Year: 2023

Give the Gift of Physical Therapy This Hanukkah & Christmas

As 2023’s festive season unfolds, we find ourselves again immersed in the rich holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, each with its own unique history and significance. Both of these great traditions are joyously celebrated with lights and color, song and food, and often involve the giving of gifts. Let’s join this year’s festivities by taking an overview of the customs most commonly associated with these grand commemorations.

Hanukkah arrives first, this year starting the evening of Thursday, December 7, and ending Friday, December 15. The word Hanukkah derives from the Hebrew verb “to dedicate,” as this annual celebration memorializes when the Maccabean Jews regained Jerusalem and rededicated the temple. Hanukkah is observed for eight days and nights, beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew calendrical month of Kislev. Lighting a candle each night on a nine-branched candelabrum, commonly called a menorah, and eating oil-based traditional foods like sufganiyot and latkes are for the remembrance of when one day’s supply of ritually purified oil lasted eight days. This feast is also known as the Festival of Lights.

Christmas is primarily observed on the 25th of December each year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, though the Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, extends the celebration timeframe for some observers. The holiday’s name, Christmas, is the shortened form of “Christ’s mass;” mass being a liturgical service in many forms of Western Christianity. Light-adorned trees decked with ornaments, and red & green decor are customarily on display here in the United States, along with merry music and of course, special food. If you’re looking for ideas & inspiration about creating a curated look in your home this holiday season, search no further than our own Sonia Mullis’ @designsbynina1 content on Instagram and Facebook.

With celebrants of both holidays seeking out the best gifts for their family and friends, don’t limit yourself to the common consumables and entertainment based presents. Think about options that will contribute to healthy habits for years to come. Technology has made it easier than ever to prompt and track simple fitness routines, or just being encouraged to move around more. Wearables like smartwatches and similar products are an easy addition to most people’s day-to-day lives that can assist them out of an overly sedentary lifestyle. Smartphone apps are a fine alternative for someone who doesn’t want to have to remember to wear a technology bracelet everyday, as most people are seldom far from their cell phones.

This time of year is not only about exchanging gifts but also about looking forward to the New Year with the hope that it will bring health and peace. Better health and the peace of mind that accompanies it doesn’t come automatically. The incredibly practical value of physical therapy under the care of a Licensed Physical Therapist is a gift that doesn’t lose interest or usefulness over time; rather it opens a person up to once again engaging in activities previously thought lost. That’s why our motto is “Helping You Move Without Pain.” Our Doctors and Assistants know how to identify root causes of back and joint pain and progressively strengthen you out of your pain & dysfunction without the use of opioid drugs or surgery. If you or someone you care about suffers needlessly, consider physical therapy as a gift this holiday season for them, or to yourself. Our friendly staff await your call at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or direct message via our Contact page.

Thankful for Physical Therapy

 November 23, 2023 will be the day that we in the United States will observe our federal holiday of Thanksgiving. Although it has been celebrated since the early 17th century originating with the Pilgrims and Native Americans, it wasn’t until October 3, 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation and set the date as the last Thursday in November. Even so, it didn’t become an official federal holiday until December 26, 1941, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill into law that officially designated the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Let’s go over a few reasons why we have so many thankful clients, and why we here at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are grateful for the opportunity to help them move without pain; and that without surgery or pain medications.

 Personalized Treatment

             This isn’t some online telemedicine phone call with someone you’ve never met. Dr. Mullis and his team of Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants will meet you personally one-on-one in a clean, state of the art facility right here in Bradenton. Our office is convenient for people to visit from all over Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Physical Therapy involves hands-on sessions designed to address an individual person’s needs and limitations. It isn’t a cookie cutter program catering to a perceived average. Our professionals know how to assess and incrementally correct your particular issue, whether it be arthritis, injury, or general-pain-related. In fact the link of client testimonials shared earlier was only the tip of the iceberg. You can peruse many dozens of 5-star Google Reviews on our Google Maps listing.

 Freedom From Pain Drugs and Surgery

           Physical therapy may help you eliminate the need to use opiates or other pain medications. This is most people’s preference, as evidenced by a Gallup Panel that found that 78% of Americans prefer to try other ways to address their physical pain before they take medication prescribed by a doctor. Physical Therapy can also eliminate surgical options by offering similar or better results without the risks associated with going under the knife. Physical Therapy’s efficacy compared to surgery has been demonstrated over and again with many commonly affected body parts like knees, rotator cuffs, wrists, and low backs.

 Long Term Wellness & Prevention

             Physical Therapists not only treat current conditions, they also help you build a strong foundation of wellness for a healthy future. Many aches & pains are caused by imbalances or weakness in muscles and joints that can be alleviated through physical training. Of course it’s difficult to even get started on a general fitness plan if you suffer from mobility limitations, which is why the expertise of a Licensed Physical Therapist is needed to plan your progression through successive strength-building exercises. Problems with balance, inability to complete basic tasks like picking up grandchildren or carrying groceries, even just comfort while seated, standing, or laying down, are all issues with which our team can greatly assist. We not only treat the issues, we lay the proper groundwork to decrease the likelihood of future injuries. It’s well attested that physical activity comes with a host of benefits beyond even the reason that brings you to our clinic.

We can all be thankful this Thanksgiving season that we have access to such transformative help as offered right here in Bradenton at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida. For more information about how we can help you, give us a call at (941) 264-1414, email  info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a message. We look forward to getting you back to moving without pain!

Hip, Hip, Hooray! There Are Answers to Hip Pain!

Do you experience discomfort in your hips? Does it hinder your daily activities and overall quality of life? Hip pain is an all too common issue affecting many people, but understanding its causes, anatomy of the affected area, and treatment options can pave the way towards relief and recovery. In this month’s blog, we’ll explore hip pain, its incidence, hip anatomy, and how physical therapy can provide effective solutions for alleviating hip discomfort and improving mobility.

 Causes

Hip pain can present itself in many different ways, including stiffness, aching, and limited mobility in the joint. This discomfort can have a significant negative impact on your ability to walk, carry loads, climb stairs, or even sit comfortably. These issues can result from a variety of internal factors, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, or from falls, sports injuries, or accidents that can lead to fractures, dislocations, or strains in the hip region. Repetitive movements or overuse can cause excessive strain on the hip joint, commonly seen in athletes or individuals with certain occupations that commonly lift and carry heavy loads. Bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs called bursae around the hip joint, is another common problem which can cause sharp or shooting pain possibly to the point of being incapable of moving the joint.

Incidence

Hip pain is prevalent across all age groups, but it becomes more common as we age. According to research, over 14% of adults over the age of 60 experience hip pain, impacting their daily activities and overall function. Additionally, athletes and those engaged in physically demanding jobs are also at higher risk for hip injuries and subsequent pain.

 Anatomy

To effectively address hip pain, it’s essential to understand the complex anatomy of the hip joint. Thankfully, you don’t have to be an expert yourself; Our team of Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants have the requisite knowledge and experience to identify both the root cause and the best surgery-free solution, but as a point of education, let’s give an overview of the hip’s structure. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, consisting of the femur (thigh bone) forming the ball and the acetabulum (pelvic socket). The joint is surrounded by a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and a protective layer of cartilage that allows for smooth movement and stability. The bones themselves are technically referred to as “Os Coxae,” and are made up of three bones: the Ilium, Ischium, and Pubis.

Treatment

Physical therapy is a non-invasive, highly effective approach for managing and treating hip pain and weakness. Skilled Physical Therapy Doctors, like our own Dr. Mullis, design personalized treatment plans to address the specific needs and condition of each individual. Treatment may include things like:

1. Strengthening Exercises: Targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, enhancing stability and reducing pain.
2. Flexibility and Range of Motion Exercises: Techniques to improve hip flexibility and enhance the range of motion, aiding in pain reduction and improved mobility.
3. Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques, including joint mobilization and soft tissue massage, to relieve muscle tension and joint stiffness.
4. Gait Training: Evaluation and correction of walking patterns to alleviate strain on the hip joint and promote proper alignment.
5. Patient Education: Informative sessions about proper posture, body mechanics, and exercises to prevent future hip pain and injuries.

You don’t need to assume that now that you have hip pain you’re stuck with it. Find out how our team can help you get back to moving without pain. Call us at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send a message. Hip, hip, hooray – relief from hip pain is within reach!

Celebrate Health & Fitness With Your Family

The last Saturday of September each year is Family Health & Fitness Day, so this is an appropriate time to focus on how you can involve your entire family in taking on new habits that will contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Incorporating exercise and a healthy diet into your family’s routine is great for team building and entertainment. It really need not be a bothersome chore; there are sundry ways to introduce your loved ones to some good old exercise mixed with fun for all ages. Let’s go over a few options that are particularly useful to those of us living here in Bradenton and Sarasota.

Parents can lead by example by taking part in physical activities with their kids. Passing down habits helps ensure that children grow up fostering healthy practices that will increase their quality of life as well as that of their own future children. One way to start encouraging more active time is by limiting screen time. You can determine how much time you or your family members spend using apple or android devices to avoid having valuable activity time being lost to sedentary scrolling.

Our part of Florida is packed with opportunities to engage in light exercise as a family. One such example is a game you may not have heard of before–disc golf. No, it has nothing to do with regular golf courses or clubs. It’s entirely free except for the one time purchase of a disc, more commonly known as a frisbee. Apart from playing catch by throwing the disc back and forth amongst yourselves at home, you can also visit our many freely accessible parks that have disc golf baskets installed to play a proper game of disc golf. A couple of the more notable ones are Payne Park in Sarasota and GT Bray Park in Bradenton.

If throwing and walking isn’t your idea of fun, consider the low-impact and generally joint-friendly pastime of bike riding. The best thing about bike riding with the family is that each can choose their own level of intensity. If the grandparents want to keep a light, leisurely pace, the grandchildren can still steer circles or ride back & forth quickly without getting out of sight of their guardians. Again, our community is superb for this because we don’t have an abundance of difficult hills, but we do have a plethora of level, paved, well-maintained bicycle paths throughout Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Nathan Benderson Park has a 3.5 mile loop that’s considered an easy route to complete in about an hour. Enjoy the seaside by riding the 1.5 mile multi-purpose trail at Coquina Gulfside Trail at the southern end of Anna Maria Island. They have bike racks so you can lock them up and enjoy the rest of the facilities between rides.

You don’t even need a gym membership to utilize basic fitness equipment. Bennett Park in Bradenton, and Gillespie Park and Ernest “Doc” and Eloise Werlin Park in Sarasota all have outdoor fitness centers. Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex also has pools for aquatic exercise and a dog park if you want to involve the furrier members of your family in your healthy outings.

Sometimes pain from injuries or arthritis leaves you feeling like you can’t enjoy the kinds of things we’ve discussed above. The Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are experts in helping you move without pain, and they accomplish this without the use of prescription opioid drugs or surgery. Find out how we can help you with back or joint pain, sciatica, or any other orthopedic limitation or difficulty by scheduling an appointment. We can be reached at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or by sending us a message.

Get Back to Moving Without Pain

Your spine and back muscles are foundational to everything you do. Even if you’re merely sitting on the couch trying to enjoy a television program, your back may cause you pain, let alone while attempting to lift a heavy object or engage in anything athletic. Issues with pain involving the back and spine are incredibly common, possibly occurring in nearly a quarter of the human population worldwide. Apart from detracting from your ability to enjoy normal life activities, back pain also costs us a terrible amount of work-productivity. It’s actually a leading cause of work-loss days. As such, back problems are not something to leave to hope that they’ll go away on their own. Before we look at some practical steps we can take to lessen the likelihood of further injury and to elicit recovery to whatever pain we may already be experiencing, let’s take a brief overview of what’s going on back there.

There are four regions of the spine:

1. Cervical

This region comprises the seven vertebrae (spinal bones) in your neck called C1-C7.

1. Thoracic

This is the middle segment of your spine, made up of the twelve vertebrae T1-T12.

1. Lumbar

L1-L5 are the vertebrae in your lower back.

1. Sacrum and Coccyx

The lowest part of your spine with two parts: a triangular vertebra (S1) that’s actually five fused vertebrae in adults, and the coccyx commonly called the “tailbone,” which is also 3-5 fused vertebrae.

The vertebrae are separated by discs that function as cushions between the bones to absorb shock. The nucleus of each disc has a very high content of water, which brings us to our next point.

What are some practices in which we can engage that will decrease the probability of further injury or pain to our backs? Having learned that the shock absorbing discs have a high percentage makeup of water, an easy and obvious solution is to ensure that we are properly hydrated. The water you drink is the water that supplies these critically important structures with the springiness that they need to protect each individual vertebra. Of course, drinking healthy amounts of water has many carryovers to other important facets of health, so it’s a great habit regardless of back issues. How much to drink certainly varies by person, but a general rule of thumb is four to six cups of water per day.

The less weight your back is required to support, the easier a time it will have moving and recovering. Losing excess body fat is another general life tip that is conducive to health in general, but as it pertains to the back, multiple studies have shown a significant correlation between obesity and lower back pain, so maintaining a healthy body weight may be one of the factors preventing the occurrence of back pain.

Get stronger all around. The muscles supporting and assisting your spine can help take the load off, allowing you to maintain a proper, painless curvature. Stronger arms and legs also can bear more weight of heavy objects so that your back doesn’t have to be relied upon as much for support. At least 2 days a week of strengthening exercise is recommended by the US Department of Health & Human Services.

While the above basic steps can help and should be employed, sometimes injuries, pain associated with repetitive motion, or arthritis can take your back into areas of pain that are beyond the reach of general health practices. That’s when you can rely upon the expertise of our Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants. Our team has the training and successful client experience to assess the best treatment for your condition. It’s not a preset, one-size-fits-all program. We evaluate your limitations and develop a routine that will increase strength, correct your posture and imbalances, and get you back on the road to moving without pain. You can schedule an appointment or get more information by calling us at (941) 264-1414, or you can contact us directly, or email info@ptdoctorsfl.com.

Strengthen Your Knees

Knee pain and difficulties associated with their weakness are way too common. In fact,
it’s one of the most common complaints of Americans of all ages, affecting 1 in 4 adults, and
even appears to be increasing. Obesity, injuries, and arthritis all contribute to its incidence, with
problems stemming from physical activity most common among young adults, and age-related
osteoarthritis occuring of course with the older population. Knee weakness or pain is not
something that has to be tolerated for the rest of your life. There are reasonable tactics to
address knee issues that we’ll go over after first looking a little more closely at the knees
themselves.

Each knee actually has two joints; the tibiofemoral joint between the femur (thighbone)
and tibia (shinbone), and the patellofemoral joint between the femur and the patella (kneecap).
The knee is the largest and one of the most important joints in the body since its function is
essential in both horizontal (running and walking) and vertical (jumping) directions. There are
four main ligaments and numerous tendons connecting the quadriceps, hamstrings, patella, and
iliotibial band. A C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the tibia and femur
is called the meniscus.

As common as it may be, knee pain doesn’t have to be inevitable. There are some very
practical tips for preventing or decreasing weak knees we can give an overview for here.

● Maintain a Healthy Weight
Losing extra pounds or preventing excess weight gain in the first place will greatly lessen the
burden your knees must bear thereby increasing their lifespan and requiring less effort on your
body’s ability to maintain their health.

● Strengthen Your Muscles and Increase Their Flexibility
Though your pain may not be directly in or caused by the muscles themselves, muscular
weakness is a leading cause of injuries, so augmenting their ability to stabilize the joint and
support your bodyweight will go a long way towards reducing the likelihood of injury and
hastening recovery if already damaged.

● Practice Proper Technique
Sometimes people experience joint pain because they repetitively use those joints in less than
optimal ways. Bad habits can be detrained and safer, more stable ways of using your knees can
replace those problem movement patterns.

Again, as common as knee pain is, it isn’t necessarily inevitable, even after sustaining an
injury, or at later years of age. Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants are experts at
treating knee pain. Our doctors and assistants can guide your road to recovery whether your
knee weakness is caused by an accident, injury, or arthritis to ensure you minimize painful
recovery time and maximize rebuilding strength in your legs and integrity in your knee joints.
They’ll help you move without pain without having to resort to surgery or prescription drugs. If
you can’t bear weight on your knee, or feel as if your knee is unstable or gives out, or if you
can’t fully extend or flex your knee, you should certainly consult with our specialists. They can
also help you get your body to a healthy weight so that you’ll be able to sustain a knee-pain-free
life going forward.Call us at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a message
today.

Give Your Family the Gift of Health

With longer, sunnier days, and kids and grandchildren out of school, June is a great time to focus on combining family-friendly outdoor activities with healthy fun. It doesn’t have to be all about waiting in line at theme parks; Manatee and Sarasota Counties boast a plethora of parks and outdoor recreational opportunities to be enjoyed for low or no cost–there’s something here for everyone! The National Recreation and Park Association has even designated June 10, 2023 as Family Health & Fitness Day. Let’s sample some local attractions around our town you can easily visit that’ll engender family time with light exercise.

Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida is located in Bradenton, known as The Friendly City, which also happens to be a city loaded with safe, well-paved, walkable paths to explore historic areas, an arts & culture center, and of course parks of all sorts; from beach to trail. WalkBradenton.com is a super useful site to help guide you through all the available walking adventures through our seaside town. Everything from Riverwalk to Village of the Arts, and many other places, are easily located on a user-friendly map via clicking on the side drop down panel on their webpage. There’s even a video tutorial to get you acquainted with how it all works.

If sand & surf are more your style than shoes & shops, Anna Maria Bayfront Park has plenty of beachy amenities like picnic tables and grills, and parking is free. It’s also sea turtle season, so you may even see their nests there. Elsewhere in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, nature can be explored at one of our oldest and largest state parks, Myakka River State Park, or you can search for imperiled species like the Florida scrub-jay at Oscar Scherer State Park.

Looking for something with a playground, pool, or other child-friendly fare? Check out this list of parks and recreational community centers that the kids in your life will be excited to visit. Of course pet owners will want to include their furry friends in the festivities, so avail yourself of these places in Bradenton and Sarasota where dogs can get as much exercise and recreation as the rest of the family.

If you or someone in your family feels like they can’t fully take advantage of an otherwise fun outing because of pain, weakness, or limited mobility, please consider the possibility that you need not have your life dictated to you by treatable issues. Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants are experts not only in determining what it is that’s causing your pain, but they also know how to implement a course of treatment to strengthen and rehabilitate difficulty with movement, whether caused by injuries, arthritis, or muscular imbalances. The great thing is that they do it without surgery or opioids. Contact us today info@ptdoctorsfl.com, (941) 264-1414, or via our direct message page. We look forward to helping you move without pain!

It’s Time to Focus on Physical Fitness

May 2023 is when we celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. President Eisenhower established the President’s Council on Youth Fitness in 1956, and then in the early 1960s President Kennedy renamed it the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. He of course recognized that physical fitness and the health benefits that come with it are important for people of all ages, and wanted to encourage active lifestyles for all Americans. In 1983, the PCPF designated each May to be a month of advocacy for this initiative, and every President since then has promoted it. A good question to ask is “Why should we make a concerted effort to focus on improving our fitness?” Let’s go over 6 reasons and 4 practical steps toward achieving them.

1. Physical fitness prevents and reduces the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even many types of cancer.
2. A physically active life can reduce stress and anxiety.
3. Perhaps counterintuitively, increased activity can actually increase your energy and feeling of vitality so that you feel less tired performing normal tasks throughout the day.
4. Not surprisingly, greater physical activity leads to better sleep, which in turn lends itself to overall wellness. Sleep is so much more important than people usually realize.
5. Robust physical health also improves cognitive functions like memory, learning retention, and attention.

Recognizing the need to put some time and effort into improving your health is one thing, but actually implementing lifestyle changes that are conducive to your wellness is where people often fail to make progress. A few notable choices you can make to get you started in the right direction are:

1. Incorporate walking when you normally wouldn’t. Maybe purposefully park farther away from the store, or take the staircase instead of the elevator, or exit a bus one stop short of your destination.
2. Join a local sports or fitness oriented group class. The routine schedule and social aspects of meeting up with other like minded members of your community will make exercise fun and offer a measure of accountability. A host of options are available right here in Manatee and Sarasota
3. Utilize technology. There are many free and low cost apps for smartphones and PCs that can help you stay consistent and track your progress. Take a few minutes to see what Apple iOS and Android have to offer.
4. Don’t be discouraged by limitations. If you have back or joint pain from injuries or arthritis you may feel like you’re precluded from even beginning a fitness journey, but with the right treatment you can get back to moving without pain. A Licensed Physical Therapy Doctor knows how to create a plan specific to your level, regardless of whatever physical challenges you may be experiencing. Physical Therapists can both work around and improve achy joints and back problems to help get you back on track to enjoy general fitness and even sports if you like.

Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida is the place to find experienced, friendly, expert-level help to get you moving without pain once again. The really great thing is that Dr. Mullis and his team of Physical Therapists and Assistants treat back and joint pain without surgery or opioid drugs. What better time to get serious about your health by dealing definitively with your joint aches and pains through physical therapy. Call (941) 264-1414 for an appointment or to find out more information. You can also email us info@ptdoctorsfl.com or send a direct message.

You Don’t Have to Live With Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint. In fact, its prevalence is such that maybe as much as 20% of the population suffers from it. Even though it may not affect your mobility in terms of walking, standing, or sitting, a limited range of motion or pain in the shoulders can severely impede your ability to safely turn the steering wheel when you drive a vehicle, open or close doors, even basics like putting on and taking off clothing. If you can’t reach or lift objects like you used to, this article will be of special interest to you.

There’s a lot going on in your shoulders. The National Institutes of Health goes so far as to name the shoulder joint as the most complicated in the human body. It’s also the most flexible, which indicates that a person really needs to rely upon it for a wide range of normal human activity. The problem with great flexibility and complexity is that this joint also is very prone to injury and dysfunction. Whether it’s related to the muscle, nerves, bursae, capsules, or cartilage, let’s look at a few possible causes of pain.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that keep the head of the humerus, i.e. the upper arm bone, in the shoulder socket. Repetitive motions, particularly overhead, can cause a dull ache deep in the shoulder and make it difficult to reach your head or behind your back. Shoulder pain stemming from rotator cuff problems increases in likelihood with age.

A pinched nerve can occur when bone, disk protrusions, or swollen tissue puts pressure on spinal nerves extending to the neck and shoulder. Numbness, a feeling of “pins & needles,” pain, or discomfort can all be symptoms of nerve pain in the shoulder. A frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) can greatly limit a shoulder’s movement. It’s caused by the joint capsule containing ligaments becoming stiff, thick, and inflamed. Frozen shoulders are more common in women than men, especially those between the ages of 40 and 60. Bursitis and tendinitis are also inflammations of those respective tissues. They are commonly caused by stress from overuse.

When the cartilage breaks down over time or through injury, it allows bone to rub against bone. This condition is called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Even though it’s an extremely common occurrence with increasing age, it isn’t necessarily a sentence to perpetual pain.

There are a few steps we can take to prevent or mitigate shoulder pain. Several common sense practices we can all employ to help avoid shoulder complications are:

• Strengthen Your Shoulders

If the underlying structure of your shoulders are able to bear more weight, it obviously allows them to lift heavier objects with less likelihood of injury, as well as making it easier to lift things you were already accustomed to dealing with. Anyone new to physical training, or in need of special expertise due to having to work around existing pain or injuries will be greatly benefited by the knowledge a Licensed Physical Therapist can apply to their situation. Helping you move without pain is Dr. Mullis and team’s specialty.

• Warm Up

If you know you’re about to engage in activity that could be difficult or injurious, plan to take a few moments to properly loosen up and warm your shoulder joints with a few safe, controlled movements.

• Don’t Take Shortcuts

            Take the necessary extra few moments to use a stepstool, or to move yourself closer into a stronger position to move objects. Trying to save a little time by not setting up properly isn’t worth the risk of an injury that could leave you with a lot of lost time later.

• Consult The Professionals

            The Licensed Physical Therapists and Assistants at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are conveniently located for the residents and visitors of Manatee and Sarasota Counties in Bradenton. Living with shoulder pain is not something you have to settle for; give us a call today at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or contact us online directly. We’re your non-surgical back and joint pain specialists!

Fall Injuries and Difficulty With Walking

The CDC reports that each year more than one out of four people over age 65 experiences a fall. One out of five of these falls results in a serious injury, such as broken bones or head trauma. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Research has identified the risk factors, ie the conditions that contribute to falling. These include lower body weakness, difficulties with walking and balance, home hazards, and vision problems. Although they are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent, falls are not inevitable as you age. Let’s review some ways to prevent them, and the answer to what to do if you’ve already experienced a fall or are at risk.

Addressing vision problems is the quickest, most straightforward step you can take towards avoiding falls. Schedule an eye exam to ensure you’re afforded the most up-to-date prescription for lenses, and to find out if there are any underlying eye issues that can be remedied. Unfortunately, many people’s homes are set up in a way that places unnecessary hazards in people’s paths. Both the CDC and the National Institute on Aging offer useful guides on safeguarding your home against falls, and how to make it easier to get around with walking difficulties. Here’s a room by room guide as well as a more general checklist. Small, simple things add up to a safer, less fall-prone lifestyle. Even something as simple as ensuring that you are wearing proper footwear can dramatically improve your gait and decrease the likelihood of a fall. Above all else, the most effective method for reducing the rate of falls in adults over age 65 is exercise. If you already have difficulty with walking or mobility in general, this appears to be a conundrum. How do you begin an exercise program if your basic movements are impaired?

Physical therapists not only treat chronic pain and rehabilitate injuries from falls, they also help people prevent suffering fall-related injuries by identifying weaknesses and focusing on strengthening them so that they aren’t as likely to experience a damaging fall in the first place. Assessing your risk for a fall can be a useful tool to help determine your level of need for professional attention. Use this CDC and National Council on Aging provided short,free questionnaire to give you insight into your risk level for experiencing a fall. If your mobility is decreasing, a physical therapist can prescribe a personalized training program designed to increase your stability and strength. The great thing about this is that not only will it make walking easier and decrease your risk for a fall, it also carries over into every other everyday task, like carrying groceries into the house, picking up and holding grandchildren, even enjoying outdoor activities you may have given up long ago, like golf or walking the dog. Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants are available right here in Bradenton; easily accessible from all over Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Call Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida today at (941) 264-1414, email us info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send a direct message for more information on how we can help you move without pain!