Oh, Well

Healthcare: Rehab Gets Rehab

Physical therapy has always been a method for recovering from injury. But what if it was even more effective for preventing injury?

One glance at anything from 2020 will remind us that we spent much of the past year at home. Most of us experienced a little stir-craziness. But for those with preexisting ailments, the lack of activity has left them weaker than ever before.

Our bodies are made to move. And when they don’t or can’t, it is life-altering. Anyone whose feet have been too swollen for their shoes, or who has passed up on that stroll downtown because they were worried their legs would give out, understands how limiting it can be.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Many people with physical ailments or chronic pain grow accustomed to them, believing it’s just a normal part of aging. And they often believe that healing is only available to them after they’ve been seriously injured. The reality is, physical therapy can be a valuable tool for anyone whose illness or pain is keeping them from being a part of their own lives.

Hydrotherapy, for example, has helped many people regain the strength to prevent a fall or serious injury. From treating the specific characteristics of Parkinson’s disease and lymphedema to simply restoring mobility and confidence, hydrotherapy provides compression, buoyancy, and gentle resistance to reduce swelling and build strength in a low-impact, accessible way. I believe in this treatment so strongly that I made sure we will have our own hydrotherapy tank—the only one in our local area.

Yes, physical therapy is great for post-injury healing. But more than that, it is there to prevent hospitalization and to help those who are hurting to get their life back.

Jeremiah Bradford, PT, DPT, CLT

About the author: Jeremiah Bradford, PT, DPT, CLT is the owner and physical therapist at Unified Rehabilitation. Raised in Michigan, Jeremiah has dedicated his life to helping senior adults reclaim their health and is bringing new ideas to our community. More at unifiedrehabilitation.com

Nutrition: Food 4 Thought

Advice that has helped one local keep 50 lbs off for 15 years

As a teen, I was overweight and lacked knowledge of overall wellness and nutrition. By then, I was 50 pounds overweight, uncomfortable, and lacked support from family. It wasn’t until I took part in an athletic camp that I finally had the opportunity to learn.

The coaches I was working with had trained the Nebraska Cornhuskers and pushed me mentally and physically. Here is the advice that has stuck with me from that experience and still helps me 15 years later:

1. Stay hydrated! Often your body will think it is hungry when it’s actually thirsty.

2. The ideal portion size for your body is whatever fits into your cupped hand.

3. Eat certain foods on certain days—in other words, “eat to live,” not “live to eat.”

4. Eat on a smaller plate in a well-lit area. Restaurants’ dim lighting and large portions make it easy to overeat. Put half your meal in a to-go box before you start eating, and it will make a huge difference.

Rhiannon Neuharth

About the Author: Rhiannon Neuharth is a functional nutrition counselor in training. She is a former science teacher passionate about helping families with underlying health issues find the roots to wellness.

Fitness: Why We Work Out

Everyone has a vague idea that exercise is good. But for most people, that’s not enough motivation to start working out with any regularity. For those people, I want to share some not-so-obvious hidden benefits of exercise.

BETTER BRAIN. Exercise is linked to better memory and quicker learning. It improves blood flow to the brain, feeds the growth of new blood vessels and brain cells, and helps repair and protect them from degeneration.

BETTER MOOD. Exercise is known to relieve symptoms of depression. It releases chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, endorphins, and dopamine that dull pain, lighten mood, and relieve stress.

SLOW AGING. Exercise has been shown to lengthen lifespan. It increases blood flow to the skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients that improve skin health and even help wounds heal faster.

Joe Walsh

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joe Walsh is the owner and personal trainer at CSH Fitness, one of Winter Garden's newest gyms. Their approach is to personalize your fitness for a healthy fit for your life. More at csh.fitness