Activa: Sports Injuries & Post Surgical Rehab

Health & Wellness newsletter by Activa Physical Therapy

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

PLAYING MULTIPLE SPORTS CREATES BETTER, HEALTHIER KIDS

In an era of specialization in sports involving athletes of all ages, physical therapist and DPT, Anna Friedman, joins most medical experts in agreeing that young athletes generally remain mentally and physically healthier, achieve greater success, and learn to enjoy a lifetime of physical fitness when they opt to play multiple sports. It’s been estimated that up to 60 million U.S. youths ages6to18yearsparticipate insomeformofathletics. More than 5 million of these athletes experience an injury each year. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least 50 percent of athletic injuries are related to overuse, the types of injuries for which one-sport athletes are particularly prone. “An overuse injury happens when a bone, muscle or tendon has been put through repetitive stress without being given a sufficient amount of time to heal or repair, leading to microtraumatic damage,” said Friedman. The same repetitive motions year-round can, in other words, lead to such overuse injuries as strains, sprains, stress fractures, and even tears in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Playing multiple sports, in contrast, allows young athletes to challenge their bodies in different ways, developing new sets of physical traits and skills and that offer more universal performance benefits. To help young athletes reduce the risk of developing overuse injuries and overall burnout, Friedman offers the following advice to parents and coaches: Encourage diversity: Especially at an early age, encourage kids to try out and play different sports

throughout the year. Some of the most successful athletes (up to 97 percent of the pros) believe being a multisport athlete was beneficial to their long-term success. Seek rest: Young athletes should take at least one to two days off from practice and/or structured sports participation each week. Some experts suggest limiting weekly practice to the age (in hours) of the athlete. Specialize later: Wait until at least high school age – better yet, around the ages of 16 or 17 – before considering specializing in any individual sport. At this point, the body is more prepared for such rigors. Watch for signs: If a young athlete complains of nonspecific problems with muscles and/or joints, physical fatigue, or grows concerned about poor performance, visit a health professional such as a physical therapist, who can fully evaluate the issue and offer treatment (if needed) for any potential injuries or deficiencies.

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

“Score A Home Run To Successful Rehab!” AVOIDSURGERY AFTERA SPORTS INJURY

Inside:

• Congratulations Nicole!

• Lemon Orzo With Asparagus Recipe

• Relieve Leg Pain In Minutes

• Refer A Friend

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. For many people,

surgeons see more than 5.5 million people annually for knee injuries, which can include runner’s knee (pain or tenderness close to the knee cap at the front side of the knee), tendonitis and iliotibial band syndrome (pain on the outer side of the knee). Severe knee injuries often include bone bruises or damage to the cartilage or ligaments. SHIN SPLINTS: Shin splints occur when there is a pain along the large bone in the front of the lower leg, known as the tibia or shin bone. Shin splints most commonly occur in runners, especially those who are just starting a running program. This is usually due to poor alignment of the body, or weakness in the leg muscles. The team at Activa Physical Therapy can treat many orthopedic and repetitive motion injuries without the need for invasive surgeries or medications. In fact, most doctors have their patients try physical therapy first before recommending any other procedures. The licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants at Activa Physical Therapy can customize a program that addresses the weakness of your particular musculoskeletal system, allowing you to recover quickly and remain active. Even if you have an old injury, it is important to have it evaluated by our physical therapists to prevent long- term damage like arthritis. If you have sports or orthopedic injuries like tendonitis, arthritis, a stress fracture or low back pain, our therapists can design a treatment plan to promote improved function, wellness and minimize the risk of re-injury.

up of an old injury or condition.

You don’t have to be a professional or even an amateur athlete to suffer a sports injury. In fact, many times, those most susceptible to sports injuries are people who have just started exercising or participate on a recreational level. Sports injuries in this article will be defined as injuries to the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones and tissues such as cartilage. The most common sports injuries include: SPRAINS: A sprain occurs when the connective tissue that joins the end of the bone with another is stretched or torn. Those connective tissues are known as ligaments. Sprains are caused by trauma such as a fall or blow to the body that knocks a joint out of position. Ankles, knees and wrists are most vulnerable to sprains. However, back, neck and shoulder sprains are very common too. STRAINS: A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is pulled, torn or twisted. Strains are non-contact injuries, such as those that occur from overstretching. A common example of a strain is a muscle spasm. A back or neck strain is a very common injury treated in physical therapy. KNEE INJURIES: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the knee is the most commonly injured joint. Orthopedic

Have we been able to assist you in your recovery well? If so, please leave us a review on Google, Yelp or Facebook!

goactiva.com

CONGRATULATIONS NICOLE!

I am happy to announce that I have been accepted into the doctor of physical therapy program at Midwestern University. Although it saddens me to leave the Activa family, both patients and staff, I am excited to take the next step in achieving my goal of becoming a physical therapist. Fortunately, I have been accepted into a few programs, but I have made the decision to attend Midwestern University in Downers Grove. When I visited Midwestern, it gave me a similar feel of my alma matter, DePauw University. I felt rather welcome and a part of the community the moment I stepped on the campus.Their focus on educating the future’s health professionals to be well-rounded health care providers and the many opportunities that the Chicagoland area offers for health care, drew me in. The relationships I have built with the patients are wonderful, irreplaceable experiences that I am so thankful for. Lastly, I want to thank Samir for not only being a outstanding boss, but for also being a great mentor. He has given me direction through this process and demonstrated the intangibles of what it takes to go above and beyond in this profession.

goactiva.com

Lemon Orzo With Asparagus Recipe

Relieve Leg Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing leg pain.

INGREDIENTS • 1 lemon zested juice from 1 lemon By Popular Demand • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 lb asparagus • 2 cups chicken broth low sodium • 2 cups water • 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp turmeric • 1 1/2 cup dry orzo pasta • 1/4 cup fresh Parsley chopped • 3 cloves garlic minced • salt and pepper to taste

Improves Mobility

QUAD SET While lying or sitting with a small towel rolled under your ankle, tighten your top thigh muscle to press the back of your knee downward towards the ground.

www.simpleset.net

DIRECTIONS Place the lemon zest, juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a deep medium bowl. Add oil and whisk until it emulsifies a bit. Set aside. Orzo Snap the end pieces off the asparagus and lay the asparagus stalks in a baking dish, 9x13 inch. Pour boiling water over the asparagus (just enough to cover it), cover dish with plastic wrap and let sit until the water is warm to the touch. Drain water and cut the asparagus stalks into 2 inch pieces. Place the chicken broth and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the salt and turmeric and bring back to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain orzo, but do not rinse it. Place the hot orzo in a large bowl, add the asparagus and parsley. Whisk the dressing if needed and pour it over the salad. Mix well. Top with butter if preferred.

goactiva.com

goactiva.com

Win A Prize!

Call IN & Win!

Refer A Friend

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

Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help? � Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely � Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active and healthy lifestyle If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Activa Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsleter or have them call us directly to schedule an apointment.

MISSPELLED MANIA EDITION! You could be the winner of a grand prize! Enter our drawing by being the first 10 to call with the misspelled word in this newsletter. Call in at a office near you!

Springbrook Square Drive (630) 637-9955

What our recent graduates had to say...

My knee feels better! “I came here with a chronic pain in my right knee. It has been really great working out for 16 sessions. The stretches, unilateral exercises have really helped me a lot. My knee feels better and with constant supervision, I was confident that I was not doing anything wrong. Thanks Samir, Jennifer,

Daisy, Kevin and Nicole.” – Rahul S. I am about symptom free!

“I came in a snowy evening and I met Samir and one of his students. I am pretty sure they waited for me. It was after 5 pm and the weather was bad. My symptoms were bad too. I was experiencing radicular symptoms into my right arm and my right thumb was numb. This has been annoying for a few weeks. Samir performed an evaluation and set me out on a course of PT. Over the course of 18 or so visits I am about symptom free. Most importantly, I have a better understanding of my anatomy and exercises to take with me. While PT is not all that fun, Samir and his entire staff make the experience all the better. I will not miss PT, but I will miss seeing Samir and his staff.” – Tom F. The care has been beyond extraordinary! “Fracturing and chipping my talus bone, along with a level 3 sprain was especially frightening to me since I own a dance studio and teach dance for a living. Not to mention the pain I was in. Samir and Jen and Nicole helped me recover in so many ways. Physically, I am back to doing the

everyday things I love. Walking an hour and 1/2 hikes with our dog Maia, I am back 100%. I am back teaching and I am able to demonstrate for ballet class and choreography almost full out. The care has been beyond extraordinary. Samir, Jen and Nicole have been supportive, both physically and emotionally. They are very professional and I am so very grateful for their knowledge and wisdom. I am so very thankful that my orthopedist, Dr. Ho recommended Activa Physical Therapy! I will be forever indebted to all of them and think of them daily as I do my dreaded hip lifts, heel and toe lifts! I will certainly recommend Activa to anyone that is in need of help through physical therapy.” – Regina M.

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

www.goactiva.com

Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker