Dresher Physical Therapy Newsletter
HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEWS YOU CAN USE!
DECEMBER 2018
AND A REQUEST FOR HELP JUSTIN BROWN UPDATE
bed, walking, eating, taking medications, etc. In a recent visit with Justin, now 37 years old, I was amazed by his inner strength, sense of hopefulness and the fact that he has somehow retained his engaging sense of humor. While it continues to be an agonizing struggle for him, Justin and his entire family are truly inspiring in their quest to help him win his life back. Unfortunately, his parents Rick and Joan are the ones who provide the nearly around-the-clock care that Justin needs, and quite frankly they, too, are becoming exhausted by the nearly 15-year battle. So here is the bottom line: The family is looking for regular paid and/or volunteer help to provide respite care for Justin while they attend to their own physical and emotional needs. Overnight hours would be their primary need, though day-time hours would be very helpful as well. The Brown family would provide training for the specifics of Justin’s care, which is relatively straight forward and does not require one to have a medical background. Are you looking to make a difference in someone’s life? If you or someone you know might be interested in helping Justin and his family on an ongoing basis, either as a paid or volunteer position, please reach out to Joan at sumerfun74@gmail.com Thank you, Matt Seabrook, PT, MS Director & Owner, Dresher Physical Therapy
As many of you may remember from our past newsletters, Justin Brown is a local Upper Dublin and Penn State graduate who is suffering from an extremely severe case of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Friends, family, Dresher PT, and the surrounding community rallied around Justin back in 2014 to raise substantial funds which allowed the Brown family to install a heated therapeutic
indoor pool for Justin. With assistance from his family and an Aquatic Physical Therapist, Justin is able to improve his pain and mobility by
performing an exercise routine in his therapeutic pool. It has been a God-send for him and helps with his immense pain and mobility limitations. Justin continues his never-ending struggle to regain a normal life. He has constant pain, and needs assistance for bathing, dressing, getting out of INSIDE : • Treating Your Arthritis Pain
• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight
• 6 Tips To Help Your Arthritis Pain
www.dresherpt.com
HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEWS YOU CAN USE!
DECEMBER 2018
TREATING YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN DON’ T BE AFRAID TO TAKE THE NE X T STEP TOWARDS INSIDE : • 6 Tips To Help Your Arthritis Pain • Practice News If you’re constantly facing lower back, hip and knee pain you might be feeling arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control, roughly 54.4 million North American adults are diagnosed with some form of arthritis per year. As we age, our bones wear down. Are yours? If they are, don’t worry. It’s possible to alleviate the symptoms. It’s even possible to eliminate them entirely. If you have regular aches and pains, keep reading. We have a solution. Before knowing how to relieve arthritic pain, you’ll need to understand it. Arthritis—or the painful stiffness, or inflammation, of joints—isn’t a single disease. The term “arthritis” is an informal explanation of joint pain and disease in general. Over 100 types of arthritis exist, asserts the Arthritis Foundation. People of all ages, races and sex can get it. It’s also the leading cause of ongoing disability in America. What Causes Lower Back, Hip and Knee Arthritis? Because arthritis is a catch-all term, pinpointing what causes arthritis may be difficult. In most cases, arthritis is caused by injuries. These injuries degenerate bones, joints and cartilage, resulting in the pain. Arthritis can also be caused by:
• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight
Simply walking can cause arthritis in the lower back, hip and knee. Our legs wear down as they’re used. Sometimes, old age is simply the culprit as use wears away at our joints and bone tissue. This type of arthritis, called degenerative arthritis—or osteoarthritis—is the most common kind of arthritis. When the leg’s cartilage—or its slick, cushioned surface—is worn away, bone rubs against bone. This pain, stiffness and swelling requires professional osteoarthritis treatment. Arthritis & Physical Therapy Regardless of the cause of arthritis, physical therapy serves a purpose in most cases. Often, severe arthritis may require medication, hot and cold therapy or even surgery. While maintaining a healthy weight, exercise and a good diet help, medical intervention may eventually be needed. During physical therapy, the individual is trained to reach maximum mobility. They may also undergo exercises that reduce the pressure on arthritic spots. If a patient has undergone surgery, post-op physical therapy can help them reclaim their mobility—as well as their lifestyle. If you or a loved one suffers from arthritis, you still have options. Call TODAY to schedule an evaluation with Dresher Physical Therapy.
• Infections, such as Lyme disease • An immune system dysfunction • The inheritance of osteoarthritis • An abnormal metabolism, which leads to gout
FREE ARTHRITIS PAIN SCREEN! SEE INSIDE
www.dresherpt.com
6 Tips To Help Your Arthritis Pain
STRAIGHT LEG RAISE While on your back as shown below, keep your knee straight and lift your leg up while leaving the other foot flat on the surface with knee bent. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 20 times. Strengthens Knees EXERCISE OF THE MONTH www.dresherpt.com/videos.asp Try this movement if you are experiencing knee pain.
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 and other tissues. In addition, muscles become weak, therefore not supporting the arthritic joints. Our customized 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. 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. 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.
GIVING BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Please join Dresher Physical Therapy in giving back to our local SPCA this holiday season!
We will be collecting the following items: • New & Unopened Wet or Dry DOG and CAT Food • Milk Bone Dog Treats • Cat Treats (no red dyes please) • Clean/Dry Newspaper
More information can be found and financial donations can be made through their website:
www.montgomerycountyspca.org
Collections will be at our Fort Washington and Blue Bell Offices
Nov. 22nd, 2018 through Jan. 25th, 2019
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
CALL US TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PAIN (215) 619-4545 FORT WASHINGTON (267) 419-8160 BLUE BELL
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!
Practice News 2018 Patient Satisfaction Survey Results! (Based on 535 surveys mailed or emailed to our patients after discharge) • 98% rated DPT either “Excellent” (95%) or “Above Average” (3%) on a 5-point scale • 98% of patients would return again for care if needed and would refer DPT to friends and family • 98% were “VERY SATISFIED” (96%) or “SATISFIED” (2%) with the expertise of their physical therapist
Patient Success Spotlights
• 99% were “VERY SATISFIED” with the attitude and performance of our front office staff
• 97% were “VERY SATISFIED” with the cleanliness and appearance of the clinic
Brooke Love Green, DPT joins DPT in January! Women’s and Men’s Pelvic Health Rehab Specialist. It is our belief that all patients should receive quality one on one care in a private environment. Brooke will
“After having several poor experiences in physical therapy, I was happy to find Chris and his team to be very friendly and helpful. Chris thoroughly evaluated my condition and created a treatment and exercise plan that addressed the discomfort I was experiencing in my leg and back. Chris made me feel healthier and more fit than I have felt in years. After giving up running more than 5 years ago, I am back on the road again.” - George K.
www.dresherpt.com
customize a treatment plan for you to focus on quality non- surgical treatment in the field of women’s/men’s pelvie floor health and rehabilitation. Brooke, DPT’s Pelvic floor specialist, treats musculoskeletal and neuromuscular dysfunction associated with a wide range of conditions that include, but are not limited to:
Coupon Corner!
•Pelvic, Perineal & Rectal Pain •Prenatal and Postnatal Dysfunction •Diastasis Recti •Pudendal Nerve Pain •Urinary and Fecal Incontinence •Urinary Urgency, Frequency & Hesitancy •Constipation •Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Interstitial Cystitis •Endometriosis •Coccydynia (Tailbone pain) •Painful Intercourse •Abdominal Pain & Adhesions •Low Back, Hip & Groin Pain
FREE ARTHRITIS PAIN SCREEN!
•Chronic Prostatitis •Post-Prostatectomy
CALL EITHER OFFICE TO SCHEDULE TODAY!
Incontinence & Dysfunction •Pre- & Post- OB/GYN surgery
(215) 619-4545 FORT WASHINGTON
(267) 419-8160 BLUE BELL
Call TODAY to schedule an evaluation with Brooke! Fort Washington 215-619-4545 Blue Bell 267-419-8160 Not sure if you’re a candidate? Perhaps you would like to take Brooke up on her offer of a FREE 20-minute screen to see if you might benefit from her services. FREE Screen Offer expires 1-25-19.
Spots are limited so call today!
Call to schedule. Expires 1-25-19
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