Drayer Physical Therapy Institute

SOME FACTS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT MS *Approximately 400,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with MS. *Individuals with MS have a 50% greater chance of falls. ... *Physical therapy can reduce the incidence of deterioration and improve both self-care and independence. For more information on how physical therapy can help those with neurological conditions like MS visit: https://bit.ly/30olHiX #mswarenessweek

A study that followed 20,000 people for 11 years found that those who exercised on a regular basis experienced less pain. Among those who exercised more than three times per week, chronic widespread pain was 28 percent less common. #MotivationMonday

"The best part about Athletic Training is being able to be apart of the community. When I have a chance to build those relationships with people, I can show them how much we care and create a culture that allows for a strong trust within the community. With that strong foundation of trust, I impact lives I never thought of being able to touch." Chad Rairdon, Bethel-Tate BS, A.T., ATC Happy National Athletic Training Month! We are celebrating by taking a time out with some of our athletic trainers to find out what athletic training means to them. Our athletic trainers and clinical staff work closely together and are committed to providing superior sports medicine services. #NATM2021

Baseball pre-season is here or did it ever leave? In today’s world of youth sports, the concept of an off-season has become the exception. The vast majority of youth sports now offer multiple avenues to participate year-round. In no other sport is this more prevalent than baseball. Improving one’s skills aside, playing the same sport without an off-season raises concerns about injury risk. This is why monitoring youth pitch counts is essential for protecting baseball elbows and shoulders.

Text neck, headaches, selfie elbow, gamer’s/text thumb, low back pain - what do they all have in common? They are all are common tech injuries. How can you combat common tech injuries? Here’s our top 5 tips: * POSTURAL CORRECTION: This is not easy to do at first because the muscles meant to hold your posture may be weak. Set alarms for yourself to get back into a good position.... * TAKE BREAKS: Every one or two hours, stand, stretch or change your position to avoid prolonged unnecessary force.5 * CHECK YOUR WORK AREA: Keep your computer and smart phone screens at eye level, your chair at a comfortable height, and your arm rests high enough to reach your elbows. Use a lumbar support to avoid poor spine positions. If you have a standing option, routinely alternate between sitting and standing. * MOVE: Regular exercise can help you get the variety of movement your body needs while getting other health benefits. Talk to your physician to find out what program is safe for you. Having trouble working in exercise? Try walking at lunch, park in the back of the parking lot, use the stairs, or find a friend to keep you accountable. 5 * GET SCREENED: If you’re experiencing pain, schedule a free screen at your local clinic. https://drayer.urpt.com/for-patients/complimentary-screen/

Just a reminder that our Drayer Clinics are open through the holidays to offer you care.

Chronic pain is defined as pain that is present for more than 6 months and extends beyond the expected healing time of an injury. It can be the result of a previous injury like a muscle strain or an ongoing process like arthritis, but can sometimes occur without a known reason. Growing research supports that the underlying cause of these symptoms are due to central sensitization (increased sensitivity of the central nervous system). Did you know physical therapy can help? ... Physical therapy is recommended as a first line treatment for chronic pain by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in their urge to reduce the use of opioids in favor of safer alternatives for chronic pain. The benefits of physical therapy include decreased pain, improved mobility, and increased independence as well as reduced risk of other health problems.

For all the risks you might associate with decades as a firefighter, it was a seemingly innocuous incident at shift change in his Arlington, Va., fire house that put Ralph Parsons’ career in jeopardy. Two days after Christmas in 2016, Parsons was performing his normal morning checks. As he attempted to climb into a parked fire truck, his foot missed a step. He caught himself by grabbing a hand rail. He immediately felt pain but dismissed it as just a pulled muscle. Returning... from a call that came in right after his accident, Parsons was hurting so badly that he couldn’t get his coat off without assistance. He rolled up his shirt sleeve to discover that his arm from the elbow up was no bigger than his wrist. Learn more about Ralph’s #UpliftedLives journey and how with the help of physical therapy he was about to return to the career he loves.

Happy holidays from our Drayer Physical Therapy family to yours!

Santa knows the benefits of physical therapy include: Improved muscle function, for a long night of guiding the sleigh. Greater flexibility, for climbing in and out of the chimney. Stress relief, during a hectic holiday season. ... A stronger core, for hauling gifts. Every patient has a unique health history, diagnosis and personal goals. When you come for your first appointment, we will create a personalized treatment plan for you.