A Patient's Guide to Muscle Cramps

Introduction:

A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles. If you've ever been awakened in the night or stopped in your tracks by a sudden charley horse, you know that muscle cramps can cause excruciating pain. Though generally harmless, muscle cramps can make it temporarily impossible to use the affected muscle.

Long periods of exercise or physical labor, particularly in hot weather, may lead to muscle cramps. Some medications and certain medical conditions also may cause muscle cramps.

Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period of time may result in a muscle cramp. Athletes who become fatigued and dehydrated while participating in warm-weather sports frequently develop muscle cramps. Another common type of muscle cramp — nocturnal cramps — occurs in your calf muscles or toes during sleep.

In many cases, however, the exact cause of a muscle cramp isn't known.

Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as:

• Inadequate blood supply. Narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to your legs (arteriosclerosis of the extremities) can produce cramp-like pain in your legs and feet while you're exercising. These cramps usually go away soon after you stop exercising.
• Nerve compression. Compression of nerves in your spine (lumbar stenosis) also can produce cramp-like pain in your legs. The pain usually worsens the longer you walk. Walking in a slightly flexed position — such as you would employ when pushing a shopping cart ahead of you — may improve your symptoms.
• Mineral depletion. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Some diuretic medications prescribed for high blood pressure cause loss of potassium.

Muscle cramps are also part of certain conditions such as nerve, kidney, thyroid or hormone disorders; diabetes; hypoglycemia; and anemia.

VISIT OUR MEDICAL LIBRARY to better understand:

-what muscle cramps are

-how the problem develops

-what treatment options are available

-how muscle cramps can be prevented and more…

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC. 

HECTORPT MEDICAL LIBRARY  (copy and paste link below)

The meniscus is a wedge shaped cartilage ring found on both the inside and outside of the knee between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). The menisci act as shock absorbers in the knee, and provide stability to the joint. Is there usually any other damage to the knee when the meniscus is torn? Ligaments in the knee can be injured at the same time as the meniscus, depending on how your knee was injured. In addition, there can be an injury to the joint surface (articular cartilage) at the time of injury. If surgery is required, damage to the joint surface will be evaluated and treated at the time of your arthroscopy.

What treatment options do I have?

Some people with meniscus tears will respond to conservative treatment, including rest, medications, and Physical Therapy. Meniscus tears do not heal, and over a period of time your knee joint will grind out the tear. In some cases, cortisone injection can also be helpful to resolve the pain and swelling. Whether or not you are a good candidate for conservative treatment will depend on the type of tear, age of the tear, and your desired activity level. Most people that have a meniscus tear go on to have a knee arthroscopy to help to resolve their symptoms.

How is the meniscus injured?

The meniscus is usually injured by twisting on a planted foot or squatting down and forcefully bending the knee. Occasionally, the tear occurs with very little stress on the knee. The tear can also be degenerative, meaning that the tear occurs because the tissue is worn out over time due to arthritis in the knee.

Meniscal tears  and Physical Therapy exercises.

The process of Physical Therapy for meniscal tears usually begins with a consultation session with a Sports  physical therapist. The physical therapist will have specific knowledge of your meniscal tears injury and a course of action rehabilitation process will be planned for you. The beginning sessions of physical therapy for your meniscal tears tissue will involve very light exercises to determine how much pressure and force your knee can withstand.

Examples of exercises for the menisci include simple leg extensions without weights as well as walking exercises to regain the range of motion which has been limited by the meniscal tears. Once your knee has regained some of the initial flexibility and range of motion which has been lost, the physical therapist will recommend adding weights to your course of action plan. The weights will assist in improving the muscle foundation surrounding your knees, so that not only your menisci will heal, but your knee will be strong than it was before your injury. Specific exercises include weight training of your quadriceps as well as your hamstrings. The tissue in those areas support the knee and the muscle needs to be built in order to help your menisci and knee become stronger. Your physical therapist will also introduce you to calf and hip weight exercises so that your overall leg becomes stronger to support the knee joints and knee tissues. It is important to note that most physical therapy for meniscal tears does not solely concentrate on the tear itself, but place focus on the overall leg to help build a strong foundation for your knees. If one follows the proper physical therapy instructions, it is very much possible to recover completely from meniscal tears.

The goal of exercises in cases of a meniscus tear in the knee is to strengthen the leg muscles, specially the VMO muscles, among others (see sample pictures 200 and 202).

**EXERCISES MUST BE PRESCRIBED AND SUPERVISED BY A LICENSED THERAPIST OR THE RECOMMENDATION OF YOUR PHYSICIAN**

                BALANCE AND PROPRIOCEPTION

Before returning to play, all athletes should address balance training.

Pain caused by meniscus injuries, and a variety of other injuries common to highly trained athletes, often have nothing to do with strength alone. They often have little to do with flexibility. And rarely do they have anything to do with endurance. More often than not, sprains and strains have to do with balance. Proprioception, to be exact

The term proprioception refers to a sense of joint position. Proprioception training is highly common in rehabilitation of injured athletes, but it can just as easily be used to prevent injury. Even a strong knee can sprain when running on uneven ground if the runner hasn’t trained the neuromuscular system to react appropriately. Slight deviations in terrain require slight adjustments of balance to avoid injury.

Balance and proprioception training is an important part of the injury recovery process and must be given the attention it deserves.

For more information on meniscus injuries please visit our online medical Library. A courtesy of HECTORPT PHYSICAL THERAPY CLIFTON PARK NY AND ALBANY NY. www.hectorpt.com (518)577-5214

The most frequently seen sprain occurs when weight is applied to a foot which is on an uneven surface, and the foot “rolls in” (inversion). Because the sole of the foot is pointing inward as force is applied, the ligaments stabilizing the lateral – or outside – part of the ankle are stressed. Many patients report hearing a “snap” or “pop” at the time of the injury. This is usually followed by pain and swelling on the lateral aspect of the ankle.

THE MOST IMPORTANT INITIAL MANAGEMENT OF A SPRAIN IS:

• R – rest
• I – ice
• C – compression
• E – elevation

Many of the problems resulting from sprains are due to blood and edema in and around the ankle. Minimizing swelling helps the ankle heal faster. The RICE regimen facilitates this.

• Rest – no weight bearing for the first 24 hours after the injury (Possibly longer, depending upon severity)
• Ice – apply ice packs using a towel over a plastic bag to the area that is painful. Be careful to avoid frostbite. Ice should be intermittantly applied for the first 24 hours.
• Compression – an ACE bandage or other soft elastic material should be applied to the ankle to help prevent the accumulaton of edema.
• Elevation – elevating the ankle helps in removing edema. By having the foot higher than the hip (or heart), gravity is used to pull edema out of the ankle.
  

  ---

  In the initial 24 hours, it is very important to minimize swelling.

  WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

  If the ankle is obviously fractured or dislocated, then medical attention should be sought immediately. Besides the initial RICE regimen proper  diagnosis and treatment is very important. Athletes are encouraged to make an appointment with their physicians to assess the severity of the injury. Doctors will  determine if X-rays are necessary, to be able to give instructions on proper rehabilitation of the injury.

DEGREE OF SEVERITY OF ANKLE SPAINS

Grades of Ankle Injury Severity When you experience an ankle sprain, it is the amount of force placed on your foot that will determine the grade of the sprain.

Grade 1 sprain: A mild sprain is a known as Grade 1. This occurs when there is slight stretching and some damage to the fibers (fibrils) of the ligament. Usually, you can place pressure on your foot and walk afterward.

• Some stretching or perhaps minor tearing of the lateral ankle ligaments.

• Little or no joint instability.

• Mild pain.

• There may be mild swelling around the bone on the outside of the ankle.

• Some joint stiffness or difficulty walking or running.

Grade 2 sprain: A moderate sprain is known as Grade 2. Here a partial tearing of the ligament occurs. If the ankle joint is examined and moved in certain ways, abnormal looseness (laxity) of the ankle joint occurs.

• Moderate tearing of the ligament fibers.

• Some instability of the joint.

• Moderate to severe pain and difficulty walking.

• Swelling and stiffness in the ankle joint.

• Minor bruising may be evident.

Grade 3 sprain: Finally, a severe sprain is known as Grade 3. In this kind of injury, a complete tear of the ligament occurs. If the examiner pulls or pushes on the ankle joint in certain movements, gross instability occurs.

• Total rupture of a ligament.

• Gross instability of the joint.

• Severe pain initially followed later by no pain.

• Severe swelling.

• Usually extensive bruising.

Depending on how severe the sprain is, you may to rely on crutches for a while to assist with walking. By using crutches, you will be able to decrease the amount of weight you place on your sprained ankle. This will rest the ligaments of the ankle and allow them to heal. It will also relieve the pain experienced with walking on the affected leg.

When permitted by your physician, you should start a gentle exercise program to improve the strength and motion of your ankle. Initial exercises should be performed without placing any weight on the ankle. With time, the exercises can be advanced to become more challenging. A standard exercise program after ankle sprain involves the following exercises:

• Range of Motion Exercises: These gentle exercises will help loosen your ankle. Often after an ankle sprain, the joint becomes stiff from lack of motion. It is important to regain the motion that may have been lost during the healing process in order to prevent future injury.

• Isometric Exercises: Isometric exercises allow you to build strength around your ankle joint without moving your joint against resistance. This is done early in the rehabilitation process when you want to become stronger, but still suffer from discomfort with movement of the ankle joint

• Resistance Exercises: Resistance exercises are performed by moving the joint against a force in the opposite direction that you are moving. These exercises work to strengthen the muscles around your ankle to provide additional support to the joint.With time, your ankle will fully recover and you will be able to perform the same activities that you enjoyed.

BALANCE AND PROPRIOCEPTION

Pain caused by sprained ankles, and a variety of other injuries common to highly trained athletes, often have nothing to do with strength. They often have little to do with flexibility. And rarely do they have anything to do with endurance. More often than not, sprains and strains have to do with balance. Proprioception, to be exact

The term proprioception refers to a sense of joint position. Proprioception training is highly common in rehabilitation of injured athletes, but it can just as easily be used to prevent injury. Even a strong ankle can sprain when running on uneven ground if the runner hasn’t trained the neuromuscular system to react appropriately. Slight deviations in terrain require slight adjustments of balance to avoid injury.

Balance and proprioception training is an important part of the injury recovery process and must be given the attention it deserves.

This information is courtesy of HECTORPTSPORTS  www.hectorpt.com (518)577-5214  Colonie NY and Clifton Park NY.

Hector Physical Therapy Albany NY 12205- HectorPT Physical Therapy, 1 Wall Street 12065

HectorPT Sports Therapy Albany NY 12205.

Before targeting physical therapy offices specifically in a sports arena such as the YMCA, Jasen opened rehabilitation offices throughout the area offering physical and occupational therapy services within many assisted and independent retirement communities.

Focused on preventing injury, improving function and promoting the wellness of seniors who live in these communities, Jasen furnishes in-house rehab services providing all residents quality care within the confines of their home environment.

HectorPT Rehabilitation Services' signage can be found covering four counties at Atria in Guilderland, The Beltrone Living Center in Albany, Colonie Manor, Diamond Ridge Independent Facility in Troy, MillView Assisted Living Residence in Cohoes, and he offers consulting-only services at Wynwood of Niskayuna. Jasen found his niche opening these offices at senior facilities and in the business formula he created.

"The success of my practice is based on our individualized personal and professional approach," he said. "We pride ourselves on the level of care and understanding we use in approaching each patient's unique situation. We empower patients to take an active role in setting and achieving their functional goals." Jasen is quick to point out his is not the typical medical model for a business; HectorPT is a preventative and wellness model.

With that premise in mind, Jasen is now also serving our local YMCA community with two internal offices under the HectorPT Sports logo. The first office is on the main level and designated for hands-on treatment and the second is appropriately placed near the cardio room and filled with the state-of-the-art technology he is proud to offer patients of HectorPT.

Asked why this works and Jasen says it's good for the retention of patients and Y members from kids to seniors and the services are very convenient. He also notes his offices offer one-on-one care, not the three-to-four patients per hour that are seen at a more typical office.

At HectorPT Sports Jasen and his team serve not only the YMCA family, but the community-at-large. Benefits from receiving services at this location are security, convenience, flexible hours, aquatic therapy and access to the cutting edge training equipment used by, according to Jasen, hospitals, universities and elite international professional sports teams. Of course, patients with any needs may be seen at this location as well.

HectorPT uses the Biodex product line including the Biodex System 4 Pro which offers pioneering breakthroughs in neuromuscular testing and rehab technology. Those benefiting from this technology include active adults, athletes and weekend warriors. It is used for pre-season screening, injury prevention and athletic performance enhancement.
A Biodex assessment includes findings that indicate one's strengths and weaknesses and are used to enhance pre-season conditioning, better preparing an athlete for competition.

Another critical piece of equipment HectorPT boasts is the Biodex Gait Trainer 2. This high-tech treadmill offers precise speed control to exactly match a patient's gait and ability using uphill or downhill walking and jogging.
It targets specific muscle groups or motions and uses retro-walking to promote the use of reciprocal muscle groups not typically used during forward walking or jogging alone.

Jasen credits the Y's Executive Director Stacie Peugh's open-mindedness and out-of-the-box thinking for this working relationship.

Non-YMCA members are always welcome at HectorPT, but the YMCA does offer a complimentary one month membership. During the course of a patient's therapy, a HectorPT therapist will also properly demonstrate the use of the Y's exercise equipment and discuss enhancing the current treatment with participation in other wellness programs the Y has to offer with a goal of speeding up recovery, if needed. Use of the YMCA's childcare is also available during services during the complimentary one month membership and may continue on, of course, if the membership is activated.

There are two physical therapists with alternating schedules available Monday through Friday from 7a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends by appointment. First-time patients are always greeted in the lobby and escorted to the appropriate treatment room.

"Once patients are done with us, we continue to see them as they [use] the Y. We talk with them when we see them in the Y – they don't need to make appointments for this. We can address any new problems right away with this open door policy. The response has been very good. We think our philosophy will work and we're taking it to the next level. We may be the new kid on the block offering this different philosophy, but right now the sky is the limit. Clifton Park will be spoiled – this is a good arrangement."

Jasen found his niche; indeed, he found two.  HECTORPT PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES OF CLIFTON PARK AND ALBANY NY.
 

Members of The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County are profiled every other week by Lauren Carpenter. To be included contact the chamber at 371-7748 or loretta@southernsaratoga.org

How do injuries occur?

ACL injuries can happen from direct contact to the knee, but most often the injury happens in the absence of any direct impact on the knee. The usual description is a rotation of the femur over a fixed tibia when the knee is near full extension. During play, this could be when a player plants their foot and changes direction. A specific and complex sequence of events has to happen to tear the ACL. Most feel that if the knee is near extension and then collapses inwards, the ACL is placed under considerable strain and can tear. When it does tear, the athlete feels immediate pain and instability of the knee. They many even hear an audible ‘pop’ when it ruptures.

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament is extremely important to the competitive soccer athlete. This ligament controls rotational forces in the knee. If this ligament is torn, sudden changes in direction become nearly impossible. Prevention of injuries to the ACL should be part of every soccer-training regime.

For more information about the anatomy,causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the ACL visit our online medical library. CLICK ON THE LINK

Statistically, women soccer players are at a higher risk to tear an ACL. There are many theories as to why females are more at risk for this injury. Some of them include: a narrower notch width of the femoral head; the relative strength and muscle recruitment pattern of the hamstring muscles relative to the quads; high levels of estrogen; and, lack of proper training at a young age. Most experts believe that the incidence of ACL tears can be lowered by instituting some simple changes in the training of not only female athletes but all athletes.

General soccer training should be centered around a properly periodized strength, flexibility, and aerobic conditioning program. The program should be planned so that the soccer athlete progresses through specific phases of conditioning culminating in peak performance at the end of the sport season. The three basic cycles are: pre-season preparatory cycle; in-season cycle; and post-season cycle.

Coordination Improves Performance

Neuromuscular control of the knee during athletics is maintained by a complex interaction of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. This includes both the muscles and the nerves that trigger the muscle contraction. Due to this non-contact ACL injuries may be a result of a breakdown in, or the lack of, the neuromuscular recruitment patterns necessary to prevent undue stress on the ACL.

The balance of power and the recruitment pattern of the quads and hamstrings have been shown to prevent ACL injuries. The quad muscles are an ACL antagonist, that is they place stress on the ACL when contracting. The hamstrings are an ACL agonist, removing ACL stress when contracting.

Due to this, if the hamstrings are excessively weak or inflexible they may not adequately protect the ACL during a strong quad contraction. Also, if the quad group is excessively strong, relative to the hamstrings, the ACL may be torn due to a lack of hamstring “protection.” ACL injury prevention should then focus on a balance in strength between the hamstrings and quads. It is recommended that the hamstrings should be 60 – 80% as strong as the quads. Also, proprioceptive exercises should be utilized to improve the neuromuscular recruitment patterns of the quads and hamstrings.

The off-season strength program should focus on the exercises that result in increased hamstring strength and flexibility as well as coordinative jumping exercises (plyometrics). During the first few weeks of training the emphasis should be on teaching proper jumping and landing techniques. The athletes should be taught to land on the balls of the feet with the knees flexed and the chest over the knees. They should be constantly reminded to avoid any excessive side-to-side or forward-to-back rocking of the knees upon landing. Valgus (inward) movement of the knee upon landing should also be discouraged. The athlete should also be taught how to land “softly.” This type of landing occurs when the athlete lands on the balls of the feet then rocks to the heels. Proper back posture should also be reinforced verbally.

Proper body mechanics are the goal in the early stages of this type of program. Emphasis on power and explosion should only be instituted after the athlete performs the jumps properly.

Weight room activities should focus on exercises that improve hamstring strength and coordinated firing with the quad muscle group. Examples of these types of exercises are: hamstring curls, squats, power cleans, and dead lift. As with the plyometric exercises, proper technique should be taught prior to increasing the load. Be sure that the athlete’s hamstrings are 60 – 80% as strong as the quad muscles. For example: If the athlete can perform a 1-leg knee extension with 100 pounds they should be able to do a 1-leg hamstring curl with 60 – 80 pounds.

TESTING, INJURY PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION:

HECTORPT SPORTS offers advanced neuromuscular and balance testing\training.

This is the same technology used by the elite soccer teams, clinics, research facilities,hospitals and other professional sports teams around the world.

The Biodex Isokinetic machine measures quadriceps to hamstring ratio.

The Biodex Balance machine is used for single leg stability testing.

SUMMARY:

Soccer is the most commonly played sport in the world, with an estimated 265 million active soccer players participating in the game as on 2006. Inherent to this sport is the higher risk of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) relative to other sports. ACL injury causes a significant loss of time from competition in soccer.Lower extremity plyometrics, dynamic balance and strength, stretching, body awareness and decision-making, and targeted core and trunk control appear to be successful training components to reduce non-contact ACL injury risk factors (decrease landing forces, decrease varus/valgus moments, and increase effective muscle activation) and prevent non-contact ACL injuries in soccer players, especially in female athletes. Pre-season injury prevention combined with an in-season maintenance program may be advocated to prevent injuries.

A courtesy of HECTORPT SPORTS Rehabilitation Services of Clifton Park and Colonie NY.

www.hectorpt.com (518)577-5214

HECTORPT PHYSICAL THERAPY ALBANY 12205- HECTORPT PHYSICAL THERAPY, CLIFTON PARK NY 12065

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The information contained on this site is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. You should NOT rely on this information to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment. The information should NOT be used in place of an individual consultation, examination, visit or call with your physician or other qualified health care provider. You should never disregard the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider because of any information you read on this site or on any Web sites you visit as a result of this site. If you have any health care questions, please consult your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before you begin any new treatment, diet or fitness program.
The operators of this Web site and those who provide information for this site do not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services through this Web site.

Here are a few tips to avoid back pain while raking leaves this year:

•                       Warm-up: make sure that you spend about 10 minutes before going outside warming up (i.e. jogging in place or doing some jumping jacks or walk around your neighborhood for approximately 5-10 minutes).
•                       Stretch: Raking uses a lot of muscles that most of us are not using on a day-to-day basis so it is important to get them loose and ready to work. We recommend doing dynamic (not static) stretches. This means slow, controlled movements rather than remaining still and holding a stretch. Stretches you might choose to do before raking include but are not limited to toe touches, arm circles and trunk rotations.
•                        Wear proper shoes: make sure that you are wearing skid-resistant soles to minimize the risk of falling.
•                       Use a properly-sized rake: Often times I see people using a rake that is too small forcing the person to have to bend over and hunch their backs. Make sure you are raking with your back as straight as possible.
•                      Avoid twisting your trunk: Use your legs and hips to shift your weight instead of twisting your back. Try to keep the leaves directly in front of you when raking instead of reaching or turning.
•                      Use Proper mechanics when bagging and raking: When having to lift up the leaves and place them in your bag make sure that you position the leaves in front of you, bend your knees to pick them up, and turn your whole body to place them into the bag (DO NOT just rotate your upper body). Also:
•         Use short strokes instead of long ones to cut down the risk of over extension injuries.
•         Try to vary your movements so you can avoid excessive stress on one muscle group.
•                       Do not overdo it: Raking is a very strenuous activity to your body. Take frequent breaks. It is better to have leaves on your yard than a sore back.
•                      Stretch Again: When you are finished make sure that you stretch again.
•                  Find Another Way: If all else fails hire help to take care of it.

Should you find that you have injured yourself during raking this fall or during any other project you have taken on at your home, we recommend that you get in touch with us right away! We have many treatment options to help ease your pain and get you back to 100% including, manual therapy, specifically targeted stretching and strengthening exercises based on your individual needs, ice and heat therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound and spinal traction. The prognosis is excellent for a complete recovery from a lumbar strain or sprain injury.

Stay safe  and avoid back injuries while raking!

A courtesy of HECTORPT PHYSICAL THERAPY of Clifton Park,12065 and Albany NY,12205. www.hectorpt.com (518)577-5214

Physical Therapy Albany NY 12205- Physical Therapy Clifton Park NY 12065

Biodex Technology gives HectorPT an edge over many other companies, making HectorPT one of the most innovative and dynamic companies in the United States…

Read full article here

HECTOR PHYSICAL THERAPY   CLIFTON PARK  ,12065 AND ALBANY NY,12205

SPORTS AND SENIOR REHABILITATION SERVICES located in Albany and Clifton Park NY.

At the Beltrone Living Center in Colonie, an independent living facility operated by Colonie Senior Services , a new model for physical therapy has been in business for about 4 months . Physical therapist Hector Jasen operates Hector PT, a fu ll-service physical therapy office that offers Betrone residents, and the public , a fully equipped physical therapy facility that features traditional PT services, and a balance system that no one else in the Capital District has to offer. 

Ed Neary, Beltrone’s executive director, believes that having Hector PT located within the facility enhances the Beltrone in its mission to help older adults remain independent. The Beltrone also has an occupational therapist in the building, and these services work together, helping residents to preserve their mobility, allowing them to live independently and actively for as long as possible..

In-house therapy is unique, says Jasen, . It’s definitely the new trend in retirement communities . Therapists can follow up with clients , and keep track of changes . Sometimes it does not take much for the elderly to decline and this way, things a retaken care of right away and a problem does not escalate,. he explained.  Neary and Jasen also stressed that the services offered at Hector P T are available to the public, not just to those residing at the Beltrone. 

Having an office located within an independent living facility is not the only thing that makes Hector PT unique. Jansen puts the focus of his practice on preventing the injuries that often send people to nursing homes, robbing them of their independence.  "Sometimes it does not take much time for the elderly to decline," he explained. "Having a facility on-site means that problems can be taken care of right away, the problem does not escalate."
Balance – the ability to control and maintain your body’s position as it moves through space- or lack of it, plays a large role in how long a person can remain mobile and independent. In fact, according to Jasen, balance disorders are the single most significant reason that people fall and sustain injury. To combat balance problems, Jasen has introduced a system that is new to local physical therapy, the Balance System.  The Balance System is a large machine with a platform on which the patient stands. The platform can move and shift, and a screen in front of the patient creates a visual image of just how a person stands, distributes their weight, and where their center of balance actually lies. When Jasen sees exactly how a person distributes their weight, he can identify at what risk that person is for falling and design appropriate exercises to help them regain proper balance. And, when a person can see exactly where their own physical imbalance lies, they can begin to correct it. Moreover, Jasen is able to program the Balance System to move its platform so the patient feels, as well as sees imbalance and what type of correction is required to improve upon it. 

Jean Myers, a Beltrone resident, has fallen three times, and the last one was a bad one. It left here with polyneuropathy, a loss sensation in her feet, and a lot of fear. Three weeks after that fall, she stands on Jasen’s balance machine, and is learning how to become stabilized and strong. Because she does not have good control of her feet, the ability to see how she stands enables her to learn how to correct her balance, and what proper balance feels like. Jansen will then help her to translate that feeling to real-world walking. Already, after only a couple of sessions with Jasen, Myers said she feels steadier on her feet than she has in a long time. She plans to keep working, and stay strong and independent.

Jasen, an entrepreneur as well as a therapist, has a goal beyond helping the clients he has today.  "My goal is to become the leading provider of balance assessment in the community," he said. 

Hector PT has offices in Colonie Manor in Latham, Atria Guilderland and Wynwood of Niskayuna in Niskayuna.  For now, the Beltrone site is the only one with a Balance System, but traditional physical and occupational therapies are available and open to the public and Jasen has plans to equip all his offices with balance machines. 

Learn more about fall prevention, risk screening and Hector PT at www.hectorpt.com.  HECTORPT SENIOR PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES OF CLIFTON PARK NY and  ALBANYNY.

Ski and Snowboard Injuries

Skiing and snowboarding are among the most popular winter sports. Injuries to the upper and lower extremities occur in a relatively predictable pattern. Fortunately, there are some ways to help decrease the chance for injuries.

Many winter sports injuries happen at the end of the day, when people overexert themselves to finish that one last run before the day's end. A majority of these injuries can easily be prevented if participants prepare for their sport by keeping in good physical condition, staying alert and stopping when they are tired or in pain.

HECTORPT encourages children and adults to follow these tips for preventing winter sports injuries:

• Never participate alone in a winter sport.
• Keep in shape and condition muscles before participating in winter activities.
• Warm up thoroughly before playing. Cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are vulnerable to injury.
• Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles, helmets, gloves and padding.
• Check that equipment is in good working order and used properly.
• Buy and use helmets or protective head hear approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These must fit correctly and be worn properly to be effective.
• Wear several layers of light, loose and water- and wind-resistant clothing for warmth and protection. Layering allows you to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature. Wear proper footwear that provides warmth and dryness, as well as ample ankle support.
• Know and abide by all rules of the sport in which you are participating.
• Take a lesson (or several) from a qualified instructor, especially in sports like skiing and snow boarding. Learning how to fall correctly and safely can reduce the risk of injury.
• Pay attention to warnings about upcoming storms and severe drops in temperature to ensure safety.
• Seek shelter and medical attention immediately if you, or anyone with you, is experiencing hypothermia or frostbite. Make sure everyone is aware of proper procedures for getting help, if injuries occur.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after activities.
• Avoid participating in sports when you are in pain or exhausted.
• Avoid participating in winter sports if you are experiencing pain in your extremities, as this will affect your mechanics and increase the risk of falling.
• Do not participate in sports when you are ill, very tired, or have consumed alcohol.
• Report any signs or symptoms of concussions.

Stay safe this winter by following the above safety tips and common sense. A message from HECTORPT SPORTS Physical Therapy of Clifton Park and Albany NY.

www.hectorpt.com (518)577-5214