Sometimes being in the “right place at the right time” can be the difference between life and death.

A heart attack, respiratory attack or choking can all lead to sudden loss of blood flow to the brain. Knowing just some basic CPR skills can help during those first crucial minutes before EMS arrives. It was in my 9th grade Health class at Coral Springs High School where I first became certified in CPR, and every 2 years since then I have kept up that certification.

But if I’m being honest, I’m always a bit nervous. Will I remember everything that they taught me if I need to use it in an emergency? Will I panic? Does this really work?

So, as my time came again for renewal this month, I felt compelled to share my story, albeit minor, and encourage you to seek training in Basic Life Saving skills for yourself, loved ones or the stranger you encounter who may need your help.

Three years ago, those skills did kick in automatically when at the dinner table, my husband of then 19 years, suddenly stood up from the table and silently made the choking sign across his neck. Our kids were exclaiming, “what’s wrong, Dad!” ,” what are you doing?!” I quickly got up and was able to do the Heimlich maneuver on him. After several ‘blows’ the piece of steak came on out of his throat and all was well. My husband was grateful and dinner proceeded. But I have to admit that after all was said and done, I couldn’t believe I actually did the thing that I had trained for over 3o years! Each time I took the CPR class, I worried that I would not remember the steps. Thankfully it all came rushing back to me in an instant and my husband is doing just fine.

Yes, he was grateful, but I did think of what could have happened had I not received any training. And that thought was sobering.

Too many tragedies occur when a little education could have prevented them. You don’t have to be a healthcare provider to take a CPR class. Anyone can take a CPR class! And now AEDs (automatic electronic defibrillators) are commonly placed in public places with instructions said out loud to you by simply pushing a button.

As for how to help someone who is choking, I found this great short “how to” on the Heimlich maneuver, courtesy of Southeastern School of Health Sciences.

“If you’ve ever had some food go down the wrong pipe, then you know that the sensation of choking is unpleasant and frightening.

When food or another object blocks a person’s airway, the flow of oxygen to the lungs (and the rest of the body) is cut off. Without oxygen, brain damage can begin to take place within 4-6 minutes.

Choking is a serious medical emergency.
Fortunately, we have an excellent rescue technique to resolve a blocked airway. It’s called the Heimlich Maneuver, and it’s a very effective life-saving skill that everyone should know. We find that most people are quite familiar with the Heimlich maneuver, but they don’t always know exactly how or when to perform it. Here’s what to do:

• If you suspect someone is choking, ask, “Are you choking? Can you speak?”
• If the person can speak or cough, don’t perform the Heimlich Maneuver.
• If the person cannot speak or cough, then you can help.
• Stand behind the person and circle your arms around his or her waist.Make a fist and place it just above the person’s belly button. Put your other hand on top of the fist.
• Pull your fist toward you quickly and forcefully – these are called abdominal thrusts.
• Be persistent: sometimes it only takes 1 or 2 thrusts to clear the airway, but it may take more than that.
• If it doesn’t work, and the person becomes unresponsive, call 911 and begin CPR.

The HM works by using air that is trapped below the airway blockage. When you perform the thrusts with your fist, you force that air upward, which in turn pushes the object out of the airway, sometimes across the room! You can use this technique on all adults and children over the age of 1 (about walking age). For infants, we use back blows between the shoulder blade to clear a blockage – more on that next week.
One side note: The originator of this technique, Dr. Henry Heimlich, actually got the opportunity to use his rescue maneuver this past May when he saved the life of a woman at the retirement home where he lives. She was choking on a hamburger, and he calmly stepped in (at age 96) and literally performed the Heimlich maneuver. She’s doing fine and is quite grateful that she sat next to him at dinner. Providential…

It is estimated that about 100,000 lives have been saved using the Heimlich Maneuver since it was introduced in 1974. Even Dr. Heimlich at age 96 was prepared to take action. Please consider joining one of our classes that will prepare you to be the one that can step in and save a life. Register for a class today!“

Do it. Sign up for a CPR class if you haven’t taken one in a while or never have. There are loads of places to do this online and in person:

American Heart Association

American Red Cross

Southeastern School of Medicine 

CPR Center of Georgia

 

Josey is dedicated and driven to serve every. single.day at his job and in the community, so injuries and strain inevitably happen to him.

I help him get back to his job, his clients and his wonderful family, so he can do it all again the next day.

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠

“𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘴?” 𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘩𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 100 𝘵𝘰 200 𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳.

𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘏𝘰𝘨 𝘊𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘰 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺.

𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘴. 𝘋𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘸. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 1000 𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘛𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘨 𝘊𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘡𝘦𝘣 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘢 2500-𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘛𝘝 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 12𝘷 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘴.

𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 – 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴. 𝘈 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯.

𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢. 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘑𝘰𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬.

𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥. 𝘈𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘵 229-672-9132 or via our website.

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘰𝘺 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘩 Joy of Therapy, PLLC 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦. “- Josey at Hog Cutters Trapping Company

Cupping is EXCELLENT to ease muscle strains and aches 

It’s one of my favorite ‘tools in the toolbox’ to help your muscles recover from aches and pain, and it’s something that you can do in the comfort of your own home in just 5 easy steps.

Why should you try cupping? It’s very helpful for anyone with hip, knee, low back, upper back and shoulder pain. And, with the magical combination of physical therapy and cupping, you, too, can get rid of muscle strains and perform better than ever.

Did you know that Michael Phelps, the amazing Olympic gold medalist swimmer, had cupping done on his body before he plunged into the pool for the Summer 2016 Olympics in Rio? It definitely helped his muscles reach their optimal potential and grab those gold medals!

A physical therapist uses cupping similar to how a musician tunes an instrument: the musician first needs to make sure that his/her instrument is in tune before setting out to play a song. Cupping is like ‘tuning’ the human body before it goes out to perform in the Olympics or simply to take a walk outside.

Cupping is an ancient Eastern medicine modality that has been around since 1500BC. This form of cupping involves heating cups made of glass, silicone or bamboo, and then placing it on the skin and leaving it there for 15 minutes. The redness is caused by tiny blood vessels ‘breaking’, but no worries, as the redness disappears within hours.

In the clinic here, a modified form of cupping is done by using silicone cups or a small sink plunger, and no heat.

The key difference with this form of cupping in physical therapy is that movement is used while the cups are on the skin.

By moving the body while cupping, it releases restrictions in soft tissue (skin, muscle, fat, ligament or tendon) instead of it being a passive modality (meaning that you don’t move).

All soft tissues in your body need to glide on one another like sheets of paper that can easily move between themselves. When there is a restriction or a ‘stickiness’, the tissues cannot move freely and get bound together. When that ‘stickiness’ or binding between tissues is unable to release by itself, it can cause a decrease in movement. Over time, true tissue restrictions occur limiting movement and causing muscle strain and pain. By freeing up the soft tissues off of one another, there is less pain and the muscles have the freedom to do whatever function is needed.

You can give cupping a try at home on yourself with just 5 simple steps:

1- Purchase a cupping set ( Highly recommend the Lure brand , economically priced below $30) see image with link to purchase

2- Apply vasoline oil or lotion to the rim

3- Squeeze the closed end of the cup and place the open end on the area of your body that needs it ( safest to use on large muscles or the knee cap ) . You may also use multiple cups along a muscle such as on the outer thigh for IT band pain.

4- While the cup is on, do a movement that helps to stretch the tissue under the cup (example: if the cup is on your upper back, then raise your hand up and down as if asking a question in class)

5- Remove the cup after 30 seconds or up to 1 minute and wipe the skin clean.

Now you’re ready to go toss a ball, swing a golf club, reach overhead to a shelf or swim for the Olympic gold medal!

Click on the image or link below to get your cupping set today and get rid of those annoying muscle aches and pains. https://www.amazon.com/Cupping-Therapy-Massage-Cellulite-Professional/dp/B00P86S3IM/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3VOB1LLIVDVH1&dchild=1&keywords=lure+cupping+therapy+sets&qid=1600976245&sprefix=lure%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-8

If you have any questions or are not ready to do this on your own, then please schedule an appointment at your convenience here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FreelanceDesigner1/appointmentrequest2

Do you have a child with scoliosis between the ages of 10-19 or are you a teenager yourself and aching to grow taller?

This time of life is a roller coaster filled with  both emotional and physical changes.

One of the changes teens are the most excited about is growing taller!

Studies have shown that puberty is starting younger but still lasting as long as it ever has…

• Girls typically finish most growth by age 17
• Boys typically finish most growth by age 19

4 Tips to help your child/teen get the most out of their growth spurt :

1. Monthly Height checks: Its time to get out your pencil and find a place in their room to measure  height. Consistent height checks during adolescence are KEY to keeping a check on the progression of their scoliotic curve. If you are finding a ‘jump’ in height from one month to the next, and your child/teen has scoliosis, or you are suspecting it: that is a sign that their scoliotic curve is changing. It may be decreasing but it also could be increasing. Please follow up with your pediatrician when you see this change. You may also contact our clinic for an evaluation and/or treatment session.
2. Calcium and vitamin D: These nutrients are vital to bone growth ! They can be found in foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, white beans, fish, foods fortified in vitamin D (cereals, OJ, and some dairy products), cheese . These ” 2 critical nutrients for bones:  Calcium is a crucial guiding block of bone tissue.  Vitamin D helps the body absorb and process calcium. Together these two nutrients are the cornerstone of healthy bones.”- How to Keep Your Bones Strong as They Age.
3. Sleep– 9-11 hours per night for kids ages 6-13 and 8-10 hours per night for teens ages 14-19. Sleep is ESSENTIAL for tissue growth and repair.
4. Daily exercise: Bones love weight bearing so go take a walk, run or skip in the park to help your bones grow strong and healthy

It is ideal for scoliosis check-in’s every 3-4 months with your physical therapist during your child/teen’s growth spurt

These physical therapy sessions include height and posture checks, review and progression of exercises, and access to exclusive online video content to help strengthen the spine.

If you are in need of a scoliosis check-in, then schedule your appointment today before the growth spurt ends and skeletal changes are more permanent.

Schedule your session today.

 

You have the ability to lower your back pain and blood pressure by learning where you need to breathe

Recent studies have linked back pain with increased blood pressure for a number of reasons, including stress, lifestyle, disease and genetics. But did you know that how you breathe also has a profound effect on both back pain and blood pressure?

Think of the middle of your body or trunk as a pressure regulator from your vocal cords, diaphragm and all the way down to your pelvic floor. It is like an unopened carbonated beverage of your choice, such as Coca-Cola , Pepsi or LaCroix. When that can of beverage is intact, there is an inherent pressure built up inside. Once you pop the top, the pressure releases and you can pour out your beverage into an icy glass and enjoy.  In other words, the pressure inside the can has now changed. Your blood pressure can do that too and how you breathe affects it, as well as genetic factors, cholesterol and disease.

Ideally you need to breathe proportionally in your upper chest, and lower abdominal cavity with the diaphragm in the middle helping to push the pressures up and down. But when you have too much of your breath focused in one of those areas, your blood pressure can increase or decrease. Over time, your muscles accommodate and work more or less in one of those areas, and your blood pressure can either increase or decrease beyond what is healthy for you for the long term.

In just 5 minutes in a physical therapy session with an emphasis on dynamic breathing with eccentric control,  my patients have been able to lower their systolic blood pressure by up to 20 mmHG!

Try this at home to find out where you breathe:

1. Use a measuring tape or any long tubing or band and wrap it around your chest underneath your arms
2. Take a big breath in and then let it all out and see how many cm/inches/ or estimate how much the tubing moved
3. Now wrap the measuring tape, tubing or band around the middle or your body or just under your ribs.
4. Repeat step 2
5. Finally wrap the measuring tape, tubing or band around the lower part of  your abdomen or at the umbilicus or belly button area.
6. Repeat step 2

Results:

• If your measurements were relatively the same at all 3 levels, then Congratulations! You are an even breather!”Keep calm and Carry on”
• If your measurements were highest in the upper chest, then you are a chest or neck breather and may want to focus on diaphragmatic breathing and getting your breath into your belly. This will help to lower your blood pressure and decrease neck as well as low back pain. Here’s your exercise: Blow into a party blowout or blow bubbles through a straw to begin to work your diaphragm and teach your body to breathe down there
• If your measurements were highest in the middle region, then you are a lateral breather and that is quite athletic and efficient! “Keep calm and carry on”
• If your measurements were highest in the belly region, then you probably don’t have a lot of low back pain, but you may have upper back or neck pain with some blood pressure issues. Try to focus on more diaphragmatic breathing and upper chest breathing. Add in pectoral muscle strengthening exercises like push ups, pec flys, and shoulder strengthening exercises.

*Reference and credit goes to: Mary Massery Breathing Continuing Education Courses.

Schedule your consultation either by Telehealth or in-person to find out how to get the most out of your breath today! 

Here are 3 options for you right now:

1. Do nothing and keep your fingers crossed that your curve doesn’t progress or your pain comes creeping back.
2. Keep up with your current exercises that were given to you the last time you came in for an in-person session and do them consistently.
3. Schedule your Telehealth session and get your spine straight and strong and prevent your symptoms from coming back or worsening.

Just out of curiosity, are you keeping up with your home exercises during this quarantine?

Are you wondering if you are doing your exercises correctly or are you even doing them at all? (gasp!)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic things have changed drastically for all of our usual routines, work and school. You can’t go to your gym or to therapy like you were used to. But you do need to keep the progress that you made this past year in physical therapy. Don’t lose what you have already gained- you worked too hard this past year to let it go to waste! 

Just imagine how good you will feel after all of the COVID-19 pandemic passes and not only is your spine straighter, but you feel stronger and more confident rather than feeling like you lost all that you had gained!

Book your virtual appointment here

This has been a great teaching tool for the clients that have already taken advantage of this convenient option! I have been able to see what they have at home to add to or enhance their stretches that they had not considered.

Plus, I may even get to see a cameo appearance by one of your furry pets! It is a great way to stay connected and stay up-to-date with your therapy.

Your Telehealth appointment is now being offered at an affordable price that is less than in-person at the clinic.

30 minutes = $55

45 minutes = $75

1 hour= $100

How open minded are you with this as an alternative? Give it a try!

I am also creating a 45 minute online scoliosis group exercise class for females. Fill out this survey if this interests you and be the first to experience a brand-new exercise format!

Scoliosis Exercise Group interest survey

If you decide to give Telehealth a try, then you can keep the results you gained and keep feeling great!

Maybe you’ve known since you were a kid that you had scoliosis, and now you’re an adult and want to know how it will affect you as you age.

Or maybe you found out when you were in your 30’s or 40’s that you had a curve in your spine.

Either way you probably have been told by your doctor that you have ‘adult scoliosis’.So what exactly is that?

Adult scoliosis is a collective term that includes those that were diagnosed as a child or teen and those that acquired it later in life.  It has been reported that about 2-32% of the adult population has some scoliosis curves in their spines.

What happens to the curve in your spine once you hit adulthood and beyond?

Once you have reached ‘skeletal maturity’ or your bones have stopped growing, the good news is that research has proven that scoliosis curves may only progress 1 degree a year  left untreated.

But if you do scoliosis exercises and stay active, you may be able to slow down that progression even more. Joy Smith, PT has advanced certifications in specialized 3-Dimensional scoliosis treatments for kids, teens and adults with scoliosis and post-surgical scoliosis.

Adults with small curves reported no pain, and curves less than 30 degrees tended NOT to get any worse as the years went by in adulthood. 

Adults over 50 years old with scoliosis are functioning at a high level and living and enjoying life!

Here is a great article from the Cleveland Clinic’s website:

https://joyoftherapypt.com/contact/

Here are 3 quick methods you can do to find out if your height measured up to what it ‘should’ be or determine how tall your child will be.

Methods for Predicting Your Child’s Height

1. Genetic Potential Height: Add the height of your mother and father together in inches and find the average height. Then add 2.5 inches to determine a boy’s height and subtract 2.5 inches to determine a girl’s height.
2. Two Times Two: Figure out how tall your child is or was when she/he was two years old, then multiply that height by two.
3. Follow the curve: Measure your child’s current height, then plot it on the growth curve chart used by pediatricians. Follow along on their growth curve—staying in the same percentile and see where they end up as an adult.”- verywellfamily.com

None of these methods are absolute, as other growth factors influence how tall you will be, such as posture issues and scoliosis.

Some say that the ratio of your height is 1:1 to your arm length or wingspan.

Wingspan is your arm length measured from the middle finger of your right hand to the middle finger of your left hand when outstretched.

Measuring wingspan is just one of the many measurement tools that I take when you are a patient here, specifically for posture related issues, such as scoliosis, Schueremann’s, kyphosis or hyperlordosis.

There is also research linking arm length or wingspan to excelling in athletic sports, specifically those that involve balls, wrestling and the mixed martial arts.

Makes sense when you think about it since the longer your arm is, then you can reach your opponent or the ball before those with shorter limbs!

Study shows wingspan has a correlation to athletic prowess in the NBA, MMA

Curious?

Come in for a posture assessment and see how wingspan reflects your height!

Book your appointment

“No one can really predict to what heights you might soar. Even you will not know until you spread your wings.” – Gil Atkinson

What type of Scoliosis Brace do I need?

 

 

The answer: YES!

If you or your child has been told to wear a full-time, solid brace due to scoliosis, then it is wise to do your homework and read up on what types of braces are out there for you.

Note: I do not sell, make or distribute any braces, and I do not get any payment or bonuses for promoting one type over another.

The ideal scoliosis brace should allow your body to ‘breathe’ by having openings cut out in the brace where your ribs need to expand. Scoliosis is a 3-dimesional curvature so simply tightening a brace with straps is not the answer, as that will only SQUEEZE you in 2-dimensionally and not fully correct the curvature.

Schroth therapy can complement any scoliosis brace but not every brace can complement Schroth therapy.

Braces have evolved over the years and here is a snapshot of their history:

1. Milwaukee Brace: original scoliosis brace invented in 1946
   Cervico-Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis (CTLSO)
   • Pros: good for high scoliosis curves in cervical and thoracic spine• Cons: metal, not 3-dimesional and old-fashioned
2. Providence or Charleston Nighttime Brace: developed in the 1990’s
   • Pros: It is used for nighttime and part-time only.
   • Cons: It doesn’t allow for walking  due to it being low over the hips; only good for balanced and single curves
   •  Providence nocturnal scoliosis orthosis.
   
3. Boston Brace: Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis (TLSO); developed in 1972
   • Pros: Most common choice by doctors due to familiarity and gets good results. Extensive research
   • Cons: Heavy. Straps fasten in the back making it hard to take on and off by yourself. It doesn’t correct the curve in a 3 dimensional pattern and often semi- custom or pre-fabricated. Even when these braces are individually designed, they are little more than modified “barrel” braces. Can give too much abdominal pressure. Made by traditional casting.
   • Full time scoliosis orthosis.
   
4. WCR Brace (Wood-Cheneau-Rigo): modern brace developed by Dr. Rigo, Grant Wood and Chêneau to de-rotate the spine and used in conjunction with the BSPTS/Schroth Method
   • Pros: Custom made and computer-generated to fit exactly to your curve type. Thin and allows for expansion in the rib cage where needed and lightweight ; comes in lots of patterns. It is an international brace as it is made in the US AND in Spain.
   • Cons: Big and long  as the brace comes up and under the armpit. Can be costly.
   

Still not convinced? Check out these x-ray results:

(Photo from Align Clinic website)

Here is their website if you would like more information, case studies, results or questions answered. The Align Clinic. They are located in Green Bay, WI, San Mateo, CA, Houston, TX and I host a clinic as needed here in Tallahassee.

Regardless of which brace you choose, none of them will work if you don’t wear them! So please wear your brace 18-20 hours a day as recommended to get the best results. It’s very similar to wearing orthodontic braces in your mouth or a retainer: if you don’t wear it – it won’t work!

See you at the next bracing clinic!

Our next Scoliosis Bracing clinic will be

January 2020
WCR Evaluation and Fitting clinic

Suite 114, 1809 Miccosukee Commons Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32308, USA

Presented by Walter Ramos, LO of Align Clinic

Hosted by Joy Smith, Schroth PT at Joy of Therapy Physical Therapy Clinic

Phone: 920-940-5277

This special Cheneau Rigo Brace evaluation is a complimentary opportunity for all patients and families who may have questions or concerns regarding the fit, function, or design of their brace. This clinic is also open to BSPTS, Schroth PTs, MDs, and any new patients that may want to learn more about the Cheneau Rigo brace.

To schedule your complimentary evaluation, please call Lynn at 920-940-5277.

We urge you to take advantage of this unique opportunity and we look forward to seeing you soon! Appointments are limited and filling up fast; therefore it will be booked as “first come, first served.”

Do you have an FSA/HSA , or Flexible Spending /Health Savings Account through your employer?

 

If you have funded your FSA or HSA, then be sure to use it before you lose it!

 It applies to physical therapy services and is accepted at the Joy of Therapy for all therapy services.

So if you have been putting off getting in for an appointment, or hoping (like most of us do) that the pain will go away, but it hasn’t- then come in soon!

For State of Florida employees, it is called a ‘Benny’ Card and works just like a credit card on medical expenses. December 31 is the last day to incur claims for the calendar year . 

Below is an excerpt from Healthcare.gov that will help to answer some of your questions. All FSA plans are different, so check what your limits of spending are for this plan year.

“A Flexible Spending Account (also known as a flexible spending arrangement) is a special account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs.

You don’t pay taxes on this money. This means you’ll save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside.

Employers may make contributions to your FSA, but aren’t required to.

Learn about Flexible Spending Accounts

• For details about your company’s FSA, including how to sign up, ask your employer.
• Complete information on Flexible Spending Accounts is available from the IRS.

You use your FSA by submitting a claim to the FSA (through your employer) with proof of the medical expense and a statement that it has not been covered by your plan. You will then receive reimbursement for your costs. Ask your employer about how to use your specific FSA.

Read more about how FSAs work in this IRS PDF publication.

A few fast facts about FSAs

• FSAs are limited to $2,650 per year per employer. If you’re married, your spouse can put up to $2,650 in an FSA with their employer too.
• You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse if you’re married, and your dependents.
  • You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums.
  • You can spend FSA funds on prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medicines with a doctor’s prescription. Reimbursements for insulin are allowed without a prescription.
  • FSAs may also be used to cover costs of medical equipment like crutches, supplies like bandages, and diagnostic devices like blood sugar test kits.
  • Click here to see a list of generally permitted medical and dental expenses.

FSA limits, grace periods, and carry-overs

You generally must use the money in an FSA within the plan year. But your employer may offer one of 2 options:

• It can provide a “grace period” of up to 2 ½ extra months to use the money in your FSA.
• It can allow you to carry over up to $500 per year to use in the following year.

Your employer can offer either one of these options but not both. It’s not required to offer either one.

At the end of the year or grace period, you lose any money left over in your FSA. So it’s important to plan carefully and not put more money in your FSA than you think you’ll spend within a year on things like copayments, coinsurance, drugs, and other allowed health care costs.”

“You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for therapy received as medical treatment”  — Healthcare.gov

Call, email or send a message on one of our social media sites to schedule your appointment before your FSA benefits expire on December 31- see you soon!

Contact us today!

The ‘Move Your Way’ Campaign was created to help you know how much exercise you and your chid need to thrive. It is in response to the National Youth Sports Strategy which aims to unite U.S. youth sports culture around a shared vision:

“One day, all young people will have the opportunity, motivation, and access to play sports — regardless of their race, ethnicity, sex, ability, or ZIP code.”- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

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