Monday, January 31, 2011

Shovel Right!

This mornings reporter's article "Health Care Professionals share tips to keep you safe this winter"
http://thereporteronline.com/articles/2011/01/31/news/doc4d4646ea9d2a8321434914.txt
missed the beat on "Healthy tips when shoveling". Snow shoveling can increase injuries to the back, shoulders and wrists. The improper use of equipment combined with performing unfamiliar exercises increases the likelihood of injuries form shoveling. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following safety tips for shoveling.

1. Dress appropriately. Light, layered, water-repellent clothing provides both ventilation and insulation. It is also important to wear the appropriate head coverings, as well as mittens or gloves and thick, warm socks.

2. Pace yourself. Snow shoveling and blowing are aerobic activities, comparable to weightlifting. Take frequent breaks and replenish fluids to prevent dehydration. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or other signs of a heart attack, seek emergency care, such as by calling 9-1-1.

3. Warm-up your muscles. Shoveling can be a vigorous activity. Before you begin this physical workout, warm-up your muscles for 10 minutes with light exercise.Clear snow early and often. Begin when a light covering of snow is on the ground to avoid shoveling packed, heavy snow.

4. Use a shovel that is comfortable for your height and strength. Do not use a shovel that is too heavy or too long. Space your hands on the tool grip to increase your leverage.Push the snow instead of lifting it, but if you must lift, do it properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight.

5. Lift with your legs, without bending at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it. Holding a shovelful of snow with your arms outstretched puts too much weight on your spine. Never remove deep snow all at once; do it piecemeal.

6. Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that stresses your back. Push snow or lift (with your legs doing the work) and throw forward, without rotating.

7. See what you are shoveling. Do not let a hat or scarf block your vision. Watch for ice patches and uneven surfaces.

8. Avoid falls by wearing shoes or boots that have slip-resistant soles. If you do suffer an injury, remember to take care of your injured body part quickly. This usually involves the use of rest, ice, compression, and elevation

At the Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute, you can see our Physical Therapist without physician referral and get immediate treatment for your sprains, strains, and muscle aches. Remember, the earlier you start treatment after injury, the earlier you recover from the pain

Shovel Right



Physical Therapy Tips on Being Careful with Shoveling.
This mornings reporter's article "Health Care Professionals share tips to keep you safe this winter"



missed the beat on "Healthy tips when shoveling". So, here they are:


According to The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, snow shoveling can increase injuries to the back, shoulders and wrists. The improper use of equipment combined with performing unfamiliar exercises increases the likelihood of injuries form shoveling. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following safety tips for shoveling.

1. Dress appropriately. Light, layered, water-repellent clothing provides both ventilation and insulation. It is also important to wear the appropriate head coverings, as well as mittens or gloves and thick, warm socks.

2. Pace yourself. Snow shoveling and blowing are aerobic activities, comparable to weightlifting. Take frequent breaks and replenish fluids to prevent dehydration. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or other signs of a heart attack, seek emergency care, such as by calling 9-1-1.

3. Warm-up your muscles. Shoveling can be a vigorous activity. Before you begin this physical workout, warm-up your muscles for 10 minutes with light exercise.
Clear snow early and often. Begin when a light covering of snow is on the ground to avoid shoveling packed, heavy snow.

4. Use a shovel that is comfortable for your height and strength. Do not use a shovel that is too heavy or too long. Space your hands on the tool grip to increase your leverage.
Push the snow instead of lifting it, but if you must lift, do it properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight.

5. Lift with your legs, without bending at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it. Holding a shovelful of snow with your arms outstretched puts too much weight on your spine. Never remove deep snow all at once; do it piecemeal.

6. Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that stresses your back. Push snow or lift (with your legs doing the work) and throw forward, without rotating.


7. See what you are shoveling. Do not let a hat or scarf block your vision. Watch for ice patches and uneven surfaces.


8. Avoid falls by wearing shoes or boots that have slip-resistant soles. If you do suffer an injury, remember to take care of your injured body part quickly. This usually involves the use of rest, ice, compression, and elevation.



At the Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute, you can see our Physical Therapist without physician referral and get immediate treatment for your sprains, strains, and muscle aches. Remember, the earlier you start treatment after injury, the earlier you recover from the pain.

Friday, January 28, 2011

St Patty's Shock Run


Become a shock jock!


Run this 5K to support our mission of placing a defibrillator in each and every location that needs one, each year donating a several after the St Patty's Day Shock run. Beginning at the Village Tavern in Montgomeryville, and ending at the Village Tavern in Montgomeryville with a free pint of guiness and complimentary irish lunch, runners will pass through the flat streets of Montgomeryville dressed in their brightest green St Pattys attire. Come on out to shock the world with your green outfit, run for a worthy cause, and enjoy a beer and lunch on us!


When: Sunday, 3/13/2011, 10 am (1 mile fun run at 9;45 am)






Thursday, January 27, 2011

Broad Street ReRun Lansdale


So you didn't get in to the Broad Street 10 mile Run in Philly?


Registration is already closed! NO NEED TO WORRY! You can go ½ the distance with less traffic, no port-o-potty lines and it wont take you 15 minutes to cross the starting line and best of all you wont have to get up 3 hours before race time to make sure you get there in time! Register for the BROAD STREET RERUN at www.ptwinstitute.com. This is a first class event with great food, lots for the kids to do including a ½ mile kid run and this year we have upgraded to a "technical" tee! Navy Blue in color! Some new items this year, a small first aid kit to all registered runners and the first 200 over the finish line gets a 2nd t-shirt courtesy of one of our sponsors! Put this race on your calendar and think "Spring"! May 14th is right around the corner....so get running and see you on Broad Street in Lansdale on Saturday, May 14th, 2011!

Brought to you by the Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute and the Del Val Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

West Norriton Physical Therapy - Trooper


Time is yours!
With just 168 hours in the week, finding time to take care of yourself is a challenge. The Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute, located just off Trooper road in West Norriton, is open early, stays late, and open on Saturdays to help you manage your joint pain, muscle aches, movement disorders, or loss of sport/recreational abilities.


Contact us today; Physical Therapy, Wellness Programs, Fitness, Work Injury Care, Motor Vehicle accident Care, decades of experience, 10 Physical Therapist, all with advanced degrees, most having earned their direct access priveledges (no referral needed).


Log onto http://www.ptwinstitute.com/ for more information.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

North Penn Physical Therapy


PTW has been rated North Penn's Best Physical Therapy for 9 consecutive years.


With 10 Physical Therapists, 6 doctors of Physical Therapy, early morning (6:30 am) hours, evening hours, and Saturday hours, its our desire to continue to keep up with evidence based decisions, one-on-one care that can be matched by no others in the community. Call today to see the professionals that make a difference.


Bodies Under Repair

Friday, January 7, 2011

Quakertown Physical Therapy's Julia Yunuska, Director


The Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute will hold our 7th annual open house in February, with the feature educational talk on shoulder pain by Dr. James Hurley, Orthopedic Surgeon.


Log onto www.ptwinstitute.com on January 15ht for more information coming soon!!