Therapy Talk: Why should you Exercise?

March 25, 2016
DoverLittle RockNursing Home TherapyOccupational TherapyPhysical TherapyRehabilitation TherapyRussellvilleSports TherapyTherapy Talk

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We all know what it is like to be resistant to the idea of exercise. Many of us, every New Years make that resolution to spend more time at the gym. And yet, we time and time again ignore it because we are simply too busy. When those time occur, I want you to look back at this article for solid evidence for why exercise is so important.

Muscle Strength Decline

Did you know that after the age of 35, muscle strength declines 8-10% every 10 years of your life? By time you are in your 50s and 60s you can lose as much as 30% of your muscle. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that physical inactivity is the 4th leading risk factor for death. A recent study has even indicated that being inactive has such a high risk that those who sit for longer than an hour each day are at increased risk of death. A 12 year study by the New England Journal of Medicine stated that retired men who walked for 2 or more miles a day lived longer than those who walked less than a mile each day.

Related to disease prevention, those who exercise have a lower risk of colon and breast cancer. Individuals who have good physical function after they turn 40 lower their risk of stroke by as much as 50%! According to a study by the journal Neurology that climbing stairs, kneeling, bending and lifting can help elongate life by 41%. Men and women who are physically active at least twice a week are also at lower risk of developing heart disease than those who sit at home. Research published in the International Journal of Obesity demonstrated walking 4 or more hours a week could also reduce risk of gaining weight around the waist.

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As former NFL running back Stan Edwards once said, “Those who think they have no time for exercise will have to find time for illness.” So now is the time to get up, get to the gym, visit your local therapy office (Trilogy Therapy Services) and be healthy today!

So when you are ready to contact someone in the Russellville, Dover, Little Rock areas, please give us a call at: (479) 331-3303 or come visit us at our location: 8952 Market Street, Suite 7b, Dover, AR 72837

We look forward to seeing you soon and have a great day.

Therapy Talk: Osteoporosis

March 18, 2016
DoverLittle RockNursing Home TherapyPhysical TherapyRussellvilleTherapy Talk

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Part of our treatment process involves educating each of our patients.  This not only assists in the recovery process, but also aids in the prevention of further injuries.  So in this week’s Therapy Talk we will discuss a little bit about osteoporosis, what it is, who is affected, and osteoporosis treatments.

So what is Osteoporosis exactly?

Osteoporosis is a condition where thinning bones become weak and brittle. Common symptoms often include stooped posture, loss of height, back pain, and bone fracture. Anyone with osteoporosis potentially runs a high risk of a bone fracture to occur. The most common places where an osteoporotic fracture can develop are in the hip, wrist, forearm, ankles, and back bones.

Who is affected?

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Over 54 million Americans worldwide are affected by this condition.  The National Osteoporosis Foundation predicts that this number will rise to 71.2 million by the year 2030.  Women who are over the age of 50 with a low body weight are most likely at risk for osteoporosis. Furthermore, one in three women will experience osteoporotic fractures and one in five men will experience an osteoporotic fracture within their lifetime.  That being said, an osteoporotic fracture happens once every three seconds, resulting in over 8.9 million annual occurrences.

Osteopenia is often considered the “precursor” to osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis and osteopenia are related conditions linked to bone loss. Academy Award winning Actress Gwyneth Paltrow experienced her own battle with osteopenia.  Paltrow wrote in a recent post:  “I suffered a pretty severe tibial plateau fracture a few years ago (requiring surgery) which lead the Orthopaedic Surgeon to give me a bone scan, at which point it was discovered I had the beginning stages of osteopenia. This led my western/eastern doctors in New York to test my Vitamin D levels, which turned out to be the lowest they had ever seen (not a good thing).   I went on a prescription strength level of Vitamin D and was told to…spend a bit of time in the sun.”

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So what are the Treatments for Osteoporosis?

We at Trilogy Therapy Services in Dover, Arkansas recommend that anyone with osteoporosis focus on healthy dieting, weight-bearing exercise, and medication to prevent any further bone loss. Supervision by one of our licensed physical therapists is recommended and advised to prevent any additional fractures. If you have any further question and are ready to contact someone in the Russellville, Dover, Little Rock areas, please give us a call at: (479) 331-3303 or come visit us at our location: 8952 Market Street, Suite 7b, Dover, AR 72837. We look forward to hearing from you.

Therapy Talk: Osteoarthritis

March 1, 2016
DoverLittle RockNursing Home TherapyOccupational TherapyPhysical TherapyRussellvilleTherapy Talk

Therapy Talk: Osteoarthritis

For our first Therapy Talk we thought we would kick things off with our most requested question and that is “What is Osteoarthritis?”

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.  Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease is described as “wear and tear” arthritis. The bone basically rubs against another bone causing joint damage.  This joint damage can happen anywhere, but most commonly it happens in the hips, knees, fingers, toes, neck, and lower back.

But how does this affect me?

Did you know that Osteoarthritis affects around 27 million Americans, causing joint pain and stiffness? According to the Arthritis Foundation, people that are 65 and older are the most frequently affected with Osteoarthritis.  Their study shows that one in two adults develop Osteoarthritis in the knee during some stage of their lifetime and by age 60, one in twelve adults acquires Osteoarthritis in the hand. Additionally, by the age of 85 that number increases to one in four and will develop in the hip.

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Further, the most severe cases can happen with individuals that are very tall or short. Retired NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal was required to have surgery on his big toe in 2002 and this surgery, followed by rehab allowed him to extend his career until 2011.

So what can I do to prevent or treat it?

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Physical therapy is very affective approach when treating Osteoarthritis.  The importance of physical therapy is to teach the patient ways to work out stiffness without causing further damage to the joints.  When a patient chooses to avoid therapy or exercise, the stiffness and pain will only get worse.

Occupational therapy is an option for those looking for ways to reduce strain while performing daily activities.  Our Occupational Therapists can design splints for the hand(s) or wrist(s) that offer the needed support for home and workplace environments. So when you are ready to contact someone in the Russellville, Dover, Little Rock areas, please give us a call at: (479) 331-3303 or come visit us at our location: 8952 Market Street, Suite 7b, Dover, AR 72837

We look forward to seeing you soon and have a great day.