Common Mistakes When Caring For A  Parent Or Spouse With Dementia

Common Mistakes When Caring For A Parent Or Spouse With Dementia

Health content, Uncategorized
It can be overwhelming when your parent or spouse is diagnosed with dementia. At times, you might feel frustrated and confused by the increasing difficulty you have communicating with your loved one. And you most likely won't be the only one in the relationship experiencing frustration, as dementia patients often feel anger, sadness, and fear. The dementia can cause these emotions to present as rapid mood swings, resulting in communication becoming even more difficult. Changes to daily routines, illnesses, and other stressors can make dementia symptoms even worse. Check the Alzheimer's Association's list of dementia symptoms. While you can't control someone else's symptoms, you can control your own communication style. Your days will go more smoothly and you'll be better able to meet your loved one's needs when you're aware…
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 Local PT Debunks 6 Common Back Pain Myths

 Local PT Debunks 6 Common Back Pain Myths

Uncategorized
Despite being one of the top causes of disability in the U.S., affecting around eight in 10 people in their lifetimes, back pain is an ailment often misunderstood by those affected, says Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan.   Such misconceptions, Dr. Donovan adds, can cause those suffering from back pain to seek solutions, potential treatment paths, and even lifestyle alterations that aren’t necessarily in their best interests.   “Back pain can be as frustrating. It can become debilitating and we quickly seek out any and all treatments,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “This can lead a person down paths that don’t result in the best outcomes and most necessary evidence-based treatments.”   Such paths, Dr. Donovan points out, can sometimes lead to treatments that are more expensive or personally invasive – and perhaps even unnecessary – such as MRIs and surgery.   “MRIs, surgery, medication … these are last resort-type treatments,” Dr. Donovan says. “Most common back pain issues will go away on their own in a few days. And even when they don’t, most remaining cases can be successfully resolved less…
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Jump into March Madness Mindful of Jumper’s Knee, says Denver PT

Jump into March Madness Mindful of Jumper’s Knee, says Denver PT

Uncategorized
As a large portion of the nation’s attention turns to the “March Madness” NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in the coming days, Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan says now is an ideal time to educate fans, young competitors and even blue-collar workers about an injury prevalent in jump-heavy activities: jumper’s knee. Among the most common injuries in sports, jumper’s knee is an overuse injury that can develop when one repeatedly jumps and lands heavily. Known in the medical community as patellar tendonitis, it affects 25 to 32 percent of basketball players and 30 to 51 percent of all volleyball players, according to a 2009 review. “Jumper’s knee develops when the patella tendon – the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone – becomes overstressed,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather…
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5 Exercise Myths for People 55 and Older, according to Denver PT

5 Exercise Myths for People 55 and Older, according to Denver PT

Uncategorized
While it’s proven that older people tend to slow down with age, the notion that seniors should trade in their active lifestyles for bingo and rocking chairs is definitely antiquated, says Denver Physical Therapist Patrick Donovan. And yet, when it comes to exercise for the active aging adult, plenty of myths continue to drive people’s actions – or rater, inactions – when it comes to putting in the right amount of sweat equity to stay healthy and active. “From a purely physiological perspective, sure, you’re going to start to slow down a little here and there as you get older, but that doesn’t mean you should accept the consequences of your age,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “We all have a biological age and…
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Pools offer both fitness, relief for older adults

Pools offer both fitness, relief for older adults

Exercise, Health content, Uncategorized
While drinking plenty of water is critical to life, health and healing, simply submerging your body in water (i.e., a pool) opens up opportunities for relief and fitness for those who otherwise may have difficulty exercising. This is especially important for aging adults and those with chronic conditions, said Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan. “When our bodies are submerged in water, such as in a pool, we become lighter,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “This lightness, coupled with the natural resistance water places on movement, makes water exercise ideal for people who deal with issues related to strength, balance, sore joints, pain, and even chronic conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis.” The buoyancy of waist-deep water can support about half our body weight, while neck-deep…
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Aging Right: The Undiscovered Benefits of Lifting Weights

Aging Right: The Undiscovered Benefits of Lifting Weights

Exercise, Health content, knowledge, Uncategorized
Many older adults have weak muscles – due to lack of activity, hospitalization, surgery, or a fall. This can cause problems with walking, balance, and everyday activities. The risk of falls increases consistently as we become weaker. Strength training can combat many of these downfalls of aging, but it most be prescribed properly. The problem lies in a negative feedback loop of exercise prescription and client weakness: You are too strong for easy exercises. If the exercises are too easy, you will not get stronger. A compliant adult can easily perform >30 reps of many prescribed exercises from their personal trainer or PT. The therapist may be afraid that you’ll get hurt but won’t increase the weight. For effective strengthening of any muscle group, an exercise should cause fatigue after…
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I Tore My Meniscus. Now How Do I Fix It?

I Tore My Meniscus. Now How Do I Fix It?

knee, Treatment, Uncategorized
What is a Meniscus Anyways? Meniscus lesions account for almost one quarter of all knee injuries. Whether it’s an acute trauma or repetitive chronic degeneration we ask the menisci to cushion the knee. Your menisci mainly function to distribute stress across the knee during weight bearing activity. Injuries to this cartilage impair your ability to absorb shock and cause misalignment between the joint surfaces. Think of them as car’s suspension between the body and the wheel. They are important to absorb impact and distribute braking power evenly across the joint. It is no surprise that older individuals have a higher rate of meniscus tears compared to younger indi­viduals. Older adults develop faulty movement mechanics, more osteoarthritic changes, and joint degeneration. What’s strange is that surgical remedies differ depending on your…
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What You Need to Know About Medical Marijuana

What You Need to Know About Medical Marijuana

Pain, Uncategorized
Add Your Heading Text Here Foundation for Therapeutic Effects Various species of the marijuana plant have been cultivated, and the active compounds worth investigating for medical purposes are known as cannabinoids. Ingesting marijuana by any means (orally, smoking, etc.) introduces variable amounts of THC, CBD, and other minor cannabinoids into your systemic circulation. Research is geared towards these potential positive and negative “side effects” on your nervous systems. THC or CBD? There are two clinically significant cannabinoids: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which tends to produce the stereotypical psychoactive effects. These affect brain function and result in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness or behavior. Cannabidiol (CBD) possibly produces therapeutic effects without appreciable psychoactive properties. - Important links may be: analgesia, decreased inflammation, decreased spasticity, and antiseizure effects. The Good Many health care professionals…
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