By Brian Reis, PT, DPT
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Physical Therapy
Can you picture this? It may not be hard to imagine. Perhaps you are the patient on the left, suffering from extreme knee pain that is limiting your day-to-day activities. Or perhaps you’re the patient on the right, who has rehabilitated from joint replacement and is back to your usual activity (and potentially beyond). Or perhaps you’re somewhere in the middle – living inside the arrow.
By: Corey Podbielski, PT, DPT, OCS, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
The unofficial (or official!) start to the 2022 golf season is upon us. With the Masters kicking off in Augusta, Georgia on April 4th, you can be sure that golfers are feeling the itch to hit the links sooner than later.
Caution! If you haven’t picked up a club and/or kept up your training during the off-season, those first few swings could hurt a little or a lot! The good news is there’s still time to prepare your body for the golf season and, of course, Gaylord Physical Therapy can help too!
Did you know there are more than 26 million golfers in the United States, with an estimated 25% over the age of 65? That’s a lot of golfers! It also means a lot of potential injuries. Not surprisingly, low back pain is the number one injury sustained by...
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Understanding COVID-19
By: Dr. Jerrold Kaplan, Medical Director, Outpatient & Workers’ Compensation Services, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
Over the last two years, studying COVID-19 has become a top priority for doctors and scientists across the country and around the world. A lot has changed since the first time someone uttered the words “COVID-19” and/or “pandemic”. And we’ve learned a great deal.
Among other things, we’ve learned that:
COVID-19, like all viruses, changes and likes to surprise us at every turn.
COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets and/or from close personal contact with an infected person. Many times the infected person doesn’t even realize that they are carrying and spreading COVID-19.
And, most...
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Gaylord Dietitian, Amanda Perriello, RD, CDN, Offers Tips for Optimal Nutrition
What we eat has a profound effect on not only our long-term health, but also on the way our bodies recover from illness or injury.
Registered dietitian Amanda Perriello, RD, CDN, says that having an infection such as COVID-19 can significantly increase the body’s nutritional needs. Nourishing your body with proper food plays a large role in promoting healing and recovery.
“It’s essential for anyone recovering from even mild cases of COVID-19 to replenish with calories and protein that rebuild strength and immunity, and even more so after a critical or prolonged illness,” she explained.
By Andrew McIsaac, PT, DPT
If you’re reading this post, you probably already know that falls, especially in older adults, can be serious.
In fact, falls are so prevalent in adults over the age of 65 that many fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. Even minor falls – i.e., loss of balance – can trigger a fear of falling in older adults, causing them to limit activity and lose strength and independence.
The greatest risk factor for a fall is a previous falls history. (Make sure to check out other risk factors and assess your risk for a fall at home in my previous blog, here.)
Whether you’ve had a previous fall or not, these simple techniques will help to reduce your risk:
Improve the lighting in your home. Use bulbs that are at least 60W and lampshades or...
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By Andrew McIsaac, PT, DPT
Have you had a fall, or have you had an unexplained loss of balance causing a stumble or trip, in the last six months? Are you anxious about falling and, as a result, have you stopped doing the things you enjoy?
You’re not alone.
In fact, each year, millions of people aged 65 and older, fall. September is Fall Prevention Awareness Month but, falls can happen any month, day and time of the year, which is why we all have a role to play in preventing falls – all year round.
The first step is determining your risk for a fall.
Most falls can be attributed to low-light conditions and take place in the home’s bedroom, bathroom, stairs and kitchen. But, of course, falls can happen anywhere. The greatest risk factor for a fall is a previous falls history. But there are others. To...
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They made us cry, cheer and beam with pride.
They are the stories and media moments that defined 2021.
From COVID patient successes, a Guillain-Barre patient’s determination to conquer a 5k obstacle run, and even an on-campus dream-wedding-come-true, we’re counting down our twelve favorite stories from the past year.
January:
Nick Napoli has the need for speed – and doesn’t let disability stand in his way of participating in the Gaylord Sports Association’s adaptive skiing program.
February:
Gaylord respiratory therapists Emily Woodward and Helen Young explain how outpatient pulmonary therapy services can help people with long-COVID - like 27-year-old Mark Zurlis - breathe easier.
March:
John Kozin thought he had a cold in early January, but wound up in intensive care within a week. Meet...
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By Rachel Noia M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
When life gives you proverbial lemons, we’re told to make lemonade.
But what do we do when a change in a loved one’s health and swallowing status necessitates suddenly requires a diet consisting solely of pureed foods?
Often, this news comes at a time when families are already stretched to their emotional max. The challenge of simultaneously learning what to make, how to make it, and how to keep their loved one satisfied while swallowing safely can be overwhelming.
But with a few helpful hints and tricks and a little experience, managing a puree diet can be considerably easier than you might think.
Where to begin:
Pureed foods are smooth with no texture and should resemble the consistency of...
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By Eric Sokolowski, DPT, CSCS, CMPT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. While the prevalence of this disease increases with age, there is a 50% lifetime risk of CVD at the age of just 30, if one or more risk factors is present.
It’s a sobering statistic.
Thankfully, following a healthy lifestyle can help. In addition to lowering your risk of death from CVD by 25%, physical exercise protects you from all-cause mortality by increasing weight loss, improving insulin resistance, lowering blood pressure, and raising good cholesterol levels (HDL).
You probably already know this.
While I don’t have any statistics to back up this claim, I can safely assume that most people agree that exercise is good for you. It helps to control weight, combats health conditions and diseases...
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By Amanda Perriello, RD, CDN, registered dietician
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the #1 leading cause of death both in the U.S. and across the globe.
There are a number of risk factors for developing CVD. Age, gender, and family history are important but, unfortunately, they’re outside of our control. However, there are risk factors that are within our control, and simple lifestyle changes – incorporating a heart-healthy diet and exercise into daily life – can go a long way in preventing CVD.
The good news is it is never too late – or too early – to start focusing on your heart health.
Eating foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol has been linked to heart disease and related conditions, which is why diet plays such an...
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