HealthBeat This month’s feature topics are
Diabetes & Physical Therapy
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Spearfish: 642.2761 • Sturgis/Rapid City: 641.8636
November: Diabetes & Physical Therapy
How PT can benefit recovery of soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries are more common than people may realize. In fact, anyone with an undiagnosed pain in his or her body may be suffering from a soft tissue injury. Verywell Health defines soft tissue injuries as trauma to any muscle, skin, tendon, or ligament in the body. Injuries may result from overuse or acute trauma, which is an external force applied to the body. Common examples of soft tissue injuries are lacerations, abrasions, contusions, sprains/ strains, bursitis, and tendinitis. Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons and sprains are injuries to ligaments, which are elastic bands of tissue that connect and stabilize bones. Both strains and sprains are common soft tissue injuries. Bursitis and
tendinitis also are common. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between the bones and muscles or tendons. Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons, which connect muscles to bones. Many minor (Grade 1) soft tissue injuries that involve muscles, tendons and ligaments may heal when injured persons follow the protocol known as R.I.C.E., which is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. R.I.C.E. is widely recommended for these types of injuries. However, more serious soft tissue injuries may take extended time to heal. Some of these injuries also may lead to permanent changes in muscles, tendons and ligaments, causing
Physical Therapy can help you move better!
certain body parts to cease functioning how they used to. That may be the case with Grade 2 (moderate) or Grade 3 (severe) injuries. Further medical attention may be needed and physical therapy may be prescribed. The Ace Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute says soft tissue injuries account for most of the injuries that outpatient physical therapists treat. A therapist will analyze the type of injury and the pain or impairment it is causing to develop a rehabilitation program. Physical
therapists often perform various treatments geared toward reducing swelling and inflammation. Manual therapies to help restore normal motion also are part of soft tissue treatment plans. Stretching and strengthening exercises may be incorporated to improve endurance and repair soft tissue. Orthotic therapy may be needed to correct certain imbalances, advises Algonquin Chiropractic Center. Physical therapists also can educate patients about how to strengthen the body to help reduce risk for future injuries.
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy encourage you to try Physical Therapy first to solve your pain and movement challenges.
Cathy Sulentic Morcom, PT, DPT
Jens Matson, DPT, OCS, CMPT
Maria Matson, PT, DPT
Katie Schuelke, PT, DPT
Kelli Karr, PT, DPT
Specialties Include: • Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) • Orthopedic Manual Therapy • Women’s Health
Dr. Brandie Rainboth, DPT, OCS 305 N. Main Street, Suite 2, Spearfish
605.559.0381 www.spearfishpt.com
• Certified Industrial Medicine • Certified Dry-Needling Services • Functional Movement Assessments
Over 25 Years
OF SERVING THE BLACK HILLS
520 N. Canyon St., Spearfish • 605-642-7996 www.bhphysicaltherapy.com
HealthBeat November: Diabetes & Physical Therapy
Groups with a heightened vulnerability to type 2 diabetes Various factors affect an individual’s risk for type 2 diabetes. An impairment in the way the body regulates and uses glucose, or sugar, as fuel, diabetes is a chronic disease that researchers estimate affects nearly half a billion people across the globe. One recent study conducted in affiliation with the International Diabetes Federation examined global diabetes data published between 1990 and 2018. That study represented 138 countries and researchers ultimately estimated that diabetes could affect 700 million people by 2045. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that no one currently knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes. However, there are ways for individuals to reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes, which is much more common than type 1. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes that
various risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including age and ethnicity, cannot be changed. But knowledge of type 2 diabetes, including a recognition of which groups are among the most vulnerable to the disease, may compel people to make lifestyle choices that can greatly reduce their diabetes risk. The NIDDK notes that people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they: • are overweight or obese • are age 45 and older • have a family history of diabetes • are African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/ Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander • have high blood pressure • have a low level of “good” cholesterol or a high level of triglycerides • have a history of gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
• are not physically active • have a history of heart disease or stroke • have depression • have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) • have acanthosis nigricans, a condition marked by dark, thick and velvety skin around the neck or armpits Healthy lifestyle choices can help many people in these groups reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes. For example, a healthy diet and routine physical activity can help people lose weight and maintain a healthy weight, lower their blood pressure and improve their “good” cholesterol levels. Those two simple choices can remove individuals from many of the aforementioned groups with a heightened vulnerability to type 2 diabetes. More information about diabetes and diabetes prevention is available at www. niddk.nih.gov.