Eating healthier heals inflammation?

Every day our therapists are treating more and more patients with chronic joint pain.

We notice the biggest reason is related to their diet. Foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, high sugar and refined carbohydrates have been shown to increase inflammation in injured muscles and joints.

Some of these studies conducted have shown that a lack of fruits, vegetables, and nuts in the diet can actually cause joints to break down. An increase in refined grains and lack of fiber intake can expand these inflammatory markers. Additionally, low to moderate sugar sweetened drinks have been shown to increase inflammation even in healthy individuals.

One of the ways improve your diet is to avoid all refined carbohydrates, increase your fruit, nut, and vegetable intakes, and avoid drinking soft drinks. If you are unsure what to do next, then contact one of our therapists at Trilogy Therapy Services. We look forward to hearing from you, please contact us at: (479) 331-3303 or come visit us at our location: 8952 Market Street, Suite 7b, Dover, AR 72837


Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!!!

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Isn’t it ironic that with all the advancements in today’s healthcare that something as simple as exercise can create the most measureable benefits to your health? Exercise is a great way to boost your immune system. It also lowers the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity.

But why don’t people exercise?

Maybe it seems too hard. Maybe it is something else. Maybe they don’t know how to do it. Maybe they don’t think they need it. Regardless of your physical ability, you HAVE TO EXCERCISE. Exercising can help prevent many things. It prevents weight gain and helps maintain weight loss. Worried about disease or something else? No matter your current weight, being active boosts your lipoproteins or “the good cholesterol in your body” and decreases the unhealthy triglycerides. This keeps your blood flowing smoothly and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Exercise is not only healthy physically but also mentally.

Nothing is better for increasing your energy and confidence levels. In a recent study done in 2015 by the American Psychiatric Association, regular exercise can prevent depression and physical activity stimulates the various brain chemicals to make you feel happier and relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and a boost in self-esteem.

Even if you have a busy schedule, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

If you want to lose weight or meet specific goals, you will need to exercise more. Remember to check in with a Trilogy Therapy Services therapist before starting a new exercise program, especially if you haven’t worked out it in a long time. When you are ready to do so, please contact us at: (479) 331-3303 or come visit us at our location: 8952 Market Street, Suite 7b, Dover, AR 72837


Coming back from ACL Injury

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We’ve seen it far too often when watching sports, a star athlete is heading down the field to make a great play, but right before he can make the game winning score, goes down holding his knee, and carted off while you wait to find out if he is going to be okay, as you realize “their goes your season”.  More than likely you have just witnessed an ACL injury and you didn’t even know it.  ACL injuries are most commonly associated with sports, but they can happen to anyone, at any time.

So what is the ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) are one of four ligaments in the knee that connects the femur to the tibia.  The ACL is used to stabilize the knee, controls the rotation of the leg, and forward movement of the tibia.

Who does this affect and the cause?

Approximately 200,000 Americans experience ACL-related injuries each year.  Almost half of these injuries require reconstructive surgery.  ACL tears are four to six times more likely in females than in males.

Excessive stress on this ligament could cause it to stretch too far, which could result in a tear.  People generally characterize the injury as a “pop” of the ligament followed by intense pain and swelling.  Many would expect most ACL injuries to be a result of direct contact injuries. However, 70% of all ACL tears are the result of non-contact injuries. An ACL tear can occur when someone:

  • Twists their knee while keeping their foot planted on the ground
  • Suddenly stops while running
  • Suddenly shifts their weight from one leg to the other
  • Jumps and lands on an extended (straightened) knee
  • Stretch their knee farther than they should
  • Experiences a direct hit to their knee

What treatment is right for me?

After experiencing an ACL injury, loss of leg strength, motion, and stability of the knee happens. It is important to regain motion and strength as soon as possible. Surgery may not be necessary, but exercise to regain muscle and knee motion should begin before starting treatment. If you do not treat this injury, you may even develop osteoarthritis in your knee. You want to start slowly and not push yourself to the point where you feel pain. Consult your therapist (Trilogy Therapy) about the best progress for exercise. Your physical therapist at Trilogy Therapy will design a physical rehab program for you that takes into consideration your normal level of activity, fitness, and extent of your ACL injury.

Coming back from ACL Injury

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When three-time Super Bowl MVP, Tom Brady, experienced his own battle with an ACL injury in the 2008 NFL season.  The New England Patriots’s quarterback rehabbed in the offseason and came back to play the next season.  All while he was only ten to eleven months out of post-op recovery. This is a remarkable recovery that displays his incredible work ethic and patience. ACL injuries are never fun, but with the right mindset and work ethic, the results will show and you can recover from it.

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So if you are 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 week.


Therapy Talk: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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In our first ever Therapy Talk we covered the topic of osteoarthritis. Today we’re going to discuss rheumatoid arthritis and how it can effect you since it is the second most common form of arthritis. This autoimmune disease affects nearly 1.3 million people in the United States, and 75 percent are women. Early signs of this disease typically develop in those between the ages 30 to 60.

How do I tell if I have Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include stiffness and joint inflammation. Other signs are decreased energy levels, loss of appetite, low fever, firm lumps under the skin, and dry eyes and mouth. Your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, and knee are most likely affected. Anyone experiencing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis should be checked by your doctor. Early recognition is vital to prevent further damage of cartilage. When there is a loss of cartilage, spacing between bones become smaller and smaller. This not only decreases mobility, but can also lead to joint deformity. Joint damage is extremely painful and cannot be reversed. Sandy Koufax had his Major League Baseball career cut short due to rheumatoid arthritis in his left pitching elbow. Koufax retired from baseball at age 30, after pitching 12 seasons with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Widely considered by most as one of the best pitchers of all time, the six-time all-star was the youngest player ever to be elected in to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

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So what does that mean for you?

As we said above, early detection is key. Our physical therapists assess Rheumatoid Arthritis in an ongoing manner. Each patient is evaluated to see how joint flexibility, muscle strength, bone alignment, endurance, mobility, and the ability for normal daily living. It is a delicate balance to enhance your mobility without over tiring oneself or creating arthritis flare ups. The object is to help you maximize your independence and it’s important to treat your arthritis because management of your symptoms preserves and conserves independent living. It can effect anyone, regardless of age and it is important to educate yourself to prevent further problems or prevent potential rheumatoid arthritis. Lastly, though this might seem the hardest and most painful, exercise, exercise, exercise! The results may surprise you but exercising can regularly help lubricate joints and prevent further and excessive stiffness. Working out helps strengthen your muscles. Your joints rely on this as a kind of continuous support because it means less work is put on them and they can fully function with less imitation. So it is important to exercise, but make sure you do it properly and safely.

Finally, if you receive treatment for your rheumatoid arthritis, you are more likely to have an active life and are able to participate in various social and work activities. 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 week.


Therapy Talk: Why should you Exercise?

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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.