Month: March 2020

Staying Healthy Through the Coronavirus Crisis (Beyond Washing Your Hands)

By now, you have certainly been flooded with information about the precautions needed to lessen the impact of COVID-19, more commonly referred to as the “coronavirus.” Our local, State and National Governments have outlined the necessary steps we should all take to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.

As many of our patients have responsibly chosen to self-quarantine, aside from necessary medical visits, and we all find ourselves spending much more time at home, it helps to keep a few things in mind to keep yourself healthy (and sane), through these trying times.

• Don’t Stress! – We know it’s really hard, but it’s important to be able to recognize signs of stress in your body. Stress can have a harmful effect on your immune system, so lowering levels of stressful thoughts and emotions by making different choices is something we should consider.

• Limit your news intake – Watching and listening to news media is a way of keeping current with the latest events and announcements, but if it fuels your feelings of stress over the situation, perhaps consider decreasing your consumption. Try setting limits on how long or how often you will check the news and using your time to engage in activities that you find stress decreasing.

• Breathe! – Practicing deep breathing is easy to learn and you don’t need any special tools or equipment to do it. One method, called “belly breathing,” will help you to relax and relieve tension. All you have to do is sit or lie in a comfortable position and put one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose and allow your belly to push your hand out. Your chest should not move. Exhale through pursed lips as though whistling; the hand on your belly will go back in, and you can use it to push all the rest of the air out. Take your time and go through these steps several times.

• Stay active! – This will both reduce stress levels and help you to maintain your health and strength. You can still maintain proper social distancing while going for a daily walk, or if you are confined to your home or feel more comfortable staying inside, you can develop a home workout routine. You don’t need any special equipment–just your own body weight. Here’s a list of home-based exercises with tutorials for each, along with an explanation of how to get started.

• Stay connected! – Utilize technology to stay connected with the outside world.  Have a friend you normally text? Surprise them with a Facetime or Video Call and you’ll be amazed at what seeing a smile can do to lift your spirits and theirs! Staying connected with the important people in your life is always a priority, but take advantage of this time to show people how much you appreciate them.

Remember to listen to and follow the directions of the State of Florida and local Bradenton and Sarasota authorities in Manatee and Sarasota counties. At Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida we are committed to the health and safety of our community. Please feel free to contact us for any additional tips and recommendations on how to alleviate your aches and pain. Our therapists are here to Help You Move Without Pain! We can be reached at (941) 264-1414 or emailed at Info@PTDoctorsFL.com.

It’s High Season in Bradenton, FL! How to Make the Most of It.

This is the time of year when our local Bradenton and Sarasota weather is at its finest, social events and programs are plentiful, and the days are starting to lengthen, so now is a great opportunity to take full advantage of the season and get active again. Let’s go over a few easy ways to enjoy our lovely city with an emphasis on physical health.

Taking a barefoot stroll along one of our beautiful beaches offers the mild resistance of sandy terrain. Barefoot walking in the sand will burn more calories and exercise the foot and ankle muscles in ways they may not be accustomed to with the usual shoe-clad, flat ground walking. Organized beach walks will give you a structured way to develop this healthy habit in the company of like-minded people. Try a walk around Bean Point, or Manatee Public Beach for convenience and reward your efforts with some famous all you can eat pancakes!

Another fun way to enjoy this season’s outdoor-friendly weather is to engage in birdwatching. Walking about looking for birds to identify is an intellectually stimulating endeavor, not to mention a physically healthy one. The trails of Celery Fields are highly regarded by wildlife enthusiasts for this leisurely pastime. Spring is the perfect time to spot migrant songbirds at the Coquina Beach segment of the Florida Birding Trail.

Fitness in the Park is an adult program for gentle exercise in the fresh air of a natural setting. It’s also another great way to meet new people in our community. Other introductory fitness offerings include yoga and tai chi. Manatee County has a schedule packed with activities both for the aforementioned classes and for less physical, more socially interactive springtime fun.

If you suffer from pain or dysfunction in the hips, knees, ankles, or feet, you don’t need to allow this to be a limiting factor for a peaceful beach walk, group exercise session, or outing of birdwatching. Our joint pain specialists have the experience and expertise to remove physical limitations caused by pain and can assist you in getting back into enjoying the outdoors.

By the way, this month of March also marks yet another anniversary of Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida serving our community of Bradenton, FL. For two years now, our physical therapy professionals have been assisting patients with sciatica, vertigo/dizziness/balance problems, arthritis, and joint sprains and strains. We are all about helping you move without pain and eagerly look ahead to what the rest of 2020 holds in store. You can get more information about our services or schedule an appointment by calling us at (941) 264-1414, and we can also be emailed at Info@PTDoctorsFL.com. Also, be sure to check out links to our social media or send us a message on our Contact Us page.