Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
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Knee and foot injuries are common for people of all ages. They tend to occur during day-to-day activities such as walking, climbing stairs and running. In most cases, people tend to ignore the pain and just ‘carry on’ leading to more injury and pain. Rest and medication help reduce pain. However, the residual effects of knee and foot injuries (loss of strength and mobility) are best treated with physical therapy. The knee joint is a complex, weight-bearing structure and the ankle, in particular, is protected by ligaments on the inside, out...
A wrist fracture has the potential to impact daily life for an extended period of time. Wrist fractures can result from falls, sports activities and improper lifting. Owing to the complex architecture of the bones, muscles and ligaments in the wrist and hand, healing can take a while. The wrist itself is not a bone, but joints connecting the hand and the forearm. The type of treatment will depend upon the nature and the extent of injury to the bones, muscles and ligaments. Typical symptoms include pain especially with movement, swelling and...
We can’t stop time. Or can we? The right type and amount of physical activity can help stave off many age-related health problems. Physical therapists, who are movement experts, prescribe physical activity that can help you overcome pain, gain and maintain movement, and preserve your independence—often helping you avoid the need for surgery or long-term use of prescription drugs. Here are nine things physical therapists want you to know to #AgeWell. 1. Chronic pain doesn’t have to be the boss of you. Each year 116 million Americans exper...
Giving birth is a life changing experience. From a physical standpoint, childbirth has a significant impact on a woman’s body. Symptoms can vary greatly, and range from pain and headaches to tightness and incontinence. Aches and pains are common during pregnancy and breast feeding. Discomfort can occur in the neck, lower back, pelvis and hips. However, there is good news. The right exercises, combined with postural modifications go a long way in increasing comfort. Correct planning during pregnancy helps with injury prevention and recovery a...
Incontinence is an embarrassing condition that affects men, women and children of all ages. A common symptom is the loss of bladder control when coughing, sneezing, lifting and laughing. Incontinence can be temporary or persistent. Temporary loss of bladder control is related to diet, alcohol, caffeine and prescription medications. Underlying medical conditions such as urinary tract infections and chronic constipation also play a role. Persistent loss of bladder control may be related to pregnancy, age-related changes in the bladder, menopause...
You may know that physical therapy helps in the treatment of low back pain, but did you also know that physical therapy can help treat conditions such as spinal stenosis? Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the space surrounding the spinal cord is reduced, leading to increased pressure on the spinal cord and its network of nerves. Early signs of spinal stenosis often appear on an X-ray, even though no other symptoms are present. The symptoms begin with an occasional twinge or pain in the neck and spine. As the condition progresses,...
Total hip replacement (THR) is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged hip joint with a new artificial/prosthetic implant. Physical therapy is essential before and after surgery in order to minimize complications. Therapy also reduces recovery time and restores hip joint function as quickly as possible. Musculo-skeletal conditions that may require THR An impaired hip joint can result in pain and motion restriction for daily activities like sitting, standing, walking and commuting. Some of the conditions that could potentially damage the hip...
Ever since the No. 1 New York Times bestseller entitled “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” by John Gray was published, more and more people have asked the question, “What makes men and women so different?” Gray’s use of analogies and metaphors to highlight key differences between genders has made the book a modern classic. Although Gray’s work was focused on relationships between spouses, it is important to understand that there are several physical and physiological attributes that are unique to women, and physical therapy plays an im...
I hope you are well on your way to achieving a healthier, happier and longer life by the lifestyle changes you have made so far in this New Year. If you have yet to start, you still have time. In this final “New Year, New You” article I would like to leave you with some final tips: Nutrition Forget about all the fad diets and dieting. Instead follow the USDA’s new Food Guide Pyramid and monitor your caloric intake. Replace simple carbohydrates like those found in white bread and sweets with complex carbohydrates like 100 percent whole wheat...
In the last Physical Therapy Today article, “A New Year, A New You-Part I-Lifestyle Changes.” I wrote about how to accomplish permanent lifestyle changes so you can have a healthier, happier, and longer life. Today, we will consider one important factor, your exercise habit, when taking inventory of your current lifestyle and what changes need to be made. I can hear you all groaning. Exercise, for some, is not enjoyable. There are certain barriers to overcome to make exercise a part of your lifestyle. For example, rearranging a busy schedule, f...
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Like cardiac rehabilitation benefits a patient after a heart attack, many women need and want support and information following breast cancer treatment. Regional West Cancer Services will offer post-treatment survivorship support for breast cancer patients beginningFeb. 2. “A Time to Heal” is a free 12-week holistic survivorship program designed to help women regain their physical, emotional, and spiritual health following breast cancer treatment. Research and experience have shown that participation in “A Time to Heal” m...
We all want to live a healthier, happier and longer life. What better time to renew our motivation than in the New Year 2015. Now, I am not talking about New Year’s resolutions. I am talking about true motivation to make the changes in your life that will cause permanent lifestyle changes leading you to that healthier, happier, and longer life. Many of you will be tempted to stop reading this article after the word “change” bounces around your brain a few times. Change can be a scary concept. After all, we are “creatures of habit.” But chang...
In the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists from nutritional centers in the United States and abroad have published a paper titled “Myths, Presumptions, and Facts about Obesity.” They suggest that many of the beliefs regarding obesity are not supported by scientific evidence (presumptions), or information suggests the beliefs are incorrect (myths). This paper raises serious questions about our approach or understanding of obesity. Here are the myths. 1. Reducing calorie intake or increasing exercise over prolonged periods of time lea...
As a general rule when it comes to health, women are far better off than men. Prior to menopause, their risk of heart disease and stroke is substantially less than men, and the numbers of cancers occurring in both sexes is significantly lower. But when it comes to addiction, women do not do as well. Overcoming drug addiction, alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking is much more difficult. Until recently, the negative effects of smoking had only been studied in detail in men. For the first time, a study in the journal The lancet has shown that...
The shinbone or the tibia is the front surface of the lower leg. This part of the body is under constant stress and strain when we walk, jump and run. An overuse injury happens when a certain threshold of tolerance is crossed. This is a condition called shin splints. Intense pain occurs on the front, inside, outside and at times, the back of the lower leg. If left untreated, this pain can lead to stress fractures of the tibia. Shin splints occur due to damage and inflammation of the muscle, tendons, and bone. The pain can be rather unbearable,...
November is American Diabetes month. Although you may not think “physical therapy” if you have diabetes, the American Physical Therapy Association has stated that a safe, individualized exercise program may be the key in preventing type 2 diabetes for those at high risk for the disease. Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $174 billion. The cost of caring for someone with diabetes is $1 out...
A recent survey conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) confirmed seven of the most common myths about physical therapy. While the demand for physical therapists continues to rise and many consumers are experiencing the transformative effects of physical therapy, some misconceptions persist. APTA is debunking common ones during National Physical Therapy Month in October to better enable consumers to take charge of their health and improve their overall fitness, mobility, and quality of life. Below are seven of the most...
The state’s local health departments were acknowledged last week for their unique position as community conveners as well as for the expertise they bring to communities across our state. The Veterans Administration announced that the Nebraska Association of Local Health Directors will receive $2 million for a 2-year project. NALHD’s project is one of only five pilot programs funded nationally. These funds will provide resources to local health departments to assure that veterans returning to their homes in rural Nebraska can access the sup...
Ever since the #1 New York Times bestseller entitled “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” by John Gray was published, more and more people have asked the question “What makes men and women so different?” Gray’s use of analogies and metaphors to highlight key differences between genders has made the book a modern classic. Although Gray’s work was focused on relationships between spouses, it is important to understand that there are several physical and physiological attributes that are unique to women, and physical therapy plays an im...
A family health provider says she’s anxious to help launch a new medical clinic in the town where she spent a lot of time growing up. Kimberly Hafeman, PA-C, a physician assistant and former urgent care provider in Scottsbluff, will be the primary health provider in the new KHS-Potter Clinic, set to open Wednesday. Located next door to the Potter Village Office at 922 ½ Sherman St., the clinic will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 7 a.m. to noon on Fridays. “I am very excited for the opportunity to provide health care...
As children head back to school in September, a disturbing new trend is emerging. Young children are suffering from back pain much sooner than generations before them. A major contributing factor seems to be a heavy backpack. Most parents (and children) are unaware of the potential injury that heavy backpacks can cause. A news release by the American Physical Therapy Association in April 2009 revealed that more than 50 percent of children surveyed carry backpacks that are too heavy. If a backpack is stuffed with heavy books and/or worn incorrec...
It’s now the silly season for insurance rates with government agencies, consulting groups, and the media all speculating about next year’s premiums. Will your insurance premiums go up or down this fall? Never before have I seen such intense interest in insurance rates which editors have usually considered a snoozer of a story. It’s no wonder, though, that insurance rates are hot news. They’ve become as politicized as the Affordable Care Act itself. Supporters of Obamacare have focused on what people pay for health coverage—remember all that...
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) occurs as a result of overuse or misuse of the body and it generally affects the upper extremities. It has been reported that approximately 60% of all occupational injuries can be attributed to RSI. This causes a significant decrease in productivity on a personal and professional level. Causes RSI usually occur in the fingers, elbows and wrists. The wrist joint experiences a great deal of stress as it is constantly used to perform simple tasks such as writing and typing. RSI is also quite common with musicians...
Mosquito pools from the Panhandle have recently tested positive for West Nile Virus. “Finding the virus in mosquito’s serves as a warning that the virus continues to pose a risk to people in the Panhandle,” said Tabi Prochazka, Environmental Health Coordinator for Panhandle Public Health District. Panhandle residents are urged to exercise caution outdoors. “It only takes one mosquito bite for you to become infected with West Nile Virus”, stated Prochazka. She urged residents to follow these simple precautions: • Use a mosquito repellant t...
Maryann Dickinson of Lodgepole was one of about 170 individuals attended the 30th annual School Health Conference June 9-10 in Kearney. A pre-conference session was held on June 8. Participants earned continuing education hours for attending the conference, which was sponsored by the Central Nebraska School Nurses Association, Nebraska School Nurse Association and Central Community College. Sessions focused on the Attack on Asthma Nebraska organization, behavioral health screening and referral in pediatric clinics, drugs in society, the...
