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Physical Therapy

Staying In? Stay Active With Our Telehealth Services

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We understand that in these times some people prefer to stay home and quarantine to stay healthy, especially those who are at higher risk for respiratory illness complications. While we are following safety precautions to keep our facilities clean and socially distanced for the safety of our patients and staff, we know many of our past and future patients are not yet comfortable leaving their homes. Our vision has always been to provide personalized care to every patient, every day, so we have adapted to provide our services from the comfort of your home through Telehealth services.

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth, also called telemedicine, is a way to experience health and wellness appointments from home. Telehealth is a virtual appointment with your healthcare professional, who you visit by signing onto an online call rather than physically seeing someone at a healthcare practice. Most practices now offer telehealth to provide continuity of care throughout the pandemic. For Advantage Therapy Centers, we originally saw patients only through Telehealth until our reopening. Now, Telehealth is a supplemental option for patients who do not feel comfortable leaving home for anything, including their health. Telehealth allows patients to still receive the quality care they need to manage their conditions, without having to leave their homes.

Is Telehealth Treatment The Same As In-Person?

Our mission is to strive for excellence by providing the best possible care for patients. During the pandemic, we have continued to strive for that goal by quickly adapting to be accessible via Telehealth. While there are adjustments to make this possible, the quality of care, overall program, and the benefits of the therapy sessions have not changed. Rehabilitation still includes education, exercise, social services resources, and breathing techniques for pulmonary patients. There are only two main differences between the at-home and in-person programs. First, most patients will work with only one therapist. For our In-person services, our rehabilitation program consists of a team of different specialists who work together on a treatment plan for every patient, and patients spend parts of sessions with each team member. Patients are still given the same education on their conditions and exercises to build strength specific to their needs and goals, only one therapist will be working with them directly and they will consult other team members when necessary. In some cases, multiple team members are still assigned to patients and sessions will include separate calls. This is based on the individual needs or complications of a patient’s condition and will be evaluated during the Telehealth Questionnaire before scheduling. The other difference is how patients do the required exercises for their rehabilitation, which requires adapted exercises for patients who do not own the same equipment available in our gym.

How Do I Exercise From Home And Is It Safe?

Telehealth requires working with what patients have available in their homes. Most patients do not have the same exercise resources available at home as in a therapy center, and so exercises are done with equipment the patients have available. Sometimes this even includes household items that can work as replacements for that equipment. In other instances, items like Therabands are sent to the patient’s home to accommodate. Safety when exercising through Telehealth is our top priority, which is one reason we have questions and requirements before patients can be scheduled for Telehealth. One of those requirements is that telehealth patients purchase a pulse-ox and a blood pressure cuff so that therapists can get patients’ heart rates and oxygen levels frequently during the session. Telehealth also utilizes video chat so that therapists can see how patients are doing the exercise to make sure it is done correctly. Exercises are light to moderate intensity and constantly supervised. If you have more questions about our telehealth program and safe exercising, please contact us to learn more.

How To Schedule A Telehealth Appointment 

If you are interested in Telehealth for Physical Therapy, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, or Occupational Therapy, please call the number listed at the bottom of the page for your preferred facility. You will be asked a few questions to evaluate if our Telehealth program is right for you and to ensure there are no internet or technology barriers. We offer both in-person and Telehealth services; however, Telehealth is in limited availability and we prioritize scheduling telehealth for patients who do not leave their homes. Call us to find out our Telehealth appointment availability. After our questionnaire, we can contact your physician for a script and schedule your appointment with us.

5 Best Ways to Improve Your Immune System and Why They Work

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Immune health is on everyone’s mind. The main question people want answers to is what they can do to prevent illness. When someone comes in contact with microorganisms, such as a virus or bacteria, a healthy immune system will attack that invader. How that fight goes determines not only whether or not the organism will make someone sick, but how severely the illness will be, and how long it will take to recover. The immune system can really be considered the main line of defense against infections like the cold or flu. For anyone looking into how to protect themselves from germs and stay healthy, what they really should be asking is what can be done to bolster those natural defenses. Some steps can be taken in everyday life that will not only provide an added boost now, they can even permanently improve the immune system.

If the immune system is your main line of defense, practicing good hygiene is the first.

Taking actions to avoid coming in contact with germs lessens the load on your immune system. Basic preventative measures can ensure the immune system is not too overloaded trying to handle multiple illnesses and will keep any germs from spreading to others. Handwashing is the most important step you can take to prevent viral and bacterial infections. Make sure to use the right kind of soap and wash for at least 30 seconds. We say the “right kind of soap” because “Anti-bacterial” soap is only proven effective against bacteria, not viruses. So while anti-bacterial soap can help avoid bacterial infections, it is not proven to protect against viral infections like the cold or flu. Regular soap is just as effective and does not harm the healthy bacteria that are part of the microbiome. The microbiome has a role in your immune system, preventing illness.

While good hygiene helps the immune system by eliminating germs before they invade, the following actions will help the body fight any that make their way into the system. The key to the next steps is having the discipline to change habits and stick to a healthy lifestyle.

Health is often associated with eating nutritional foods like fruit and vegetables.

One reason is why is that diet influences the production and activity of the immune system. Foods that are known to help your immune system include citrus, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach, yogurt, almonds, sunflower seeds, turmeric, green tea, papaya, kiwi, poultry, and shellfish. These foods all have vitamins known to have a beneficial effect on immune health. While some believe taking vitamins can supplement an unhealthy diet, consuming too much of a vitamin can harm the immune system and have dangerous effects. It is always important to follow a healthcare professional’s dietary recommendations on if vitamins are necessary. Otherwise, try to incorporate more nutritional options into everyday meals.

There are many known benefits of moderate exercise for immune health and general wellbeing.

Moderate exercise refers to regular routines of exercising at an intensity that is about 50% to 70% of your maximum heart rate. Rather than pushing yourself to workout until exhausted, moderate exercise allows for a manageable pace that has maximum benefits when practiced at least 30 minutes daily. There is evidence that consistent exercising, specifically cardiopulmonary workouts, protects against several viral infections including influenza and rhinovirus (a cause of the common cold). This is possible because exercise increases circulation, sending the cells of the immune system throughout the body to find and eliminate foreign substances. Exercise also improves sleep and lessens stress, two other factors that impact immune health. To protect the immune system, however, it is important to take breaks and not overexert oneself by going beyond moderate intensity. Rather than decrease the risk and effects of illness, overdoing exercise instead increases the stress on your body and immune system. As with nutrition, there is a healthy balance of exercise to strive for.

Stress has a negative effect on the immune system. Whenever possible, avoid stressors.

Stress hormones interrupt communication between the body and the immune system, blocking it from producing more antibodies that fight invaders. Stress, therefore, weakens the body’s natural defenses against illness. To minimize stress, try focusing on relaxing activities and thoughts when you feel overwhelmed. Minimizing stress and taking time for oneself can improve mood, sleep patterns, and overall health. 

The three pillars of good health are proper nutrition, routine exercise, and adequate sleep.

Adequate sleep does not mean getting the kind of sleep where people are still tired all day but able to get out of bed still. Adequate sleep is sticking to a consistent sleep schedule of going to bed and waking up at the same times daily, and in between staying asleep for the recommended amount of time. It is recommended that adults get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each day, while children and teens need 8 to 10. Sometimes children need even longer. A lack of sleep has effects on the brain’s rejuvenation and hormone production, which puts stress on the heart, immune system, and many other bodily functions. Quality sleep not only protects the body from the effects of sleep deprivation, it also boosts the production of antibody cells.

While there may be products on the market or other tips and tricks to boosting the immune system, following a healthy lifestyle and sticking with it is the best-proven way to fight short term illness and chronic disease. Handwashing and prevents the transmission of germs to protect oneself and others. Balancing the three pillars of health strengthens the production of cells and hormones that help the body attack any incoming illness. Avoiding stress keeps away one of the largest immune system obstacles to protect physical and mental health. A healthy lifestyle combining these five elements can keep away disease, fight it off when your body does get sick, reduce symptoms, and give your body the best chance at a healthy recovery from any ailment.

How to Avoid Aches When You Rake

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      Raking leaves can do a number on your back. One of the most common complaints we hear in Physical Therapy is lower back pain from doing yard work, especially in Autumn. The repetitive movements, constant bending, and frequent lifting can cause strain and even injury. There is also a higher risk of falling on slippery, damp leaves this time of year. While raking the yard can leave you exhausted, there are steps you can take to avoid also being in pain. Raking is a workout, you need to use the right equipment, warm-up, and exercise with the right technique to avoid injury.

      Before we get into the tips for raking leaves, we would like to note a few alternative options that may provide less strain. At the top of the list is to avoid raking leaves at all, it is actually better for your yawn and garden! Landscaping experts have recently advised doing no more to the leaves scattering your lawn than to mow them to speed along decomposition. Leaves offer free nutrients for grass and plants as they break down into healthy organic matter for the soil. If you just cannot stand the look of leaves in your yard, find mowing them difficult, or have an H.O.A. that requires this yard upkeep, you can also invest in a leaf blower. While a heavier leaf blower could take a toll for those who already have muscle or back pain, it can prevent those pains for other individuals as long as proper protective straps and gloves are used to evenly distribute the weight. Finally, for anyone with prior conditions or injuries, while yard work could be a great way to stay active, sometimes it may be best to have someone else take care of more strenuous tasks like cleaning up leaves.

      If you do still plan on raking leaves yourself, rather than pursuing any of the other listed methods, we have a few tips you can follow to keep your muscles and back safe:

  • Size– Make sure you choose the rake for your height. If your rake is too short or too long, your posture will adapt to compensate. Maintaining that awkward posture throughout raking will strain back muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
  • Warm-ups– Whenever doing physical activity, it is imperative to warm up your muscles to prevent strain and overexertion. Bend over and touch your toes a few times, twist side to side with your arms out, or try to bend your nose to your knees when seated. These three stretches will prepare your back muscles, preventing injury.
  • Posture– Keep your legs slightly bent, keep your weight directly over your hips and knees, and extend with your arms. Use your arms to rake the leaves, not your back. This can go a long way toward preventing lower back pain.
  • Switch Hands– At least every 15 minutes, switch which hand is on the top and which is on the bottom. This will alternate which side of your body is doing the most work.
  • Mind the Weather– When you rake leaves be sure to choose a dry day and rake with the wind. Wet leaves are slippery, heavier, and a breeding ground for mold. Raking with the wind will lead to less work because it will be easier to gather leaves. Prevent extra effort, allergies, falls, and back pain.

      Now that you are equipped with the right tools for the job, hopefully you can enjoy the movement and physical activity raking brings to your life, without the stress or back pain.

How to Prevent a Fall

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           Falls are often mistaken to be a normal part of aging, when in fact there are many preventable factors at any age that put you at risk. Still, one out of four older adults in the United States fall each year, and one out of every five falls cause serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries. These may cause disability that make getting around, daily activity, and independence difficult. The best way to prevent a fall is to know and eliminate factors that put you at risk. A little balance training through a physical therapy center like ours certainly helps as well.

Which Risk Factors Cause Falls?

      Having a combination of risk factors puts you at greater risk. The following factors increase your risk; lower body weakness, Vitamin D deficiency, difficulty walking, certain medications such as over-the-counter and herbal remedies, vision problems, Vertigo, Dizziness, foot pain, poor footwear, hazards like broken or uneven ground, steps, or clutter. Physical and Vestibular Therapies treat many of these factors by improving balance. There are also other steps you can take to prevent risk.

What Steps Can You Take to Prevent Falling?

1. Talk to your doctor about your potential risk factors.

2. Physical, Vestibular, and Balance Therapy to build your coordination and reduce vertigo/ dizziness.

3. Stay active —  gentle exercise improves strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility to lower your risk.

4. Make sure your home is clutter-free and well-lit.

5. Use Assistive Devices such as handrails for stairways, treads for wood floors, and shower bars or seats.

When Should You Take These Steps?

       It is never too soon to take action and prevent a potentially dangerous incident. Especially if you are an older adult, experience balance issues, or have risk factors. Why wait for the first fall, or until one causes an injury? The best time to prevent a fall is as soon as you are at risk, and some measures can be helpful to pursue even before risk. 

   Fill out the form below or call Advantage Therapy Centers at (856) 424-2000 to ask for a physical therapy appointment for Vertigo, Dizziness, foot/leg injuries, or balance.