Access Physical Therapy & Wellness: March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Milford-Access

You won’t find better physical therapists than the team at Access Physical Therapy. Access Physical Therapy is dedicated to delivering quality service to their patients in their convenient locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania. If you are suffering from an injury that keeps you from participating in day to day activities, its time to get in touch with Access Physical Therapy.

One of Access Physical Therapy’s locations is in Pike County, PA. Dr. Innocent Rwakonda, DPT, is a partner in the Milford and Dingmans Ferry offices. Innocent has lived in the Milford area for over 18 years. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Zimbabwe and his doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Scranton. With over 18 years of experience, Innocent has expertise in a wide range of fields, from out-patient orthopedics, sports rehabilitation and industrial rehabilitation.

The director of Milford’s location is Dr. Ben Muller, DPT. Also living in the Milford area for his whole life, Ben received his doctorate from the New York Institute of Technology. His passion for physical therapy started when he was studying integrative neuroscience at Binghamton University.

Both Innocent and Ben are Graston certified. The team of specialists at Access Physical Therapy, Milford, work their hardest to get you back into shape. Their office is open six days a week with extended hours. Prescriptions aren’t necessary.

If you are interested in setting up an appointment at Access Physical Therapy Milford’s location, you can log on to accessptw.com. The website offers you live help that will assist you with any questions, comments, or concerns.

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona. If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County. Give us a call today!

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Healthy Recipes For Nutrition Month

March is here and that means two things, it is National Nutrition Month and spring is just around the corner! What better month than March to start living a healthy lifestyle. Of course, the holiday season is great but it is time to say goodbye to winter and all the unhealthy foods that come along with it. There are so many different ways to get active and start taking in the right nutrients for your body.

Going for a walk in the morning or evening is the perfect way to get active. If walking is not something you enjoy doing then get a workout video or dance video, this is the perfect way to stay active and have fun while doing it. You can even join a gym and be around other people that have the same goals you do, to stay healthy!

Many people think eating healthy foods does not taste good, but they’re wrong! There are plenty of healthy foods that are delicious and that you can even make yourself! So take all the junk food in your house and get rid of it! Make today the day you start a new healthy lifestyle for you and your family! If you need some help on where to start or what foods you should and should not be eating, talk to a nutritionist.

There are so many benefits to staying active and eating healthy. The healthier you are, the better you feel both physically and mentally. Having the right nutrients in your body gives you the energy you need to take on the day and feel great. There are also many health benefits, one being that the chance of developing heart disease decreases drastically.

So this month, get educated and get healthy!

A healthy dish that will leave you feeling full and satisfied is a quick chicken chili dish.

You will need:

non-stick cooking spray
1 lb. ground white meat chicken or turkey
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium bell pepper (any color), chopped
1 tsp. jarred, minced garlic
2 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

Remove visible fat from chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Spray large pot with cooking spray. Add chicken, onion, garlic, chili powder (optional) or jalapeno (optional) cooking over medium-heat until chicken is no longer pink (about 7 minutes)
Lightly mash the drained, rinsed beans with a fork.
Add all remaining ingredients to chicken mixture and simmer on high for 10 minutes.
Spoon chili into bowls and top with chopped fresh cilantro and/or dollop of sour cream

Friday, March 20, 2015

Spring Running

With nice weather approaching fast, it’s hard to not be excited about getting outside and going for a run. Warmer temperatures make for optimal running conditions, but here at Access Physical Therapy, there are some things we’d like you to remember before getting out there and going for a jog. Improper preparation and technique can lead to serious injuries.

It is important to make sure your running shoes aren’t worn out. It is recommended that new running shoes are bought and old ones are thrown out every 300-500 miles. Worn shoes can lead to less efficient running, as well as a greater chance for injury. It is crucial to keep track of how much you run, not only for your own record, but also so you know when it’s time for a new pair of shoes.

Beautiful weather is likely to have you wanted to run as much as you possibly can. It is strongly recommended that you take it slow, and build up gradually to what you were last able to run when it was nice out. Too much of an increase in miles can cause injury, further putting off time that you can run. Take it slow, and you’ll reach your goals faster than you know it.

Another important factor in having a good running experience this spring is to make sure you set goals. Setting goals is optimal to improve, and the feeling of accomplishing something is great. Reward yourself when you reach a goal as well. Last but not least, it is extremely important to stretch, as a lack of stretching can lead to further injuries, which again, is the last thing anybody wants before a season of beautiful running weather.

- See more at: http://accessptw.com/blog/Spring-Running~1086.html#sthash.CrbgNM6W.dpuf

Concussions and Physical Therapy

What exactly is a concussion? We’ve all heard of it before. It’s nothing to play with. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. Basically, when the brain moves abruptly inside the skull; a concussion has technically occurred. It should be taken very seriously.

Unfortunately, it’s not that hard to get a concussion if you aren’t being careful and wearing appropriate head gear while doing activities. Small tasks like falling off your bike while riding it can result in a concussion. It is important to seek medical attention and see your physician immediately to achieve the fastest and safest recovery in the smallest amount of time.

Signs of a concussion include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea and memory problems. Some ways people can get a concussion are from car accidents, falls, and sports related injuries. Football is the most common sport for concussion risks for males. A professional football player will receive an estimated 900-1500 blows to the head during one season. Soccer is the most common sport for concussion risks for females. Researchers have found that if you have suffered from a concussion before, you are one to two times more likely to suffer from a second one.

No two concussions are the same. Your physician may recommend a visit to a physical therapist. A physical therapist can exam all of your individual symptoms and limitations. Physical therapists are able to create a treatment program tailored for all of your symptoms and needs. The most common symptom of a concussion is dizziness. Vestibular therapy may be the way for you to go. The vestibular system is responsible for your balance, head movements, and keeping your eyes focused. A physical therapist can give you certain exercises to reduce dizziness and improve your balance and stability. Another common symptom of a concussion is headaches. A physical therapist will assess your neck and back for other possible injuries. Neck and back injuries are known for contributing to headaches and dizziness.

Anytime you are at risk with a serious injury, you should always seek immediate medical attention with your doctor, and once you are diagnosed with a concussion, your physician may recommend seeing a physical therapist who will help you recover quickly and safely.

- See more at: http://accessptw.com/blog/Concussions-and-Physical-Therapy~1082.html#sthash.fWdgpFgG.dpuf

March is National Nutrition Month!

This month- March- is National Nutrition Month. The importance of eating right and living a healthy life is often overlooked in other months, as it is more difficult to do so. Focusing on eating healthier foods, including more fruits and vegetables, and exercising can severely reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month is “Bite Into a Healthy Lifestyle!” Here at Access Physical Therapy, we urge all to do so.

Although it is often more difficult, and more expensive, the benefits of consuming healthy and organic foods far outweigh the consequences. Home cooked meals containing organic ingredients that are low in saturated fat and sugar, and high in whole grains and protein, with lots of fruits and vegetables, lead to a much healthier lifestyle. Not only will you be healthier, you will also feel better and have more energy. Eating organic fruits instead of a sugary snack a few times a day is important as well, as fruits give you energy, while being very low in calories.

Exercise is also often overlooked when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. It is extremely important to combine a healthy diet with exercise, and not pick one or the other. Going to the gym several days a week, lifting weights, and going for walks and runs, is a key part of becoming a healthy individual. You can also exercise at Access Physical Therapy under the supervision of a physical therapist to ensure that you will be at a lower risk for injury. Being healthy leads to living longer and being at a lower risk for chronic diseases. While National Nutrition Month, is only 31 days long, living healthy should be year-round.

- See more at: http://accessptw.com/blog/March-is-National-Nutrition-Month-~1060.html#sthash.ap0Mtjvd.dpuf

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Carpal Tunnel: How Physical Therapy Can Help

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by the compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The median nerve controls movement on the palm side of the hand, including the fingers. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS has a higher frequency of occurrence with patients who have a higher BMI, and do not participate in a lot of aerobic fitness. Carpal tunnel can cause a pins and needles sensation, as well as numbness, most frequently in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. It also causes reduced grip strength of the hand. As Carpal Tunnel Syndrome progresses, everyday activities become more difficult, because of a limited range of motion in ones hand.

Physical therapy is an effective method to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Treatments such as gliding exercises and Graston Technique can help improve one’s range of motion, treat scar tissue, and mobilize soft tissue to alleviate symptoms. Deep ultrasound pulses directed at the afflicted area can reduce numbness and pain. This can also improve strength in the hand. Some people like to wear splints, or braces, to immobilize the wrist. This is a non-surgical treatment. Splints make discomfort and pain less likely, as the wrist being un-bent opens up the Carpal Tunnel as much as possible. A hand traction device, called a C-Trac have shown to relieve pain in some patients, which is available for home use, but physical therapy is the best way to treat CTS effectively.

Both physical therapist’s and occupational therapist’s are available to provide these treatments if you are experiencing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or any symptoms indicative of CTS. The best treatment is early on, to assure that symptoms and damage are limited to as little as possible.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Torticollis

What is Torticollis?

Torticollis is a disorder that affects flexion, extension, and/or twisting of muscles of the neck in an abnormal position and is more common in women than in men. What happens is the neck twists to one side, which in turn causes the head to tilt. The main cause of Torticollis is unknown but there are a few ways that this disorder is believed to be brought on. It is known to come about if it is in the family history, it can be caused by trauma, bad reaction to medications, or bending or twisting of the neck too far. When it is due to a family history it is called spasmodic torticollis. Torticollis can occur at anytime but is mostly seen between the ages of 25-55. However, children sometimes complain of neck pain after a sleepover or nap because they are sleeping in a new position where the muscles of the neck can shift. Another reason children can get torticollis is from being sick due to swollen painful neck glands. There are three different types of Torticollis: Tonic, which is when the head turns to one side; Clonic, which is when the head is shaking; and Mixed, which is a combination of shaking and turning of the head.

How do you know if you have Torticollis?

Torticollis symptoms usually come about slowly and start with having a hard time keeping your head up. It can fall backwards, forwards, to the side or to the shoulder. Many times you will not even notice it at first; someone else will tell you that your neck is crooked. The simple body movement of keeping your head up will seem almost impossible to do. Within a few years this disorder levels off and does not get any worse or better.

Luckily, Physical therapy can treat Torticollis!

The longer this disorder goes without treatment the harder it is to treat. Physical therapy can fix this disorder and can relieve the symptoms you are feeling. A physical therapists main goal is to get your head back to a normal position and have a normal range of motion. Once this happens it will then decrease the pain and eventually lead you to having normal functions. A physical therapist will mainly move your neck in a normal motion, which will stretch out the muscles and get rid of the spasm.

- See more at: http://accessptw.com/blog/Torticollis~1042.html#sthash.G8fTw8Mi.dpuf

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Dingmans Ferry-Access PTW

Are you in need of a great physical therapist in Pike County? Did you know that Access Physical Therapy has a practice in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania? Are you suffering from injuries that keep you from doing your day-to-day activities? You need to call Access today!

Dr. Innocent Rwakonda, DPT, is a partner in the Milford and Dingmans Ferry offices. Innocent and his wife have lived in the Milford area for 18 years, since 1997. He earned his doctorate of physical therapy from University of Scranton and his undergraduate degree from University of Zimbabwe; he is also Graston Certified. With over 18 years of experience, Innocent has expertise in a wide range of fields, from out-patient orthopedics, sports rehabilitation to industrial rehabilitation.

Dr. Rwakonda’s team of specialists will work tirelessly to make sure that you are getting back to your whole self as soon as possible. You don’t even need a prescription! Access PT is open six days a week with extended hours for your convenience.

The Director of our Milford location is Dr. Ben Muller, DPT, who is also Gratson Certified. He recently earned his doctorate from the New York Institute of Technology. He began his passion for physical therapy during his undergraduate studies at Binghamton University where he studied Integrative Neuroscience. He has been a long time resident of the community, attending Port Jervis High School. Ben is now proud to return to community and continue his journey with Access Physical Therapy.

To set up an appointment or for more information, you can log on to accessptw.com. Our website offers options to make a payment and live help!

If you have a question about your injury, hours or anything that has to do with Access PT, there is live help that will assist you with any questions, comments, or concerns. If you have been searching for the right physical therapist in Pike County, head on down to the Dingmans Ferry practice today!