Nerve Damage & Physical therapy

The nervous system comprises of numerous nerves that transports chemicals and impulses from the brain to all the other parts of the body and back again to the brain. The nervous system is important in protecting us from injury and it is also important in our representation as a social individual. It is a very important and highly complex system.

Injury to nerves can be a result of an abrupt accident or can be because of repeated assaults over a period of time. In general, nerves are well protected and resistant to injury but there are limits. Since nerves are not elastic, free movement of nerves in our spines, arms and legs are essential to avoid injuries.

When a nerve gets caught, pinched or tethered an injury occurs. We can very often restore the normal movement of the injured nerves, which is fundamental to healing. We use a variety of Physical therapy techniques to establish normal movement of injured nerves, from eliminating the source of the movement restriction to mobilization of the nerve itself.

Under certain circumstances surgery is required to establish normal nerve movement or to remove obstructions such as disc material, bony growth, or thickened ligaments. But it is always best to exhaust all other non-surgical options. Furthermore, it is important to understand that most nerve injuries develop slowly over time and this process can be stopped or reversed by doing a course of appropriate physical therapy in the early stages of the condition.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy helps people get back full strength and movement in key parts of the body after an illness or injury. Physical therapy doesn't just help a person rebuild strength and range of motion, though — it also can help someone manage pain, whether that pain is caused by bad posture, an injury, or a disease like arthritis. When done properly and consistently, physical therapy can help prevent permanent damage and recurring problems.

Most physical therapy uses a combination of techniques to relieve pain and boost coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility and range of motion. Physical therapists (PTs) often ask patients to use exercise equipment like treadmills.

In addition to exercising the affected area, a Physical Therapist also may treat it with heat or cold, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, massage, and water or whirlpool baths. In many cases, PTs massage injured areas and oversee the patient during stretching routines.

Physical therapists usually give their patients exercises to do at home. These at-home exercises work with the treatments and exercises done in the PT's office to help a person heal better, faster, and safely.

What to Look for in a Physical Therapist

You'll want to be sure a physical therapist is qualified to treat you. All PTs must have an advanced degree in physical therapy and be licensed by the state to practice. The entry-level degree for a physical therapist is a doctoral degree (DPT).

Make sure that you

1.  Stick to the plan. 
2. Know your body. 
3. Talk to your PT if you have problems. 
4.  Celebrate your successes

At Optimum Rehab, we offer all kinds of Physical Therapy treatments in New York City

Great postures for sleeping, tips for a better sleep

Everyone knows that good posture is important, but good posture doesn't apply just to sitting and standing. The muscles and ligaments of your back relax and heal themselves while you sleep. In order to protect your back, good posture is important while sleeping.

Here are some tips to help you sleep better:

• Choosing the right mattress: The mattress that's right for you lets you wake up feeling rested and free of pain or soreness. The best mattress is one that allows you to sleep soundly and without pain.
• If you sleep with a partner, you should have enough space to move into a comfortable sleeping position. If you have a back problem, ask your health care provider or physical therapist to recommend the type of mattress that would be best for you.
• The right pillow: Pillows are not just for your head and neck. Depending on your sleeping position, additional pillows can help keep your spine in proper alignment. 
• Alignment: Regardless of your sleeping position, try to keep your ears, shoulders, and hips aligned.
• If you sleep on your back, a small pillow under the back of your knees will decrease stress on your spine and support the natural curve in your low back. 
• The pillow for your head should support your head, the natural curve of your neck, and your shoulders.
• Sleeping on your stomach can create stress on the back because the spine can be put out of alignment. Placing a flat pillow under the stomach/pelvis area can help to keep the spine in better alignment.
• If you sleep on your stomach, a pillow for your head should be flat, or sleep without a pillow.
• If you sleep on your side, a firm pillow between your knees will prevent your upper leg from pulling your spine out of alignment and decrease stress on your hips and low back. Pull your knees up slightly toward your chest. The pillow for your head should keep your spine straight. A rolled towel or small pillow under your waist may also help support your spine.
• Insert pillows into gaps between your body and the mattress.
• Keep your ears, shoulders, and hips aligned when turning as well as when sleeping.  

Cancer, 10 early warning signs you cannot ignore

If you have one of the following symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor.  Let them know what you have noticed, even if you are not concerned by it. Chances are it is nothing to worry about, but it is better to play safe. And it is important for your overall health to get to the bottom of it.

• New lumps or growths on your skin
• A sore or bruise that does not heal
• A mole that changes in shape, size or color or bleeds in unusual circumstances
• An ongoing cough or hoarseness that last longer than three weeks
• Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
• A change in bowel or bladder habits for no good reason
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss or tiredness
• Blood anywhere it normally should not be – in urine, bowel motions, or from spitting

Treatment works best when cancer is found early—while it’s still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This often means a better chance for a cure, especially if the cancer can be removed with surgery.

10 tips to get out of depression, fight depression

It’s normal to lose interest in life when you are depressed, but keeping up some favorite activities will help you feel better in time. Enlist the help of family and friends to help you get through the rough patches.

Here are some tips to help you cope with your depression.

1. Continue to do activities you've enjoyed in the past. This is important, even if you don’t enjoy them right now.

2. Do your best to stay active every day. Studies show that regular exercise may be as effective as medication in relieving mild depression.

3. Know your triggers and risk factors. Common causes of depression include loneliness, painful life events, chronic stress and chronic pain.

4. Try to keep up with friends. People who are depressed usually shun other people, but isolation and feelings of loneliness can make depression worse.

5. Keep up a routine. Get up at the same time every morning and avoid naps during the day. Too much or too little sleep will make you feel worse.

6. Try to control your worrying habit. Avoid dwelling on negative thoughts and feelings. Instead, focus on realistic thoughts and talk through your concerns.

7. Schedule regular time to relax. People who are depressed often feel agitated and unsettled. Try meditation, exercise or making time for hobbies – whichever works best for you.

8. Don’t self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Substance misuse causes a wide range of problems and will also make you feel worse in the long run.

9. Seek out support. Tell trusted friends, family members and colleagues what you are going through.

10. See your doctor. If depressed feelings persist despite your efforts, always seek professional help.

Neck Pain causes and effective treatments

The neck, with its intricate structure and wide range of mobility, is particularly vulnerable to stress and strain. The head, which weighs between 10 and 20 pounds, is supported by a stack of seven small bones called vertebrae and held in place by 32 complex muscles. Neck pain is a serious problem that can limit your ability to perform normal, everyday tasks. It can cause you to lose range of motion in your neck, and it may also be a source of pain in your shoulder, arm, or hand.

Causes of Neck Pain

There are many different causes of neck pain. Occasionally, poor sitting posture puts the neck in an awkward position and causes pain. Wear and tear from arthritis or disc problems may also be a cause of your neck pain. Some neck pain is the result of injury and is called whiplash, but the vast majority of neck pain is due to simple muscle tension.

The pain that comes from your neck may be felt in different locations, which can make your condition confusing and difficult to treat. Do not panic if you experience pain in your neck. Oftentimes neck pain gets better in few days, and in many cases the pain subsides greatly in four to six weeks. When pain strikes, gentle neck exercises may be beneficial, and heat or ice can also help control symptoms. If symptoms persist, visit your doctor to see if a prescription medication will help your condition. Physical therapy helps a great deal in lessening the pain.

Exercise can be your main tool in the treatment of neck pain. Your physical therapist may prescribe specific exercises to help you improve the Range Of Motion of your neck.  Few treatment options are:

•         Traction
•          Postural Correction
•          Joint Mobilizations
•          Massage.
•          Therapeutic modalities

Heat and ice are also treatments that may be used to help relax muscles and to decrease inflammation. Invasive treatments like spinal injections may be an option if pain doesn’t subside within weeks of therapy and medication. If the damage in your neck that's causing your pain is severe, you may require neck surgery to help eliminate the pain.

Best positions for better sleeping

Getting enough sleep is the most important thing but sleeping in the correct position also is important.  The eight common sleeping positions are described below.

1. On Your Back, Arms at Sides
Sleeping on your back with your arms at your side is generally considered to be the best sleeping position for spine health and it’s good for your neck, too.
2. On Your Back, Arms Up
Whether you have your arms up around your pillow or not, sleeping on your back may also help to prevent facial wrinkles and skin breakouts. Plus, having your arms up can put pressure on nerves in your shoulders, leading to pain.
3. Face Down
Sleeping on your stomach can improve digestion but unless you’ve developed a way to breathe through your pillow, it most likely leads to you tilting your face in one direction or the other.
4. Fetal Position
Sleeping all curled up into a ball with your knees drawn up and your chin tilted down might be comfortable but it’s probably one of the worst sleeping positions to consider as it can do a number on your back and neck.

5. On Side, Arms at Sides
When you’re sleeping on your side with both arms down, the spine is best supported in its natural curve. This can definitely help reduce back and neck pain while also reducing sleep apnea.
6. On Side, Arms Out
This position has many of the same benefits of sleeping on your side with your arms straight down.
7. On the Right Side
If you’re a side-sleeper, which side you sleep on also makes a difference. Sleeping on the right side can worsen heartburn while sleeping on the left side can put strain on internal organs like the liver, lungs, and stomach (while minimizing acid reflux).
8. Pillow-Supplemented
Choosing a proper sleeping position is important but regardless of which sleeping position you prefer, it’s highly likely that you can get a better night’s rest with less pain in the morning by supplementing your body with a pillow.

Feeling sleepy after having lunch, overcome post lunch dip

Do you experience the post lunch dip that makes you feel sleepy after a lunch? Whatever you term it; drowsiness, sleepiness, tiredness, or fatigue, it just makes you stop work & crawl under your desk to get a sleep. This is a natural phenomenon common in people who wants to go to sleep about seven hours after they have awakened.

What happens in the body that it craves rest after lunch?

The circadian rhythm or the 24-hour cycle of the body comes to a resting time after lunch as its 7 -9 hours after being awakened. During afternoon hours this rhythm converges with another physiological cycle called homeostatic that measures the amount of time spent awake and pushes for a rest. Adding the effects of a high carbohydrate food an overpowering desire to sleep may arise.

Does everyone have this issue?

Though there are few people who discard this dip, about 15% to 20% of the populationare hidden nappers. These people prefer to nap in quiet & abandoned spaces like empty rooms, parked cars, etc. They do this because of the unsurpassable urge to sleep.

To overcome the "post lunch dip"

To avoid feeling tired after lunch you need to first make sure you are getting enough sleep. Seven - eight hours is ideal. Secondly, go for a lighter, more nutrient dense lunch that are balanced with fiber-rich carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, legumes or whole grains), protein and healthy fats.

More realistically, a 20-minute long "power nap" can have a rejuvenating effect and is known to increase productivity at work. Some may choose to have caffeinated drinks like coffee to overcome this dip. But responses to caffeine vary, and for some people it can disrupt nighttime sleep.

Another way to push through the dip is to exercise or to simply get up and move around the room. If you need to talk to a colleague at another desk, this could be the ideal time.

Top 10 Benefits of Drinking Water

1. Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue – Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. Also your energy levels remain boosted.

2. Promotes Weight Loss – Removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake, reduces hunger, raises your metabolism and has no calories.

3. Flushes Out Toxins – Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

4. Improves Skin Complexion – Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. Gets rid of wrinkles.

5. Maintains Regularity – Aids in digestion as water is essential to digest your food and prevents constipation.

6. Boosts Immune System – Water helps ward off sickness by boosting immunity. Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.

7. Natural Headache Remedy – Helps relieve and prevent headaches which are commonly caused by dehydration.

8. Prevents Cramps & Sprains - Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.

9. Puts You in a Good Mood – When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great and be happy!

10. Save Money - What more, its free and far more cheaper than any other drinks in the market.

Pregnancy related back pain & effective Physical Therapy

Are you suffering from lower back pain during your pregnancy? Well you are not alone; there are over 50% of pregnant women who experience lower back pain during this period. This pain could not only prevent you from working & taking care of your home but also put you in debilitating pain. Pregnancy-related lower back pain can have multiple reasons like postural changes, ligament laxity and weight gain, which results in decreased stability of the hips & back.

The good news is that you will be able to manage your pain and alleviate it completely. It has been shown that physical therapy can help you decrease or even eliminate pregnancy-related low back pain and improve your function through methods like spinal stabilization exercises, manual therapy, and education about simple things like standing, sitting, lifting, support pillows use, and even on how to toss and turn in the bed. Exercises will emphasize the stomach - abdominals, pelvic floor and buttock/hip muscles to help stabilize the pelvis

The hormone relaxin production is increased during pregnancy to ten times the normal levels. The purpose of relaxin is to help the pelvis adapt and prepare for childbirth by softening connective tissues and ligaments around the pelvis, pubic symphysis, and sacrum. These changes will allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. Unfortunately, due to the increased release of relaxin, your sacroiliac joint and lumbar joints may become unstable and can move out of alignment which in turn contributes to your pain. Research has shown that it is safe and effective for your physical therapist to perform gentle muscle energy techniques or manual therapy to correct the alignment and allow you to train your muscles in proper position.

You are not alone and you do not need to suffer with low back pain during pregnancy. It has been shown that regular & proper exercise, education, and manual therapy is the best safe and most effective treatment to lower back pain.

Herniated disc Physical Therapy & treatments

Disc herniation or herniated disc is the leaking of soft inner gel in the disc to the spinal canal. This occurs when the disc degenerates. Once inside the spinal canal, the herniated disc material puts pressure on the nerve, causing pain to radiate down the nerve leading to sciatica or leg pain (from a lumbar herniated disc) or arm pain (from a cervical herniated disc).

Few passive treatments involve:
1. Deep Tissue Massage:  It uses pressure to relieve the deep muscle tension and spasms, which develop to prevent muscle motion at the affected area.
2. Hot and Cold Therapy: heat may be used to increase blood flow to the target area. Blood helps heal the area by delivering extra oxygen and nutrients. Blood also removes waste byproducts from muscle spasms. Conversely, cold therapy slows circulation. This reduces inflammation, muscle spasms and pain. An ice pack may be placed on the target area, followed by an ice massage, which can be followed by a spray fluoromethane that cools the inflamed tissues.
3. Hydrotherapy:  Hydrotherapy may involve sitting in a tub with warm water. It gently relieves pain and relaxes the muscles.
4. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): A TENS machine uses an electrical current to stimulate the muscles. Electrodes that are taped to skin send a tiny electrical current to key points on the nerve pathway. This reduces muscle spasms and triggers the release of endorphins, body's natural pain killers.
5. Traction: The goal of traction is to reduce the effects of gravity on the spine. By gently pulling apart the bones, the intent is to reduce the disc herniation.

These physical therapy exercises & techniques help in achieving core stability, flexibility, stress reduction of muscles & also strengthen them.

Sprained Fingers, Physical Therapy treatments, exercises

Finger sprains are very common among athletes and people who play ball games like basketball, volley ball, etc. It usually occurs due to hypertensive forces that bend the fingers backward or sideways. A sprained finger may also occur in contact sports due to a collision with another player or when tackling, or in martial arts or boxing. It can also occur due to repetitive strain associated with overuse.

Sudden onset pain and swelling are the usual signs of a sprained finger. Sometimes, this might be seen only on the next day of the injury. Treatment of a finger sprain in the initial 48 – 72 hours is important to reduce the bleeding, swelling and inflammation of the finger joints. This should involve following the R.I.C.E regime that comprises of rest, regular icing, and use of a compression bandage and elevation of the affected limb.
Physiotherapy for a sprained finger can hasten the healing process, ensure an optimal outcome and reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.

Treatment may comprise:

• soft tissue massage
• anti-inflammatory medication
• electrotherapy (e.g. ultrasound)
• finger taping
• joint mobilization
• ice or heat treatment
• finger bracing
• exercises to improve flexibility and strength
• activity modification advice
• a gradual return to activity program


Exercises for a sprained finger

• Hand Open and Close
• Finger Adduction to Abduction
• Tennis Ball Squeeze

All these exercises must be only performed under medical advice or supervision of a physical therapy professional . 

Degenerative Disc Disease, Symptoms & Exercises

Degenerative disc disease is a term that is used to describe the normal changes in the spinal discs of a person as he grows old. Spinal discs are compressible soft discs that separate the interlocking bones which make up the spine. The discs act as shock absorbents for the spine thus allowing it to be flexible, bend, and twist. Degenerative disc disease can occur throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs of the lower back and neck.

The changes in the discs can result in back or neck pain or even serious problems like:
• Osteoarthritis
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
These conditions may put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves causing pain and may even affect the nerve function.

Common symptoms include:
• Pain that gets worse when sitting.
• Pain that gets worse when bending, lifting or twisting
• Periods of severe pain that come and goes.
• Pain can affect the low back, buttocks and thighs or the neck, depending on where the affected disc is, radiating to the arms and hands
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities
• Feeling better changing positions often or lying down
• Weakness in the leg muscles or foot drop

Different factors can cause disc degeneration, age being a major one. Specific factors include:
• Drying of disc fluid: When we are born, the disc is about 80% water. As we age, the disc dries out and doesn't absorb shocks as well
• Injuries that can cause swelling, soreness and instability.
• Daily activities and sports cause tears in the outer core of the disc.

Exercises:

Different types of exercises are recommended, each depending on the patient's diagnosis. Floor exercises like abdominal bracing, double-knee-to-chest or low back stretches, extension exercises, modified sit-ups, knee-to-elbow exercises, seat lifts, mountain and sag exercises, hamstring stretches, and extension flexibility exercises.
Swimming exercises are some of the best activities for back pain. Aerobic exercises improve endurance if performed regularly. Relaxation exercises are good for relieving muscular tension that may aggravate back pain.

Sleep Disorders, causes & effective treatments

Sleep disorders are medical issues that involve sleep patterns. Certain sleep disorders can interfere with the normal physical, emotional & mental functioning which can be caused due to numerous external reasons like depression, anxiety, trauma or life transition. These symptoms typically involve difficulties related to sleeping, including difficulty falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excessive sleep time, or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep. It is a relatively common disorder.

If you experience any trouble getting to sleep or sleeping comfortably over the night, if you are waking up too early or have a hard time waking up at all, or if you are overly tired during the day, you may have one of the following sleep problems.

• Oversleeping

• Snoring

• Nightmares in Adults

• Bed-wetting

• Insomnia

• Sleepwalking Symptoms

• Parasomnias

• Night Terrors

• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Central Sleep Apnea

• Narcolepsy

• REM sleep Behavior Disorder

• Sleep Paralysis

• Sleep-Related Eating Disorders

• Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder

• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

• Hypersomnia (Daytime Sleepiness)

• Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Therapy for Sleep Disorders

Some sleep disorders are caused only due to a medical condition, while many others often have psychological reasons. Many sleep disorders arise during a difficult transition in a person’s life, or because of depression & anxiety. Psychotherapy can be instrumental in helping one work through a sleep disorder, regardless of the cause.

Consult your physician or therapist to determine the reason for any of this type of symptoms that gives you sleeping disorders. Most of the different types of psychotherapy treatments focus on changing behaviors, setting and achieving goals, becoming better self-aware, learning relaxation skills, and empowering the client to take control of his/her own situations. After establishing the root cause, therapists can teach people various skills to change unwanted sleep patterns. 

Scoliosis, Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Scoliosis is a sideways or lateral curvature occurring in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. Scoliosis seen in children and teens does not cause any noticeable symptoms and is not very obvious until the curve of the spine becomes moderate or severe.

What Causes Scoliosis?
There are many types and causes of scoliosis, including:
• Congenital scoliosis
• Neuromuscular scoliosis
• Degenerative scoliosis
• Idiopathic scoliosis

Symptoms of scoliosis
In children and teenagers, scoliosis often does not have any noticeable symptoms. Most of the time scoliosis does not cause pain in children or teens. Adults who have scoliosis may or may not have back pain.
• One shoulder is placed higher than the other one
• One side of the rib cage appears elevated compared to other
• One shoulder blade sticks out more than the other
• One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other
• The body tilts to one side
• The waist appears uneven
• One leg may appear shorter than the other

Treatments for scoliosis include:

Braces: If the spine curvature lies between 25 degrees to 40 degrees and there is a minimum period of 2 years for optimum bone development, the most common treatment is bracing. This is done to halt progression of the curve. It may provide a temporary correction, but usually the curve will assume its original magnitude when bracing is eliminated.

Surgery: For people with curvature more than 40 degrees to 50 degrees are usually considered for surgery. Surgery ensures that the curve does not worsen. It does not perfectly straighten the spine too. Metallic implants are used to correct the curvature and hold it in the correct position until a bone graft, placed at the time of surgery, consolidates and creates a rigid fusion in the area of the curve. Scoliosis surgery usually involves joining the vertebrae together permanently-- called spinal fusion.

20 Reasons your legs are paining, Physical therapy for leg pain

Leg pain affects 85% of the world population. Its underlying cause varies from one to other in many ways. Leg pain might be a symptom of any of the following health conditions.

• Sprains and strains
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Charley horse
• Radiculopathy
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Multiple schlerosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Varicose veins
• Sciatica
• Arterial embolism
• Shin splints
• Pulmonary embolism
• Osteochondrosis
• Osgood-schlatter disease
• Arteriosclerosis
• Polio
• Compartment syndrome
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Necrotizing vasculitis
• Standing on ground with flat feet

Physical therapy treatments and exercises can help you minimize the effects of leg pain and its complications in life. But before that you have to seek medical advise on what actually is the underlying cause of the pain.

We at Optimum Rehab Physical Therapy would be happy to discuss any of these options with you in more depth if you like. Our goal is to ensure optimal health for you. We are located at twin locations of Upper East Side and Wall Street, New York city.

We are available for consultation on postural concerns, sports medicine, muscle tension evaluation, orthopedic rehabilitation, proper stretching and physical training, and proper fitness for healthy individuals and those facing chronic medical conditions as well as rehabilitation post illness/injury. Our therapists are direct access licensed where you don’t need any medical prescription for consultation. We also treat in consultation with your referring physician, all according to your convenience.

Physical Therapy treatments for Migraine headaches

The physical therapist conducts a thorough examination of your body that includes a review of your health history. Your therapist will ask you questions and will perform tests to determine the most likely cause of your headaches. If the evaluation indicates the type of headache you have such as sinus, migraine, or cluster the treatment would vary accordingly.

Can Physical Therapy treat Migraine headaches?

During the beginning of a migraine headache, physical therapy can be used widely to reduce the attacking pain. Ice & relaxation techniques are used as modalities along with particular kind of massage techniques.
Migraine headaches usually occur with a feeling of discomfort and tension in the neck area. Stretching exercises can be useful in reducing this discomfort. However the effects of all these measures vary from person to person. It also depends on the underlying reason for discomfort.

The physical therapist corrects the problem causing your pain and helps you learn the prevention of headaches through minor changes in your posture and lifestyle:
• Improves neck mobility
• Improves your strength
• Improves your posture

This is achieved through a series of Physical Therapy Regimes like:
• Spinal manipulation
• Neck mobilization
• Strengthening
• Stretching
• Posture education
• Exercise education

We at Optimum Rehab Physical Therapy would be happy to discuss any of these options with you regarding Physical Therapy treatments for Migraine headaches. Our goal is to ensure optimal health for you. We are located at twin locations of Upper East Side and Wall Street, New York city.

Spondylosis early symptoms, physical therapy treatments

Symptoms of spondylosis can  include

Localized pain in the area of  back or neck. Pain may shoot up to the limb, if a herniated disc causes the pinched nerve. A large disc herniation in the region of lumbar spine may cause nerve compression and pain that starts in the low back and travels down the leg into the foot. This is called sciatica.

Back pain due to a bulging disc is typically worse with prolonged standing, sitting, and forward bending and is often better with changing positions frequently and walking. Back pain due to osteoarthritis of the facet joints is typically worse with walking and standing, and relieved with forward bending.

Numbness or tingling may be felt if a nerve is pinched. If it is severely pinched, weakness of an affected extremity can occur. If a herniated disc pushes on the spinal cord, this can cause injury to the spinal cord .
This is termed myelopathy.

Symptoms of myelopathy include numbness, tingling, and weakness. For example, a large herniated disc in the cervical spine could cause cervical myelopathy if it is large enough to push on the spinal cord with resulting symptoms of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and possibly the legs.

Acute symptoms of Spondylosis:

• Numbness, abnormal sensation, or weakness 
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Impaired coordination & balance
• Loss of sensation in limbs
• Muscle weakness in the arms or legs

Surgery & medication are usually recommended as treatments to spondylosis. Physical therapy, massage therapy and acupuncture are widely recognized for its non invasive procedures in pain management. 

Personal Physical Trainers in New York City

Personal trainers will help you achieve your fitness goals in a well defined and effective method. Certified personal trainers specialize in strength training, sport-specific conditioning, cardiovascular training, functional training and improved flexibility. Generally all personal training sessions are 60 minutes in duration.

Requirement of a high-quality, individualized workout program
Our trainers are highly experienced in not just implementing a healthy workout plan but also implementing a new healthy lifestyle.
Better motivation and individualized feedback.
Our trainers work with you to develop a workout plan that suits you and your interests.
Better training and enhancement of performance for a specific event.
One of the hidden components of personal training is goal setting and our trainers can help set goals with you in the beginning and work to meet those goals for an exemplary end result.
Motivation to continue training regardless of the current figure attained. 
Our trainers are experienced in many exercises that can be fun and engaging.  Exercising is not supposed to be a burden and all of our trainers support a fun and exciting program.
To make exercises sound safer
Our personal trainers watch your form, monitor your vitals and provide objective feedback about your limits and strengths.  This beneficial feedback helps keep you safe and keeps your workout beneficial.
Practice from home workout sessions
Sometimes working out in a large open gym is stressful and nerve-wracking.  Anxiety help you stick to a beneficial exercise plan.
Effective and efficient goal realization
Our certified personal trainers set goals with you in the beginning to help focus your exercise plan on meeting those goals and to stop wasting your time with inefficient workouts. Our trainers work with you to help you get maximum results in minimum time.

Why should avoid Sugar from your diet, dangers of Sugar

Ever packed your kid’s snack boxes with chocolate donuts &cookies? Can’t stop munching over packets of m & m? Let us tell you about something that hides in all kinds of snacks that you munch on – SUGAR.

1.       Sugar suppresses the immune system: Eating lots of sugar can temporarily tamp down your immune system’s ability to respond to infections & challenges. When you consume sugar, you place your immune system in a weakened state. Eating sugar causes the white blood cells to dysfunction. 

A study reveals that sugar molecules impair the neutrophils that engulf bacteria. Neutrophil is the major type of WBC that you have & one of their main jobs is to gobble up the microbes that enter your body. Sugar weakens these neutrophils so that they can’t get their critical job done.

2.       Sugar promotes inflammation: Eating too much sugary foods may fuel excessive and inappropriate inflammation that serve no useful purpose and actually promotes aging and disease.

3.       Sugar suppresses the release of human growth hormone:  Avoiding food that is high in sugar content is an excellent way to gradually slow down your aging process. Exercising, going longer between meals, and avoiding undue stress can also help in the process.

4.       Insulin Resistance: When sugar is consumed, insulin allows these sugar molecules into the cells. But if we consume excessive sugar then the insulin becomes less effective. Sugar doesn’t get into the body cells and hence become stuck in the body thus producing toxic effects that usually leads to threat of diabetes & obesity.

5.       Sugar promotes glycation: Once the sugar molecules get into the bloodstream, they start finding things to combine with, like protein and fat molecules. This combination molecule is known as AGE or advanced glycation end products. This process of combination or hooking up is termed “glycation”. These molecules produce toxic compounds that fast-forward the aging process. Much of the damage done by AGEs is irreversible. 

Apart from all these, excessive consumption of sugar also leads to:

1.  High Blood Pressure
2.  High Cholesterol
3.  Liver Disease

The World Health Organization suggests that you keep your sugar intake to no more than 10% of total calories if you’re healthy and 5% if you have an inclination to heart diseases or diabetes.

What to expect when decide to cut the sugar off your diet?

You don’t have to be surprised if you experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability and moodiness. This effect accentuates if you are trying to avoid caffeine at the same time. The good news is that it will pass in seven to ten days.

6 Ways to relieve Stress easily, Reduce Stress

Is stress giving you away? Discover stress free living with short and quick tips from Optimum Rehab.

1.  Practice controlled & deep breathing exercise
2.  Meditate regularly and practice yoga
3.   Live in your present with awareness of your current situation
4.   Socialize with your friends & family
5.  Tune In to Your body’s needs and reactions
6.  Decompress the stress out with massages & hot baths 

Bone health, Osteoporosis & Physical therapy

Human bones keep changing over time. Your bone is always in a combination of two different kinds of competing processes.
• Bone formation
• Bone resorption
These both happen at different periods of our life. From childhood to middle age, the rate of bone formation gets gradually outpaced by bone resorption.  This reduces the bone density which makes the bones susceptible to easy fractures.

The rate at which our bones face osteoporosis is determined by how well we have taken care of our diet and exercise during our initial years of growing up and adolescence. In our biological timetable of first 3 decades, bone formation has an upper hand, which after 30 years of age goes to bone resorption.
Osteoporosis only shows itself between the ages of 40 to 65, but has its start very early. Peak bone mass density (BMD) is usually the most important factor in the development of osteoporosis and the time to build peak BMD is before age 25.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can very well be effective in reducing the disabilities and discomforts associated with osteoporosis symptoms.
A therapist will guide on specific exercises that builds bone strength or decreases the amount of bone resorption. Proper posture would be advised. Also methods to improve your balance so as to reduce your risk of falling would be taught. Proper nutrition and diet would be advised for better bone strength and to delay osteoporosis.

Sports related injury treatments in New York City

Sports medicine specialists at Optimum Rehab provide a coordinated team approach to the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of injuries sustained by professional, amateur and recreational athletes. Preventive care is promoted through wellness, fitness and performance enhancement consultations. 

Depending on the requirements of the patient, the sports medicine team at Optimum Rehab may include:

• Athletic trainers

• Orthopedic Rehabilitation specialists

• Physical Medicine 

• Sports physical therapists

• Dietitians

Sports medicine team at Optimum Rehab develops a combined and comprehensive team approach to treatment. It includes

• Comprehensive evaluation of sports and activity related injuries.

• Treatments to best suit the athlete physical condition.

• Optimization of health and fitness through assessment programs to improve sports performance.

• Diet habit & nutrition analysis with counseling on nutritional requirement.

• Psychological assistance in handling emotional aspects of injury and performance enhancement

• Access to our rehabilitation training, exercise equipment and personnel trainers.

Benfits of Acupuncture, treatments in New York City

Acupuncture originates from China and dates back to more than 2,500 years in existence. It is based on the principles of traditional teachings of Taoism. It has been an essential part of medicine for thousands of years in the East, and is now commonly found in West as well.

Whatever the mechanism behind acupuncture, it does appear to work. Scientific studies offering real time evidence that acupuncture treatment eases pain and treats ailment ranging from osteoarthritis to migraine headaches.

The principle behind acupuncture involves stimulating acupoints (energy points) throughout the body. This is done by placing hair-thin needles at various pressure points. Stimulating these acupoints is believed to promote the body's natural healing capabilities and enhance its function.

Energy or “qi” is believed to flow in our body through streams called meridians. The body is healthy and free of any ailments when there is a regular and constant flow of this energy. But in the event of any disease this energy flow gets blocked or ruptured. A disruption in the flow of energy can lead to severe illness. The idea behind acupuncture is to stimulate these acupoints with acupuncture needles to relieve the obstructions in the flow of energy thus enabling the body to heal naturally.

The 12 regular meridians out of 14 meridians are:
• Lung (LU)
• Pericardium (PC)
• Heart (HT)
• Large Intestine (LI)
• Triple Energizer (TE) or Triple Heater (TH)
• Small Intestine (SI)
• Spleen (SP)
• Liver (LR)
• Kidney (KI)
• Stomach (ST)
• Gallbladder (GB)
• Bladder (BL)

Extra two meridians are Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel. Various procedures of acupuncture treatments are
• Electroacupuncture
• Sonopuncture
• Acupressure
• Moxibustion
• Cupping

Acupuncture can either be used on its own, or combined with traditional medical treatments like surgery or medication. Acupuncture treatments are very effective and useful in different medical and psychological conditions like
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea
• Osteoarthritis/ Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• In-vitro fertilization
• Bladder control problems
• Slimming and Fitness
• Migraine and related types of head aches
• Depression and anxiety.

Know better about positive healing through acupuncture at Optimum Rehab NYC. Visit us for personal consultations to solve all of your problems. 

Diabetes, Causes, effects, Physical Therapy treatments NYC

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder where either the cells in the body do not recognize the insulin or the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin allows the body to use blood sugar or glucose for energy by transporting the sugar from the blood into the cells. When this doesn't happen, the glucose gets built up in the blood. This can lead to diabetic complications like high blood pressure and heart disease.

3 main types of diabetes are
• Type 1 diabetes
It is found in children and young adults. The immune system destroys insulin-producing cells or (beta cells) of the pancreas.
• Type 2 diabetes
It can develop at any age but is preventable. The cells of the body become resistant to insulin, and the pancreas can't produce enough insulin to override the resistance.
• Gestational diabetes
It develops in women during pregnancy. It occurs in women with a family history of diabetes. It’s also associated with obesity and inactivity.

Although the exact cause of diabetes is unknown, factors like obesity and lack of exercise play important roles in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can result in
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Nervous system disease or neuropathy
• Blindness
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Skin problem like ulcers and infections
• Amputations
• Reduced physical function and muscle strength

Physical Therapy for diabetes
Physical activity in addition to proper diet and medication is important for the treatment of diabetes. If you already suffer from diabetes, you need to control the blood glucose (sugar), lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Regular physical activity also can reduce your need for medications. 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days per week are recommended for diabetic patients. Both strength workouts and aerobic can be helpful.
Improve Blood Sugar Level, Manage Weight and Reduce Risk of Heart Disease.

Always consult a physical therapist to help you with physical activity if you have:
• Joint pain or muscle pain
• Numbness in your feet
• Sores on your feet
• Pain while walking
• Had a stroke

Your physical therapist will perform an evaluation, including a review of your medical history and medications, and develop an individualized exercise program. Based on your health status, your physical therapist will prescribe exercise tailored to your needs.

Tips to maintain correct posture in front of Computer

S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Stretch, Move, Add it up, Reduce strain, Talk to a physiotherapist.

Stretch – Include regular stretching into your work routine. Every 20 to 60 minutes, do three or four stretches – for hands, shoulders, neck and trunk. The key is to move your joints through their normal range of motion.

Move – Get up from your work station for a short stretch or walk around to promote blood flow to fatigued muscles every hour. No one has ever become more fit by sitting at a desk. Get regular daily exercise, away from the computer. It could be as simple as a walk around the office or getting off the elevator one floor early and taking the stairs.

Add it up – Add variety to your tasks. Take every break as an opportunity to go for a short walk and stretch. Keep track of activity and build up to 30 minutes of stretching and exercise every day. Vary your tasks (keyboarding, filing, telephone, reading documents, etc.)

Reduce strain - Make sure you are sitting correctly with your back supported. Avoid slouching while you sit.

Talk to us – RSI can be prevented, but if symptoms do occur, early intervention is the best form of treatment. If you are experiencing regular or increasing discomfort while sitting at your computer, take early corrective action. Our physiotherapists will listen to your symptoms and assess you to help provide appropriate treatment, including information about correct posture and positioning at your workstation. They will also work towards an earlier return to your daily lifestyle as well as provide guidance on how to prevent recurrence of injury. Visit Optimum Rehab NYC for better lifestyle.