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Upcoming Events
12.8.12
Jingle Bell Run
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Patient Testimonial
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"The staff was very knowledgeable and helped me recover as fast and efficiently as possible. They also gave me the skills and knowledge to continue my recovery at home." ~Brian (Blue Ash Center)
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Oxford Physical Therapy Centers News |
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Greetings!
Hello from Oxford Physical Therapy Centers!
This month's newsletter features our Blue Ash Center! Our Blue Ash center is located in the Kenwood Corporate Centre at 9395 Kenwood Road, Suite 107, Cincinnati, OH 45242.
We have included a segment on our aquatic physical therapy program. We see all types of patients in the water, but below we have featured a cancer survivor in Hamilton that has had great results from her aquatic therapy. Learn more about our aquatic physical therapy program for cancer and non-cancer patients below.
The temperatures are dropping and so are your leaves! We have our seasonal tip about raking leaves below to help you avoid those injuries during these last few weeks of Fall. Read below for more!
From all of us at Oxford Physical Therapy Centers, have a great Thanksgiving with your family and friends!
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Clinic Feature
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Julie Rigling, PT, DPT, is the center manager at Blue Ash. Julie has been with OPTC for over 7 years! She received her undergraduate and masters degrees at the College of Mount St. Joseph and received her doctorate in physical therapy at the University of St. Augustine. Julie treats aquatic patients at the Blue Ash YMCA on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30PM.
Brian Adkins, MPT, CSCS, CGFI, is one of our physical therapists at our Blue Ash Center and has been with OPTC for over 8 years. Brian received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his masters degree from Andrews University. Brian is also a Titleist certified golf fitness instructor. He enjoys treating golf patients and helping them improve their golf score!
The front desk staff at our Blue Ash Center includes Leslie and Debbie who have both been with OPTC for many years. The Blue Ash Center also has PT Aides: Aaron F., Aaron L., and Ava who help all of our clinicians.
We have two staff members in our Blue Ash Center that treat vestibular and balance patients, Kelly Burch, PT, and Karen Martin, PTA. Kelly went to St. Louis University and received her undergraduate degree in physical therapy. She has been treating vestibular and balance patients for over 8 years. Karen received her associates of physical therapy from the University of Cincinnati. Both Kelly and Karen treat patients that have symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance.
Below is an interview that Kelly did with Channel 9 WCPO about the vestibular and balance rehabilitation program.
 | | Kelly Burch Interview with Channel 9 WCPO |
For more information about our vestibular and balance program, click here.
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Aquatic Physical Therapy
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(Hamilton cancer survivor Karen with Cara Miller, PTA)
Our Hamilton Center has had the opportunity to work with cancer patients in a warm water setting over the past year. The Hamilton Center has had positive feedback and has observed patients making progress in several different areas. They have been treating cancer patients in the clinic and in the pool that are showing symptoms of a decrease in their endurance and strength as well as experiencing flu-like symptoms, which are associated with chemotherapy treatments. The cancer patients have also shown signs of cancer related depression, as well as upper and lower extremity edema.
Research has shown that the hydrostatic pressure in pools decreases edema in many cancer patients. The constant resistance and buoyancy during aquatic therapy allows for strengthening and increased endurance both in and out of the water. The following observations have been seen in the successful treatment of cancer patients who have participated in our aquatic physical therapy program:
- Increase in endurance and strength
- Improved mental status (secondary to sense of community and increased ability to perform more activities of daily living)
- Decrease in edema
- More tolerable chemotherapy treatments (secondary to the warmth, hydrostatic pressure, and buoyancy of water allowing decrease in joint compression and increase blood flow)
- Water therapy also brings a sense of ease and relaxation which can decrease stress levels
Karen, who is pictured above, has seen great results from our aquatic physical therapy program. As a result of receiving aquatic therapy she is now able to move better and she feels stronger. Karen's endurance has also improved, as she is now able to be on her feet for a longer period of time with a decrease in swelling.
The strides Karen has made have not only improved her physical health, but they have also helped to reinvent her personal life. One example she explained was how tickled she was to be able to go shopping without having to take a break and sit down. Karen stated that aquatic therapy has not only helped her physically but it has given her the mindset needed to overcome her physical barriers.
In addition to treating cancer patients, we see a number of different types of patients for aquatic physical therapy. We see patients that have the following pains or injuries:
- Pre and post surgery
- Sprains & strains
- Sports & orthopaedic injuries
- Back pain
- Arthritis
- Total join replacements
- Neurological disorders
- Prenatal and postnatal pregnancy
We offer aquatic physical therapy at 5 of our locations including, Oxford, Hamilton, Tri-County/Fairfield, Blue Ash, and Florence. For more information about aquatic physical therapy, click here.
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Raking Leaves
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The snow is going to start falling soon, so you might have to rake your leaves one last time! One task that seems to be on all of our 'to-do' lists includes raking leaves. This can be great exercise; however no one seems to realize the amount of strain this activity can take on the body. In order to feel properly prepared, here are a few tips to help prevent the possibility of injury and have your yard looking fabulous during the autumn months.
Stretching:
It is important to ensure that our muscles are ready for the work that they are about to endure. Like any other physical activity, it is essential to have the proper flexibility before beginning. Below are a few tips to stretch the larger muscles in the body that will be utilized when you rake leaves. Each stretch should be held for approximately 30 seconds and 5 times each:
- Back
- Upper Back: Clasp hands together in front with arms straight out. Gently pull shoulder blades apart and bend head forward.
- Lower Back: On hands and knees, sit back towards heels and reach forward with arms (prayer position).
- Arms/Neck
- Shoulder: Place arm across chest, gently pull elbow forward with other hand until stretch is felt in the back of the shoulder. Repeat with other arm.
- Sides of Neck: Gently bring ear to same shoulder. Avoid elevating your opposite shoulder by placing your arm behind your back and holding. Repeat towards other side.
- Legs
- Hamstring: Heel propped on box, keep leg and back straight and lean forward until a strech is felt in the back of thigh.
- Quadriceps: Standing with hand on back of chair/counter. Bend knee and grasp heel with arm on the same side. Pull heel towards buttocks until a stretch is felt in the front of the thigh.
- Calf: Place foot against a stair or wall and keep knee straight. Move body forward until a stretch is felt in back of lower leg. If unable to feel stretch, try placing a heel off the edge of the step and allow the heel to descend until a stretch is felt in back of lower leg. Ensure to hold onto rail for support.
Posture - Raking Leaves:
While raking leaves, the most important key to avoiding injury is to have the proper alignment of the body. This can best be achieved by keeping legs shoulder width apart with a slight bend in the knees to ensure a good base of support. Keep your workspace close. Avoid any far reaching activities outside of the workspace that may over extend the muscles and cause damage to the muscles fibers also known as a 'muscle strain'. It is important to change directions while raking leaves. This can be achieved by raking the leaves from the left, then the front, followed by the leaves on the right creating small separate piles. Move your workspace around the yard until all leaves have been rounded up. Another key tip is to take rest breaks occasionally to avoid overuse injuries.
Posture - Picking up Leaves:
It is not only important to have good posture while raking, but also while disposing of the leaves that should now be neatly placed in multiple piles around the yard. These separate piles will help to reduce the weight to be picked up. If you are picking leaves up in tarp/sheet or if using the rake itself, be sure to avoid strain on the back. This can be achieved by bending at the knees and keeping back straight. Lift using your legs and keep weight close to center of body. Ensure that you have a disposable receptacle close to raking area.
The above information are guidelines to help to avoid injury while checking off that pesky 'to-do' list. If at any time you experience any type of residual pain occurring 24-48 hours after activity, be sure to place ice on the involved area for 15 to 20 minutes. If the pain persists for longer than 3-4 days be sure to pursue the advice of a medical professional.
Feel free to stop by any of our 11 convenient locations in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area and we will be happy to assist you and provide a free injury screen or evaluation to determine the proper course of care.
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As always, we are here to help you maintain your active lifestyle. All of our centers offer free injury screens. If you or someone you know are not feeling 100% we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.
Best,
The Oxford Physical Therapy Family
P.S. Please take a moment to "Like" us on Facebook and check out our YouTube channel!
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