Year: 2024

Snowbirds in Paradise

People flock to Manatee and Sarasota Counties seeking respite from the cold and snow of less climatically fortunate regions each year generally from November through April. That means that we are currently right smack dab in the middle of our snowbird season. Florida is ideal for winter refugees not only for the comfortable weather and standard of living, but because there are so many activities offered for health-conscious people of all fitness levels. Let’s look at a few options of varying intensities.

If you want to engage in some physical activity with minimal exertion, a walk through the lovely Rye Preserve will be right up your alley. In addition to nature trails, dog walking, and fishing, the preserve also gives you a chance to observe wild birds and learn how to identify them based on their calls while strolling the trails of this natural setting. Hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated the many health benefits of tai chi, including increased bone density, flexibility, cardiovascular efficiency, and increased strength. Seniors can learn tai chi for free each Tuesday at either 10:00 or 11:00 am. For a child-friendly outdoor experience that doesn’t require any more effort than walking (and perhaps carrying purchased wares), look to the Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market. It has an interactive art corner for kids, yoga, and of course an enriching shopping experience. Other healthy activities in the community of the market can be found on this calendar.

If a slightly more active approach to your Florida winter excursion sounds appealing, check out the tower at Robinson Preserve. Ascending the top brings scenic views and the opportunity to learn from a naturalist about the flora, fauna, and natural history of the preserve. There’s also a series of boardwalks, rope bridges, climbing nets, and slides for the young and the young at heart. On the Sarasota side of things, both the mangrove tunnels on Lido Key and Jim Neville Preserve located on Siesta Key are fantastic areas for kayak or paddleboard exploration. You can even search for shark teeth in the sands of Venice Beach.

The Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants here at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are all about helping you move without pain. Many commonly experienced physical limitations are not unchangeable sentences to prevent you from engaging in the things you enjoy. Our team can help you with arthritis or injury-caused pain in your neck, back, or joints, and we do it without resorting to surgery or opioids. If you’ve traveled all the way from your hometown to our neck of the woods to enjoy the weather, you may as well also invest in your own health and wellbeing so that you can fully avail yourself of the local fun. Find out what we can do for you by giving us a call at (941) 264-1414, emailing info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or sending us a direct message. Now is your time to enjoy the good life as a snowbird in paradise!

Get Back on Your Feet

Foot & ankle pain is awful. Standing and walking are two of the most fundamental of human movements, so being denied the ability to readily and unthinkingly engage in them at will is a problem that can negatively impact a great deal of how you live your life. A scientific article in the National Library of Medicine reported that in the over 55 age group, the prevalence of foot and ankle pain was second only to knee pain, and internationally focused research found it to be most common in older, obese women. Though of course, it is also extremely common throughout all people of all ages.

The human foot is a complex structure composed of 33 joints, 26 bones, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments that, when working well together, bear your weight and allow for locomotion. That’s a lot of complicated anatomy in a relatively small part of your body. The joint that makes up your ankle has the talus bone of the foot, the 2 bones that make up the lower leg, called the tibia and fibula, and of course nerves, blood supply, and lymphatics as well. Some common problems with feet and ankles that physical therapy is great at dealing with are:

• Sprains & Fractures
  • Restoring normal range of motion and strengthening supporting tissues both helps rehabilitate foot trauma and reduces the risk of future injuries.
• Arthritis
  • Inflammation can happen in any joint, even in your toes.
• Tendonitis
  • Pain, swelling, or stiffness in the ankle may be inflammation of the tendons due to overuse or improper use. Physical therapy can get you properly moving again without pain.
• Plantar Fasciitis
  • The thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot connecting the heel to the toes can also inflame and cause heel pain, or a stabbing sensation in some.
• General Pain and/or Instability
  • You need not have been diagnosed with anything in particular to be bothered by foot or ankle pain. A pain specialist can determine the cause and, more importantly, the professionally recommended treatment plan to overcome it.

Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Associates are specialists at treating foot and ankle pain. Whether caused by muscular imbalances, tightness, inflammation, or lingering effects from past injuries, our team can devise a plan of recovery that’s directed to your specific challenge. Give us a call today at (941) 264-1414, send us a message, or email info@ptdoctorsfl.com. Located in Bradenton, Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida serves all of Manatee and Sarasota Counties and is dedicated to helping you move without pain!