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Whether you have pain, dizziness, poor balance, or mobility challenges in your home or community, physical therapy is a necessity to address those issues helping you work towards the outcome you desire. With Online PT by Achieva Rehab, physical therapy is more accessible than ever. Get connected with a physical therapist on your smartphone or computer for quality, patient-centered care from anywhere.   As we all practice safe social distancing, remote care remains the best option for many PT patients. Comprehensive physical therapy evaluations are only a few "clicks" away with Achieva Rehab's Online PT Program . You don’t need a prescription for physical therapy, and the convenience of our cornerstone program, out In-Home PT is simply carried out just a little differently with the same effectiveness. Every telehealth visit with Achieva Rehab begins with a comprehensive evaluation. We talk to you in detail about your current life, your prior abilities, and the life you want to live. We talk about the reasons you are unhappy with how your issue (pain, dizziness, mobility challenges) is making you feel and what is important TO YOU. We then assess what is causing your main issue and develop a program that helps you cross that bridge from where you are to where you want to be...your desired outcome free from worry about pain, dizziness, or mobility challenges and free from the concern that you might get worse or even lose your independence. When you participate in a Virtual Visit with Achieva Rehab, we are simply moving your PT form your Home to your Home-Screen and that doesn't change the quality of what we offer. During your visit, your physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation of your strength, range of motion and a functional analysis of the injured region on live, two-way video. Together, you will develop a comprehensive treatment program to address your needs. Treatments will include exercises and stretches that can be completed at home under advisement of your physical therapist. Your physical therapist will walk you through your treatment plan, addressing any and all concerns. Follow-up virtual visits will be scheduled accordingly to monitor your progress.  Signing up for Achieva Rehab's Online PT service is easy! Fill out a contact form on our website, and we will reach out to you shortly to collect all the necessary information. We will send you electronic forms to fill out in your email, and you’ll receive an email link to connect with your physical therapist! Achieva Rehab's Online PT program is compatible with Apples, Androids and computers/laptops.  Right now, our Online PT program allows you to not wait to address your concerns before it's too late. Waiting another day may be like driving in the wrong direction...it causes you to take a longer trip to get to your destination. Get there sooner. Joel J. Digris, Owner Achieva Rehabilitation 1-888-929-7677 www.achievarehab.com/online-pt

If you are 50 years old or older, I'd like to lay a foundation for your future, a future with more time living life to the fullest. The average lifespan has gone up over time, currently to about 79 years. That means that we as humans are living longer. On average, from birth to death, we are experiencing 79 years of life. But does that mean we are living for all of those 79 years? No. The problem is that as we've gained years in our lives, we've not gained life in our years. The period of time where we are able to be active and healthy remains at only 66 years. That is known as your "healthspan". This is the time in our lives where we are living free of chronic disease and age related deficits and pretty much able to enjoy our lives. The number of years relative to your healthspan has actually gone down. So, who wants to live longer only to suffer longer? In general, Robert Harrington, MD , who is president of the American Heart Association (AHA) and chairman of the department of medicine at Stanford University, says there are a few stand-out reasons for the disparity between lifespan and healthspan. "More Americans are obese, have diabetes, and other chronic diseases than at anytime in recent decades," he says. "The onset of these diseases, in part influenced by social determinants of health, is occurring at younger ages, which means that many are at risk for having less optimal health for a larger portion of their overall lives." In other words, Americans are being diagnosed with chronic, life-impacting health problems earlier than in the past, which results in less healthy years. 13 years of suffering from chronic disease or other issues related to poor health and mobility. 13 years!! I have children younger than that...imagine if I suffered with a subpar, non-active existence for that period of time. Imagine you have young grandchildren and you can't move well enough to bathe in the joy that they should be bringing to your life. I don't want to live longer just to suffer longer. The good news is that there are things that you can do about it. You can actually change your future. No, this is not some metaverse ploy...this is actual science and I am a scientist. You can actually do things today that will increase your healthspan. Remember, that is the time that you are living free of chronic disease and age related deficits and enjoying your life. Even if you have chronic disease, you can still benefit from some lifestyle discipline and improve your healthspan. Identifying the most important things you can do to remain well is something that is very important to me and I want to help anyone who is reading this do the same. There are five things in general that will help you increase your healthspan. Exercise Eath Healthy Don't smoke Maintain a Healthy Weight Limit Alcohol Intake Sounds simple but fully taking advantage of these recommendations requires a higher level of knowledge. And I want to continue to provide that for you. So, please stay tuned for more free information here and also look for a new program we are developing to help those that are 50+ lay the foundation for a better healthspan, a customized program for your individual life and future life. Be well and Do good! www.achievarehab.com #wellness #wellnesscoaching #physicaltherapy #inhomephysicaltherapy #wellnessprogram In the meantime, if you have any concerns already about the way you are living...balance problems, pain, movement disorders, weakness, please visit our webpage for free booklets filled with our best advice. https://www.achievarehab.com/

Physical Therapy is Ideal for Dizziness & Vertigo We’ve all had the sensation of being dizzy – as if you can’t focus, can’t see straight, can’t stand upright without swaying or falling. You may even experience “tunnel vision,” where your peripheral vision goes dark for a few seconds. Dizziness is common and can have many causes. Vertigo, however, is a little different. While dizziness is typically synonymous with “lightheadedness,” which creates the illusion of being unsteady, vertigo is typically a response to a physiological factor that is causing a quite literal imbalance in your body. Those experiencing vertigo have reported feeling as if they are “rocking” or “spinning,” even when they are sitting still. Physical therapy for dizziness and vertigo is a common and effective course of treatment. For inquiries regarding vertigo testing, don’t hesitate to contact us at Achieva Rehabilitation. If you’ve been feeling dizzy, or you think you may have some of the symptoms of vertigo, contact our office today to schedule an FREE Call with one of our experienced physical therapists . Dizziness: Causes and Symptoms Just a few of the many factors that can lead to dizziness include lack of sleep, poor nutrition, overexertion, or a physical ailment, such as a head cold or the flu. Dizziness can also occur from something as simple as standing up too quickly after an extended period of rest. Some accompanying symptoms to dizziness may include: · Loss of balance · Lightheadedness or heavy-headedness · Momentarily impaired vision (i.e. tunnel vision) · Feeling woozy or faint Vertigo: Causes and Symptoms The causes of vertigo aren’t nearly as many. In fact, vertigo is most commonly caused by an imbalance in the inner ear, also known as the “vestibular system.” Your vestibular system helps you maintain your balance and center of gravity by sending messages to your brain regarding your movement. When this is impaired, the necessary messages become blocked from your brain, and your movement becomes affected. You may feel as if the world is spinning around you, you can’t focus your vision for prolonged periods of time, or you can’t stand/move properly without feeling like you are going to topple over. Some common causes of vertigo include: · Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This is the most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when the tiny calcium crystals located in your ears break apart and move around to different parts of the ear, where they are not supposed to be. This can cause sudden spinning sensations (vertigo) and inner-ear discomfort. -A great success story from a former Achieva Rehab patient with BPPV: “I don’t know how I would have made it to a PT facility given the severity of my symptoms. Joel [Digris] made me understand why I had the symptoms and what to do if they return. Thankfully, I have been symptom free and am so grateful to Achieva [Rehab] for helping me get back to normal.” · Meniere’s disease. This occurs when fluid builds up in your ear(s). This typically includes “ringing” in your ear and sudden waves of intense dizziness that may last for hours. You may also experience momentary hearing losses. · Vestibular neuritis . This is an inner-ear infection that can cause vertigo. · Migraines. Migraines can impact your vestibular system, thus causing episodes of vertigo which may be coupled with a sensitivity to light or sound. Vision may also be impaired. · Stroke. A stroke affects movement in your whole body. If you recently suffered a stroke, you may experience waves of vertigo which may linger for extended periods of time. Some accompanying symptoms to vertigo may also include: · Inability to focus or remain alert · Double vision · Nausea or vomiting · Arm or leg weakness · Difficulty seeing or speaking · Sweating · Abnormal eye movements Get back on your feet with physical therapy: Both dizziness and vertigo can hinder your daily life, limiting your ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. Luckily, no matter what the cause may be, physical therapy for dizziness and vertigo can help. Achieva Rehabilitation is very successful at diagnosing and treating both dizziness and vertigo with vestibular rehabilitation.If you suffering with dizziness or vertigo, it makes us happy to offer our In-Home Physical Therapy Program. It means you will receive the best care right in your home. Vestibular rehabilitation includes treatments such as the Epley maneuver and Cawthorne head exercises. The Epley maneuver allows for canalith repositioning, in order to move the broken calcium crystals in patients experiencing BBPV. Cawthorne head exercises focus on decreasing nerve sensitivity and reducing the effects of vertigo. Recovery from vertigo is only offered in select practices, Achieva Rehabilitation is one of them. Our advanced methods and experience have earned us a reputation as being one of the most successful physical therapy practices for treating dizziness and vertigo. If you are experiencing either of these conditions, Contact Us Today in Schuylkill or Luzerne Counties to schedule an appointment. You can reap the benefits of our in home care physical therapy services to treat your problem directly in your home. We will help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible. www.achievarehab.com info@achievarehab.com 888-929-7677 https://www.youtube.com/@achievarehabilitation6370/

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic illness that affects the central nervous system, leading to a variety of physical and cognitive symptoms. For individuals with MS, maintaining functional mobility and overall health can be challenging. However, exercise guided by a physical therapist can offer significant benefits. At Achieva Rehabilitation, we specialize in providing personalized, in-home physical therapy that helps individuals with MS manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Benefits of Exercise for Multiple Sclerosis Improved Mobility and Strength: Exercise helps enhance muscle strength and flexibility, which are crucial for maintaining mobility. Physical therapists design specific exercises to target muscle groups that are weakened or affected by MS, helping patients move more freely and confidently. Better Balance and Coordination: MS often impacts balance and coordination, increasing the risk of falls. Through tailored balance exercises, physical therapists can help improve stability and coordination, making daily activities safer and easier. Enhanced Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular exercises, such as walking or cycling, improve heart health and overall stamina. For individuals with MS, this can mean increased energy levels and endurance, which are essential for completing everyday tasks. Reduced Fatigue: While fatigue is a common symptom of MS, regular exercise has been shown to reduce feelings of tiredness. Physical therapists can guide patients through low-impact aerobic exercises that boost energy without overexertion. Pain Management: Exercise can help manage pain associated with MS by reducing muscle stiffness and improving joint flexibility. Stretching and strengthening exercises prescribed by a physical therapist can alleviate discomfort and enhance overall physical function. Mental Health Benefits: Engaging in regular physical activity can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are common in individuals with MS. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters, contributing to better mental health. Concerns with Engaging in an Exercise Program Overexertion: One of the primary concerns for individuals with MS is overexertion, which can lead to increased fatigue and exacerbate symptoms. It is essential to follow a program tailored to one’s abilities and limits. Physical therapists at Achieva Rehabilitation create personalized exercise plans that consider the patient's current fitness level and symptom severity. Heat Sensitivity: Many people with MS are sensitive to heat, which can worsen symptoms. Exercise programs should incorporate cooling strategies, such as exercising in a cool environment, wearing lightweight clothing, and staying hydrated. Risk of Injury: Due to balance and coordination issues, there is a heightened risk of falls and injuries during exercise. Physical therapists guide patients through safe and controlled movements, ensuring that exercises are performed correctly to minimize injury risks. Concerns with Not Participating in an Exercise Program Decreased Mobility: Without regular exercise, individuals with MS may experience a decline in muscle strength and flexibility, leading to reduced mobility and independence. Increased Fatigue: Lack of physical activity can lead to higher levels of fatigue. Regular exercise helps combat this by boosting energy levels and improving overall stamina. Worsening Symptoms: Inactivity can lead to increased stiffness, pain, and other MS-related symptoms. Exercise helps manage these symptoms by keeping the body active and flexible. Negative Impact on Mental Health: Not participating in an exercise program can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining good mental health and overall well-being. Tips and Strategies for Managing Functional Mobility with MS Consistency is Key: Engage in regular exercise, but listen to your body and avoid overexertion. Aim for consistent, moderate activity rather than intense workouts. Work with a Physical Therapist: A physical therapist can design a personalized exercise plan that addresses your specific needs and limitations, ensuring you get the most benefit from your efforts. Stay Cool: Exercise in a cool environment and use cooling strategies to manage heat sensitivity. Hydrate well and take breaks as needed. Incorporate Balance Exercises: Balance exercises are crucial for preventing falls and improving stability. Simple exercises like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe can be very beneficial. Stretch Regularly: Incorporate stretching into your daily routine to reduce muscle stiffness and improve flexibility. Use Adaptive Equipment: Adaptive equipment, such as canes or walkers, can help maintain mobility and safety during exercise and daily activities. Rest When Needed: Allow yourself to rest and recover. Pacing yourself and taking breaks can help manage fatigue and prevent overexertion. At Achieva Rehabilitation, our in-home physical therapy program is designed to provide personalized, one-on-one care that addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals with MS. Our goal is to help you maintain your independence, improve your quality of life, and manage your symptoms effectively. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your journey to better health. This is what can happen when you exercise when you have MS: www.achievarehab.com info@achievarehab.com 888-929-7677 https://www.youtube.com/@achievarehabilitation6370/ Click HERE  for more info about the Achieva Rehabilitation In-Home Physical Therapy Program

🏃‍♂️🍎 The healthier you're going to live and the longer you're going to live can be connected to the measurements. 📏💪 This is one of my five measures that can give you a great deal of information for the rest of your life and can help you map your actions to help you live healthier for longer. So what I want you to do with these is some of them you can just generally check in on yourself, some of them you can be specific, and if you keep track of these on a regular basis let's say every month or every 3 months or every 6 months, you can compare any changes that are showing. If changes on the bad side, meaning your measurements got worse, if you're seeing those over a one or a three or six-month period of time, you have to implement something to improve. 📆📈 The second measure that we want to talk about is your speed of walking. 🚶‍♂️ The slower you walk, the more likely you are to have poor mobility, strength, cardiac issues, bone density issues. The faster you walk, the more likely you are to have less of those issues and the more likely you are to have a good health span and a longer life as you keep that pace up. 🏃‍♀️💨 So how do we measure it? Simply measure 20 ft. 📏 You can do it with a measuring stick, you can do it with a tape measure, you can simply walk one foot in the other to kind of make it as close as you possibly can get to 20 ft. Have a starting line and a Finishing Line. 🏁⏱️ You're going to take a stopwatch, you're going to take your phone, whatever method you can do to count the amount of time it takes you to walk that distance. 📱⌛ You can have somebody help you to do the timing, that works out really well. When you take your first step, you start measuring with the clock, when you pass the line at 20 ft, you stop measuring with the clock. 🕰️ Then what you're going to do is take 20 divided by the number that you get on your phone, on your stopwatch, okay? That will give you your speed in feet per second. 🚶‍♂️➗⏩ So if it takes you 20 seconds to walk 20 ft, 20 divided by 20 equals 1. It means you're walking 1 ft per second. You want to walk your normal speed, you don't want to rush it or walk too slowly because you want to have an accurate representation of what your everyday normal walking looks like and how fast it is. 🚶‍♀️⏲️ Now there are norms here, normal numbers that across testing have shown to be sort of averages. Good averages 3.3 to 4.9 feet per second is sort of an average for older adults. If you can walk faster than 4.9 ft per second, that's better. 📊👟 That's more indicative that your health and your mobility and your longevity are in a good hands, a good position. If you are walking slower than 3.3 ft per second, if it's considerably much less than that, your risk of falling is higher, your strength is going to be obviously lower, your ability to do the things you want to do is going to be less likely to occur. 📉🚫 So again, take that number, mark it down, and compare it every 3 months or 6 months to see where you're at and what you need to do because you may need some training to improve that and improve your overall system. 📝🔄 They are very connected to your overall health, extremely connected. The better somebody moves, the healthier they are. The better somebody moves, the healthier they are. The better somebody moves, the less likely they are to need medicine. The better somebody moves, the less likely they are to go to the hospital. The better somebody moves, the less likely they are to need pain medications or injections or anything like that. 🌟💊💉 So on the Movement Approach Youtube Channel, we are trying to prove to you through research that is done that functional movement and the ability to move connect to your overall health. And your overall health and well-being will allow you to live longer and live happier and a more fruitful life, doing the things that you want to and need to do as you get older. 🧠💪👵 And the bottom line and the foundation is exercise. 🏋️‍♂️💓 So I invite you to check all the other videos on this site. If you felt that this was beneficial, please share it, share it with family, share it with friends, education for people that you love is extremely important, so that they know things like this going forward to help them live a better life. 📚👨‍👩‍ www.achievarehab.com info@achievarehab.com 888-929-7677

Physical therapy first-timer? What exactly are you in for on your first physical therapy visit? First off, dress comfortably because you will be moving. By the end of your evaluation, you should have a clear idea of your assessment and physical therapy treatment goals.  You and your PT will create an individualized treatment plan to help you with your recovery. What Is Physical Therapy? You probably have a general idea about what a physical therapy is and what a physical therapist does. But why exactly are you going to a physical therapist? What sets them apart from other healthcare providers? Physical therapists are experts on the dysfunction of the body’s musculoskeletal and nervous system. Currently, to become a licensed physical therapist, you must earn a doctorate degree in physical therapy, complete intensive clinical internships, and practice extensively in the clinic. PTs are trained to both diagnose and treat movement dysfunctions. Like most medical professionals, physical therapists can treat a wide-variety of acute injuries and long-term chronic conditions and also rehabilitate patients pre- and post-surgery. Besides injury treatment, physical therapists also provide injury prevention conditioning and wellness services. Think of physical therapists as biomechanists for your body. By treating the mechanics of your body’s movement, they aim to get you back in optimal shape . Let’s Evaluate Your first PT visit is the evaluation. During the 45 to 60 minute session, you and your PT will review your medical history as it relates to your musculoskeletal problem(s) and perform objective testing to help diagnose your injury and determine the future course of treatment. Prepare yourself for the standard questions. Where does it hurt? What makes it better? What makes it worse? Your PT also wants to get a good idea about your general health. They’ll perform a screening of your main body systems (i.e. musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary) to gauge how interrelated your symptoms may be. This often includes taking your blood pressure, your weight, and your height. Any treatment stemming from your physical therapy evaluation needs to be scientifically crafted and implemented. They’ll consider your range of motion, strength, joint mobility, flexibility, posture, and movement patterns. By assessing your gait, a PT may be able to diagnose movement compensation patterns and find further clues as to what is driving your problem. From there, they can piece together how this may or may not impact your specific injury. With baseline measurements of your current status, your PT will be able to specifically compare improvements made in future sessions. Start Treatment On Day One Prepare to start on your treatment plan with your PT that very day. Physical therapy isn’t supposed to be painful. You’ll be moving, stretching, and having your joints and muscles mobilized using hands-on manual therapy techniques depending on your injury.  Day one is the beginning of your rehabilitation progress. Some injuries are more complex than others and remember that healing does take time. At some point you may be thinking “why were they checking my neck if the problem is in my shoulder?”. Sometimes, your physical therapy evaluation will include parts of your body that don’t seem related to your injury.  Your evaluation will be comprehensive to include all factors that may be contributing to your problem as well as a concentrated analysis of your particular injury. Can You Recover Without Going To Physical Therapy? While some injuries do heal on their own, physical therapy can help improve the healing time and quality of your recovery.  Googling can only take you so far in the case of self-treating your injury, as is the case with most medical conditions. Remember, PTs are experts on your body’s musculoskeletal system. Their therapy program will be tailored to make you feel better and function at a higher level. By the end of your session, your PT will have mapped out a treatment plan specific to you and your body. Feel free to ask questions. Your involvement in your treatment plan is crucial to your healing. Your PT wants to be able to guide you as effectively and positively as possible. We encourage questions, comments, and concerns at your first visit and for the duration of your physical therapy treatment. Want to learn more? Click HERE to arrange A FREE Phone Assessment with our Specialist .

Think of all the illustrations that you've seen about prehistoric cavemen over the years. They all had things in common. They were all long-haired, relatively unkempt, wore torn and ragged animal hides as clothing, carried a stick, hovered around a fire perhaps. Aside from those facts is one detail that sticks out like Big Bird on Sesame Street. That one detail should mean a great deal to the world today and it may just be the trick to living a healthy life. What is it? You've never seen a caveman who is not physically fit. Go ahead, find an illustration that is not a cartoon variance like the Flintstones that actually shows an unhealthy appearance of a caveman (or woman). I bet you can't! It's crazy! The "Oh Wow!" moment comes when you compare and contrast the physical stature of humans 200,000 years ago to humans today. We live in an unhealthy society today in my opinion. (Really, it's a fact.) In our business with Achieva Rehab, we see the end result of people abusing their bodies for many years. Pain, disease, weakness, posture changes etc. We think they can be prevented. So, why should we start thinking that the lifestyle of the caveman could give us some clues as to how to live longer and be more independent and mobile well into our golden years? Simple, they ate what was available to them from the land in plants, and they also ate meat from animals which they hunted. Think about that...two things to digest here. One, they had to move in order to get their food or they would starve. When was the last time you hunted a steak or a hamburger? Movement is medicine and there is a great deal of proof out there that supports my assertion...the more you move, the more healthy you will be. And, the less you will require medical care. Your posture, your strength, your balance will remain good for much longer if movement is a priority. The caveman was constantly moving and the result is a human that was much more physically fit. Through research, a natural movement expert, Erwan Le Corre, was able to determine that prehistoric man had to be able to do these things on a daily basis to survive (Can you do these things?): 1. Get into and out of a deep squat without using hands and hold for 30 minutes. 2. Be able to walk 20 miles per day. 3. Be able to hang from a tree and climb into that tree. 4. Carry an object of your body weight for half a mile without rest. 5. Be able to swim in rough waters for at least ten minutes. The second thing to think about here is that their food was eaten purely to live. They did not have the option to eat for enjoyment. Now, don't get me wrong...I love a good chicken wing or a nice juicy steak, but, an improper diet is the number one reason for people being unhealthy in my opinion. Sugary drinks, fat filled snacks, processed breads and simple carbohydrates, and fast food...ugh, don't get me started! Along with a country of people that are not properly educated on how to live healthy, these are the foods that slowly break down the human body and make people struggle physically later in life, if not ealier. They simply were not available 200,000 years ago. I'm sure cavemen would have taken their foot propelled vehicles to the drive through if they were, but, I digress. What is the lesson here? Is it to wear loin cloths and grunt and rarely shower? The bottom line is to implement two simple rules into your life. Move more than you sit. And, know what you are putting into your body in terms of food...and make choices not on the minutes that the food spends in your mouth, but, the days, weeks, months, and years that are ahead of you. Live your best life so that you can do the things you want to do well into those golden years. We would love to help you learn more and certainly have programs available to you to regain independent and mobile so that you can experience days, weeks, months, and years of joy! www.achievarehab.com 1-888-929-7677

Parkinson's Disease affects 1% of the population over the age of 60. That seems like not such a big deal. It may not be a big deal for the 99% but it's a huge deal for people suffering with the movement challenges and non-motor affects of PD. People with PD have difficulty initiating movement. That doesn't only mean starting a movement. It means changing a movement as well because a change in movement requires initiation of a new movement pattern. Think about every time you walk, how many directions you change without difficulty. Or think about walking through a doorway or changing from grass to concrete or flat to incline or carpet to stairs. All of these circumstances can wreak havoc on a person with PD. What happens is their feet get sticky...they actually feel as if they are stuck to the ground. It's called freezing and trying to power your way through it is even worse...and that's called festinating...the body above the feet keeps moving...and that's like trying to balance an ice cream cone on the point. What can you do if this happens as a person with PD? Well, first off, you must plan for it to happen. First, mentally stay about 10 to 20 feet ahead of you. Try to plan for that change of direction or the upcoming doorway or the narrowing of the walkway. When you do so, you can prepare yourself to use this little trick: Don't think of walking as moving one foot in front of the other. Think of it as moving one knee up in the air and alternating knees. See, when you have PD, you often think of your feet when your they get sticky and you try harder to move them forward only to make the stickiness worse. You have to put the mental power into the larger muscles from the knee up. When you think 10 to 20 feet ahead of you and prepare for what is coming and you tell yourself to "march" by lifting your knees through the next challenge, you are less likely to get sticky feet. More challenging is the starting of movement after being still for a long period of time such as getting up from bed. People with PD again have difficulty starting their movement first thing in the morning or when their bladder forces them to get out of bed in the middle of the night. And also the same thing applies to the daytime. If they sit for a while, they are going to be stiff and the legs will just not want to move...sort of like a car sitting out in the winter. Take some time to start and warm it up. Which is exactly what you have to do. If you are getting up from sleep, do what I call "wake up exercises" which are simply left and right alternating leg movements, either heel slides, or leg raises or scissors like snow angels, or rolling your entire body left and right. Do this for a few minutes and your engine will be more warmed up and suited to move the body. Those are just two of the challenges that people with PD experience on a daily basis. One of my passions is helping them learn how to deal with these as well as build a plan to fight every day against the relentless progressive disease of PD which is not unlike a heavyweight champion...always trying to put you down and keep you down. Fight back! Bonus tip: Music has a great positive effect on people with PD. It gives the brain a rhythm which is beneficial for walking. Try it out...put your favorite music on and move to the beat. Join the band and march on as you fight daily...I promise that you can battle this thing! We will be there with you...reach out and find out how our In-Home PT Program can help...kind of like a corner man in the ring! www.achievarehab.com

When you go out to a nice dinner, you should be asked WHAT YOU WANT or WHAT YOU NEED. You don't go out to a nice dinner to hear the manager go on and on about how great their restaurant is, how many awards the chef has won, or a detailed description of every single item on the exhaustive menu...that would be painful!! So, why are healthcare professionals always pushing their credentials and all of the different types of treatments that they can provide, and letting you know how many letters that they can build up behind their name on their business cards? I once thought that it was vastly important to bombard clients with as many offerings as possible, with as many credentials as possible. Guess what? None of that matters. What really matters the most is what the CLIENT NEEDS. Reaching out to patients in need should not be driven by how much the provider can puff out his or her chest or by how many studies they've read. All of those things are very important...taking care of our patients requires a great deal of education...the body is very complex. But, the emotions, the psychology, the family, the history of our patients is also integral in the development of a program that is effective in improving their quality of life, which is really why we professionals should exist. Improving the quality of life of our patients requires us to dive into every aspect of their lives, not just the physical deficits that exist. This investigation leads us to implement a customized plan including many branches that leads to that one goal...improvement in quality of life. We like to think of our patients and thus, treatment plans, as snowflakes...no two are the same. Want an exhaustive list of what we can offer as a provider of physical, occupational, and speech therapy? Sure...we can get you that. First, we need you to tell us your fears, your pains, what concerns your family about how you are functioning. Tell us what you are missing in your life that you really want to get back. Tell us your goals. Tell us what YOU want. Tell us what YOU need. We are ready to take YOUR order. Please call anytime for a FREE CONSULTATION 1-888-929-7677 www.achievarehab.com info@achievarehab.com https://www.youtube.com/@achievarehabilitation6370

It struck me the other day how at varying points of our lives, we have different outfits that we wear for different reasons.  And my thesis suggests that we can determine how healthy we are by how many outfits we use during the week.  Strange way of thinking, huh?  Or is it? You see, in my world as a Physical Therapist, I’m constantly aware of how often and how well people are moving.  It’s my job to help people move as best as they possibly can…that’s the basis of every patient we see…the end result is to make people move better because there is a direct and strong connection between how well people move and their overall health.  Studies have proven that people that are more mobile and active as a matter of habit stay out of the hospital, need less medication and doctor visits and live a longer, healthier life.  Those facts guide my professional and personal life. So, now back to the clothes that you wear.  When you are a young child, you have pajamas, school clothes, uniforms for sports like baseball or basketball, uniforms or outfits for other activities such as scouting or performing in a band or instrument recital, church clothes, play clothes and so on.  That’s arguably the time in our lives where we are most mobile and active and of course, the time when we are least likely to have any medical concerns whatsoever.  Our health is at its peak. Then, we move onto adulthood…the number of ensembles that we have in rotation is less.  Pajamas, work clothes, clothes for around the house, clothes for working outside on your property, perhaps clothes for hobbies like golfing or bowling or gardening, church clothes, and occasionally formal attire.  That’s still a fair number of options that we need in our closets but less than we had in our youth.  And as we know, most people in this stage of life remain pretty healthy and very mobile for the most part.  Are you seeing the connection?  Seems legitimate! Let’s move to older adulthood beyond the time when young family may no longer be living in your home, beyond your working years into retirement.  You’ve got pajamas, around the house clothes, perhaps clothes related to hobbies or working on your property.  Total outifts needed continue to decline.  In later years, hobbies likely go by the wayside and your mobility might move to a point where you have maybe two sets of clothes…one for home and one for outside the home.  It is at this point where we see people moving less and certainly that connects to their weakest state functionally and their most fragile state related to their overall health.  The connection could not be clearer…the more outfits you wear on a regular basis, the more mobile and functionally capable you will be and your health with benefit greatly. To me, it’s all connected and could even be used as a benchmark to manage your health. So, every once in a while, think about how many times you change your clothes in a week and how many different looks you have, and you will have a pretty good idea of how healthy you are.  The bottom line…the more activities that you are involved in, the more outfits you will need.  The more outfits you need, the more you will be moving and the healthier you will be.  So, do more and you will have a longer, healthier life…that’s my thesis and I’m sticking to it! If you can be happy when it comes down to wearing your very last outfit, you’ve lived a great life and that’s what this is all about…helping people live their best life!  Be well and do good!! www.achievarehab.com 888-929-7677 info@achievarehab.com Facebook: Achieva Rehab: In-Home Physical Therapy

Balance is our ability to maintain our center of mass over our base of support to keep us steady and upright. A properly functioning balance system allows us to see clearly while moving, know our orientation in respect to gravity, and helps to determine our speed and direction when we need to move.  To break it down, we have 4 bodily systems that make up our balance: Vision, Proprioception or our awareness of our bodies positions, Inner ear or our vestibular system and feeling of equilibrium, Muscular system. Problems With Balance Balance problems occur when one or more of these four systems are not working properly. For example: Our vision could be impaired from the normal aging process, poor lighting in a room, eye tracking issues, an old eyeglass prescription, and other diseases like cataracts or glaucoma. Our proprioception or our body awareness could be impaired from diseases as well, including diabetes resulting losing sensation in the bottoms of our feet meaning that we don’t have the proper information from foot to brain and back to our foot on how our body should adapt to the ground beneath us. Our vestibular system could be impaired from nutrition, trauma, or as you may have heard at one time or another your “crystals” being out of place in your ear, which is typically the cause of dizziness with a change in position, this is called BPPV. Our muscular system could be impaired for several reasons including: lack of exercise or being sedentary which can happen due to lifestyle choices, disease or injuries, or due to actually having other causes of balance problems. When we have problems with our balance, it is difficult to maintain stable and upright positions when standing, walking, and even when sitting. A person with poor balance may experience tripping, stumbling, dizziness, vertigo, and falling. These effects of irregular balance can make a person fearful of performing simple daily actives and as a result, they may lose strength, become frail, and lose coordination because of avoiding challenging activities or movements. The loss of balance and coordination can cause alterations to your daily life, and it is a physical therapists goal to help you overcome your balance issues to help you regain confidence with your movements. Falls And Physical Therapy One of the major and more serious outcomes of abnormal balance is a fall. Many older adults have experienced a fall or have worry that they may experience a fall. In fact, every 15 seconds an older adult is seen in the ER for a fall related injury and 50-75% of older adults living in nursing homes fall annually. A fall can be scary but there are ways to test to see if you are on the fall risk spectrum and if so, how we can prevent injury with a fall. To determine if you are on the fall risk spectrum, your physical therapist will have you perform five tests:  Berg Balance Test (takes you through 14 different testing positions looking at dynamic balance activities) TUG (is the Timed Up and Go test that looks at the time it takes to stand up, walk a certain distance, turn around, and sit back down) SL (single leg balance with eyes open) 5 times sit to stand Self-Selected Walking Speed . With all of these tests a picture is provided to your physical therapist on your mobility, strength, endurance, balance, and movement patterns. Once your physical therapist has determined your fall risk, they will work with you on how to improve your muscle strength, flexibility and balance. We will also work on fall recovery training which will help you to fall more safely. If you feel that physical therapy can help with your balance or you are interested in more information on assessing your fall risk, Please set up a FREE Phone Assessment with our Balance Specialist by filling out the information in the link below. Click HERE to Arrange Your FREE Phone Assessment

I’ve been writing this column for a while now and I hope everyone that has read it has gained something from my expressed opinions. All I ever want is to be able to help people. It’s my job! And at 49 years old, I’ve been doing it for over two decades, so, I’m an “old dog”. Well, this old dog learned a new trick of sorts. Or, rather, I was awakened to the realization that I’ve been overlooking one skill while prioritizing others. You see, I believe that the human body is capable of much more than we think as a collective society. No matter what your age, I believe that if you are given the tools and strategies to do so, you can do amazing things. I’ve seen it firsthand. It’s the one overriding philosophy that I use in my practice as a physical therapist. But sometimes that philosophy clouds the need to support the human spirit as well as the body. I had a patient who I was driving really hard because I knew the potential he had to improve. We had worked hard in the past and his results were literally astounding…he was easily one of my top success stories. I was prioritizing a physical program that I knew would work but I failed to support his spirit by giving him kudos for his hard work and encouraging him rather than talking about how slow the progress was coming along this time. It served to defeat him to a degree that I simply was not seeing. I was so focused on what I know is possible that I wasn’t serving to buoy his spirit to help him emotionally get there. It is a terrible feeling to learn this lesson, but I am glad that it was verbalized as it will make me better at what I do going forward. There is a saying that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Well, I want you to learn from my experience that sometimes “the flesh is willing, but the spirit is weak”. No matter the reason we are interacting with a person, we must try our best to see every interaction not only from your perspective but from THEIR perspective. I vow to do that better in my professional and personal lives everyday as I know it only helps me be more effective in both. The human body is capable of amazing things when the right tools and strategies are in place, but the human spirit is what drives the belief and fights the normal sense that we have limitations. Nothing great has ever been accomplished without a healthy human spirit. Old dogs can learn new tricks…my patients realize this because I ask them to work harder than they think is possible. My plans of care for my patients always include exercise, balance training, pain relief strategies, teaching etc. Those plans of care now automatically include what this old dog has learned, a need to fully support the human spirit. Please be good and do good!