May is...

National Arthritis Awareness Month

What is Arthritis? Arthritis means joint inflammation. But the term is often used to refer to any of the more than 100 diseases that affect the joints- where two or more bones meet to allow movement. One in five Americans is living with the pain of Arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that by the year 2030, an estimated 67 million people in the U.S. will be affected by arthritis, up from the current estimates of 46 million.


Physical Therapy
The goal of physical therapy is to get a person back to the point when he or she can perform normal, everyday activities without difficulty. Preserving good range of motion is key to maintain the ability to perform daily activities. Therefore, increasing the range of motion of a joint is the primary focus of physical therapy. Building strength in the involved muscles surrounding the joint is also extremely important, since stronger muscles can better stabilize a weakened joint. Physical therapists provide exercises designed to preserve the strength and use of your joints. They can show you the best way to move from one position to another.

May is...

American Stroke Month

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries and within the brain. Every year, about 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke; 610,000 are first attacks. Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries and within the brain. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over 65; however, nearly one-quarter of strokes occur in people under 65.A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die.

There are 2 different types of stroke:Ischemic Stroke accounts for about 87% of all cases, they occur as a result of an obstruction within the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. This is because of a development of fatty deposits lining the vessel walls.
Hemorrhagic Stroke accounts for about 13% of stroke cases, they occur as a result of a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue

Physical Therapy
Physical therapist's specialize in treating disabilities related to motor sensory impairments. They are trained in all aspects of anatomy and physiology related to normal function, with an emphasis on movement. They assess the stroke survivor's strength, endurance, range of motion, gait abnormalities, and sensory deficits to design individualized rehabilitation programs aimed at regaining control over motor functions. Therapists help survivors regain the use of stroke-impaired limbs, teach compensatory strategies to reduce the effect of remaining deficits, and establish ongoing exercise programs to help people retain their newly learned skills.