For approximately the last 30 years, people across the country have tirelessly raised fund to increase awareness about the most prevalent type of cancer: breast cancer. Unfortunately, in the case of lymphedema, a common condition associated with localized fluid retention and tissue swelling, knowledge and prevention tactics have remained low despite its alarmingly high statistics.
Many people are unaware that lymphedema is the most debilitating postoperative complication in breast, ovarian, cervical, prostate, and other various cancers. It can be caused by the surgical procedures used to remove lymph nodes or form radiation therapy, both of which disrupt lymph drainage. It can also be caused by a trauma or infection in the lymph nodes. Lymphedema can also be genetically inherited. Affected patients suffer from extreme swelling and sometimes significant pain, typically affecting the arms and legs. Worldwide data estimates that 180-250 million people suffer from lymphedema.
Even though these numbers are overwhelmingly high, lymphedema education in the U.S. is still lacking. In fact, some of our lymphedema patients have told us stories of having to do their own research on the condition before they even received treatment for their cancer. So in addition to navigating the emotionally and physically painful experience of battling cancer, they are forced to seek out help for a post-operative condition that many in the medical field haven’t warned them about. That is why our team here at Rue & Primavera wants to inform people. Additionally, we offer free consultations to women who have had lymph glands removed due to breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
Every October, people around the globe draw attention to breast cancer prevention, and we encourage you to help us spread awareness about lymphedema this month. Wendy Rue, PT is a certified lymphedema therapist, CLT, and she offers free consultations to breast cancer survivors. If you have any questions or want to schedule a free consultation, don’t hesitate to give our office a call!
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
Vertigo affects millions of people in the United States. Those who suffer from it experience disturbing, nauseating sensations that make even simple acts like getting out of bed extremely uncomfortable. Worse still, vertigo throws off your body’s natural sense of balance, increasing your risk of falling while performing basic activities. How can you tell if you or a loved one suffers from this common condition, and more importantly, what can you do to fight it?
What Causes Vertigo?
The most common form of vertigo is caused by damage or decay in the inner ear. Specifically, bits of calcium can break off within the closed circuit of the vestibular system, the part of the ear that helps control balance and eye movements. Trauma can cause this breakage to occur, but so can aging. As the head moves, these loose bits of calcium roll around, stimulating the nerves our bodies use for balance. These false signals confuse the brain, producing a host of unpleasant sensations.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of vertigo are most apparent while moving, especially when shifting between standing and lying down. If you frequently experience any of the following symptoms after shifting positions, you may have a form of vertigo:
Dizziness
A sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving
A loss of balance or unsteadiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Because of the difficulties of living an active life with these sensations, secondary symptoms, like anxiety or depression, are common.
What Can Be Done?
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, or VRT, has been proven to help treat vertigo. This specialized form of physical therapy takes a holistic approach that addresses both the symptoms and the root cause of vertigo. Through a series of exercises, mind and body are trained to compensate for the vestibular damage. At first, this can make the symptoms feel much worse. But through expert training, patients soon develop far greater control and feel improvement on all fronts.
If you or a loved one suffers from vertigo or other vestibular disorders please reach out to us. We can give you an assessment and the tools you need to stop the spinning, headaches, falling, or dizziness.
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
These symptoms are some causes of why you may have back pain and sciatica…
Herniated Disc
The symptom of a herniated disc is sharp pain located above the tailbone that may travel down to the buttocks and sometimes to the groin. A person with a herniated disc can draw a specific line down their back and leg indicating the location of the pain. Herniated discs can also cause numbness and weakness in the leg.
Typically, a person with a herniated disc is younger and may have had some trauma or done repetitive bending and twisting movements. They often have pain bending forward, but leaning backwards reduces the pain.
Arthritis and Osteoarthritis (not Rheumatoid), Stenosis, and Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
These are clumped together as they all have similar symptoms and causes. The typical person with arthritis is over 50, has pain while standing and walking, and experiences relief when sitting. They also have morning stiffness, as well as weakness, pain, numbness, and tingling from the back into the legs. It is often the person you see in the grocery store leaning on the cart, or someone who often says, “I just need to sit for a minute.”
SI Joint and Pelvis Dysfunction (Often With Disc Symptoms, Too)
SI joint problems are easy to miss, as they do not appear on X-rays or MRIs. These are the patients who may have had surgeries that did not help.
People with SI dysfunction range from young to old. They have pain sitting or driving. They often complain of pain when rolling over in bed and getting in and out of the car. They try to avoid bearing weight on one side. The pain is more diffused than with a herniated disc and can radiate to the outside of the leg, into the front of the thigh, and into the groin. this is common in women following childbirth and can come with a loss of bladder control.
Let us help you find the cause of your pain so you can heal naturally- not with medications, injections, or surgery, but with physical therapy!
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
Now that the holiday season is here, it’s likely that you’ll have to lift heavy boxes off high shelves in your garage to find decorations. As you begin to use your shoulders more frequently during this time of the year, you may notice pain or weakness each time you reach overhead. Don’t ignore your pain. It’s possible that you’re suffering from shoulder impingement syndrome.
Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition that develops when the rotator-cuff tendons in the shoulder are overused or injured. The acromion, the bump at the tip of your shoulder, covers your rotator-cuff and bursa, a fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between the bony acromion and rotator-cuff tendon. When the bursa is compressed, your tendons are no longer protected. If you do not seek treatment quickly, you will be at risk of rotator-cuff tendinitis.
Individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome may experience restriction in shoulder motion and associated weakness when reaching overhead, behind the body, or out to the side. They may also experience pain in the shoulder, pain or discomfort when attempting to sleep on the affected side, or pain with throwing motions and other dynamic movements. Thankfully, physical therapy can be very successful in treating shoulder impingement syndrome. Once you are diagnosed, your physical therapist will create a specialized treatment plan, which may include pain management, manual therapy, rage-of-motion and strengthening exercises, patient education, and functional training.
Your physical or occupational therapist will use manual techniques like gentle joint movements, soft-tissue massage, and shoulder stretches to get your body moving properly. We also offer laser treatments for this syndrome. Once your discomfort has been reduced, your therapist will teach you exercises to correct and strengthen shoulder movements and weak muscles. Finally, your therapist will prescribe you at-home exercises to continue strengthening your shoulder so you can avoid pain and discomfort throughout the year.
As always, call us at Rue and Primavera if you are experiencing shoulder discomfort this season. (360) 279-8323
Happy Holidays!
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 million American have diabetes or pre-diabetes. While there is no cure for diabetes, physical therapy can help patients dealing with the condition improve their quality of life and ability to perform daily tasks with less pain. Physical therapy can also alleviate the skin issues that often accompany diabetes.
If you are suffering from diabetes, alert your therapist from the first visit. They will conduct an assessment that takes into account your condition, including factors like blood glucose levels. From this testing, they will develop a customized program that meets your treatment needs.
The plan will include safe exercises designed with your current movement and strength levels in mind.
Training will include movements that can improve strength, raise endurance levels, and increase flexibility and range of motion. A stronger and more limber body leads to less pain on a daily basis. As your treatment progresses, you may also find a greater sense of balance and coordination, which helps to prevent falls. Physical activity has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels. In order to help health sores, a therapist can apply bandages and wraps. Skin checks will help to prevent new sores from forming.
Your therapist won’t just help during your office visits. They will provide safe exercises for you to perform at home so you can improve between visits. It’s important to follow prescribed routines in order to avoid overexerting yourself. Over the course of treatment, you should consult with you therapist so exercises can be tailored as you grow stronger and more flexible.
Diabetes is a serious condition, but physical therapy can be part of a treatment plan that minimizes the impact it has on your life.
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
Life for new moms can get hectic. Between changing diapers, feeding, and everything else on your plate, it can be difficult to take even just a few minutes for yourself. Many mothers neglect physical therapy after giving birth and suffer negative health consequences. The following are reasons why new moms should consider postpartum physical therapy.
Control Incontinence
Many women have difficulty controlling their bowels and bladders after giving birth, but thankfully, there are many ways to help this. Through noninvasive, postpartum physical therapy, your body can recover and regain control.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Your pelvic floor is the group of muscles that make your pelvis and lower back stable and strong, help control bladder and bowel function, and contribute to sexual performance. After giving birth, it’s very common for these muscles to need some rehabilitation to keep you feeling healthy and strong. Our therapists can work you and teach you exercises to rehabilitate your pelvic floor, and you can undergo other treatments that will help you stay strong and feel good.
Alleviate Lower Back Pain
Pregnancy and lower back pain often go hand in hand. After recovering from childbirth and all of the bending and lifting that comes with motherhood, it’s common for this pain to continue postpartum. Our team works with new mothers to manage and alleviate back pain through strength training, stretching exercises, and other methods of treatment.
Just Feel Good
There’s no bond like that of a mother and child, but as a new mom, it’s also important to take a little time to think about your own health. Our team can work with you to get back into a physical routine, improve your fitness, prevent future pain, and contribute to your overall wellness.
New moms have so much to look forward to, and it’s important that they are able to present their healthiest, best self during this pivotal time in their lives. To learn more about our physical therapy services for women’s health or to schedule and appointment, visit Women’s Health Care today!
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
October is National Physical Therapy month, which is designed to recognize the impact that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants make in restoring and improving motion in people’s lives. In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, here are some facts about physical therapy!
Physical therapists can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practices, home health agencies, schools, nursing homes, and even the emergency room. You are sure to find a physical therapist wherever you need one!
In Addition to working in different settings, there are many different kinds of physical therapy. These areas may include orthopedic, acute care, postoperative care, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehab, lymphedma management, wound care, and neurologic rehabilitation.
Did you know that physical therapists can treat vertigo? Positional vertigo- when you experience bouts of dizziness. Vertigo is a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear, which can be successfully treated in as little as one session with a physical therapist. We have physical therapists here at Rue and Primavera that treat vertigo!
One fact that surprises many patients is that physical therapists alone cannot diminish your symptoms. Physical therapy does not offer a magic cure for every ailment , but it is successful when the patient and therapist work together to create a treatment plan that meets the patient’s goals. Your role in the road to recovery is just as important as your physical therapist’s role.
Finally, it is incredibly important to do your home exercise program. There is a reason that your physical therapist puts in the time and effort of designing a home program specifically for you. If you don’t follow their recommendation during therapy or after you are discharged, your condition won’t get better.
Happy National Physical Therapy Month!
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
It’s 2017. It’s the time of the year when many families clean out the house, get the kids ready to go back to school, and pledge to live healthier in the New Year. Your friends are making resolutions from losing a few pounds to running marathons. While you’re skeptical about other people keeping their resolutions to be more active, pain might be holding you back from making your own.
Rue and Primavera could have your solution: From joint pain to balance problems, physical therapy is a great way to take control of your health and start moving forward. Addressing these problems can help manage pain and increase your mobility. Whether your goal is to swim laps in the pool, enjoy a walk through the woods this spring, or run a mile without stopping, consider physical therapy to get you on your feet this year.
Physical Therapy to Alleviate Foot Pain
From Plantar Fasciitis to Heal Pain to Arch Problems, it’s hard to get up and moving when your feet hurt. Our team uses an integrated approach to treat foot pain. We don’t just examine your feet: we look into how your lower extremities including ankles, knees, and hips work together to find the source of your pain. We’ll examine how you’re walking, your footwear, and other potential problem areas to find the reason for your discomfort. From orthotics to exercises, our therapists can help you find ways to reduce your foot pain.
Physical Therapy to Reduce Balance Problems
Your balance may be off for a number of reasons. These types of problems can be a result of vision trouble, abnormalities in the inner ear, problems within your muscular system, and a combination of these things. When you start combating your balance problems, you reduce both your risk and fear of falling, improve your mobility, improve your posture and more. At Rue and Primavera, we have therapists who specialize in balance and falling problems, and we would love to help you get more steady on your feet.
Physical Therapy to Reduce Loss of Mobility
A big part of a physical therapist’s job is to help prevent loss of mobility before it happens. That means, from recovering from injuries to combatting the reduced mobility that sometimes comes with age, our team of experts can help you build a routine to stay active. Whether your goal is to be able to walk a mile without stopping or to be able to play on the floor with your grandkids, we’ll work with you to keep you moving and live a more active life.
Physical Therapy to Alleviate Pain from Arthritis
Arthritis often leads to limited range of motion. The reason for this is simple: when our joints hurt we avoid using them. When you stop using these joints, however, they can become even more stiff leading to increased pain. Both physical and occupational therapy can help in this situation. Our physical therapists can help you address discomfort in a number of ways including exercises, supports, and braces. Occupational therapists can also help you deal with this pain by modifying your home, office, and workout routine to reduce pain and impact on your sore joints.
Physical Therapy to Increase Blood Flow
From poor circulation to cerebral vascular disease, maintaining healthy blood flow throughout your body is vital. If you have poor circulation in your extremities, our physical therapists can work with you to improve blood flow throughout your body. If you or your loved ones have dealt with more serious problems, such as a cerebral vascular disease and stroke, therapists can both help improve mobility and balance after the illness. We are also happy to discuss the best way to support this person moving forward with your family. New Year’s bring new opportunities and goals for the months to come. You don’t have to make running a marathon your resolution-but if pain is keeping you on the couch and away from the live you want to be living, we can help. To learn more about reducing pain and increasing mobility through physical therapy, or to talk to a therapist to see if they can help you, contact us today!
Three Common Health Problems Women Over 40 Didn’t Know Physical Therapy Can Help
Men get most of the credit, but everybody knows women make the world go ‘round. Whether you’re putting in extra hours to work towards to your next promotion, running around after three kids in five different directions, or spending your pre-retirement years shaping your office’s you-20-years-ago, it’s hard to make time for yourself. Unfortunately, even Superwoman can’t save the world if she has constant back pain or is always in the bathroom. Physical therapy offers many solutions to keep women happy and healthy. If you’re experiencing any of the following problems or interested in learning more about physical therapy for women’s health, Rue and Primavera can help.
If locating the nearest bathroom is your sixth sense:
Physical Therapy to improve bladder control
Do you plan your commute around bathroom breaks and shudder at the thought of a middle airplane seat? Studies show 68 percent of women ages 42-64 experience urinary incontinence at least once per month. Frequent urges to go to the bathroom, bladder control issues when coughing, sneezing, and laughing, and frequent accidents are all indicators of incontinence and pelvic floor weakness.
We don’t want trips to the bathroom running your life. At Rue and Primavera, we use a system called Biofeedback to reduce symptoms and strengthen your pelvic floor. This process electronically monitors automatic body function to give you better control of your body’s activity. We’ve used this treatment to help hundreds of women improve bladder control and stop planning their days around bathroom breaks.
If you’re sick of taking Tylenol and wishing the pain away:
Physical Therapy to reduce pelvic pain:
Many women experience discomfort around their periods, but frequent and recurrent pain is reason to seek medical attention. Endometriosis, Fibroids, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and urinary problems are some common reasons for pelvic pain in women over 40.
Physical therapy can help alleviate pelvic pain regardless of the cause. Physical therapists can help find the root of your pain, then find the best solution to make it go away.
If achy bones are keeping you from feeling strong and standing tall:
Physical Therapy for osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by low bone density, bone weakness, and loss of tissue. It’s often caused by hormonal changes and vitamin deficiencies. More than half of Americans over 50 experience osteoporosis and women are significantly more likely to develop the disease than men.
People with osteoporosis are more likely to suffer from broken bones and have difficulty healing, slouching posture, and limited mobility. Physical therapy can offer both preventative and curative solutions for osteoporosis. At Rue and Primavera, we focus on improving bone strength and improving posture to keep you moving and keep your bones strong.
Take action, feel better
We believe in a world with happy, healthy women living their best lives. That’s why one of Rue and Primavera’s primary goals is to offer a variety of solutions to female health problems and improve women’s health on Whidbey Island and beyond. We’d love to start a conversation about how we can start helping you, so let’s get in touch.
The number of knowledge workers – or non-routine cognitive employees in the U.S. workforce – is rising at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, workplace health and wellness isn’t keeping pace with the number of people working in front of a computer screen for the majority of their days. It’s estimated that by the year 2030, more than half of all American adults will be obese. Aside of company-wide wellness programs and fitness initiatives, it’s important that employees take their personal wellness while on the job very seriously. Studies have shown that leading a sedentary lifestyle can have serious implications for your expected lifespan, mental wellbeing, and everyday mood, further enforcing the importance of keeping an active, energetic daily routine no matter your professional or area of expertise.
While it can be difficult to implement a truly ergonomic and movement-friendly solution to an existing office or workplace, there are plenty of strategies to keep moving throughout the day and stay motivated to change your lifestyle for the better.
1. Change Up Your Posture
The results are in: sitting kills. Staying in the same position throughout the work day won’t only have an impact on your midsection, but the company’s bottom line may also suffer as a result of your lack of movement. A weak core isn’t the only downside, though – studies have shown that circulation, muscle tension, and organ damage can result due to long-term immobility and poor posture. Experts say that sitting upright with relaxed shoulders, elbows at a 90-degree angle, and feet flat on the floor is the best posture to help avoid aches, pains, and development of more chronic conditions in the future.
2. Be Mobile in Work Mode
Some workplaces encourage in-person meetings and communiques to help boost employee movement throughout the day. Even if you have a small group meeting or a team check-in, try and make the meeting mobile, taking a loop around the office, block or neighborhood to keep everyone active and engaged.
3. Do Errands
If your schedule and your office environment are conducive to it, try squeezing in a few errands around town during the workday or on your lunch break. A quick trip to the bank, post office, or grocery store won’t just get you up and moving, it’ll help you conquer your to-do list and better focus on your professional workflow throughout the day.
4. Meditate
Just because it doesn’t involve movement doesn’t mean it’s not helpful to your general wellbeing. Meditation in the workplace is becoming more and more prevalent and for good reason. Studies have shown that those who take 10-15 minutes on a daily basis to sit quietly and process their thoughts perform better at work, miss less time due to illness, and feel more productive. Furthermore, those who meditate are also more averse to pain, less likely to develop heart disease, and have a stronger immune system compared to a control group.
5. Switch to a Standing Desk or Stability Ball
Getting up and walking around aren’t the only things you could be doing to protect your health at work. Many companies have wellness and health programs designed to supplement a greater effort in wellbeing and health, budgeting for workplace upgrades such as standing desks, ergonomic improvements for spine and posture support, and exercise or stability balls to help improve balance and posture throughout the day.
6. Try Calisthenics
A bodyweight strengthening routine performed a few times throughout a standard workday can provide tremendous benefits to your overall health and general physique. Calisthenics, a form of bodyweight exercise, requires no equipment and can be performed virtually anywhere, burning fat and helping to improve posture, flexibility, and functional everyday movements. This is a good introduction to the basics of calisthenics that you can adopt in your daily routine.
7. Set a Goal, Hit a Number
Wearable technology has made keeping track of daily fitness a breeze, if not a complete afterthought. Fitbits are the clear leaders in this field, but Apple, Microsoft, and Nike all have technology-driven fitness wearables and software to track daily dietary intake, number of steps walked, stairs climbed, calories burned, and more.
If you’re concerned about the amount of physical activity you’re getting at work or are otherwise suffering from repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel, contact Rue and Primavera in Whidbey Island to begin correcting imbalances, weaknesses, and body tensions.
