Are You Kidding Me: SNOW!

Snowmen coming early this year I suppose.

Top Three things to remember for tomorrow and Sunday:

1. Use a plow shovel If you can. These specialty shovels are available at your local hardware store, and work well with the lighter snow less than 4 inches deep. As you push the snow (plow), push it with the shovel on an angle, plowing the snow off to one side without ever having to pick up the shovel.

2. Cutting the load in half is a way to protect your back from the heavy torque on your back. The further the shovel is away from your body, the more stress is placed on your back. Lighten the load and keep the load close to you, flicking the snow off the shovel instead of throwing it far from your center of gravity.

3. Shovel in short bursts. Your back will benefit from frequent rests, protecting it from overuse. Two clear tracks on the driveway to the street is often enough to get your car out and get you to work.

OK folks, I see the clouds coming in now. Lets get ready to go get em, and do just that!

Don't forget to click onto our website, download the survey, fill it out, bring it in, and receive a free T-Shirt!!

Robert Babb, PT, MBA

Rake .....away back pain!

Wow, have you seen the fall foliage this year?

Beautiful as it may seem, its not when your back hurts and you have to rake the leaves on a cool windy day!

Raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints, especially for seniors or those who are normally sedentary. The shoulders, back, neck and knees are prime targets.

Following these tips can help you minimize the risk of injury:

1. Warm up first.
A brisk walk with your spouse, your favorite pet, or your neighbor will do.

2. Light stretches might help!

Try stretches (1, 2, 28, 29, 56 and many others) located at http://www.ptwinstitute.com/video

Also, consider a lumbar support if your back is weak or sore (see example, no. 71, http://www.ptwinstitute.com/video)



Other Things to remember:

Move the right way: Lead with your feet, this will limit your twisting

Use knee pads, a long handled shovel when able, and consider a garden cart or wagon

Take it easy, take frequent breaks!


If you experience pain or may not be sure of what to do, contact us to schedule some time with one of our licensed Physical Therapists.

PTW—Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute—has been offering quality care for those recovering from injuries, surgeries, muscle traumas and skeletal disorders since 2002. PTW also offers pre-operative conditioning, as well as medically based exercise and sports training services. With locations in Lansdale, Quakertown, Montgomeryville, and West Norriton, PTW offers convenient, quality care provided by a team of 10 licensed physical therapists. Their facilities feature state of the art exercise equipment and a large AQUATIC CENTER in Lansdale.

Many of PTW's Physical Therapists have earned the priveledge to practice with direct access (NO REFERRAL NEEDED), so that clients may contact them directly without a referral from a physician.

PTW has been recognized nationally for their outstanding programs and services. Locally, PTW has been voted as the best Physical Therapy Practice by readers of The Reporter and Philadelphia Inquirer, and was awarded the Chamber of Commerces Business of the year in 2008.

For more information on PTW, visit their website at: http://www.ptwinstitute.com/ or call us at
(215) 855-9871.

FAIL FIRST therapy for those with chronic conditions?

See this video on managing chronic pain and conditions.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdYav3WEg6k


Insurance companies decisions in these situations promote many things both physically and mentally, none very positive for those with legitimate pain.



1. Physically, a wasting of soft tissue. This includes muscles that support joints, diminishing an affected person's function. There are hundreds of sub points here.

2. Mentally, it promotes a "FEAR AVOIDANCE" affect, well documented in our literature as the fear of moving during or after a painful episode. Picture keeping your elbow in a sling because it hurts, then taking it out of the sling 2 weeks later to have a catch with your son. You lose strength, length, and function of the muscles, joints, and supporting structures.

How about those with blood disorders? Lets take the Hemophilia affected, were now talking about possibly taking a life if the medications don't work during a bleed! I am familiar with some doctors would not permit this to happen to these type of patients.
 
The difficulty with the Chronic pain group, the insurance companies often state it is because pain is sometimes psycho-somatic, and pain is subjective, so there is no real way to measure it.

Seems any form of FAIL FIRST therapy regimens place the decisions in the insurance companies board rooms, not in the doctors mind and prescription pad.

Robert Babb, PT, MBA

Phils Spirit Raises Performance

http://www.ptwinstitute.com/



Years ago, the Phillies were the laughing stock of the National League.  Teams put together over the winter with free agents won World Series', the Yankees always seemed to be in the playoffs, while by August Philly fans were more focused on Eagles training camp than the Phillie's September swoon.

This hometown-team baseball apathy no doubt left me in a sour mood.  As a season ticket holder, it was drudgery just making my way down the expressway into the stadium to watch a team that didn't seem to care play without passion in their final months of the season. A painful process was made more painful by the fact the food was overpriced and cold, the stadium only partially filled, and the management was calling us a small market.

Fortunately, 5 years ago, the baseball spirit came back, the the emotional painful experiences disappeared. 

Much like baseball, the atmosphere created in a Physical Therapy center can lift or dampen your spirits.  We strive to practice practice with positive energy, empathetic programming, with some simple goals of saying hello and goodbye, thank you, while keeping your therapy essential with evidence driven care. We hope this eliminates any negative experiences you may be having with your physical injury. 

Even though we hope you never get injured, we are here if you need us.  If injury does happen, and you need to visit us, we will perform (like the current Phils!) in a way that you look forward to visiting us, no matter how physically painful our stretching may be!