Physical Therapist Matt Gallegos, PT, DPT gives us a concise explanation of how chronic pain occurs and some current treatments. Pain shouldn’t be something you just have to “live with”. There are great treatment strategies that therapy can provide to help you get back to moving and doing the things you love.
As the weather grows colder during the fall and winter seasons, it is imperative to stay active. In Yoga Ayurveda teachings, wintertime is seen as a period of rest and rejuvenation. This is time for reflection and restoration of energy for the rest of the year. However, this does not mean hibernate and be completely inactive. You can adjust your usual routine to better serve you during these temperature shifts. By staying active, you will maintain your level of strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, mental wellbeing and more. Here are some quick tips to maintain your wellbeing during this cozy time of year:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 1 in 8 Women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime therefore it is important to be aware of the early signs of symptoms of Breast Cancer for early detection and treatment. A variety of successful treatment options are available contributing to 3.8 million Breast Cancer survivors in the United States, however addressing secondary effects are treatment may be less understood. People may experience loss of motion, fatigue, numbness, swelling, and balance issues. Fortunately Cancer related problems can be eased with the help of a physical therapist.
The Do’s and Don’ts When Working with a Personal Trainer shares helpful tips to make sure you stay healthy and safe when working with a personal trainer. Tips like..
DO: Put in your maximum effort when completing each rep with full range of motion and proper form
DON’T: Push yourself to complete each rep as quickly as possible
Those suffering from a neurological condition, such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, may experience trouble swallowing. This is called DYSPHAGIA. Dysphagia can have many different causes; however, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed because it can lead to major health problems like dehydration, malnutrition, choking or aspiration pneumonia.
By: Victoria Pavelko, MS CCC SLP
I can’t believe it has been 16 years since I graduated as a Speech Language Pathologist. Sixteen years later…I’m still grateful I chose this career.
A favorite patient, Mary, once said, “I hear ya talkin, but I can’t understand a thing that you’re saying!” Another says, “That’s the first bite of real food I have had in weeks!” And finally, “My husband was able to hear me for the first time without me repeating myself…for the 100th time”.
My patients, young and older, are constant reminders of how grateful I am to help build communication, swallowing, voice, and cognitive skills for the BEST qualify of life possible.
A Brief Peek into the Day of a speech pathologist:
A toddler needs help transitioning from a bottle to a cup and baby food to soft chewables… I am able to assist the parents in teaching their child safe eating and drinking skills to advance their diet and independence with self-feeding.
A preschool child is turning 3 years old and is not yet combining words into phrases…I smile as Mom hears “more milk, Mama” for the first time.
An elementary age child is having difficulty producing the “Tr” and “Ch” sound combinations…after practicing, the boy is proud to share he gave a presentation at school and no one made fun of his speech.
A high schooler is embarrassed to go on college entrance interviews because of his stuttering disorder…we implement strategies for him to use along with stress and anxiety relief techniques and he scores his choice of colleges.
A teacher is thinking about retiring early because she constantly loses her voice at the end of the day…I am able to help control her breath support and teach effective vocal projection techniques.
A car accident victim suffers from a head/neck injury resulting in a tracheostomy...I play an active role in speech and swallow recovery while preventing choking, aspiration pneumonia, and weight loss.
A patient suffering from MS or Parkinson’s disease is experiencing memory loss, brain fog, and reading difficulties … I implement written and environmental strategies for independence with daily life.
A patient in stroke recovery is having slurred speech and trouble keeping liquids out of their lungs…oral motor exercises are provided along with postural changes, and the patient is communicating with loved ones and happily sipping a milkshake.
Life can be unpredictable, but I am grateful to play a role in someone’s communication and eating/drinking skills each day. Cheers to another 16 years in the BEST field ever!
Happy Speech & Hearing Month!
