Ask a Physical Therapist to “screen” your movements this Spring

May 27, 2018 Tim@inhometherapygr.com

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Let’s talk about the last time you—or someone close to you—interviewed for a new job. Chances are that the first step was a phone screen with your potential employer. When you passed that portion of the process with flying colors, you were then invited for an in-person interview. At that stage, the employer probably asked you to answer a series of questions and to demonstrate your skills through a test or two. The process is set up in a way that narrows down the options until the most suitable candidate is found. Makes sense, right?

Just as job recruiters screen applicants to find the best fit for an open position, your Physical Therapist will ask you to perform a series of exercises to observe and understand your body mechanics to uncover any issues or limitations. Used in combination with a full evaluation and assessment, these movement screens are just one tool in identifying the most appropriate treatment or prevention program for you. But unlike that test you may have taken during a job interview, the screen is not testing your skills or abilities, it’s simply a way of identifying how your body functions during a variety of movements.

pink cherry blossom tree under blue sky during daytime

Now that spring is in full swing, it’s the perfect time of year to make an appointment with your physical therapist for a movement screen. The warmer weather means more time spent outdoors participating in sports and other recreational activities that may be physically demanding. A physical therapy checkup that includes a movement screen will ensure that you’re physically able to engage in popular spring and summer adventures. Whether it’s exploring in the woods, tending to your garden, or swimming at your family’s lake house.

Physical therapists perform movement screens for a variety of reasons, including:

To identify areas of strength and weakness
To uncover issues or rule them out
To determine readiness to begin a safe exercise program
To improve sport performance (for both novice and elite athletes)

A movement screen is something that you can have done whether you have a nagging injury or are simply ready to kickstart your activity level after a long hiatus. Gaining an understanding of how your body performs during basic exercises such as squats and lunges helps your Physical Therapist ensure that you can safely jump on a bike or into a pool this summer. Just like an employer screens candidates to identify the one individual who is likely to thrive on the job for many years to come. A movement screen can help you develop a lasting and fulfilling relationship with the activities you enjoy most.

Contact In Home Therapy of Grand Rapids today to get your Physical Therapy screening.

Our Ancestors May Have Held the Secret to Better Brain Health

May 1, 2018 Tim@inhometherapygr.com

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In Home Therapy of Grand Rapids

It turns out that while our early ancestors spent their days out in the wilderness hunting and foraging for food, they may also have been keeping their brains sharp. Researchers at the University of Arizona have found a connection between the highly active lifestyle that was prevalent in those ancient days and the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related diseases.

Some two million years ago, our ancestors covered long distances—mixing moderate and intense bouts of aerobic activity throughout the day—as a means of survival. In sharp contrast, today’s average American starts his day by getting ready for work or school, then travels by car or train to an office where he’ll likely spend hours in meetings or in front of a computer, only to retire home to catch up on the latest series on Netflix. For the most active among us, exercise might consist of an hour at the gym three or more days a week and perhaps a few short walks sprinkled in throughout the day. But contrary to popular belief, that level of activity doesn’t completely erase the damage we do to our bodies during the other 23 hours in the day—which are largely spent sitting in a desk chair or at the dining room table, reclining on the family sofa or sleeping.

An obvious connection can be drawn between today’s sedentary lifestyle and a host of prevalent modern-age health problems like obesity and chronic illness, but how do low levels of activity affect our cognitive abilities? The study’s co-authors hypothesize that the amount of exercise that our ancestors engaged in reduced the burden of a genotype that leads to a high risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and increased mortality. As a result, the researchers stress the importance of exercise as a potential disease prevention and intervention tool.

Beyond reducing the risk of disease, the role that movement and exercise play in a person’s cognitive performance cannot be underestimated. Many research studies have proven that engaging in regular physical activity keeps our brains in top form, helping us to focus, recall and think more clearly. And while it’s not exactly feasible to adopt a hunter/gatherer way of life in today’s world, perhaps the takeaway is that moving—more frequently and for longer periods of time—can help stave off disease and boost our brain function. Just some food for thought next time you settle in to binge watch Game of Thrones or pass up an opportunity to bike to the office.