Access Physical Therapy & Wellness

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Resistance Training for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can be a very painful and debilitating condition, and a common mistake made by people with this condition is resting and avoiding exerting the arthritic joint when a flare up occurs.

Proactivity is key when it comes to osteoarthritis. Under a professional’s supervision, a program of strategic resistance training and cardio can actually reduce your symptoms. Resistance training in particular is extremely beneficial towards improving not only your overall well being but the intensity of the flare ups.

Safe options for a cardiovascular workout include cycling, swimming, and moderate walking. Resistance training improves symptoms of osteoarthritis by strengthening the local connective muscles of the joint region and helping to compensate for the arthritic joint region. It also helps aid in healing the arthritic locations of the joint. If you have a

The most optimal regimen for your osteoarthritis is dependent on the location. Form is crucial in making these exercises work due to the delicate nature of the arthritic joint. If you don’t know what you are doing, you risk possibly making your joint conditions worse, or possibly injuring the muscles you are attempting to strengthen.

Working under a professional’s supervision is critical to your success. A professional, such as a physical therapist, will be able to diagnose your joint’s condition and be able to determine the best fitness regimen. The physical therapist will teach you the proper ways to execute these movements in addition to the order and frequency.

It is extremely important and beneficial to your arthritis that you continue to remain active. Physical therapy can assure that you are doing it the right way!

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 Montgomery. 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 Liberty. 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!

Winter Safety Tips

Winter is a beautifully majestic time of the year, yet as pretty the snow and ice may be, it can present us with many obstacles. Being wary of your surroundings when outside is crucial to preventing injuries.

The first thing to pay attention to is your shoes. Boots or sneakers with traction are the best recommendation for icy and snowy conditions. Pay attention to what is in front of you as well as what is on the ground when walking. Avoid ice patches and hold onto railings if possible when traveling down-slope.

When outside, make sure to bundle up appropriately! If the weather dips below freezing, wear your winter coat, hat, scarves, and gloves in order to stay warm. In addition, wearing layers underneath your coat will help stave off any extreme weather. Staying warm will keep you comfortable and prevent you from getting frostbite or hypothermia and will allow you to take your time when getting to your destination, reducing the possibility of slips and falls from rushing through ice and snow.

Keep your car stocked up when traveling during the winter months! Although it is best to avoid driving during a winter storm, sometimes due to personal and work obligations, travel will be necessary. You will want to make sure you are keeping snow removal tools in your vehicle so that you can safely drive your car with clean windows and windshields. Depending on where you live, if strong winter storms are the norm this time of the year, you might want to travel with blankets, food, and water if you happen to get stuck somewhere. Avoiding travel during winter weather events is the safest option.

Finally, make sure your carbon monoxide detector batteries are replaced as incidences of carbon monoxide poisoning spike in the winter. Higher risk factors are present during the winter months due to the increased need to idle your vehicle before travel and the presence of carbon monoxide from space heaters and fireplaces.

Staying Healthy in 2016

It’s that time of the year again—a new beginning and a fresh start, although it does not have to be a new year though to bring about positive change in your life. It may be the first day of a new month or even just a new hour on a given day, but whenever you decide to implement changes, make sure it is the right time for you.

When focusing on your well-being, emphasizing both the emotional and physical side of the equation is equally important as both go hand in hand and affect one another. The old adage of eating in moderation and avoiding processed foods will do wonders for your body and will help keep your emotions in check as well as help to lose excess weight.

In addition to eating well, living an active lifestyle is great for your overall well-being as you age. Whether it be a formal workout a few days a week or walking your dog every morning and night, any change will be extremely beneficial for your heart and muscles.

Eating well and staying active are the major tenets to staving off excess weight which can overtime make it difficult to carry out everyday activities, and because of this, inflammation and deterioration are common with those carrying extra weight.

If you begin to notice aches and pains in your joints, addressing these issues earlier rather than later is the best option. By addressing the root of the problem, whether it be repetitive motioning or excess weight, you can also help prevent further injury.

The best way to address any issues is by seeking professional help. A physical therapist will be able to evaluate the injured joint and create an individualized action plan that will improve joint function in the long-term as well as reduce pain.

2016 can be your fresh start. Vow to make yourself a priority and you will thank yourself for years to come.

Physical Therapy and Arthritis

Winter is here and those with arthritis tend to suffer more pain in the colder weather. Scientists have devoted research to weather and its impact on your body and have found a correlation between arthritis and weather. Changes in temperature or a change in weight of the surrounding air can trigger joint pain, and it turns out the old wives’ tale about aching joints indicating a change in weather may actually be true.

Arthritis is defined as painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Colder weather may affect arthritis for the worse and it is best to follow a few instructions to limit the discomfort you may face.

The first and most obvious piece of advice is to dress warmly and comfortably. If it is cold outside, aching parts should be covered up. When the temperature shifts, layering may benefit you as you can always take clothes off if need be.

Staying active can help as physical activity can reduce pain and increase mobility with many types of arthritis. Physical therapy is a great way to keep active and improve your overall health condition. A physical therapist can create a personalized routine for you to follow rather than questioning what workouts would better suit your health. People with joint pain should stay active, and while it can be more difficult during the winter, exercising indoors in colder weathers can prevent aching. Along with staying active, it is important to stay hydrated as dehydration might make you more sensitive to pain.

A warm shower or even washing your hands with warm water can sooth the body. It is best to limit going outside in the cold weather after a hot bath or shower as you should wait for your body temperature should return to a more normal state. Adjusting your diet and adding more Vitamin D can lower your chances of feeling discomfort as Vitamin D deficiency might play a role in how sensitive you are to arthritis pain.

Keep an eye out for changes in your body during the winter as the reasoning may be due to change in temperature. Do your best to protect your body the best to your ability and seek treatment to limit pain or discomfort.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Physical Therapy in Cortlandt Manor, New York

Do you live in the Cortlandt area of New York? Located in Cortlandt Manor on East Main Street, right off Jacobs Hill Road, lies a physical therapy center that has touched the lives of its patients.

Cortlandt Physical Therapy, a member of the Access Physical Therapy and Wellness family, has been serving the community since 2003. They have continued to improve the lives of their patients suffering from arthritis, walking gait issues, multiple sclerosis, orthopedic injuries, and more!

The Physical Therapy Director, Joe Rifino, has been the driving force of this renowned physical therapy practice. After graduating from North Salem High School, Rifino attended the University of Connecticut followed by SUNY Stony Brook where he received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1999.

Rifino worked at Putnam Hospital and at a Yorktown physical therapy practice after graduation, leading to him becoming managing director and partner in Cortlandt Manor in 2004. Rifino currently lives in Hopewell Junction and enjoys many hobbies including snowboarding, basketball, and staying physically active at the gym.

Rifino’s practice has become a community staple in rehabilitation over the past 11 years. In addition to his formal education, Rifino continues to stay on top of new and upcoming manual therapy techniques as well as techniques to improve spinal mobilization.

The key to selecting the perfect physical therapist is finding one that is both experienced in the industry as well as one having the desire to evolve within it. Cortlandt Physical Therapy, under the leadership of Joe Rifino, has been a positive asset to the community and will continue to give patients the best treatment they deserve.

Do you Have Chronic Pain? Physical Therapy Can Help.

Pain is defined differently to each person. Some people can tolerate pain well while others…well...not so much. It may be time to seek the help of a specialist if you have reached your tolerance level or threshold of pain, although waiting until that point is usually not the best decision as symptoms may worsen over time.

The brain produces signals to the body as a warning to make you aware and conscious that there is a problem in or to the body. Pain is an unpleasant sensation that is usually associated with injury or tissue damage and it can be acute or chronic. The main sign that you have chronic pain is fearfulness, or when you avoid activity because you are scared to access the part of the body that hurts. If your knee hurts, for example, you may fear standing on it and creating a substantial amount of pain and discomfort due to the extra pressure.

Seeking the help of a physical therapist will help if you are in a situation where a limb or muscle is painful or uncomfortable. A specialist will find ways to improve your quality of life and find a solution to help you get active again. Physical therapists will teach you how to manage pain in a healthy way by providing unique treatments designed specifically to meet your needs.

Pain is usually reduced within the first few meetings and most treatments include strengthening and flexibility exercises which help you move more easily with less discomfort. Movements will gradually increase according to your abilities and physical therapists will carefully introduce gradual exercise programs to train the brain to sense the problem area of your body without sending pain signals. Manual therapy, including gentle hands-on techniques, can benefit the joint, and electric, heat, or ice may be used in place of manual therapy.

Physical therapists can benefit any physical issues you may face and can help find ways in which you can live a happier, pain-free life. Physical therapy is a great alternative to medication and surgery.

Weekend Warrior Injuries

Demanding work schedules have left people spending all of their energy when they have the most free time over the weekend. These “weekend warriors” are more susceptible to injury as their bodies cannot adjust quickly enough to the sudden increase in strenuous activity.

A common injury throughout the last decade amongst weekend warriors is a rupture of the Achilles tendon. This injury occurs frequently because the Achilles tendon allows us to push our foot off the ground while we walk or run. An ankle sprain is also a very common injury seen in weekend warriors. When the foot is twisted or rolled into a position beyond its normal ability, the injured person may not be able to put weight on the affected area afterwards. Shin splints can occur in people that run, play sports on hard or uneven surfaces, or people with flat feet or high arches. The best way to heal from these injuries is to simply rest and avoid the activity which caused the injury in the first place.

Routine is crucial for reducing injuries commonly seen in weekend warriors. Stretching should be incorporated into a daily regimen as it is essential in preventing injuries and is simple enough for people with busy schedules to include into their everyday life. Before beginning any physical activity, it is important to incorporate a warm-up exercise along with a stretching routine before beginning any physical activity. Your muscles and body will be prepared for the strenuous exercise it is about to endure and will help in preventing sprains.

Another piece of advice for weekend warriors is to include cross-training into their workouts. Cross-training will help to work different muscles throughout the body in order to prevent overuse of just one group of muscles. Remember to be aware of your own body and the amount of exercise it is able to endure without pushing the boundaries to the point of injury. Rest and preventative measures should always be taken into consideration, and if a serious injury does occur, it is advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to talk with your physical therapist to see how they can help keep you enjoying your weekends to the fullest.