Belmont Shore Physical Therapy

Wishes you a wonderful and fun Easter Weekend!

Did you know?

 - For Americans, Easter is the second most important holiday to eat candy, and lots of it! According to the National Confectioner's Association, Americans consumed seven billion pounds of candy on Easter in 2001. So, what's the first most candy-eating occasion of the year? Halloween of course!
- Nearly 120 million cards with be sent, exchanged, and given this Easter, which means it holds the fourth spot of the largest card-sending celebration in the U.S.
- Americans buy more than 700 million Marshmallow PEEPS during the Easter holiday, which makes Peeps the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy
- In the early 19th century, the first chocolate eggs were made in Europe. They remain among the most popular treats associated with Easter.
- In all, 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made for Easter every year. And, when taking a bite into one of those millions of chocolate bunnies, 76% of Americans prefer to bite off the ears first, while 5% eat the feet first and 4% eat the tail first.

Have your allergies sprung because of Spring?

Learn about 10 solutions for seasonal allergies!

http://www.prevention.com

They are coming!

With Spring just around the corner, here are some natural rememdies to help fight off seasonl allergies.

HONEY
The theory behind honey is that if you eat local honey from bees that live in your area, the nectar created by the flowers that they draw from has pollen grains in it that are local to your area. Taking a spoonful of this about one month before spring starts is almost like a natural form of homeopathy, in which you're being exposed to tiny amounts of the allergen, which helps you become resistant to it. New York City recently approved beekeeping, and one brand, called Hi-Rise Hive, is sold at local health food stores. The theory hasn't been proven by a double blind study yet, but as long as you don't give honey to a child under a year old, it's a safe remedy and it won't do any harm to try it.

VITAMIN C TAKEN WITH QUERCETIN
Vitamin C taken with Quercetin works in unison to stabilize mast cells. Mast cells are tiny cells that line your nasal passages and go down into your lungs. Basically, when a mast cell is exposed to a pollen grain that you're sensitive to, it releases histamine and causes the symptoms typical to allergies. By stabilizing the mast cell, you reduce its activity so it doesn't release histamine as easily as it would have. You can take Vitamin C and Quercetin several times a day when you find you're having symptoms, since you can't overdose on either, because they're water soluble, and any amount that you don't digest will be released in your urine. Vitamin C and Quercetin are sold as a combo at health food stores.

STINGING NETTLE WEED
If you've ever come in contact with this perennial, you probably remember the sting. It has an acid at the edge of pointy leaves, and the acid stays on your skin. But, it's safe and healthy in drink form. Steep the tea for 10 to 15 minutes to obtain the full benefits of the medicinal oils. The oil from the leaves has an antihistamine effect and tends to dry up the mucous membranes.

INHALING STEAM WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
If you inhale steam with certain essential oils, you can breathe easily -- quickly. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan, turn off the heat and add 4 drops of eucalyptus oil, 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil and three drops of rosemary essential oil. The eucalyptus oil opens up your airway. The tee tree oil has antimicrobial properties that align with the rosemary. The effect won't last for several hours, but it can provide immediate relief.

ACUPUNCTURE
It can be effective for this purpose. Acupuncture works by putting a needle into what is called an acupuncture point, a pressure point. By pointing the needle there, it creates signaling to your nervous system to alter what's happening in your body at the moment. Endorphins are released, local anti-inflammatories are released, and it can reduce inflammation.

NETI POTS
Neti pots have been used since ancient times in India to clear nasal passages. Using one, or a saline nasal rinse such as Sinucleanse, is a great way to help reduce allergy symptoms. You use a salt solution that, at room temperature, is bactiostatic (antibacterial). When you're leaning forward and putting the neti pot in one nostril and tipping over, it runs through your nasal passage and out the other nostril, washing out any pollen grains that are stuck to your mucous membranes. You're reducing your exposure and reducing the activity of your mast cells and your immune system. It also helps with congestion and with mucous buildup.

www.cbsnews.com

Morning Stretches

Here are some great morning stretches to start off a great day! Not only can they help with waking up in the morning but can assist with easing stress and pain from the previous day or while sleeping.

Neck & Shoulders

To stretch the muscles on the right side of your neck, turn your left ear over to your left shoulder and hold for twenty seconds. Repeat on the other side to stretch out your left ...side. Relax for a moment and then roll your shoulders to the back, and then to the front. Then lift them right up to your ears, tensing the muscles, and allow them to drop completely. Repeat this entire sequence three times.

Lower Back

A spinal twist is a great way to relieve stress in your lower back. Hold the pose for at least 30 seconds on each side and don't be alarmed if you hear some "cracks" in your spine when you twist your spine. Don't force anything here, just feel your spinal column wringing itself out after a good night's sleep.

Hamstrings

Make sure that when you do this stretch your pelvis is square (keep your hips centered and flat). Think of this stretch as a way to wake up your legs, rather than helping you make it into the splits. Circle your ankles a few times in each direction, too.

March is....

Lymphedema Awareness Month

Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arm(s) and/or leg(s), and occasionally in other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired, or when lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes removed.

When the impairment becomes so great that the lymphatic fluid exceeds the lymphatic transport capacity, an abnormal amount of protein-rich fluid collects in the tissues of the affected area. Left untreated, this stagnant, protein-rich fluid not only causes tissue channels to increase in size and number, but also reduces oxygen availability in the transport system, interferes with wound healing, and provides a culture medium for bacteria that can result in lymphangitis (infection).

Symptoms of Lymphedema
- Full sensation in limb(s)
- Skin feeling tight
- Decrease flexibility in hand, wrist, or ankle
- Persistent swelling in a specific area
www.lymphnet.org

PHYSICAL THERAPY
While there is no cure for lymphedema, the condition can be managed through a combination of early detection, clinical treatment, education, and home management. In the early stages lymphedema, when very mild swelling is present, the condition is managed by compression garment wear, exercise, and elevation. If the condition progresses, physical therapist management may include: - manual drainage to help improve the flow of lymph from affected arm or leg

- compression garment wear following lymphatic drainage

- skin care, such as cleaning the skin or the arm or leg daily and moisten with lotion

- exercise to improve cardiovascular health and help decrease swelling in some cases

- patient education, instruction in proper diet to decrease fluid retention and how to avoid injury and infection.

- garment fitting

Here at our office we provide lymphedema management of non-invasive, painless, and effective procedures. We can help you live happy, healthy, and active!