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Amazing Benefits of Physical Therapy to Female Athlete Triad

12/26/2018

The Female Athlete Triad is a group of interrelated conditions that affect female athletes, particularly teenage athletes. It is widely believed that an energy imbalance is the cause, combined with competitive forces. This disrupts eating patterns and body image for female athletes. Despite the fact that this is common in athletes, several aspects of the triad are seen in non-athletes as well.

The three medical conditions associated with the triad are:

Disordered eating: anorexia, purging, induced vomiting
Amenorrhea: adverse impact on menstrual cycles
Osteoporosis: low bone mass/density

Causes
There are times when the athlete exercises excessively while the body is experiencing an energy deficit. A reduced caloric intake combined with malnutrition leads to a pattern of disordered eating.
The pressure to 'be thin' is compounded by a society that idolizes celebrities and pop stars. This can result in compulsive dieting and exercise. For a growing teenage athlete, bone density can be compromised if there are deficiencies in protein, vitamins and calcium. For female athletes participating in figure skating, ballet and gymnastics in particular, awareness is critical.
Symptoms
Coaches, parents and guardians should be aware of the following warning signs:

Rapid weight loss or marked leanness
Obsession about weight, body image and food.
Shin splints that don't heal
Reduced participation or loss of interest in sports

Exercise and Nutrition - A Healthy Foundation for Every Individual

Treatment involves:

Prevention of compulsive dieting by working with a sports nutritionist.
Increasing the strength of muscles, ligaments, bones and joints.
Be in a progressive exercise program designed by a physical therapist.

Physical therapy for athletes begins with a detailed evaluation of the flexibility, strength, range of motion and athletic goals.
The physical therapist is a critical member of the healthcare team and works closely with a coach and athletic trainer. The physical therapist may use a combination of the following treatments:

Ultrasound to heal connective tissue (tendons and ligaments).
Manipulative therapy that includes stretching and massage.
Resistance training to increase muscle strength.
Cold compress for acute injuries and heat to relax muscular spasms.
Low-level laser use for muscle and connective tissue injuries.
Functional Electrical Stimulation to restore strength in the muscles.
The use of tape to support muscles and assistive devices as needed to support joints.

Success Starts with the Right Attitude

Physical therapy can keep young athletes healthy, strong and safe, but success begins with the right attitude towards the inner and outer self. Every physical active female should take three simple precautions to protect against the triad:

Eat healthy meals at regular intervals. Use nutritional supplementation if necessary.
Discuss menstrual irregularities (or sudden fluctuations in body weight) with your physician.
Track exercise and calorie expenditure.

An environment that makes the female athlete feel safe and comfortable encourages honest conversations that help identify underlying problems. If you suspect that someone in your family has some of the symptoms associated with the triad, seek medical attention immediately. Physical therapy is an important part of long-term treatment of this condition. In fact, physical therapy can help most individuals to live a healthy, improved quality of life. Call Healing Touch Physical Therapy today at (516) 616-0942 to schedule an appointment. Your success is our success.

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Celebrating Advances on Physical Therapy

12/7/2018

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A physical therapist is a licensed professional and an expert in the management of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, in most cases, you can see a physical therapist without a referral, and it is very likely that your insurance company will pay for physical therapy services.
As 2019 comes to a close, this is an ideal time to renew your commitment to your health and well-being. Physical therapy is a viable alternative to surgery and medicine. In fact, it can help improve everyone's fitness and energy levels. Physical therapy can certainly help with pain relief, restoration of function and improvement in strength and mobility, but there is a lot more that your therapist can do for you.

For example, did you know that physical therapy can treat back, knee and joint pain? Did you know that conditions like obesity, osteoporosis and arthritis can also be treated by a licensed physical therapist? In fact, the treatment spectrum ranges from sports related injuries (as a result of overuse) and neurological conditions like a stroke to skeletal injuries like sprains, strains, and fractures.

Foundations of a Healthy Lifestyle

Your physical therapist will help you establish the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Some foundational principles include:
Stretching
Find a way to include stretching into your daily routine. Associating it with something you normally do every day, like brushing your teeth or letting the dog out, can make it easier to remember.

You can set vibration alerts on your phone to remind you to take a break from work. Simply stand up, step away from the computer and stretch your neck and back. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Keeping healthy muscles and joints mobile throughout the day helps improve health and vitality.
Hydration
A well-hydrated body is a necessary foundation for physical health. Make it easy to keep drinking throughout the day by keeping a water bottle at your desk. Remember to sip water at regular intervals. Don't wait till you are thirsty, because the thirst reflex is a delayed indication of hydration. If you wait till you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
Core Stabilization
Balance in the human body is almost as important as balance in life. Challenging yourself a little every day can strengthen your core muscles (abdominal region, trunk and lower back) and improve proprioception. Try standing or sitting (make sure you are within arms reach of a chair so you can hold on to something if needed), close your eyes and hold your arms out at shoulder height. Now try picking one leg up, slowly, beginning by lifting your heel and rolling forward through your toe. Try to hold your leg up for a few seconds. When you put your foot back down, do it slowly, setting down your toe, then the ball of your foot, and finally your heel. Don't forget to do the other side so you're equally balanced on both sides. Try to increase the duration of the one-legged stance each day.

Changing your Life with Physical Therapy

Physical therapy has multiple facets. Although the word 'therapy' implies treatment of injuries, the entire scope of a physical therapist extends well beyond 'therapy'. In fact, we can help improve every aspect of your life by transforming the health of your bones, muscles, and joints.
Children, adults and seniors (and in some cases, infants) can benefit from physical therapy. We can raise the bar on every aspect of your physical capability, by helping you perform every single movement more efficiently. Imagine if you could walk faster and climb stairs without getting out of breath. Imagine being able to lift heavy boxes you couldn't lift before, and being able to play sports with your children and grandchildren. Ask yourself this "What if I could turn back the clock and become a healthier version of myself?".

This is something we do for our community day in and day out. In celebration of physical therapy month, we want to thank you for being a patient and subscriber. This month is about you, not us. Call us today at (516) 616-0942 to schedule a visit and we'll show you how physical therapy can indeed, change your life.

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1605 Hillside Ave,
New Hyde Park, NY 11040

516-616-0942

We are open

Mon - Fri: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

If you want to save the world, call any fictional hero but if you want a pain free body* call HTPT hero at (516) 616-0942

Quality without any compromises since 1999.

“There are some people who are excellent at what they do. And then there are people who are sincere, caring and kind hearted. You happen to be both, and for that I am very grateful." Claurine

Considering the convenience of people doing evening and night shifts we are moving closing time on Monday to Friday from 9 pm to 10 pm starting October 2020. Also, we are open on Sunday's from 1 pm to 8 pm.

Amazing Benefits of Physical Therapy to Female Athlete Triad

Celebrating Advances on Physical Therapy

Dr. A Mathew MPT, DPT

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