Physical Therapy Solutions Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2014

Transcription

1 SOLUTIONS Physical Therapy Solutions Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2014 Visit us at for links to physical therapy resources, dynamic stretching videos, past newsletters and more! Quick Links... Our website: Meet Our Staff... Jason Putz, PT The "Text-Neck" (by Shelly Deutmeyer, PTA, BS) Chances are if you are reading this, you are sitting slouched on your couch on your laptop, tablet or phone. Others may be viewing this in your office, slouched in an office chair with head forward and rounded shoulders. Am I right? Media devices are all around us, whether its laptops, smartphones, Ipads, Ipods, tablets, etc.--they are everywhere! It is estimated that of 6 million people in the world, 4 million people have a smartphone. Some studies show that kids 8-18 years old are spending up to 7.5 hours a day using some time of entertainment media. With all that time on some devices, chances are we're not in very good posture. In 2008, Dr. Fishman, a chiropractor from Florida, started seeing an influx of children with neck/back pain and headaches. He was the one to coin the term "text-neck" to describe symptoms that may result from poor postures from the use of media devices. Keep in mind, this is not just a texting problem, but also a gaming and ing issue. A large part of everyone's day is spent doing these activities in poor postures, and over time, can lead to the following: degeneration of the spine headaches neck pain upper back pain neurological issues depression decreased lung capacity by 30% gastrointestinal problems Josiah Polito, DPT, CSCS

2 Ted Kruse, DPT, CSCS Rachel Polito, DPT, OCS Shelly Deutmeyer, PTA, BS Jill Heiderscheit, Office Manager So why, do you ask, could it lead to these problems? The head normally weighs 10 pounds. However, for each inch the head tilts forward, the pressure on your spine doubles!studies show that a head tilted 60 degrees forward can put up to 60 pounds of pressure on the spine, which is equivalent to carrying an 8 year-old child around your neck several hours a day! When the neck is in that position for that long, it causes muscle strain, pinched nerves and can also remove the necks natural curve. So what can be done to correct "text-neck"? Here are a few suggestions: 1. Look down with your eyes, no need to bend your head forward. 2. Take frequent breaks from computer/texting, every 20 minutes--if possible try to walk and roll shoulders back. 3. See a physical therapist to get exercises to decrease pain and improve posture and neck movement. 4. Parents and teachers need to show more guidance-- lead by setting a good example yourself and point out to kids when they are sitting/standing in poor posture. 5. Your computer monitor should be set in front of you at eye level. 6. Lift your phone up and bring it to eye level instead of bringing your head down towards your phone. 7. Do something to reverse the amount of time spent looking down. 8. Download the mobile app from Text Neck Institute to help you remember to avoid the forward head posture. We hope we have provided you with some insight to this growing phenomenon. Increasing your awareness is one way we can help you. With that said, we at PTS wish you happy and pain-free screen time!

3 Meet our New Therapist!!! Ashley Pins, BA Wellness Coordinator Angela McDermott, Patient Care Coord. PTS welcomes Rachel Polito, DPT, ATC, OCS to our physical therapy staff. She started on Monday, Nov. 10 and we are pleased to have her. Rachel grew up outside of Baltimore, Maryland and received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training & Exercise Science from the University of Delaware in 2008 and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Duke University in Rachel has practiced in the outpatient setting since earning her degree. She's worked in both the hospital and private practice setting, specializing in worker's compensation, industrial rehabilitation, ergonomics, as well as the treatment for many orthopedic conditions. In 2014, she earned the designation as a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS). Rachel is also certified in the Astym system for soft tissue injuries and chronic tendinopathies. We're excited to have Rachel join our team and begin treating patients primarily in our Dyersville clinic. Rachel and her husband, Josiah, reside in Manchester with their dog Cooper. In her spare time she enjoys walking, hiking, cooking, spending time with family and volunteering at church. Meet our new Patient Care Coordinator!!! PTS welcomes Angela McDermott to our staff! She started on December 15 and will be working at our Dyersville clinic primarily doing front office duties and scheduling. Angela lives in Dyersville and also works part-time as a hair stylist as well as a waitress at Country Junction. We are pleased to have her here! Ask the Professional...

4 by Michelle Deutmeyer, PTA, BS Q: Could you clarify what services the Easter Seals help with. A: We recently had Tracy Keninger, a representative from the Easter Seals of Iowa come speak to us about different programs available through the Easter Seals. Easter Seals is an organization that helps people of all ages with physical and/or mental disabilities and/or injuries that may require assistance to live/work more independently. They have several different programs available to offer assistance through use of equipment, camps, and problem-solving, however, they do not offer financial assistance but will work with other outside agencies when needed. Some of their main programs include the following: 1) respite services 2) camps including Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines 3) Lending Library which loans out various pieces of adaptive equipment to assist in daily living skills 4) Rural Solutions Program which helps promote increased independence through the use of adaptive equipment, modification and support services. This program is available to farm family members or individuals with disabilities living in a town with a population of less than If you have questions about the Easter Seals, visit their website at or call us at Physical Therapy Solutions at ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Q: My knee has been bothering me lately, especially feels stiff if I sit for a while or overdo it. Is there anything I can do for this? A: General knee pain is a very common complaint that we see in the clinic. One common diagnosis we treat is arthritic knee pain. By definition, arthritis is inflammation in a joint. Over time, normal wear and tear on the knee joint can decrease the amount of cushion between the joint. This often leads to a bone on bone situation which results in pain, swelling and stiffness which are the main symptoms of arthritis. Other symptoms include: pain with increased activity

5 difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee joint "noises" that are painful knee locking or buckling pain/stiffness worse in morning or after sitting/resting for prolonged period of time Even though there is no known cure, here are some available treatment options: You family doctor may subscribe pain medication, x-rays, MRI, physical therapy and/or refer you onto an orthopedic specialist for injections. Surgery is the last option. Physical therapy will give you exercises for strengthening your knee and improve your range of motion and educate you on activity modification/recommendations. Upcoming Area Events... January 3, 4, 6, 12, 17, 18, 24, 26- movies at James Kennedy library. Visit this website for details. 7 - DACC legislative luncheon. Noon at Country Junction. Call the chamber office to RSVP. 13- Regional Medical Center sponsored ARC blood drive from12-5pm. 16- James Kennedy Public Library presents "10 Warning Signs of Alzeimer's by Alexandria Barton from the Iowa Chapter of the Alzeimer's Association. 3pm. 18-St. Paul's Breakfast, Worthington, 7:30-11:30a 23- Xavier Affair, Dyersville Commercial Club James Kennedy Public Library used book sale 25- "Story of Forgiveness" 3pm at the James Kennedy Public Library. Presented by Linda Wessels Shird whose 12 year old daughter was murdered. February 14- Valentine's Day March 1- St. Paul's Soup Supper, Worthington, 3:30-7:30pm 22- St. Paul's Steak Supper, Worthington, 4:30-7:30p

6 Forward this This was sent by Physical Therapy Solutions th St. SE Ste. A Dyersville IA 52040