We are surrounded by mobile devices – tablets, smart phones, and portable computers. Physical Therapists (PTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs) and physicians are beginning to see an increase in people suffering from pain in the shoulders, hands, neck and back. The term “text neck” was named to describe the nerve pain and headaches that are seen […]
One of the most frequent questions that Physical Therapists have from patients with low back pain is “How about a back brace?” There are lots of available options on the market, from the big box stores to internet shopping. There are also a lot of articles or sites on the internet made by companies that […]
What is numbness? Numbness describes a loss of sensation or feeling in your hand or fingers. Often, hand numbness may present with other changes, such as a pins-and-needles sensation, burning or tingling. Your arm, hand or fingers may feel clumsy or weak as a result. It may happen in one or both hands. Numbness may […]
What is a DeQuervain (day-kwer-vain) tendinopathy? DeQuervain tendinopathy involves the tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist. Tendons anchor muscle to bone, and the tendons associated with this condition help to pull the thumb out and away from the palm. These tendons travel under a ‘’tunnel’’ located on the thumb side of […]
Physical therapy might not be your first thought when it comes to nagging back pain, pesky headaches, or even helping to control diabetes. But maybe it should be. Physical therapy (or PT as it’s commonly called) isn’t just for severe pain or after an accident or injury. PT encourages movement across all healthcare practices, from […]
This week we continue to address myths around getting fit after 50. I’m injured-I should wait to start working out Keeping the body moving, even when injured helps to speed healing by improving circulation and preventing muscles and joints from becoming tight. If have an injury or are recovering from surgery, talk to you […]
Part One of Two The year is ending and many of us are thinking about beginning the New Year with a fresh start. Getting in better shape is often an area that many of us think about. But, there are also many excuses that we use that prevent us from becoming more active. Being older […]
As we get older we all experience changes in our physical, mental and sensory abilities. These can be a challenge for us as we are driving. Occupational Therapists (OT) work with older adults and their families offering individualized assessment related to physical, mental and sensory abilities related to driving. They can then identify areas that […]
A certain stigma applies to the term ‘aging’ – people in a rough group approximating middle age find themselves described in this manner, while those who’ve already progressed through said age group are considered ‘aged’ or even the dreaded ‘elderly.’ But the truth is, no one is aging any faster than any other person. And […]
Busy schedules and everyday life can make homework a challenge. Many teachers have helped to make homework manageable and appropriate for a child’s age and ability level. Even reading 20 minutes a day can be a struggle to fit into a busy routine. Here are tips on how to make homework easier to handle: […]
Over the last few weeks we have shared ways in which Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) treat children with a variety of Speech, Language and Swallowing/Feeding difficulties. In that article we focused on birth to 6 months through to four years. This week’s article is the final one in this series and will cover your […]
Over the last few weeks we have shared ways in which Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) treat children with a variety of Speech, Language and Swallowing/Feeding difficulties. In those articles we focused on birth to 6 months and through to 3 years. This week’s article will cover your child’s development for their second, third and […]
October is Physical Therapy month. It is a good time to remind people what Physical Therapy can offer our community. Did you know a Physical Therapist can help not only with diagnosing but with treating many issues that people experience throughout life? Here is a quick list; we’ll start with the most common and end […]
Two weeks ago we shared ways in which Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) treat children with a variety of Speech, Language and Swallowing/Feeding difficulties. In that article we focused on birth to 6 months. This week’s article will cover your child’s development from 6-12 months of age. It should be noted that no two […]
September 21, 2018 is National Fall Prevention Awareness Day. The North Country Hospital Rehabilitation Department will be offering a free educational session and balance screening at the North Country Hospital Wellness Center on 1734 Crawford Road, from 1-2 p.m. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in every three older adults has a […]
Occupational Therapists work with people with a broad range of abilities. Occupational Therapists (OTs) work to help people participate in everyday activities. For children this includes being able to play, learn and interact with others. OTs work to offer ideas and strategies to improve access to learning. Here are a few tips from an OT […]
During the summer people start making their way outside more and more. What better way to get exercise and get out in nature on your own or with your family than with a bike ride? Depending on your fitness level and the age of those in your family, you or your family may use your […]
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system that primarily affects the muscles of the body. Approximately one million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The muscles of speech can be affected also and this may affect speech and cause difficulty communicating. PD may cause: · Softer/breathier voice that is harder to hear · Slurred...
The coming of summer typically brings with it a change in footwear. For many of us, that means sandals and flip flops, but be wary—it can often bring foot pain as well. Plantar fasciitis (plan-tar fash-ee-eye-tis) becomes a common diagnosis in the physical therapy clinic this time of year. What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar refers […]
Computer Comfort Self Evaluation How do you think your position is when you are working on your computer at home or at work? If you have discomfort, or are not sure how you should be sitting at your computer, take the test! Is the top of your screen about eye level? Is […]
Whether you are a runner or a walker, seasoned or novice, there are a few things to keep in mind when starting out. The summer and fall seasons are a time when many of us want to start an exercise program. This time of year also offers lots of opportunities for local events or races. […]
There are several reasons a person may develop an open wound. Common wound types are burns, animal bites, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, arterial ulcers and pressure ulcers. Diabetic wounds are generally on the bottom of the foot and result from peripheral neuropathy (poor sensation), trauma, prolonged pressure, poor foot care and poor foot wear. […]
In the classroom, children have many opportunities to practice fine motor skills. However, it is important for them to also practice these skills when they are not in school. There are a lot of fun activities your children can do during their summer vacation to improve fine motor skills. Here are some ideas to help […]
This is the third and final article regarding chronic pain. In the last two articles we reviewed the differences between acute and chronic pain, some particular medical conditions that can lead to or impact chronic pain and common complaints associated with chronic pain. There are also some signs and symptoms related to chronic pain: […]
Last week we presented information about chronic pain, and the differences between short term pain, acute pain and long-term, chronic pain. We also discussed how the body responds and interprets pain. As a review, chronic pain is a condition that occurs when the brain concludes there is a threat to a person’s well-being based on […]
