The Hugs for Brady Foundation is dedicated to helping pediatric cancer and to help support children with cancer along with their families.  Its mission is to fight the ongoing battle against pediatric cancer.

Please join us in supporting Hugs for Brady.  You can register online at http://register.bestrace.com/register/?event=10117 or contact Hugsforbrady.org for details.

A common injury seen from performing exercises improperly is referred to as anterior instability.

Examples of exercises that may cause an anterior instability are those that put the shoulder joint in the “at risk position.”  This position is when the elbow is bent up to ear level while the hand is slightly above the head. Exercises that require the shoulder to be in this risky position include the:

• Latissimus pull-down performed behind the neck
• Shoulder overhead press performed behind the neck
• Wide-grip bench press
• Pectoralis fly

There are alternatives to exercising in the “at risk position.”  The latissimus dorsi pull-down to the chest can be substituted to train the latissimus dorsi.  The overhead press should be done with the hands and elbows in front of the shoulder. One way to accomplish this is to use the overhead press machine while sitting backwards on the seat.  This will insure that your hands and elbows are out in front of your shoulders, avoiding the “at risk position.”  Placing your hands 1.5 times your shoulder width will keep your shoulder safe during the bench press exercise.  Using the pectoralis fly machine is a good way to protect your shoulder from over stretching during this exercise.  The machine can be set to limit the range of motion, putting less stress on the shoulder.

The next time you are in the gym, you may want to consider substituting these simple and effective ways to avoid shoulder injury.  Happy lifting!

Although society has become infinitely more complex technologically in the past 2 decades, the formula for weight gain has remained the same: when energy in is greater than energy expended, weight gain occurs. Despite it’s simplicity, the information in this equation provides valuable clues to  why the weight of children continues to increase at an alarming rate. The progression of technology has dramatically improved the speed and ease with which we can access information and communicate with other but has also dramatically decreased the amount of physical activity performed by children. Decreased physical activity reduces calorie expenditure which decreases the amount of calories that can be consumed without gaining weight. Yet, the increased access to high calorie drinks and snacks has resulted in increased caloric intake. Decreased output and increased input has resulted in the gross weight gain seen in this generation of children.

Outlining the existence of the problem is important but how we go about addressing it is even more so. Educating the community regarding the potential health issues associated with childhood obesity is an important first step in increasing awareness regarding the severity of the situation. Of even further importance is the providing of information and strategies for addressing the situation with their children. With simple but diligent steps towards monitoring your diet and increasing daily physical activity, substantial changes in the health of children and future adults can be made. For specific information regarding how to address this problem, you can visit http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/strategies.htm.

References

Ludwig, D.S. (2007) Childhood Obesity- The Shape of Things to Come. New England Medical Journal, 357 (23), 2325-2327.

The reason that this ligament often tears while on the slopes is usually due to the skier’s binding not releasing the ski from the boot in adequate time while that person is falling.  This creates great torque on the knee, so much so that their ligament is not strong enough to withstand the force and ligament tearing takes place. 

ACL tears usually require surgery.  An ACL reconstruction is a procedure that has become more common in the sports world.  The surgery takes a few hours, however, the rehab following the surgery takes months. 

There is a program known as Sportsmetrics that was created years ago to prevent  these types of injuries from occurring in athletes.  Over the years the program has gotten great results.  Jersey Physical Therapy has become a Sportsmetrics certified site with multiple individuals that have received their training certification for this program.  If you would like more information on this particular program, feel free to contact us.

Fall sports such as football and soccer start at the end of August and many high school athletes find that this change in exercise routine results in sprains and strains.  Hamstring strains are common in high school athletes and can be very painful, resulting in time lost on the field.

A hamstring strain is an excessive stretch or tearing of muscle fibers and related tissues. Hamstring strains can occur at one of the attachment sites or at any point along the length of the muscle. They are classified as either1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree depending on the severity.

Hamstring injuries are common problems that may result in significant loss of on-field time for many athletes because these injuries tend to heal slowly. Once injury occurs, the patient is at high risk for recurrence without proper rest and rehabilitation.  Hamstring strain is a noncontact injury and usually occurs with either acute or insidious onset. Strain injuries frequently are seen in athletes who run, jump, and kick.

Hamstring injuries occur in all athletes- even professionals.  Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys recently has been in the news for a hamstring strain that may cause him to miss as much as three weeks.  Kenny Britt of the Tennessee Titans was also recovering from a right hamstring strain when he twisted on his right leg resulting in a season ending ACL-MCL injury.  One must wonder if Britt’s hamstring injury had anything to do with his ACL/MCL injury.

The treatment of a hamstring strain starts with the RICE method of rest, ice, compression and elevation.  Evidence has shown that a period of immobilization, (i.e. shutting down), is helpful and the length of immobilization will depend on the severity of the injury.  After immobilization, the athlete should work with a PT or athletic trainer to regain strength and flexibility prior to getting back on the field.  If the athlete returns too soon, he or she is at risk for re-injury.

The key to these injuries is definitely prevention.  Pre-exercise stretching and adequate warm-up are important issues.  When starting a season, a graded approach with gradually increasing exercise volume and intensity may also be helpful.

Sportsmetrics™ is the first ACL injury prevention program scientifically proven to decrease serious knee ligament injuries in female athletes. With Anterior Cruciate Ligament, or ACL, injury rates that are 2-10 times higher in female athletes than in male athletes, it is time to TAKE ACTION and get involved with Sportsmetrics™–the training program for injury prevention AND performance enhancement. Sportsmetrics™ is not just another plyometric training program. Jumping drills are used to teach the athlete to preposition the entire body safely when accelerating (jumping) or decelerating (landing). The selection and progression of these exercises are designed for neuromuscular retraining proceeding from simple jumping drills (to instill correct form) to multi-directional, single-foot hops and plyometrics with an emphasis on quick turnover (to add sport-like movements). Performing maneuvers with sound mechanics decreases the likelihood of an injury, and it is also essential to maximizing sport performance. A solid foundation of strength, coordination and overall physical conditioning is required for athletes to attain their highest potential in their sport-specific skills. Train with Sportsmetrics™ to reduce your risk of injury AND enhance competitive athletic performance.

To find out more about this exciting program and how you can get your team signed up call 732-297-0032 and ask to speak with Geoffrey Hunt, PT, OCS or Mustafa Turan.

A commonly seen condition that often comes up in the conversation of aquatic exercise programs in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints of the body and can be a source of significant pain and functional limitation. Exercise is a commonly prescribed treatment for this condition but difficulty arises with  choosing the proper type of exercise program that offers relief without aggravation of symptoms. Aquatic therapy offers numerous benefits with regards to addressing the needs of this population. In the aquatic environment, a person experiences less compression of the joints secondary to the buoyancy of the water which results in increased exercise tolerance without aggravating the symptoms of their arthritic joints. Secondary to their ability to tolerate more exercise and movement, these people can achieve greater gains in range of motion, endurance and strength that they otherwise could not achieve performing a land based exercise program solely.

Another group of people that can benefit from participation in an aquatic exercise program are those who suffer from the neuromuscular condition- multiple sclerosis. Those with this condition are sensitive to increased body temperature and often experience severe fatigue as a primary symptoms of their condition. However, it has also been shown that these people benefit significantly from a well structured exercise program. Aquatic exercise offers this population a viable exercise opportunity that allows them to maintain a cooler body temperature and moderate their intensity level in a manner that prevents adverse effects associated with fatigue while maximizing benefits.

As previously discussed, aquatic exercise programs offer people a powerful tool for improving their physical functioning. However, given the amount of variables that exist between individuals, it is important that people who wish to gain the maximum benefit of aquatic exercise consult with a physical therapist who can design an appropriate program that addresses all of their individual needs appropriately. Also, consulting with a physical therapist can offer you the ability to learn of facilities that offer the appropriate equipment and resources to achieve all of your exercise and rehabilitation needs. Aquatic exercise can and should be seen as a valuable tool that, when implemented appropriately, can achieve maximal gains in a fun and dynamic environment.

Thursday, April 7th – Regency (11-2)              Monroe

Wednesday, April 20^th- Oakwoods (10-12)      South Brunswick

Monday, May 2nd – Whittingham (10-1)         Monroe

Thursday, May 12th – Concordia (10-1)          Monroe

Tuesday, May 17th – Clearbrook (10-1)           Monroe

Wednesday, May 18th – Rossmoor (10-1)       Monroe

Monday, May 23rd -Ponds (10-1)                     Monroe

Wednesday, May 25th-  SB Senior Center         South Brunswick

Please contact the facility directly or 732-641-0788 to find out more information.

Condition: Patient had lumbar spinal fusion.

Attendance: Perfect

Motivation/Dedication: Excellent with positive attitude

Compliance with Home Exercise Program: Excellent

Improvement: Increased strength and endurance, improved walking tolerance, and decreased pain levels.

Quote: “The results at JPT have been quite successful.  I can walk farther distances with less pain and my legs are stronger.  My back pain has subsided considerably.  My thanks to Sean Coll and the staff for my improvement.  I’d recommended JPT to anyone.”