SERC Physical Therapy

Regular moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise appears to assist in building up our immune systems. Information from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests the importance of regular cardiovascular exercise - our bodies produce immune boosts by mobilizing millions of cells during whole-body cardio exercises. The ACSM recommends:... * 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous cardiovascular activities * Completing these activities in a physically distanced environment * Performing proper sanitization and social distancing measures during exercise to limit risk of exposure Physical therapists can help you achieve immune system boosting goals by: * Performing a movement assessment to optimize your exercise experience * Educating you on proper exercise form to accommodate other conditions you may have, such as arthritis, pain, fibromyalgia. * Creating a personalized exercise plan that accounts for your goals * Reviewing your current exercise plan with the potential to make modifications that will optimize it * Addressing pain that is keeping you from full participation in your daily routine

One of the most common questions we are asked is, Should I use heat or ice? The answer depends on what type of injury you are trying to treat. BOTH cold and superficial heat can decrease the symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Ice and heat are good options to manage the pain and swelling that occurs with musculoskeletal conditions. Both modalities have minimal side effects and are easily accessible when dealing with pain. The most general answer is use ice for ...acute (recent) injuries and heat for chronic (long-standing) injuries. With the knowledge of how ice and heat affect your body, the best option could come down to what feels best for your injury.

We love to hear our patients’ success stories. How has your life improved through your experience with us? Are you moving better and feeling better? Do you have a therapist you want to applaud? Share your experience with us!

It’s snow season just about everywhere! Don’t injure yourself trying to clean up after the storm. Snow removal can be a burden, especially to the low back, shoulders and neck. Below are some strategies you can use to help prevent injury: Widen Your Base of Support: Use a wide stance to improve balance and stability.... Use Your Legs: When you bend to shovel, make sure you keep your back arched. Do this by pushing your hips backward, shoulders forward and bending down from your hips and knees. Keep the Shovel Close: Hold the shovel close to your body to decrease strain on the low back, neck and rotator cuff of the shoulder. Know Your Limits: Be sure to keep each shovel load small enough to feel comfortable. Take breaks to prevent over straining muscles. Don’t Twist: Toss snow straight ahead vs. twisting your body to throw. See more

Did you know, patients who attend therapy in a hybrid model have the highest patient satisfaction rates? Our patients who attend therapy sessions via both telehealth and in-clinic are 99.5% satisfied with their outcomes. See for yourself: Through telehealth, you are able to connect with your therapist more frequently to ask questions and review home exercises which empowers you to take a more active approach to your care.