PTRehab_Tips for Keeping Your Winter Balance

Just because it is winter, it doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors! It is easy to want to stay in, nestled up in blankets, while it’s snowy and cold. However, remaining active in the winter months is just as important as remaining active during any other season!

The Therapy Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body ips for Keeping Your Winter Balance elp for Your Dizziness & Vertigo atient Success Spotlight

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The Therapy Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body Have You Met Your Insurance Deductible? See Inside for Details

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR WINTER BALANCE www.ptandrehab.com Railway Family Center 991 E. Railway Coleman, MI 48618 989-631-3570 East End Building 715 E. Main St, Suite 2200, Midland, MI 48640 989-374-2222 TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR WINTER BALANCE www.ptandrehab.com

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TIPS FOR

DECEMBER 2019 The Therapy Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR WINTER BALANCE

Just because it is winter, it doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors! It is easy to want to stay in, nestled up in blankets, while it’s snowy and cold. However, remaining active in the winter months is just as important as remaining active during any other season! The winter presents several fun activities that can double as workouts. Taking advantage of nearby ski slopes or ice-skating rinks can give you a fun outing that will get you out of the house and also get you moving. Even getting outside to go sledding or build a snowman with your kids can give you the amount of daily exercise you need. Unfortunately, exercising in colder weather poses a higher risk of injury, such as strains, sprains, and tears. Even something as small as walking to your car can lead to a slip on unseen ice. At Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists, we want to make sure you stay as balanced this winter, so you can enjoy doing activities the activities of the season without fearing a harsh fall! What Can I Do to Decrease My Risk of Falling? There are some steps you can take on your own to decrease your risk of sustaining a fall-related injury while participating in winter activities. These include: • Choose shoes with winter soles for traction.

You can also get a pair of ski or walking poles to help keep your balance. As an added bonus, these poles will also help you burn extra calories since your upper body is getting a workout too. • Add slip-on spikes to your boots on the extra icy days, to reduce your risk of slips and falls. • Allow at least 10 minutes to warm up when exercising in the winter. When it’s cold, your heart and muscles need more time to get ready and prepare for exercise – this can help you avoid unwanted injuries. • No matter what winter activity or exercise you’re partaking in, warm-ups should always include a combination of low-intensity movements that will make the physical activity easier to perform. For example, if you decide to go on a walk or run through the winter wonderland that your street has become, you could warm up with lunges, squats, arm swings, or jumping jacks, making sure to also get a good stretch in your calves and thighs. This will keep your body warm while you exercise and will be a good way for you to feel out the terrain beforehand to see if it’s too icy. • Add in any additional assists, as needed. Snow and ice are the main culprits for many injuries during the wintertime, which is why it is important to add to your stability. Ice

cleats or rubber-soled boots can provide you with grip and support. Using a cane or crutch can also help in remaining steady on frozen terrain. When Should I Contact a Physical Therapist? Consulting with a physical therapist can also help you keep your balance and reduce your risk of falling this winter. If you are already at risk of falling, or if you have noticed an instability in your balance lately, Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists can help. If at any point you feel as if you may be at risk of falling this winter, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists, we are dedicated to helping our patients live their lives with joy, rather than fear. We want you to be as comfortable as possible as you participate in your winter activities. While we hope there won’t be any issues, so you can enjoy the season at its fullest, we are always here to assist you in the event that there are. Our dedicated team will provide you with any help and support you need to take this winter by storm – without the risk of falling! Give us a call today to see how our services at Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists can help you.

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• Use a night-light: We use our vision to help us balance. When it is dark, you can’t use vision so your vestibular system and other systems are challenged. Ifyouhaveaproblem intheseareas, you are at risk for losing your balance. Place a night light inthebathroomandhallwayssonight- time trips to the bathroom are safe. • Be careful with throw-rugs: Make sure all rugs have a non-stick bottom and won’t slide when steppedon.Even iftherughasanon-stickbottom it could cause you to catch your toes or trip, so youmaywanttoremovethemuntilyourbalance improves. • Keepwalkwaysclear:Don’tputextraneousthings inwalkwaysthatwouldrequireyoutowalkaround or over. • Use non-slip mats in shower or tub. • Have hand-rails installed in shower and/or toilet area. • Becarefulturningyourheadwhilewalking:turning your head while standing or walking challenges your balance. If your balance is impaired, turn your head slower or hold onto something while turning your head. • Keeponehandfree:Whencarryingobjects,don’t overdo it. Keep one hand free to catch yourself in case you lose your balance. Call Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists today at 989-631-3570. We can help you stay balanced and conquer your fear of falling.

dysfunction of the balance organs in the inner ear. ThemostcommoncausesofVestibularDisorders are a blow to the head, aging, and viral infection. The Vestibular System includes parts of the inner ear and brain that help control balance and eye movements. If the system is damaged by disease, aging, or injury, a vestibular disorder can occur. The symptoms of a Vestibular Disorder can be trulyfrighteninganddifficult todescribe.Themost common complaints we hear are: • The room starts spinning when I roll over in bed or sit up • A sensation of lightheadedness • Dizziness that worsens in busy environments • Difficulty reading or watching TV • Staggering or losing your balance, especially at night • Difficulty driving Peoplewithdizzinessandvertigocanhighlybenefit from vestibular rehabilitation therapy. No matter your age, if you suffer from dizziness or vertigo you will benefit from physical therapy exercises to help strengthen your balance sensors, reducing your symptoms and your risk of falls. Start feeling like yourself again, give us a call today! What Can I Do to Help? Therearesomesimplethingsyoucandoto increase your safety and reduce your risk of falling:

HELP FOR YOUR DIZZINESS & VERTIGO What Is Dizziness and Vertigo? Dizziness is a sensation of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a feeling that the world is bouncy orblurry.Vertigo isdefinedasaspinningsensation. Therearemanypotentialcausesforthesesymptoms and if you have them, a visit to your doctor is a necessity! Medical reasons for dizziness include a disturbance inyourbloodglucose,heartproblems, or blood pressure problems. Once your doctor has ruled these conditions out, these symptoms could be due to an inner ear problem, also known as a Vestibular Disorder. A Vestibular Disorder is a

Refer A Friend! Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help?

Improve Balance In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing lack of balance.

Improves Balance

ALTERNATING STEP TOUCH Stand “tall”,withsturdystepstool positioned in front. Step one foot ata timeonto thestool.Alternate legs and repeat 8 times.

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

� Move without pain � Bend & move freely � Balance confidently & securely

� Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active & healthy lifestyle

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If you know someone suffering with aches and pains, give the gift of health. Refer them to Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an appointment with us.

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Have You Met Your 2019 Insurance Deductible?

Your Physical Therapy This December Might Be Free! An insurance deductible is the amount of money that you must pay before your insurance company pays for your medical services. If your deductible is met, your Physical Therapy may not cost you anything. Patients with family plans or those who have had major surgeries or have a chronic illness are especially likely to have a $0 balance remaining on their out-of-pocket expenses. This means that the cost of physical therapy could be minimal or completely covered by the patient’s insurance plan. If you are close to or have met your insurance deductible for the year, then now is the time to come in for Physical Therapy! Are you feeling aches and pains? Want to improve your health and activity level? We can help you get a head start in 2020! Call us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll guide you to affordable treatments and place you one step closer to pain relief.

Patient Success Spotlight

“I am feeling younger, stronger, and happier!”

“Jeanette was a gift from heaven. I was falling on my face often due to balance, strength, and depression problems. Jeanette and the office staff at Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists were life savers for me. I am feeling younger, stronger, and happier! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” -C. B.

Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists at the Santa Holiday Parade

We took part in the Midland Santa Holiday Parade on November 23rd! Since 1985, the parade has been an annual tradition here in Midland. We are always excited to attend and see so many of our friends. The theme this year was “Merry and Bright.” You might spot some familiar faces and a few of Santa’s elves. Happy Holidays and a huge thank you for a wonderful 2019!

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