ranging from the nervous system to the brain to the musculoskeletal system. 

These symptoms that follow COVID, or the patients that suffer these symptoms, are known to be suffering from “Long COVID” or could be called “long haulers.” And recovering from these long-term conditions can be difficult when assimilating back into everyday life. If there is an occupation where someone stands on their feet all day, or has to teach a class of students, recovery can now look impossible. Instead of waiting for symptoms to go away on their own, or accepting that this might be a new reality, there are ways to start improving your strength, mobility, balance, and overall confidence. Thankfully, physical therapy is here to help!

 

There are multiple kinds of recovery a person can experience. A person can go through recovery after a surgery, after an injury, or even after an illness. With physical therapy, a patient is able to see increased strength, use adaptations in their everyday life to make tasks easier, and create more stability physically and mentally. There are some long term symptoms of COVID that may stick around, but with the help of a physical or occupational therapist, navigating those symptoms to get back to normalcy becomes much easier. But in the best case scenario, physical therapy can relieve those symptoms! Terry G., a former patient of Elite Therapy Solutions, stated, “I want to thank the whole crew for the 8 weeks of rehab here.  It has been a tremendous comeback after 5 weeks in the hospital battling COVID-19.  I am back to almost all of my normal activities thanks to them!”

 

Do not let COVID slow you down, call today for physical therapy so good, it’s Elite!

National Active Aging Week

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We are all aging, every second of every single day, and that is something worth celebrating! This week is National Active Aging week, and it doesn’t mean that we are all actively aging; but it means that we should all try to remain active while we age. Regardless of if you are 23, 43, or 63, continuing to stay active is crucial to our health and that is what this week is all about.

Did you know, as we age, our physician visits increase by 30%? Our body is more susceptible to wear and tear as we get older, which keeps us from doing the things we love. Some of the most common conditions that individuals over 50 years old suffer from are:

  •         Arthritis
  •         Osteoporosis
  •         Joint Replacement
  •         Balance Disorders
  •         Overall Deconditioning and Muscle Weakness

Thankfully, we have seen amazing results at managing these conditions after going through physical and occupational therapy with Elite.

Everyday activities like gardening, going grocery shopping, and so much more can be made easier. Don’t let your age keep you from doing what you love, let us help you get back and better than ever!

No Pain, No Gain–Myth Busted!

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The assumption made in the statement of “no pain, no gain” is that the more strenuous and painful the exercises the quicker the recovery. That is not the case. Your body can be over-loaded by pushing too far. This is what causes overuse injuries. An exercise done with excessive loads or repetitions can actually do more harm than good. Patients often come in to physical therapy with scared or preconceived notions that their therapy session will be painful. They know that physical therapy will make them better but believe this healing might come with pain.

What you should be feeling?

Muscle soreness from a day or two of doing exercises is normal however exercising should not be painful. Your body thrives under the right conditions of movement and exercise. Inactivity in our muscles leads to weakening and dysfunction of your body.

What about physical therapy?

Your physical therapist may use techniques that create some limited pain, however, if you are experiencing more than slight discomfort, you should let your physical therapist know right away. Slight pain is sometimes necessary when working to change dysfunctional soft tissue, breaking adhesions in the joint capsule to improve motion, or when performing specific exercises involving mobilizing the nervous system. Generally, the exercises that you will be performing in physical therapy as well as any home exercises your therapist will assign you should never be painful, as this may increase swelling by taxing the joint or muscle. If we create too much inflammation this will result in prolonged and delayed recovery.

To answer the question, when exercising pain will not improve the workout or your condition. Slight pain during your physical therapy session will be monitored by a licensed therapist. Elite Therapy Solutions always strives to ensure your patient has the best session to recovery.

Arthritis

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Over 27 million Americans suffer from arthritis, making it the most common cause of disability in the United States.  Arthritis is defined as joint inflammation, but the term is used to describe around 200 conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint, and other connective tissue. It is a rheumatic condition with the most common form known as osteoarthritis.

What causes arthritis?

  • Excessive wear and tear on the joints
  • Obesity
  • Work-related injuries
  • Post-traumatic accidents
  • Sports injuries

Signs 

  • Pain and stiffness first thing in the morning
  • Joints ache after prolonged walking, driving, climbing stairs
  • Reduced range of motion of the joint
  • Swelling and reduced range of motion

How can PT help?

  • Improve joint mobility
    • Joint mobilization
    • Stretching/balance exercises
    • Improve strength
  • Decrease pain
    • Ice/heat with compression and elevation
    • Electric stimulation

Need help addressing arthritis pain?  Call 610-466-7060 and schedule your evaluation at one of our three convenient locations in Coatesville, Downingtown and West Chester!

Deconditioning Prevention

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What is deconditioning?

Deconditioning refers to a physical decline in function. During this time of isolation and social distancing, deconditioning can occur very easily. It causes diminished muscle mass, decreased muscle strength by two to five percent per day, weight gain, changes in joint structure and muscle shortening. This can then result in increased falls, functional decline, increased frailty, and overall limited mobility.  It is important to stay active and continue to move, especially now, to maintain physical abilities and prevent these effects.

How can PT Help?

  • Increase balance/flexibility
  • Lower risk of falls
  • Improve strength and stability
  • Improve gait
  • Raise confidence level in exercise

Staying Active Through COVID

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COVID has really put a damper on activities that we would normally do. It is important to stay active and healthy, even if that means doing things inside or by ourselves! Below are some activities that can help to keep you active and safe during the COVID & Winter Season.

Tip 1: Get Busy Moving!

It is important to keep our bodies active and moving during COVID times. During all of this we can become more sedentary staying inside and away from others. This winter try some new activities like taking a virtual exercise class. Elite Therapy Solutions’ own Occupational Therapist, Maddie! She holds free virtual exercise classes which you can tune into live. These take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through Brandywine Valley Active Aging Facebook page. For more information and to get involved, please email jorge@bvactiveaging.org.

Tip 2: Try your hand at a new hobby!

Keeping busy and active is important! What better time to pick up a new hobby than during the cold winter months? Try getting involved in a crafting project like knitting, sewing, or scrapbooking. If arts and crafts aren’t your thing, try a hobby such as indoor gardening. It is a quick way to get involved in something that will keep you active each day.

Tip 3: Get Organized

We typically think of getting organized during the spring season when we do our “spring cleaning”. However, with the colder months approaching, now would be an ideal time to get rid of those old and unwanted items, to make room for the new and exciting. Try starting with just one room or closet at a time – out with the old and in with the new (year)!

Tip 4: A Brisk Walk

Even though its cold outside, that does not mean you need to stay indoors 24/7. Getting fresh air has been shown to improve mood, increase blood circulation, and help in cardiovascular health. A long walk is not necessary, so bundle up, and try just walking up and down the driveway…as long as there isn’t snow and ice that is!

Tip 5: Cook a New Meal

During this time where things can get boring and are often the same thing repeatedly, why not try switching it up and trying a new menu item! New cookie and soup recipes are a good way to stay warm and cozy both inside your home, and inside your body. Don’t forget to stay hydrated as well! Drink plenty of fluids.

With COVID affecting everyone, it is important to find the positives in our lives. Try some of these tips to keep you active and safe during the cold winter and COVID months.

Fall Prevention

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Did you know…

Adults age 65 or older:

  • 1 out of 3 adults fall each year
  • Falls are the leading cause of injury death, and the most common cause of nonfatal injury & hospital admission for trauma

Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

Balance: A person can become disoriented if the sensory input received from his or her eyes, muscles, joints, or vestibular organs sources conflict with one another.

  • Joints and Mechanoreceptors– As joints age, mechanoreceptors become less sensitive.
  • Cerebellum and Brain– Movements and neurological function decreases as we age.
  • Inner Ear- Vertigo is a common cause of falls.
  • Sense of Sight– Vision decreases as we age and diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in
  • Sense of Touch– Diabetic neuropathy can mean loss of feeling, which can lead to poor balance.

How can Physical or Occupational Therapy help?

  • Evaluate each patient to find which of these symptoms are affecting the ability to balance.
  • Review the patient’s medical history
  • Review the patient’s medication list
  • Perform a clinical observation
  • Berg balance scale test
  • Specific tests for vertigo

Physical VS Occupational

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Physical VS Occupational

Have you ever wondered what Physical and Occupational Therapy are and how they differ? While there are numerous differences, the primary distinction between the two disciplines of PT & OT is that physical therapy’s main focus is gross motor function, or large muscle movements, while occupational therapy focuses on how the patient uses fine motor, or small muscle movements, and cognitive skills to perform tasks that are meaningful to them. To learn more, check out the video!