The Chronicle by Synergy Healthcare
The Chronicle Getting You Back on Track
“Take Your Next Step to Treat Arthritis Pain!” RELIEVING LOWBACK PAIN, HIP & KNEE ARTHRITIS
Do you suffer from back, knee, or hip pain? It is possible you may have osteoarthritis in those joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27million Americans. With OA, there is a breakdown in the cartilage covering the ends of bones. As the cartilage wears away, the bones become exposed and rub against each other.
Inside This Newsletter • Staff Spotlight • Patient Success Spotlight • 6 Tips To Help Your Arthritis Pain This Season • Service Spotlight
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The Chronicle Getting You Back on Track
“Arthritis Pain Shouldn’t Keep You FromEnjoying Life!” RELIEVING LOWBACK PAIN, HIP & KNEE ARTHRITIS
Thedeteriorationofcartilagealsoaffects theshapeandmakeupof the joint so that it no longer functions smoothly.The ligaments and tendons around the jointbecomestiffand themuscles thatsupport the jointbecomeweak. This leads to even more painful rubbing of the joint surfaces. There are many studies and patient success stories promoting the effectiveness of physical therapy for osteoarthritis. Our expert therapists at Synergy Healthcare are trained specifically in treating patients suffering from osteoarthritis and work to obtain optimal results. Study Shows How to Relieve OA Pain In a medical study, 83 patients with osteoarthritis were assigned to receive either hands-on physical therapy (treatment group) or a pill that actually did nothing to help their pain without them knowing (placebo group).Tests were done to measure how well the people were doing 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 1 year later. The results were very impressive for the patients who had hands-on physical therapy combined with gentle, specific exercises. They showed 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 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. If you are suffering from osteoarthritis, our physical therapy treatments can relieve your pain. Isn’t it time you did something about your pain and movement? Call us today at Synergy Healthcare to learn more about our ARTHRITIS PROGRAM so we can make a positive difference in your life. Annalsof InternalMedicine:February1,2000vol.132no.3173-181.GailD.Deyle,MPT;NancyE.Henderson, PhD,MPT;RobertL.Matekel,MPT;MichaelG.Ryder,MPT;MatthewB.Garber,MPT;andStephenC.Allison, PhD,MPT,ECS synergyspokane.com
6 TIPS TO HELP YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN THIS SEASON
When it comes to treating arthritis, you may have more options than you realize. There is a lot you can do to reduce your aches and pains from arthritis, while gaining more mobility and function. People often experience pain from arthritis because of stiff joints, muscles, andother tissues. Inaddition,musclesbecomeweak, thereforenotsupporting the arthritic joints. Our customized physical therapy treatments promote muscle strength, improve range of motion, increase mobility, and ease pain. In addition, coupling your treatments with the following can also help you live life to the fullest and get you back to doing the things you love: 1. Education and self-management When your treatment is over, our experts will have equipped you with the knowledge and exercises you need to continue your progress on your own. 2. Weight loss Maintaining your recommended weight or losing weight if you are overweight can lessen your pain by reducing stress on your affected joints. Weight loss specifically helps ease pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. 3. Footwear and insoles If arthritis affects your knee, special footwear and insoles can reduce pain and improve walking. 4. Knee braces For osteoarthritis with associated knee instability, a knee brace can reduce pain, improve stability, and reduce the risk of falling. Aiko Terao–Robidoux was born and raised in Spokane, WA and leads a very active lifestyle. Since an early age, she’s been involved in sports and outdoor activities, which have put her on the receiving end of physical therapy a time or two. She earned her Associates in Fine Arts in 2003 and Yoga Certification in 2009. Using her passions for creativity and instruction, she obtained her COTA/L certification in 2017. As a mother of three, she is strongly focused on family and empowering others through building community. Since joining Synergy, Aiko has placed all her enthusiasm into working with our patients and learning our culture of care. Staff Spotlight Aiko Terao–Robidoux COTA/L, RYT200
5. Heat and cold Many people find the heat of a warm bath, heat pack, or paraffin bath eases arthritis pain. Others find relief in cold packs. Still others prefer alternating the two. Learn more about what can work best for you by talking to our Synergy Healthcare specialists. 6. Exercise Exercise has been proven to help reduce arthritis pain while increasing strength and function. Knowing the right kind of exercises to do is the key. Talking with our physical therapists will point you in the right direction. There is a lot that you can do to relieve the pain from arthritis and protect your joints for the longterm. Find out more about our ARTHRITIS PROGRAM by calling us today and discover how to relieve and reduce the pain of arthritis.
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Patient Success Spotlight “Shown me that there is hope for the future!”
“To whom it may concern:
As you may know the definition of the word synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Synergy Healthcare is the perfect name for this healthcare facility. I have been coming to this facility for approximately two months with 3 separate medical issues that other healthcare professionals could only offer surgery, or explain that there’s nothing that can really be done for these ailments. The kind and caring people who work here have shown me that there is hope for the future. While I still have a ways to go, we (myself and my practitioners) have made significant progress towards eliminating my physical impairments! I have been sharing with my family and friends about this practice. My wife had her first appointment last week. I can’t wait for her to experience the same blessings that I have experienced.”
Sincerely, Richard A.
synergyspokane.com
Always learning…Always growing…
ATTENTION PAIN SUFFERERS! Do you want a natural solution to your pain?
Service Spotlight
YOGA
FREE YOGA CLASS
Gentle/Restorative Yoga This class is for those who are recovering from an injury or have no yoga experience– ALL are welcome! Intermediate Yoga This class is designed for those with a background in yoga who are ready to expand their horizons– get ready to grow!
Wednesdays 3-4 PM RESTORATIVE/GENTLE Fridays 2-3 PM GENTLE FLOW OFFER VALID FOR THE FIRST 20 CALLERS We can help by providing:
• Natural relief for aches and pains • Less difficulty in reaching or bending • More social activity • More energy • More strength
Synergy Yoga offers small class sizes, perfect for those new to yoga or those wanting more one-on-one attention. Drop in rate is $15 per class. (Please call ahead for availability.) Pay for a full month of classes ahead of time and the price will be discounted to $12 per class! Classes fill quickly, maximum class size is 8 students. You can join at any time. Call NOW to register!
synergyspokane.com 12012EMissionAve SpokaneValley,WA99206
Synergy Healthcare can further assess your needs. Contact us today!
All About Kids The Newsletter About Taking Care of the Ones That Matter Most
Is Your Child Strugglingwith Communication? Discussing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) 1. What is AAC?
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write. People with severe speech or language problems rely on AAC to supplement existing speech or replacespeech that is not functional. Special augmentativeaids, such as picture and symbol communication boards and electronic devices, are available to help people express themselves. This may increase social interaction, school performance, and feelings of self-worth. AAC users should not stop using speech if they are able to do so. The AAC aids and devices are used to enhance their communication. The symbols used in AAC include gestures, photographs, pictures, line drawings, letters and words, which can be used alone or in combination. Body parts, pointers, and adapted mice, or eye tracking can be used to select target symbols directly, and switch access scanning is often used for indirect selection. 2. What is SGD? Speech-generating devices (SGDs), also known as voice output communication aids, are electronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems used to supplement or replace speech or writing for individuals with severe speech impairments, enabling them to verbally communicate. 3. Are there different types of AAC? Whenchildrenoradultscannotusespeech tocommunicateeffectively inallsituations, thereareoptions.Unaidedcommunicationsystems relyon theuser’sbody toconvey messages. Examples include gestures, body language, and/or sign language. Aided communication systems require the use of tools or equipment in addition to the user’s body. Aided communication methods can range from paper and pencil to communication books or boards to devices that produce voice output (speech generatingdevicesorSGD’s)orwrittenoutput.Electroniccommunicationaidsallow the user to use picture symbols, letters, or words and phrases to create messages. Some devices can be programmed to produce different spoken languages. Low-tech communication aids are defined as those that do not need batteries, electricity or electronics. These are often very simple communication boards or books, from which the user selects letters, words, phrases, pictures, or symbols to communicate a message. High-tech AAC aids permit the storage and retrieval of electronic messages, with mostallowing theuser tocommunicateusingspeechoutput.Suchdevicesareknown as speech generating devices (SGD) or voice output communication aids (VOCA). Devices with voice output offer the user the advantage of more communicative power, including the ability to initiate conversation with communication partners whoareatadistance. Inallcasesofuse, low techsystemsareoften recommended as a backup in case of device failure.
4. Symbols Symbolsarevisualsused to representobjects,actions,andconcepts through theuse of items such as the physical object itself, colored or black and white photographs, linedrawings,andwrittenwords.Foruserswith literacyskills,alphabet-basedsymbols including individual letters,wholewords,orparts thereofmaybeused incombination with the other types of symbols. Tactile symbols, which are textured objects, real objects, or parts of real objects, are used as a communication symbols particularly for individuals with visual impairments and/or significant intellectual impairments. 5. Who can have an SGD? Patients with ALS, tracheotomy surgery, apraxia, cerebral palsy, stroke, aphasia etc. In the past 20 or so years SGD have gained popularity amongst young children with speech deficiencies, such as autism, Down syndrome, and predicted brain Medicaid and Medicare can help cover the cost. Depending on insurance carrier’s and medical necessity, they can help cover costs.There are private groups that will help with funding. You can also private pay. 7. Can I use iPads for AAC? Yes. It is justnotas functional forpeoplewhoneedadevice that isnotvery “touchy.” The 10-inch capacitated screen (or almost 8-inch screen on the mini) is larger than most traditional device screens for ambulatory students. Many of them have experience with iPhones and iPods, so we don’t have to explain that they have to hit the home button to exit the app, how to turn it on and off, or how to charge it. Since the technology is accessible to the general public, students are not without their voices for long if something goes wrong with their iPad. When the iAdapter was released, it provided amplification, and while the iPad was not intended to be a communication device, all of our hardware objections were resolved. There was even a cover to discourage access to the home button and prevent students from exiting the communication app. (Since then, Guided Access has been added to the iPad settings, which provides a software solution to exiting the communication app). There are over 300 AAC apps on the market. If you have a child who is successfully using a device, all of the major device companies have apps. If you have children using mid tech plastic devices, there are apps from those companies. damage due to surgery. 6. Who pays for an SGD?
All About Kids The Newsletter About Taking Care of the Ones That Matter Most
There is a great deal of controversy over a sitting position common for young children,calledW-sitting.W-sitting,sonamedbecause the legssplayout to forma W pattern, has been associated with several developmental orthopedic problems and doctors have warned parents to discourage children from assuming this position. Though there are some pediatricians who see it as nothing more than any innocent phase that will usually not exert a long-term affect on physiological development, the prevailing wisdom is still for parents to encourage other sitting positions in order to avoid a host of developmental problems that can affect both Toddlers often prefer W-sitting for two main reasons. First, babies are often born with a temporary condition known as femoral anteversion, which means that their thigh bones are inwardly rotated. A position that may look painful to adults is actually more comfortable to children whose femurs are turned. Second, W-sitting offers a great amount of stability for play without involving the core muscles and for a child concentrated on a toy in his or her hands, it may be natural to assume the W-sit to focus solely on the toy being manipulated. This shift in muscle activation is the second danger, however, since it occurs at a stage that is key for developing balance. W-sitting can, in some cases, indicate other motor disorders in young children and if the position is very persistent, parents should watch out for limping or inward-facing toes when walking and running. If these warning signs are observed, parents should see a pediatric physical therapist. Health Dangers of W-Sitting 1. Not developing a dominant hand: there is evidence to indicate that children who often W-sit do not need to reach across body to grasp objects and instead use their hands indiscriminately. Though this may seem fine at first, it can lead to poor development of fine motor control associated with a dominant hand. 2. Not developing proper body-balance: W-sitting doesn’t allow children to rotate their trunk or activate their core-stabilizing muscles. At a formative time when children need to build neuro-motor skills, this can lead to a long-term lack of balance development and possibly posture problems. 3. Knee and hip dislocation and displacement: though it is still unproven whether W-sitting increases the incidence of hip displacement later in life, and this may depend on femur position in early childhood, many children can suffer both knee What’s the Deal with W-Sitting? posture and motor skills. Why Do Children W-sit?
and hip dislocation due to the rotational stress on the hips and knees. A pediatric physical therapist can help prevent possible long-term injury in this case. 4.Aggravatemuscle tightness:similar to the tightness in theirhip-flexors thatoffice workers experience from prolonged periods of sitting, W-sitting in young children can aggravate muscle and tendon tightness, leading to posture problems later. How to Prevent W-Sitting Experts recommend that parents encourage other sitting positions, such as with the legs extended in front, legs together to the side or even a healthy, deep squat position that places the knees over the feet. In order to encourage these healthier postures, parents can occasionally press their child’s feet together when crawling which encourages them to keep the legs together rather than in a W position. Early posture development can have a significant effect on children later in life and if W-sitting is observed more than a few times or persists, parents should seek theaidofaqualifiedpediatricphysical therapistwhocan guide them through exercises meant to develop core muscles, joint health and motor skills. With the effect of a few simple changes to posture from an expert hand, your child can experience a lifetime of improved posture and injury prevention.
Source: http://www.pediatricservices.com/parents/pc-22.htm
http://www.today.com/parents/why-w-sitting-really-not-so-bad-kids-after-all-t69806 http://www.wbko.com/content/news/W-Sitting-Fix-or-Forget-377990821.html
synergyidaho.com 6270N. GovernmentWay DaltonGardens, ID83815 (208) 666-0611
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
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