physical therapy

For some people, like yours truly, physical therapy is an important part of their treatment plan. For others… not so much. Where do you fall on the spectrum?

Back in January, we asked our rare disease community about the types of therapies they’ve tried to treat their rare disease. Physical therapy was the most popular answer with 34% of votes, while geriatric was the least popular answer at 2%.

Have you tried any of these therapies before? If so, share your experience in the comments. If you haven’t tried any of them, let us know what’s getting in the way of this part of your treatment journey.

Wishing you a low-symptom day!

#RareDisease #ChronicIllness #Disability #ChronicPain #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #Injury #PhysicalTherapy #treatment

Incidences of stroke have been found to have possible associations with certain weather conditions. Daily temperature variations and higher humidity were associated with increased stroke rates. Colder average annual temperatures are associated with stroke. An average daily temperature change of 5 degrees Fahrenheit is associated with about a 6 percent increase in stroke risk. In this blog, we will discuss how stroke is associated with cold weather and how we can prevent it.

Winter season is a cause for various health ailments, as we head towards winter it has been seen that the drop in temperature is responsible for a rise in several health-related problems, among which stroke is one of the critical challenges. During the winter months the chances of getting a stroke increase.

Stroke is a unique health condition that can occur because of blockage, causing paralysis, or can even burst which leads to bleeding. If a stroke occurs in the right side of the brain, the left side of the body will be affected, causing paralysis on the left side of the body, speech or language problems, slow, cautious behavior, memory loss, etc.

Studies have proved that there are more stroke cases during extremely cold conditions. The risk of getting a stroke attack increases by 80% particularly when the temperature dips below 15 degrees Celsius. One of the main reasons that can attribute to this is, that during the cold seasons the blood vessels constrict, which leads to an increase in blood pressure, which means that the blood has to be pumped harder to travel around the body, making it one of the major factors for the onset of stroke.

Another reason may be due to the various changes in the chemical balance that occur in the body during the winter season. These include cholesterol levels and some other factors that increase the chances of clotting. Also, changes in physical activity which usually decreases during winter as well as weight gain can play a role. These are probably the reasons why the number of stroke cases goes up during winter.

Winter can lead some people to develop depression, which has been linked to an increased risk of stroke.

The incidence of stroke is significantly increased in winter, especially when the temperature drops sharply in a cold period. Though the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke remains unclear, one of the causes may involve a cold-induced increase in blood pressure, hypercoagulation, and fibrinolysis.

Ways to Control the risk of Stroke in Winter:

To prevent the chances of stroke and other cardiovascular events, it is strongly recommended:

To regularly monitor blood pressure during the changing weather. And even with mild changes or a rise in blood pressure, one needs to immediately consult the doctor who can prescribe an adjustment in the medications.

Avoid sudden exposure to harsh cold weather.

Maintain the recommended levels of regular physical activity.

Avoid sudden changes in diet.

Avoid stress.

Avoid unhealthy drinking and eating too much.

Avoid being less active in winter,

Avoid developing depression,

Wear warm clothing when going outside.

Quit smoking.

Do more exercise if overweight.

Simply staying indoors or ensuring ample heating when it's especially cold outside.

During the average winter temperature of <13°c, the="" risk="" factors,="" etiology,="" coagulation="" and="" degree="" of="" neurological="" impairment="" patients="" with="" ischemic="" stroke="" are="" found="" to="" be="" significantly="" different="" from="" during="" warmer="" temperatures="" thus="" it="" is="" advised="" keep="" warm="" avoid="" sudden="" exposure="" severe="" cold="" as="" remains="" for="" many="" days="" after="" exposure.="" #Stroke #PhysicalTherapy

I’m finally getting the long suggested by docs but never approved by past insurance physical therapy in water. A first time experience with, long time needing and desired, hydrotherapy for me! It’s a big positive, filled with hope.

Yes, I’ve had physical therapy a few times over the years. But now, my body is in so much pain from nerve issues with extreme pain, burning and numbing in so much of the body. They feel like they are inflammed all of the time with constant internal vibrating tremors. It makes it very hard (near impossible) to exercise enough to stengthen whats left of my lower body. I hurt myself repeatedly trying to exercise.

I will be having therapy in a Hydroworx tank with adjustable temperature, thank god, cause hot water is excruciating now.

The tank has a treadmill, removable seat and grab bars for holding onto. A bit of anxiety inside with a whole bunch of gratefulness and excitement that I’m finally getting to access it along with the security of exercising with a therapist right there. I keep thinking, I really hope it cools and calms these constantly inflamed, burning nerves. I know, it’s a little much to hope for but as it is now, when the heat has me suffering real bad, sometimes I get into a cool shower and just sit there until it lowers my body temperature a bit and it feels better to my body for awhile. Hopefully, the tank will do that too along with some badly needed exercise strengthening and endurance. I’m excited! Thank you to my neurologist! Wish me luck folks, because I need it, lol 😂 #ChronicPain #hydroworx #nervepain #Undiagnosed #PhysicalTherapy

Feeling down? Put on your shoes and go for a walk. Did I hear you moan and say "not now"? That's okay - it's always your choice. I know how walking helps your biology stay balanced! Physical and mental health is linked in complex ways yet expressed in surprisingly simple strategies. So when you're mulling it over, take a peek at your shoes - they want to be outside!

#beingtherapy #MentalHealth #Therapist #Toronto #selfcare #counselling #Healing #Walking #clearyourhead #Fitness #Fitness #PhysicalTherapy #physicalhealth

I wear many hats these days as the Dad of our 3 year old “Amazing Abby.” I am her educator, entertainer, chef, cleanup crew & personal trainer. In November of 2019, I took a leave of absence from my job to became a full time Stay at Home Dad (SAHD). I had no idea what was in store.

Abby was a 78 day Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) NICU grad. Our 3lb miracle underwent surgery for duodenal atresia about a month after she was born. Flash-forward to today…this fun loving, energetic, world traveling three year old is the center of her our world. I always say “she is the light of our lives.”

In April 2020, Abby’s CHOP Physical Therapist mentioned having Abby start treadmill training. “Wait what?!?” I thought. My one year old. ON A TREADMILL. She was barely cruising! Abby’s therapist ensured both of us that it could be done and the benefits are exponential. So my wife and I went all in on treadmill training.

Since we could not access CHOP’s PT Gym because of COVID, my wife engineered a “MacGyver” style set up that includes two bar stools, one five iron & lots of duct tape. This has allowed Abby to effectively use our home treadmill. After breakfast, Abby jumps on the treadmill and watches a little Sesame Street on the iPad. This activity has been really instrumental in helping Abby to walk strong on her own. Not to mention I get the benefit of watching a little Sesame Street too.

Seeing the strides Abby has made in 3 years are so rewarding. I certainly understand that more challenges await with Abby’s development but I am hopeful that the work we are doing now will allow Abby to flourish into a strong, accepted, & admired member of our society.

Thanks for this opportunity to share.

#DownSyndrome #ds #t21 #trisomy21 #PhysicalTherapy ##PT #treadmill #treadmilltraining

#Anxiety #Agoraphobia #AbsenceSeizures
#CPTSD #ChronicAnxiety #ChronicDepression #ChronicHeadaches #ChronicPain #ChronicMigraines #Depression #DissociativeDisorder #Disability #DomesticAbuse #EmotionalAbuse #Emetophobia #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #FearOfAbandonment #fearofjudgement #FearOfVomiting #fearofoutside #Gaslighting
#Hatemyself #limbweakness #mentalabuse #PsychologicalAbuse #physicalabuse #PhysicalTherapy #PsychogenicNonepilepticSeizures #SeizureDisorder #SuicidalThoughts #SpeechImpediment #SexualAssaultSurvivors

The majority of us here have spent way too many hours in hospitals, waiting rooms, doctor’s offices, physical therapy floors, and operating rooms. And I bet if we threw our Mighty minds together, we could come up with the most idyllic version of a patient-centric space.

Here are some questions to get you thinking:

⏰ What does your ideal waiting room look like?
📋 How about a patient room?
🛋️ A therapist’s office?
🏥 What about an inpatient treatment center?

✏️ P.S. Your ideas may be used in an upcoming Mighty story.

#MightyMinute #CheckInWithMe #Therapy #MentalHealth #Surgery #PhysicalTherapy #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Disability

#PhysicalTherapy