Category: News

November Is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Physical therapy may be your answer for managing diabetes complications in Bradenton

This month is American Diabetes Month, which is a call-to-action put forth each November by the American Diabetes Association, whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all those affected by it.  Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., and though many people may not realize it, physical therapy is one of the best ways to address your diabetes complications.

Diabetes occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells in the body fail to recognize the insulin that’s there.  Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy by transporting it from the blood into cells.  About 26 million Americans have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, while another 80 million or so have pre-diabetes, in which glucose levels are abnormal but not yet considered diabetic.  Both types of diabetes can lead to similar symptoms such as increased thirst and hunger, extreme fatigue, blurry vision and increased urination, as well as other resulting complications that can interfere with daily life.

About 50% of diabetics will also experience a condition called diabetic peripheral neuropathy.  This complication is the result of poor circulation throughout the body and can lead to pain, tingling and numbness, as well as decreased balance and proprioception, which can cause an abnormal gait and increase the risk for falls.  Unfortunately, peripheral neuropathy can’t be reversed, but physical therapy can help by retraining sensory receptors in the legs to compensate for these changes.  By addressing these impairments, physical therapy can improve balance and function, and reduce fall risk.

Another major problem with diabetes is that poor circulation and other factors significantly increase the healing time for injuries.  This may prevent diabetics from staying as active as they’d like and could discourage them from exercising.  Aside from medication and dietary changes, physical activity is considered a cornerstone of diabetes treatment, and it’s an essential component of any treatment plan, Learn More.

For this reason, we encourage all of our diabetic patients to get regular physical activity and also provide treatment programs that include different types of exercise and soft tissue mobilization techniques.  Most programs consist of aerobic and resistance training, as combining the two of them has been found to be very beneficial for glucose levels.  These interventions increase blood flow to injured areas and will help advance the healing process, which means patients recover from injuries as quickly and safely as possible.

Diabetes can really get in the way of your physical wellbeing, but there are many measures that can be taken to address these problems.  Visit Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida, where we can effectively manage diabetes complications in Bradenton, FL. Call us at 941-264-1414 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton

can effectively address side effects from breast cancer treatment

In addition to recognizing physical therapy with National Physical Therapy Month, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign intended to increase awareness of the disease and the screening tools and treatments available for it.

As the second most common type of cancer in women, breast cancer will affect 1 in 8 women at some point in their lives, and about 240,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.  In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton, FL would like to explain the assistance we can offer women during the recovery process from breast cancer treatment.

Many women diagnosed with breast cancer will go on to have some type of surgery, which may include a breast biopsy, lymph node biopsy or removal, lumpectomy, mastectomy or breast reconstruction, in addition to other treatments.  Following these surgeries and other treatments like radiation or chemotherapy, many patients experience pain and stiffness in the chest, shoulder and back muscles, as well as nerve irritation that can cause numbness, pain and a tingling sensation.  These issues are secondary complications from the treatments necessary to resolve the cancer, however the problems that they can cause for women can be resolved under the care of a skilled physical therapist.

Recovery will vary for each patient depending on the severity of their cancer and specific treatments used, but these side effects will often reduce flexibility and range of motion, which can prevent women from returning to their normal daily activities and significantly decrease their quality of life.  In addition, any woman that’s undergone various treatments and hospitalizations in their fight against cancer is usually very deconditioned due to lack of physical activity and will have additional difficulty functioning normally due to limited endurance and strength.

This is where we come in, as our physical therapists can perform expert evaluations to identify each patient’s rehabilitation needs based on their condition and the side effects they’re experiencing.  Once a patient is medically cleared for physical therapy—which usually occurs after adequate healing of an incision, if necessary—patients will undergo a program to increase their strength, range of motion and endurance so that they can go about their days more easily and with less pain. Most importantly, the patient will be able to return to their prior level of function, or maybe even better!   Some highlights of our program to address side effects associated with breast cancer treatment include:

• A series of basic exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the back, shoulder, chest and arms to prevent stiffness and reduce pain; the arms and shoulders are often particularly affected by treatment, and increased flexibility will help to improve posture and reduce pain
• A supervised, gradual return to exercise, which can also reduce nerve irritation and fatigue
• Targeted exercises to help reduce the risk for lymphedema, or chronic swelling that usually occurs in the arm on the same side of surgery
• A focused effort to help patients regain their independence in daily activities by simulating those that they may be having difficulty with

Recovering from breast cancer treatment on top of the breast cancer should be celebrated, and you should not be burdened with the physical side effects that it can cause. At Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida, FL it’s our goal to tend to any side effects you may be experiencing and help you return to your pre-treatment physical activity levels, ultimately “Helping You Move Without Pain.”  To find out more about our program for addressing side effects from breast cancer treatment or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 941-264-1414.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida proudly celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month!

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 until October 15, and here at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida, we are proud to honor and recognize the Hispanic and Latino community.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and the date of September 15 has been used in recognition of the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries. Since then, it has grown into an entire month, and each year Americans observe it over the same span of dates. The designation is meant to celebrate the histories, cultures, contributions and important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the country. Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country, and their impact should be acknowledged throughout the month.

Sonia Nina Mullis, our Co-Owner and COO, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She believes that growing up in a Hispanic family taught her several valuable lessons that have shaped her into the person she is today, and particularly values the strong commitment to family, faith, hard work and service that’s central to Hispanic and Latino culture. Sonia and her husband Dr. Jonathan Mullis, Owner and CEO of the clinic, have two beautiful bilingual girls that enjoy eating both Dominican and American food and love to dance!

The vibrant role of Hispanic patients at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida

We also really enjoy serving the Hispanic and Latino population at PT Doctors. In our history of treating many different patients, we’ve noticed that many of our Hispanic and Latino patients are some of the most dedicated to their treatment. We’ve seen that they are hard working and driven by their goals, so they can get back to caring for their family or to their jobs. Seeing this hard work and dedication has made it a pleasure to treat these patients, and their positive impact has also played a role in enriching our culture at the clinic.

Regular physical activity and maintaining good overall health is especially important for Hispanics and Latinos, and we can help with recommendations here as well. At Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida, we can assist these patients in order to prevent the development of many health conditions. We will address any underlying problems they might have and determine which activities are best suited to fit their lifestyle and abilities.

Our therapists will work to empower each individual to get the greatest possible health benefits out of the things they enjoy doing in a manner they are most comfortable with. In addition, we will always consider these patients’ cultural, religious and personal preferences when making any treatment decisions, and communicate openly with them during this process.

We proudly honor the Hispanic and Latino community and encourage all of our other patients and readers to observe the importance of National Hispanic Heritage Month as well. For any injuries or painful conditions you may be having, contact Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton, FL at 941-264-1414 to schedule an appointment. For more information on National Hispanic Heritage Month, click here.

Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida Warns You Of The Dangers Of Text Neck

Have you ever found yourself in the following situation: you’re in a public place—a doctor’s waiting room, on the bus or train, or even a café—and when you look around to survey the area, most of the people you see are crouched over their portable electronic devices, “in the zone,” with their necks tilted forward and backs arched?

If it seems like these occurrences are becoming increasingly regular, or if you’ve noticed yourself being one of those people staring at a screen, it’s safe to say you’re not alone.

Text neck is a fairly new diagnosis that’s caused by flexing the neck for extended periods of time, usually from too much time spent looking at a smart phone or tablet.  It’s classified as a repetitive strain injury, and in a day when many people spend so much time a day on their devices, the prevalence of text neck is now growing rapidly.

Biologically speaking, our necks were not made for texting.  Neck muscles and joints can handle our normal everyday movements, but they are not built to withstand being overstretched for countless hours every day.  The average human head weighs about 10 pounds in a neutral position (with ears over shoulders), but the further the head tilts forward, the more the pressure increases on the neck.

So when you spend much of your free time sending texts or watching the latest viral video, you’re pushing your neck past its limits, and over time, text neck can result.  Aside from neck pain or soreness, the condition can also lead to headaches, shoulder, arm or wrist pain.  In severe cases, it can even cause muscles to adapt to fit the flexed position, which can reverse the natural curvature of the neck and make it painful to straighten it.  With long-term practice in this position, herniated discs of the spine may also occur.

Though it’s far-fetched and unnecessary to recommend ditching your smartphone or tablet, there are some important measures you can take to reduce your chances of getting text neck.  Here are some basic steps to take next time you pull out your device:

• Take regular breaks every few minutes while using your phone to look upwards or straight ahead while tucking the chin back towards the neck; sometimes it’s even helpful to set the timer on your phone
• Dictate messages instead of typing them out whenever possible
• Put a pillow or something on your lap to rest your arms on so that you are able to hold your phone up and eye level
• Use the app Text Neck Indicator (only available for Android), which alerts users if the smartphone is being viewed at a dangerous or safe angle
• Perform postural strengthening exercises, which will build up muscles in the neck and shoulders to better prepare them for the strain from craning; focus on upper back strengthening, like rows, to accomplish this
• Perform stretching exercises to increase flexibility and range of motion, especially for the chest and side neck (upper trap) muscles

At Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton, FL, we understand the importance of smartphones, but we don’t like to see patients in pain from overusing these devices.  If you’re experiencing pain or soreness that may be from too much texting, we can help with exercises and other advice on minimizing neck strain.  For more information on how to prevent text neck or to schedule an appointment, call us at 941.264.1414.

Staying Properly Hydrated In The Hot Weather

So, we all enjoy the beautiful warm weather in the Bradenton and Sarasota area! But do you know the importance of staying properly hydrated in the hot weather?

Water accounts for approximately 60% of our body weight, and every cell, tissue and organ relies on it in order to function properly.  Water is essential for a number of major biological tasks, some of which include maintaining temperature, removing wastes and lubricating joints.  Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to muscles, and in turn, helps muscles work more efficiently.

Of the large amount of water in the body, only about 10% of it is in the bloodstream, and much of this water can be lost through sweating, our body’s natural cooling mechanism.  Exercising in any environment causes the body to sweat, and the warmer the temperature, the more sweat is produced.  Performing intense exercise in hot and humid conditions can lead to sweating up to three liters, which is more than half the water in our bloodstream.

Sweat evaporates quickly in dry weather, so only a small amount of sweat is needed to lower the body’s temperature, but in humid conditions, it takes much longer to evaporate.  This causes you to sweat more, and if you don’t replenish the amount of water your body loses, it leads to dehydration.  The main symptoms of dehydration are little or no urine (or urine that’s darker in color than usual), dry mouth, intense thirst, confusion, nausea, sleepiness/fatigue, headaches and dizziness/light headedness.

On hot days—especially if you’re exercising

The most important way to prevent dehydration when exercising is by not waiting until you’re thirsty or notice symptoms to start drinking water.  On hot days—especially if you’re exercising—it’s imperative that you drink plenty of water at all times.  Below are some additional tips to help you stay hydrated while exercising in the summer sun:

• The exact amount you need to drink depends on your body weight, body temperature, type of exercise and weather conditions, but as a general guideline, drink several glasses of water spaced throughout the day; you are usually well-hydrated if your urine is very light yellow or clear
• Water is the best option, but if you’re exercising at a high intensity for longer than one hour, a sports drink with electrolytes may also be necessary
• Drink cool rather than very cold water, which your body will absorb better
• Wear loose-fitting clothing that will allow air to circulate
• Avoid drinks with caffeine, as it’s a diuretic and will make you lose more fluids
• Try to exercise in the shade and avoid direct exposure to the sun if possible
• Get in the habit of drinking lots of water throughout the day

It is always great to get outdoors and savor the sun with your favorite form of exercise, but it also requires a bit of caution while doing so.  Keep these pointers in mind and avoid any heat-related complications like dehydration, and for any injuries or pain you may be experiencing, Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton, FL can help.  Call us at 941-264-1414 to schedule an appointment.

Happy Mother’s Day

We want to wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day!  At Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida we keep the interests and concerns of mothers of all ages in mind year-round.  In honor of Mother’s Day, we’d like to remind our patients of how we can address any issues with women’s health in Bradenton, FL that you might have, especially if you happen to be a new mother.

Becoming a new mom

Being pregnant and becoming a new mother certainly comes with its share of changes and possible difficulties.  A common problem that many women experience during pregnancy is back or neck pain that results from carrying around the extra body weight.  This pain usually subsides within a few weeks after the baby has been born, but it can often return as a result of repetitive lifting and carrying your infant around.  Although this may not be much weight in the first few months, it’s an action that’s performed on a regular basis, and eventually your baby will grow and place even more added weight on your spine.  Over time, this repetitive stress on the body can go on to cause spinal pain.

Preventing spinal pain

One of the most effective ways to reduce your chances of developing back or neck pain after giving birth is to ensure you’re using proper technique when lifting your child.  We recommend the following tips:

• To pick up your child from the floor, bend at the knees—keeping your back straight—squat down, tighten your stomach muscles and lift with your legs
• Bring your child close to your chest before lifting and don’t outstretch your arms
• Avoid twisting your body when holding your child

Another way to prevent spinal pain is to perform strengthening and stretching exercises for the hips, back and core muscles. Keeping these areas flexible and strong will better prepare your body for the load of carrying your baby on a regular basis.  We strongly advise exercise for this purpose and also to help new mothers lose the dreaded “baby weight” that is often unavoidable.  Be sure to speak with your doctor before starting up any exercise again, but most mothers can get active within a week or so after giving birth.  As experts in women’s health in Boston, we can assist with the following:

• Our physical therapists can offer general guidance or create a specific program to get you back into your favorite physical activities
• We recommend a combination of aerobic activities like brisk walking, biking or even jogging, as well as weight training (you can even use your baby!)
• When exercising, be sure to never overdo it and progress gradually, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated at all times, wear a supportive bra and stop if you feel pain

Our services for women’s health in Bradenton don’t end with new mothers.  We can also offer assistance to all mothers trying to get active, no matter their physical condition or age.  For aging mothers, staying in optimal shape can become difficult.  As we age, our muscles become shorter and lose their elasticity, and the structure of our bones also changes.  Together, this can cause pain and reduce flexibility, which will make it a challenge to move normally and keep physically active.  This is why we encourage older mothers to stretch on a regular basis to slow down or even stop this loss of flexibility:

• Try to stretch 2-3 days per week to maintain your flexibility, and 4-5 days per week to improve it
• Try to stretch out all areas of your body, and alternate on different days
• Don’t bounce or hold your breath while stretching, and remember that the stretch should be gentle and not cause you any pain
• Our physical therapists can in this process by developing a personalized stretching program to help you get and stay limber

As a mother, it’s your natural tendency to put your children first and ensure that they are taken care of.  At Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida, it’s time to let us help you with any concerns with women’s health in Bradenton, FL you may have and return the favor.  Contact us at 941-264-1414 to schedule an appointment, or click here for some additional stretches.