"I would just like to tell those of you who may be looking for a physical therapy provider in Plano or North Dallas, you need look no more"

"I would just like to tell those of you who may be looking for a physical therapy provider in Plano or North Dallas, you need look no more.  I have experienced several medical problems that needed to be treated with physical therapy.  I have never had a more positive experience with the entire facility than I experienced here.  The staff is eager to serve your needs and with a very positive attitude.  Rose, at the front desk, has a delightful  smile and a very warm and caring personality.  My therapist, Laura, was without a doubt exceptional.  I came to Assured for a bulging disc in my lower back.  I had already had an epidural and needed help to regain core strength and to walk again without a cane.   I am pleased to report that we accomplished both.  I am very happy to be back at the park each morning walking my dog.  We walk a mile or more on a regular basis and enjoy every moment.  Thanks to all of you at Assured for making it happen!" - Peggy Parrigan (Physical Therapy Program) 


Schedule an appointment today!

I Fought COPD With Pulmonary Rehab and a Lung Transplant - COPD - Health.com

I Fought COPD With Pulmonary Rehab and a Lung Transplant - COPD - Health.com

Drug-Free Pain Relief During Pregnancy

Women face a multitude of problems during and after pregnancy, many of which are not only painful but can be detrimental to the health of the mother and the developing fetus. Pharmaceutical relief of these symptoms is often contraindicated, so the physician has to seek safer treatment options. Physical therapy and massage therapy can fill this void.

As the fetus develops and a woman’s ligaments relax in preparation for childbirth, the pregnant mother undergoes many postural changes, potentially causing pain. The increasing size of the uterus causes the pelvis to tilt anteriorly, and lumbar lordosis increases. The mother tends to lean back to compensate for the weight shift, further stretching the linea alba, increasing thoracic kyphosis and forward head posture, externally rotating the hips and hyperextending the knees. Under these conditions, postural muscles are overworked and ligaments that are already slackened are further stretched. This can cause pain and biomechanical dysfunction not only during but also after childbirth.

During the pregnancy, physical therapy modalities and massage can ease muscular pain and trigger points in the overworked muscle groups. Frequently, the piriformis is found to be a pain source with symptoms mimicking sciatica. Increased stresses on the uterine ligaments can cause pain, which responds extremely well to massage therapy.

Unequal and sustained loading of the intervertebral discs can starve the discs of nutrients, leading to increased risk of degeneration. Simple exercises as taught by physical therapists can not only improve the disc hydration but can also strengthen some of the inhibited spinal muscles, protecting the spine from damage. Physical therapy can also teach the pregnant mother good ergonomics and postural correction exercises to ease her musculoskeletal strain.

Headaches are common during pregnancy and usually have a physical cause. As the breasts and abdomen become heavier, the mother-to-be often adopts a rounded shoulder posture. The pectoral fascia and usculature shorten and further accentuate the kyphotic posture. This in turn causes cervical protraction and increases the strain on the cervical extensor muscles. The increased metabolic waste in the muscles, strain at the muscular insertions to the occiput and the subsequent positioning of the atlas can all cause cervical headaches. Physical therapists can use postural correction exercises, stretches, massage and thoracic mobilization to help improve the cervicothoracic biomechanics, subsequently decreasing the headaches.

Meralgia parasthetica, relatively common during pregnancy, is the compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it passes beneath the inguinal ligament because of the increased size and weight of the uterus. The numbness, tingling or burning pain along the outer thigh can be relieved by pelvic manipulation and myofascial release techniques to correct pelvic misalignment and fascial restriction.

Lower extremity edema caused by the changes in the blood vessels brought about by increased progesterone, the weight of the uterus and the habitual postures the expectant mother adopts, place increased pressure on the femoral venous return. Exercise and massage techniques can assist fluid return and decrease pain and other problems associated with the increased interstitial pressure in the extremities.

Stress is a major problem for the expectant mom. Stress can lead to increased blood pressure, decreased blood perfusion to the uterus and potentially miscarriage. Studies have shown that relaxation massage
can reduce blood pressure, increase blood perfusion to the uterus and aid in fetal development, as well as ease anxiety and depression.

Although many options exist for the drug-free treatment of the complications of pregnancy, this should be done judiciously and should only be performed by experienced physical therapists and massage therapists certified in pregnancy massage. The good news for the physician and pregnant mother is that the majority of health insurance companies cover physical therapy, making relief easily obtainable.

To schedule a consultation, call us today!  (972) 818-3888

Source:  CyberPT.com by Eric Mason, PT, and Emma Mason, LMT

Mind Over Muscle - Get Your Control Back

The nervous system controls all the muscles of the body. Unfortunately, the mind-muscle link tends to weaken over a period of time unless you challenge your muscles on a consistent basis.

Here are 5 solutions to regain control of your muscles:

• Nurture the right mindset for exercise. Don't set yourself up for failure. The right amount of concentration helps optimize the results from your exercise routine.
• Move in functional directions. This means multi-dimensional, or 3-D movements. Remember to mix it up!
• Improve coordination by challenging yourself with new exercises. Every new exercise or movement pattern demands new pathways of "communication" between nerves and muscles. The greater the variety, the better it is for your muscles.
• Challenge your balance with core stabilization techniques. Ask your physical therapist to teach you the best exercises to improve your core stability.
• Optimize your rest period between exercises. The right amount of rest between exercises can help optimize muscle recovery. To determine the correct amount of rest in your therapeutic exercise regimen, give us a call.

" I always felt that rehab was a scam, but Assured proved me wrong."

"I had a torn hamstring in addition to moderate disk degeneration in my lumbar region, making it very painful to sit for more than a few minutes without pain.  Although the therapy that was administered by Assured Rehab did not correct these problems, their efforts were definitely directed to the exact area and did relieve much of the pain. Ultimately, I required more injections into the area by my physician before I realized any real relief.

The receptionist, therapists and every single employee of Assured Rehab were wonderful. I was greeted by name and immediately served my favorite cup of coffee, promptly taken to the treatment center and attended to by professionals. Someone was constantly checking on me or helping me with an exercise ~ I was never just left to my own devices ~ someone was always nearby to monitor my efforts and offer advice or help me in some way.



I highly recommend Assured Rehab for anyone who is suffering from pain and needs professional help. I am 76 years old with several problems and have been to several rehab centers. Assured simply provided the best care I have ever had. I actually realized positive results from their treatment, which is the first time this has happened to me at a rehab center. Prior to this, I always felt that rehab was a scam, but Assured proved me wrong."  - Clarence R. “Charlie” Brown, Jr. (Physical Therapy Program)

5 Neurological Reasons for Muscle Weakness

What would you say if you found out there were legitimate reasons why your exercise program was failing to give you the results you desired?
There are five nervous system related issues that could be hindering your muscle strengthening and injury prevention efforts.
The brain communicates with every part of your body via nerves. This includes muscles, joints and various aspects of your skin. These nerves run to/from the brain, go down the spinal cord, and then branch off to each and every part of the body. If anything along this path is disrupted, the nervous system communication with the muscles, joints and skin is compromised. This means your muscles will not contract as efficiently as possible!

Here are 5 nervous system related issues that could be preventing YOU from activating the optimum number of muscle fibers each time you exercise:

1. Reduced sensitivity of joint receptors. This can impair feedback from the "end-point"(muscles) to the brain.
2. Muscles imbalances. This can result in POOR movement patterns.
3. Insufficient rest periods. Not resting enough (or resting too much) between sets can adversely affect recovery.
4. Poor coordination due to a lack of balance. This results in further muscle imbalances.
5. Impaired circulation. Nerves have their own circulation too. If this circulation becomes limited, the communication between muscles and nerves is negatively impacted.

"I have never had a more positive experience with the entire facility than I experienced here"

I would just like to tell those of you who may be looking for a physical therapy provider, you need look no more.  I have experienced several medical problems that needed to be treated with physical therapy.  I have never had a more positive experience with the entire facility than I experienced here.  The staff is eager to serve your needs and with a very positive attitude.  Rose, at the front desk, has a delightful  smile and a very warm and caring personality.  My therapist, Laura, was without a doubt exceptional.  I came to Assured for a bulging disc in my lower back.  I had already had an epidural and needed help to regain core strength and to walk again without a cane.   I am pleased to report that we accomplished both.  I am very happy to be back at the park each morning walking my dog.  We walk a mile or more on a regular basis and enjoy every moment.

Thanks to all of you at Assured for making it happen.

Peggy

Tips for Reducing Back Pain, Doctor Spotlight and New COPD Treatment Recommendations

Does Back Pain Go Away On Its Own?

Did you know that 80% of all individuals suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives? At times, the cause can be a specific injury. In other cases, the cause cannot be accurately determined. Low back pain is the second most common reason for a visit to the doctor's office (the first is upper respiratory tract infections).

What Causes Low Back Pain? 

The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. It can be injured in several ways. It’s possible to sprain ligaments, muscles or get a bulging or herniated disc. These are just some of the factors that can lead to low back pain. There can be times when the simplest movement (bending down to pick up a pencil from the floor, picking up your child) can lead to severe pain.

Will My Back Heal Itself?

Unlike muscles and bone, the lower back is a complex part of the body that does NOT "heal" on its own. It is critical to identify the underlying cause (which is where we help you) so that you can get long lasting relief.
The persistence of low back pain was revealed in a study by Hestbaek and colleagues in 2003. The study revealed that back pain lasted longer than 30 days for over 33% of people who experienced low back pain. Also, very few people (9% to be exact) with low back pain remained pain free after 5 years.
This highlights the importance of an evaluation from a licensed physical therapist, which is exactly where we come in to help you.

     What If I Suffer From Long-Lasting Back Pain?
Persistent, chronic pain is more than just an inconvenience. It can make daily activities painfully challenging and limit your ability to do the things you enjoy. You may find it difficult to play with your children and complete tasks at home or work. Pain can also confine you to staying indoors. It can substantially limit your social life.
That’s not all. Many individuals cut back on physical activity. This leads to muscle weakness, which causes more pain and weakness. This triggers a vicious cycle that grows worse with each passing day.
Your physical therapist can help you break this painful cycle! In most cases, we can help individuals with long-lasting back pain feel improvement shortly after starting physical therapy.
If your back pain is not resolving quickly, call us today.

Can I Prevent My Back Pain From Returning? Here are some tips from our physical therapists to keep your spine healthy and pain-free:

• When lifting an object, bend at your knees, not your back. Be sure to squat with the correct technique to pick up an object. Keep your back straight and keep the object close to your body.
• Avoid twisting your body while lifting anything.
• When sitting, make sure your feet are flat on the floor and your back is straight.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time. If you must, make sure to stand up and stretch frequently.
• The right footwear can protect your spine. Flats or low heels are safer than heels.
• Avoid sitting on the couch for too long, since it de-conditions the muscles surrounding your spine.
• Exercise regularly. Increasing muscle strength with the right exercises (which we can teach you) will minimize pain and injury.

Don’t neglect your low back, even if you are pain free. We can teach you several preventative exercises and conduct a postural evaluation to determine if you may be at risk for back pain.
What are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment with us today so we can show you how to protect your spine. It’s time to get you 'back' to pain-free living.














New guidelines for COPD diagnosis, management

Publish date: Aug 19, 2011

The American College of Physicians (ACP), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Thoracic Society (ACT), and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) have issued updated recommendations to the 2007 ACP clinical practice guideline on diagnosis and management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The new recommendations were published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The updated guidelines, which are based on a targeted literature update from March 2007 to December 2009, are intended for clinicians who manage patients with COPD. The update addresses the value of history and physical examination for predicting airflow obstruction; the value of spirometry for screening or diagnosis of COPD; and COPD management strategies, specifically evaluation of various inhaled therapies (anticholinergics, long-acting beta-agonists, and corticosteroids), pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and supplemental oxygen therapy.

The updated clinical practice guidelines include the following recommendations:

1. ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS recommend that spirometry should be obtained to diagnose airflow obstruction in patients with respiratory symptoms.
ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS recommend that spirometry should not be used to screen for airflow obstruction in individuals without respiratory symptoms.
2. For stable COPD patients with respiratory symptoms and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) between 60% and 80% predicted, ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS suggest that treatment with inhaled bronchodilators may be used.
3. For stable COPD patients with respiratory symptoms and FEV1 less than 60% predicted, ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS recommend treatment with inhaled bronchodilators.
4. ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS recommend that clinicians prescribe monotherapy using either long-acting inhaled anticholinergics or long-acting inhaled beta agonists for symptomatic patients with COPD and FEV1 less than 60% predicted. Clinicians should base the choice of specific monotherapy on patient preference, cost, and adverse effect profile.
5. ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS suggest that clinicians may administer combination inhaled therapies (long acting inhaled anticholinergics, long-acting inhaled beta agonists, or inhaled corticosteroids) for symptomatic patients with stable COPD and FEV1 less than 60% predicted.
6. ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS recommend that clinicians should prescribe pulmonary rehabilitation for symptomatic patients with an FEV1 less than 50% predicted. Clinicians may consider pulmonary rehabilitation for symptomatic or exercise-limited patients with an FEV1 greater than 50% predicted.
7. ACP, ACCP, ATS, and ERS recommend that clinicians should prescribe continuous oxygen therapy in patients with COPD who have severe resting hypoxemia.

“This clinical practice guideline aims to help clinicians to diagnose and manage stable COPD, prevent and treat exacerbations, reduce hospitalizations and deaths, and improve the quality of life of patients with COPD,” said lead author Amir Qaseem, MD, FACP, PhD, director of clinical policy, ACIP, in a press release. “It is important for patients with COPD to stop smoking and for physicians to help their patients to quit smoking.”

Source: ModernMedicine.com

Doctor Spotlight - Joel Brook, DPM - Dallas Podiatry Works - Plano and Dallas

                      

Dr. Brook earned his bachelor's degree in Biology from Vassar College in 1983. In 1984, he graduated from Columbia University with his master's in Human Nutrition and went on to earn a doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Temple University College of Podiatric Medicine in 1995.

Dr. Brook's hospital affiliations include:

• Medical City of Dallas
• Baylor Regional Medical Center of Plano
• North Central Surgery Center

Dr. Brook is a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and is board certified in both Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. He was chief resident in the Department of Surgery, Division of Podiatric Surgery, at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Brook is also a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, American Podiatric Medical Association, Texas Podiatric Medical Association and American Diabetes Association.

An avid lecturer to both the medical and lay community, Dr. Brook has lectured on topics including The Pediatric Flatfoot, Pediatric Foot Pain, Charcot Arthropathy, The Spectrum of Heel Pain, Evaluation of the Diabetic Foot, Management of Puncture Wounds and A Woman's Guide to Painful Feet and Bunion Surgery. Dr. Brook has conducted extensive research and published 10 articles in several prominent clinical journals. He has received many honors and awards for his work.

Dr. Brook has served on the infection control, ethics and executive committee of the ambulatory surgery center at Medical City, and was chairman of the Podiatric Surgery section at Medical City Dallas Hospital from 2001-2007. Dr. Brook was votedBest Doctor in D Magazine again.

Dr. Brook is married with three children, is active in community affairs, enjoys skiing, biking and is an avid woodworker.

To learn more about Dr. Brook, visit www.dallaspodiatryworks.com

If you are a physician or practitioner and would like to learn more about being featured in this newsletter, contact us at info@assuredrehab.com