Lessen Your Back Pain While Working

Jan 31 | by | No Comments

Categories: Orthopedic Physical Therapy

We all guilty of trying to get school and business work done while lying in bed. Although, it easy to get work done while in bed, this can cause a strain on your back. According to a senior consultant ergonomist at the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), “bad posture is inevitable because of the way laptops are designed”. This does not mean you have to stop using your laptop in bed. Here are a few tips to help lessen your back pain while working on your laptop computer:
• Use a separate keyboard and mouse so that the laptop can be put on a stand and the screen opened at eye level.
• Use your laptop on a stable base where there is support for your arms, and not on your lap.
• Take regular breaks. If you’re moving, there’s a lot less stress on your muscles and joints.
• Adopt good sitting posture with lower back support, and ensure that other desk equipment is within reach.
• Get into good habits before the aching starts. Neck, shoulder and back problems gradually build up over time.

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Tips for Dining Out While Dizzy

Being in crowded and busy locations like restaurants can be difficult for people who suffer from vestibular disorders. With a few adaptations you can still enjoy coming out with your friends and family and still remain comfortable. Here are some tips to get you started:

Selecting a restaurant
• Pick a restaurant with small separate rooms.
• No matter where you go, avoid rush hours.
• Avoid loud background music.
• Seek carpeted floors that reduce conversational noise and vibrations caused by waiters moving nearby.
• Avoid visually distracting shiny, checkered floors and surfaces, as well as ceiling fans and busy wallpaper.
• If the restaurant has a Web site, download a menu in advance and plan the meal to avoid visual strain and confusion.

Seating choices
• Seat yourself in the corner of a restaurant, avoiding the bustling middle.
• Sit away from kitchens, cash registers, and bars.
• Sit in chairs rather than benches to reduce motion caused by others seated next to you. Booths may also help block noise and activity.
• To reduce the amount of head turning required to converse, choose a round table or sit at the head.

Lighting
• Fluorescent lights may cause visual difficulty; sit away from and with your back to the light.
• Be aware that many restaurants control lights with a central rheostat, which can be visually disorienting when the lights are adjusted.
• Extinguish flickering candles on the table or ask for the wick to be trimmed.
Please note that all suggestions may not work for everyone. Please talk to your physician or physical therapist about the problems you have in social settings for more detailed solutions.
Reference: http://www.vestibular.org/support-groups/challenges.php#Travel

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Getting in Shape

Jan 4 | by | No Comments

Categories: Uncategorized

Many people might not know that a physical therapist can help you get fit. And what a better time to get fit then in the year of 2012! A physical therapist can design a flexibility and muscle strengthening program to help you get in shape. First they can do a musculoskeletal examination to see if you have any muscle weakness or tightness that would get in the way of how you move and increase your risk of injuries or pain.

After the exam is performed, the physical therapist can prescribe a strengthening or/and stretching program to improve your muscle length and strength. Furthermore, you will receive instructions on how to properly exercise and move your body to decrease the chance of future injuries.

Additionally, a physical therapist can also help you with your aerobic or cardiovascular fitness. The therapist can test your overall endurance to activity and design an exercise program (e.g. a walking program) that will increase your activity tolerance in a safe and gradual manner. An aerobic exercise program can help lower your blood pressure, control diabetes, and improve your overall health (MoveForwardPT).

By improving muscle and aerobic performance you have the ability to improve your overall quality of life!

Citation: http://www.moveforwardpt.com/askpt/detail.aspx?cid=9f3db6d3-7aee-49ad-b352-a8e7dcb1d530

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Alleviating Pain

Dec 27 | by | No Comments

Categories: Uncategorized

With the new year coming up why not alleviate pain that has been bothering you this year? Physical therapy includes the treatment, curing and avoidance of injuries and disabilities. A physical therapist can decrease your pain through passive or active therapy. Heating/ice packs, electrical stimulation (TENS unit) and/or an ultrasound can help manage the pain. Using ice and heat can help warm up and cool off the muscles. This method can also stimulate blood flow and decrease swelling. Ultra sound uses high frequency sound waves to stimulate the deep tissue within the body. Lastly, electrical stimulation uses electrical current to diminish pain.

If you are looking for a more active approach, a physical therapist can construct specific exercises to lessen your pain. This can include stretching, strengthening and pain relief exercises or low-impact aerobic conditioning. Stretching is extremely important in maintaining good range of motion with joints and flexibility of muscles. If you have stiffness in your muscles, normal activities such as moving of the arms or climbing stairs can be affected. However, with proper stretching there daily functions can be conserved. Strengthening exercises also improves the function of your muscles by increasing endurance.

Citations:

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/physicaltherapy/p/therapy.htm

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/physical-therapy

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BBPV: What is it?

Dec 13 | by | 1 Comment

Categories: Vestibular Disorders - In Depth

Have you ever felt an uncomfortable spinning sensation in your head? Millions of people every year develop this feeling. BBPV or Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common types of vertigo. It is estimated to affect at least 9 out of every 100 older adults (MoveForward PT). Fortunately, it is treatable. A physical therapist that specializes in balance disorders has the ability to use certain exercises and maneuvers to help.

So what exactly is BBPV? In simple terms, BBPV is an inner-ear problem that causes phases of dizziness when your head is moved in certain positions. The dizziness referred to as vertigo, can cause symptoms like nausea, headaches, loss of balance and a few others.

How can a physical therapist help? A physical therapist can help you recover by using a certain and neck maneuver, such as the Epley maneuver, where the physical therapist moves your head through a series of 4 positions, or the Semont maneuver, where the body is rapidly moved from lying on one side to lying on the other. As you begin your exercises your physical therapist will most likely give you home exercises to further improve.

For more information on BBPV please check out www.balancechicago.com

Citations: http://www.moveforwardpt.com/SymptomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=52822493-32f3-4d4c-8c56-8e18c41b2f85

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Tip of the Week: Stretching

Dec 8 | by | No Comments

Categories: Uncategorized

Michele Kehrer of LifeStyle explains the importance of stretching and gives quick tips on how to stretch through out a busy day.

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Avoiding Injuries While Lifting

Nov 28 | by | No Comments

Categories: Just For Fun

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is just around the corner. Before you get out the decorations, here are some tips to stay pain free when lifting those heavy objects.

Improperly lifting that heavy Christmas tree can cause pain in your shoulder, neck and back. In order to avoid this, simply plan ahead! First off, know your limits and test the weight of the object by pushing it with your foot. If it seems too heavy just ask for assistance. Once that’s established you should know sudden movements can cause strain to your muscles, so choose a familiar route to carry your objects.

When you are lifting an object, lift with your legs and not your back. Your legs are much stronger than you back muscles. It is best to bend at your knees and keep your back straight to avoid twisting. If you need to turn, turn in small steps and then continue. Also, tightening your stomach muscles, this will get your back in a good lifting position and will keep unnecessary energy off your spine.

For extra support, get a back or belt support. The belt can assist you in a better lifting posture.

Citation: http://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Detail.aspx?cid=b131beec-3766-4dfa-b941-21c5553f4b0c

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Tip of the Week: Hydration

Nov 23 | by | No Comments

Categories: Just For Fun

Tip of the Week: Hydration

Michele Kehrer, owner and CEO of LifeStyle Physical Therapy and Balance Center talks about hydration and how most people are not drinking enough fluids. During times of seasonal or activity level changes it is especially important to drink enough fluids. Michele gives a run down on how much fluid consumption on a daily basis is appropriate.

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Active Chicago Holiday Events

Nov 22 | by | No Comments

Categories: Just For Fun

The holidays are coming up along with your favorite sweets, drinks and eats. It’s tempting to want to cut out your exercise routine because of the parties and gatherings that will shortly begin. But how do you stay fit through it all? No fear! Here are some fun Chicago activities that will help you burn those added calories.

The first activity is a winter classic; ice skating. You have the potential to burn around 320-400 calories per hour (depending on age, weight and height). Not only is it enjoyable but it’s cheap too! Rental skates range from $5 to $10. Location friendly places like Millennium Park, Rink at Wrigley, Midway Plaisance Park and other local rinks around your neighborhood make it an easy find.

On Thanksgiving the Turkey Trot 8K Run and Walk will be held at 9 a.m., a perfect opportunity to get your fitness on before you can pig out on your favorite foods. Runner or walkers race through Lincoln Park. The event attracts over 5,000 participants and there’s a chance to win prizes!

Remember playing that roll game at Chuck E. Cheese’s? Well it’s called Skeeball and you can still play it as an adult too! On December 3rd you and a friend can sign up for a two-on-two skeeball tournament at Glascott’s bar in Lincoln Park. It costs $5-$10 to join and you can compete to win a pair of Bear’s tickets!

For this next event you will be running or walking through Montrose Harbor for the Santa Hustle 5K. Along the course will be Santa look-a-likes, holiday decorations and festive music. You can also dress up! Admissions to the race get you a Santa hat, beard and long sleeve shirt, plus a post-race breakfast at Cubby Bear.

Looking for a little more mischief? Join mock Santas, elves and driedels for the annual Dreidel and Santa Rampage. This entertaining bike ride takes you through the city with photo ops and carol sing-alongs. The ride goes for seven miles to the Billy Goat Tavern and admission is free! For a more family-friendly bike ride join the Black Friday Family Fun Ride at Pottawattomie Park field house, which goes for 10 miles.

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Introduction to LifeStyle Physical Therapy and Balance Center

LifeStyle Physical Therapy and Balance Center

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