As Physical Therapists (PTs) we find discussing balance and risks of falling to be challenging. Our patients, particularly our patients over 65 or so, don’t like to discuss falling. As PTs we have been told by some of our patients, families and our colleagues in the health care field, not to use the word fall, […]
Most people know the term arthritis, which means inflammation of a joint. There is one particular type of arthritis called osteoarthritis, or OA. This is the most common type of arthritis and means an actual break down or deterioration of a joint. This sounds scary, but it is very common as the joints affected are […]
Pain that occurs on the bottom of the foot particularly near the heel can really slow you down. The name for this condition is plantar fasciitis (Plan-tar fasch-e-itis). The fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs from you heel to the ball, or front of your foot. It can become irritated and inflamed. […]
When we are in pain, it is hard to think about anything else. Physical Therapists (PT) are experienced with helping their patients handle pain. Whether the pain is from an acute injury, meaning something that just happened such as a sports related injury, a fall, or an injury that occurs when working. Pain can come […]
No matter how old we are or what we do for a living, we are always using our hands… Our hands are a very important part of our body! Did you know? • We have 27 bones in our hands? • Our hands are controlled by 3 different nerves? • There are at least 123 […]
What is that bump on my foot? Do you have a large bump at the base of your first toe? Does it get painful at times? Is it difficult to find shoes that fit? That bump is called a bunion (bun-yun). Bunions tend to occur more often in women and as we age. What causes […]
Approximately 30 million Americans are affected by hearing loss. Hearing loss can develop at any age and may be caused by many different factors. Some causes of hearing loss include: Aging – Humans begin to lose their hearing at age 20, but it is often not noticeable until between the ages of 55 and 65. […]
Driving a vehicle represents freedom and independence for most people. Many of us remember the day we passed our driving license exam and what excitement we felt, being able to drive on our own. Particularly those of us who live in rural areas, such as the NEK, it is hard to get anywhere without wheels! […]
May is Better Speech and Hearing Month Speech is the verbal means of communicating. When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice, then he or she may have a Speech Disorder. This also includes disorders of the voice and stuttering. Language is made […]
Did you know that the profession of OT (Occupational Therapy) is turning 100 years old in 2017? The profession of OT originated when wounded soldiers were bedridden and caregivers realized that keeping their patient’s hands and mind busy had many positive outcomes for them. The basis of occupational therapy was to use meaningful activities for […]
Apps for kids that help hand, vision and writing skills: As parents know, kids love cell phones and electronic notebooks such as IPads or Kindles. Here are some apps that can encourage various skills so they can learn something along with playing on their devices! For hand skills: • Dexteria: hand and finger exercises. • […]
What are Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s elbow? • Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, involves pain around the elbow, primarily at the bony area of the outer elbow (known as the lateral epicondyle). Sometimes it is even tender to the touch. • Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is a similar condition in which the bony area […]
We all like to snuggle and care for our young children. But those 5 to 40 extra pounds can lead to an aching back if we don’t take care of ourselves. Here are a few tips to save your back but love your child. Squat down to pick up your child keeping he or she […]
Arthritis is a common complaint of pain for many. It can affect many joints of the body. This week the focus is on arthritis in one specific area, the thumb. What is thumb arthritis? A very common form of arthritis happens at the base of the thumb. This joint is very mobile and is prone […]
Shoveling snow might seem like a simple task, and often, we think nothing of it. It’s just something that needs to be done after a snowfall. However, the task becomes a bit more daunting when you’re dealing with an injury or weakness. In truth, it’s a complex task that requires use of the legs, arms […]
Do you have diabetes? If so, one of the most important things that you can do, besides keep your blood sugar under control, is to take care of your feet. 60-70% of patients with diabetes have nerve damage which can cause foot and leg numbness. This is one of the biggest risk factors in developing […]
Early motor development is important for children to be able to participate in more refined skills as they get older. Hand skills are needed to be able to feed, dress, bathe, groom and participate in daily tasks (including school). It is important to help children interact with the world through play and exploration. Limit motorized […]
Do you have headaches, neck pain, jaw, back or shoulder pain? It may be due, in part, to having poor posture. This is something that can easily be addressed with a few tips and exercises and should help decrease pain or discomfort. Do you sit slouched in your chair, rounding your upper back or your […]
North Country Hospital is hosting a PT Month celebration in the main lobby from 11-3p.m. on Thursday, October 13th. This is a free event open to hospital employees as well as the community. Physical Therapy Month was established by the American Physical Therapy Association to recognize the contribution that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants […]
September 22, 2016 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 1-3 p.m. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in every three older adults has a […]
GETTING OUR KID’S BACKS READY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL! Do you know that more than 79 million students in the United States carry school backpacks? In one study with American students, ages 11 to 15 years, 64% reported back pain related to heavy backpacks and 21% reported the pain lasting more than 6 months. What […]
Fine motor skills involve the ability to control small muscles in the body in order to handle small objects. Some fine motor tasks include writing, cutting with scissors, counting money, zipping a jacket, buttoning pants, and managing medications in a pill box. All of these tasks require the work of your fingers, wrists, and hands. […]
Have you ever wondered “Why isn’t my child speaking?”, “Why doesn’t my child understand me? “Why am I coughing when I take a drink?” “Why am I having a hard time managing meats or other dry foods?” “Why can’t my mother carry on a conversation since her stroke?” These are all questions that can be […]
How to be comfortable at work: Workstation ergonomics: 1. Do you know that the top of your screen should be just about your eye level or slightly lower? This is to allow you to keep your neck neutral and avoid stress and tension on your neck. Screen holders, thick books or reams of paper can […]
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the nerves of the body. Women tend to have MS more than men, and it is more likely to happen in younger women. There are many questions as to what causes MS. One is that it is the result of an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means that the […]
