M3 PT - May 2019

SOAK UP THE SUN WITHOUT DAMAGING YOUR SKIN 4 TIPS FOR HAPPY SUMMERTIME SKIN

Summer is a wonderful time of year for your health. The warm weather encourages outdoor activities, and the vitamin D produced by sunlight can boost your mood. Unfortunately, sunshine can also do a number on your skin. Here are a few tips to protect your skin while having fun in the sun. DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN! People of all complexions should wear sunscreen every day. Even if you aren’t at the beach, harsh sunlight can still damage your skin when you’re walking around or driving your car. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen with SPF 30 first thing in the morning and reapplying periodically through the day. Pro Tip: Don’t put the sunscreen away when it gets cold. The sun is still harmful in the winter months. WANT A TAN? GO SUNLESS! Though popular, that “sun-kissed” look is actually a sign of skin damage caused by harmful UV rays. If your summer look just isn’t complete without a tan, consider

using a sunless tanning product. The Mayo Clinic states, “Topical sunless tanning products are generally considered safe alternatives to sunbathing, as long as they’re used as directed.” So read the directions and enjoy a great summer tan while keeping your skin safe. TAKE COOL SHOWERS. Hot showers are relaxing, but they also dry out your skin, especially in the heat of summer. Do your skin a favor and turn down the temperature. As a bonus, taking a cool shower after sweating can reduce acne breakouts. STAY HYDRATED. Hydrated skin is happy skin, so keep a water bottle handy. Start by swapping a sugary beverage at mealtime with a glass of water instead. Another healthy way to get extra water is by snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables. Certain summer fruits, like melons, have high water content and are full of vitamins your body craves. There’s a lot to love about the summertime. With these tips, your skin can love it too.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPISTS CAN HELP SCIATICA WITH NERVE GLIDE EXERCISES

TYPES OF EXERCISE Most exercises a physical therapist will recommend are designed to improve flexibility, such as nerve glides, bird dogs, and knee-to-chest stretches. These movements aim to loosen your nerves and muscles and increase your flexibility, which allows you to move naturally without pain. The exercises may differ depending on how severe your sciatica is. A therapist will create custom treatments for their patients to address the particular issues they’re experiencing. Contacting your physical therapist as soon as you start feeling pain or numbness in your lower back and legs can help prevent the problem from worsening. If you’re experiencing pain in your lower body, contact our offices today. Our therapists will give you a full examination to correctly diagnose the problem and start on the best treatment plan for you.

If you’re experiencing pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the lower back and in either or both legs, it may be caused by sciatica. The large nerve that runs down the lower back and each leg is called the sciatic nerve. When it is injured or there’s abnormal pressure on it, it causes the above symptoms. WHAT IS SCIATICA? Sciatica can be caused by a number of different problems including herniated disks, natural wear on the spine, degenerative arthritis in the spine, injuries, or infections. Many individuals can get sciatica, but it most commonly occurs in pregnant women; those who are overweight, adding pressure to their spine; people ages 30–50; and those who have experienced wear and tear. TREATMENTS A physical therapist can help relieve the pain caused by sciatica through several exercise treatments. Therapists use exercises that typically focus on three areas: aerobic conditioning, strengthening, and stretching. Through treatment plans, patients can heal quickly and drastically reduce their chance of experiencing more pain in the future.

2 | WWW.M3PT.COM

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog