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HEALTH: Cooley Dickinson offers Seamless Care, D3 TRAVEL: Old friends embark on a rocky ride in Utah, D5 HOLIDAY MUSIC: 10 Christmas albums to celebrate the season, D9
| SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020
Sports
MEDICINE: A medical subspecialty that involves the treatment and prevention of acute and chronic injuries sustained by athletes and other active individuals during sporting events or exercise.
By Cori Urban
SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN
“Most surgeons have a specific protocol, or timeline, they like us to follow when advancing their patients through the rehab process.”
Dr. Zachary L. Schepart participated in multiple sports and had followed numerous collegiate and professional teams since he was a young child. As he entered the field of medicine, the fields of anatomy and physiology — as well as the musculoskeletal exam — piqued his interest. “My favorite aspect of this field is that I have the opportunity to evaluate and treat patients both in the office as well as on the sideline or rink side — while providing medical coverage for a sports team,” he said. He is employed by Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group, part of Trinity Health Of New England, and specializes in sports medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. Jack Jury, lead physical therapist Sports medicine is a medical subspecialty that involves the treatment at the Rehabilitation Hospital at and prevention of acute and chronic Mercy Medical Center injuries sustained by athletes and other active individuals during sporting events or exercise. He evaluates and treats acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries, such as patellofemoral pain syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis, subacromial impingement, ankle sprains, acute shoulder or knee injuries and concussions. In addition to evaluations and treatment plans, based on the patient presentation, he provides both bony landmark-guided and ultrasound guided steroids injections. He also makes referrals as appropriate to chiropractors, orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists and physical therapists. Jack Jury, lead physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Hospital at Mercy Medical Center, specializes in the rehabilitation of chronic, traumatic and post-operative foot and ankle injuries as well as injuries to the knee. The majority of patients he treats with sports-related conditions Jack Jury, lead physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Hospital at Mercy Medical Center, trains his patient are high school and college-level Steven Torres, Sr. during a therapy session. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) athletes, but he also treats adult
clients injured while participating in recreational sports. Common chronic-type injuries include those involving the patellofemoral joint where the kneecap glides on the end of the thigh bone. He also commonly treats patients with acute, post-operative conditions, such as those who have sustained a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and had reconstructive surgery. His specialty as it relates to sports medicine and rehabilitation is rehab of chronic, traumatic and post-operative foot and ankle injuries as well as injuries to the knee. “Rehabilitation of a chronic patellofemoral condition starts with a thorough examination and assessment to determine the most likely cause of the patient’s issue,” he explained. “Oftentimes this is a result of imbalances in flexibility, strength and overall lower extremity biomechanics. Our efforts are then focused on restoring dynamic balance to these areas through therapeutic exercise programs involving the knee, hip and core musculature.” The rehab after ACL reconstruction follows a somewhat challenging yet predictable course for most patients over 8-12 weeks, he continued. “Most surgeons have a specific protocol, or timeline, they like us to follow when advancing their patients through the rehab process.” This involves managing pain and swelling initially, while slowly restoring range of motion and strength to the leg. The patient also is instructed in protecting the repair during walking and stairs through brace and crutch use. After about six weeks, there is a gradual advance to more challenging range of motion, strengthening and agility exercises. At this time the patient is usually walking without a brace or crutches. SEE SPORTS, PAGE D2
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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
The many ways
walking benefits
your body
Jack Jury, lead physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Hospital at Mercy Medical Center, talks with his patient Steven Torres, Sr. during a therapy session. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
Sports
satisfying aspect of working as a sports medicine physician is having the opporCONTINUED FROM PAGE D1 tunity to guide his patients “As we reach the 8-12-week through a treatment plan to mark, patients are given a get them back to the activicomprehensive home/gym ties that they love whether it exercise program to perform be collegiate or professional regularly to prepare them sports or their weekly runfor the next, most advanced, ning club. phase of rehab at 6-8 months To promote prevention for post op which involves sports-related injuries, Jury preparing the knee and the said all patients are given a patient for a return to sport home exercise program and activity,” Jury explained. education to maintain the The rehab for patellofemdynamic balance of the lower oral pain is individualized extremity and prevent future based on the specific deficits injury. identified in the examina“In the case of ACL injury tion, he noted. “While the prevention, there are several rehab after ACL surgery is well-studied exercise prosomewhat more structured grams out there designed to into phases, there are certain address specific modifiable criteria we look for in any biomechanical risk factors individual patient before that have been shown to preadvancing them from one dispose athletes to non-conphase to the next. This helps tact ACL injury,” he said. to ensure that the tissues, “We actually implemented and the patient, are truly a similar exercise program ready to advance to the next for a local high school girls level.” soccer team in 2018. We had What drew Jury into this been seeing at least one, and field was the ability to treat sometimes two, ACL injuries a wide variety of clients a season on that team prior and their injuries, returning to 2018. And in the three them to whatever activities years since, there have been are most important to them. no non-contact ACL injuries “These may include sports, and only one ACL injury due but often we are restoring to traumatic contact.” their ability to walk, climb According to Schepart, the stairs or perform their work roots of sports medicine date tasks,” he said. back to the 5th century when Steven B. Torres, Sr., of physicians in ancient Greece Williamsburg, who works treated athletes with injuries in security sustained a sustained during games or completely torn ACL while combat. playing football and needThe Society for Orthopaeed surgery to repair it. The dic Traumatologic Sports injury prevented him from Medicine notes that the replaying sports, but once introduction of the Olympic physical therapy is complete, games in 1896 promoted the he hopes to be able to fully interdisciplinary research of engage in sports and athletic sport-induced injuries. In the activities again. following years, Germany “Jack’s working with me became the founding country and is helping me get back to of sports medicine. With the walking and running again,” foundation of the “German he said. “Every day I’m getUniversity of Body Culture” ting better with his help.” in 1950 in Leipzig, the first His advice for people department for sports mediwith similar injuries is “get cine was established. yourself motivated to do the Sports and exercise medprocedure and then trust the icine only became a fully process. It’s so worth it in the recognized subspecialty in end!” the United States in 1994, For Schepart, the most Schepart said.
Life changed dramatically in 2020. When the World Health Organization declared a COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, hundreds of millions of people across the globe were forced to change how they go about their daily lives, including how they exercise. Health-conscious adults accustomed to exercising at local gyms had to find new ways to exercise in the wake of the pandemic. Many gyms were forced to close in areas hit hard by COVID-19, and that left many people without access to fitness equipment like weights and cardiovascular machines. Resilient men and women
TrinityHealthOfNE.org
soon found ways to exercise, and many of them embraced walking. Though walking might not provide the same level of intensity that fitness enthusiasts are accustomed to, the Arthritis Foundation® notes the various ways walking benefits the body.
to two miles per day can lower their blood pressure by nearly 11 points in 24 weeks, while women who walk for 30 minutes a day can reduce their risk of stroke by 20 percent. · Walking strengthens the bones. New Yorkbased Plancher Orthope-
Walking strengthens the bones. New York-based Plancher Orthopedics and Sports Medicine notes that walking can stop the loss of bone mass for people with osteoporosis.
· Walking protects against heart disease and stroke. Walking strengthens the heart and protects it against heart disease. The AF also notes that walking lowers blood pressure. In fact, post-menopausal women who walk just one
dics and Sports Medicine notes that walking can stop the loss of bone mass for people with osteoporosis. In addition, post-menopausal women who incorporate 30 minutes of walking into their daily fitness regimens can reduce their risk of hip
If you or a family member has had a serious injury or illness and needs intensive rehabilitation services to help regain function, Mercy Rehabilitation, the only CARF accredited facility in Western Massachusetts, is here to help. We are the only inpatient rehabilitation program in the area attached to an acute care hospital and offer both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for adults and children. For more information, call us at 413-748-6880 or visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org. The rehabilitation services we provide: • Inpatient rehabilitation on the campus of Mercy Medical Center • Outpatient rehabilitation at two locations • Day rehabilitation program, a unique outpatient program especially for adults with a brain injury, neurological disorder or complex medical conditions • Children’s outpatient therapy
Mercy Rehabilitation Services
Helping People Improve Their Health and Independence
Rehabilitation Services 233 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 • 413-748-6880
fractures by 40 percent. · Walking can extend your life. The AF notes that one study linked walking to longer life expectancy, finding that people who exercise regularly in their fifties and sixties were 35 percent less likely to die over the next eight years than people who never walked. · Walking can improve mood. One study from researchers at California State University, Long Beach, found that the more steps people take during the day, the better their moods were. · Walking can lower risk for cognitive decline. Walking also has been linked to a lower risk for age-related cognitive decline. A study from the University of Virginia Health System found that men between the ages of 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile per day had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease compared to men who walked less. In addition, a study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that age-related memory decline was lower among women ages 65 and older who walked 2.5 miles per day than it was among women who walked less than half a mile per week. Foot traffic increased as people were forced to find new ways to exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Walking is a great way to stay in shape and even provides some lesser known benefits for people who walk each day.
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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Cooley Dickinson offers
Seamless Care
Cooley Dickinson’s Wellness and Sports Performance Center
By Tiera N. Wright
SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN
As kids most accidents and injuries, because of sports or other general mishaps, could be healed with a simple caress or kiss from our parents. As we grow older, injuries— especially those at the hands of our favorite sport, can be an athlete’s worst nightmare defined by uncertainty and the fear of whether or not we can return to the same level of proficiency prior to the injury. “Physical therapy is an extremely effective form of treatment for many common musculoskeletal injuries,” says Stephen Markey, PT, MS, OCS, OMT, MDT, a Physical Therapist II at Cooley Dickinson’s Hatfield Rehabilitation Services in Hatfield, MA. “Covered by most health insurance, physical therapy places a strong emphasis on preventing injuries and teaching people about their bodies, how they work, and how they can regain strength/enjoy their quality of life.” A former athlete himself, Markey, whose been with Cooley Dickinson Health Care since 2008, can relate to the plight of his patients not only professionally, but
personally too. “I was injured in high school and was told I could not continue to play soccer, missing the entire season, and jeopardizing my opportunity to play in college,” says Markey. Ultimately, after receiving “excellent” physical therapy, he eventually returned to the soccer field, and went on to achieve a scholarship to play soccer in college. “I was so inspired by my care, at how effective it was, that I decided I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy.” A Team Leader at both Hatfield Rehabilitation and Cooley Dickinson’s Wellness and Sports Performance Center, located in West Hatfield, Markey is a big proponent of Seamless Recovery. “We pride ourselves in providing uninterrupted and integrated care,” says Markey. “We want to achieve a continuum of care for our patients.” Offering both Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT), Markey says Hatfield Rehabilitation is “an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic,” whereas the Wellness and Sports Performance Center, “provides individual
1-on-1 personal training, small group exercise classes like: adult fitness, youth athletic performance, senior fitness and joint health, ACL return to performance, and Elite Athletic Performance, as well as specialty evaluations such as Running Analysis using the Dartfish video system.” Additionally, the Wellness and Sports Performance Center offers free consultations, as well as an opportunity for prospective patients to tryout a free first trial class. Explains Markey, “an athlete injures her knee playing soccer and goes to the walk-in clinic the same day. She is seen by a provider who diagnoses an ACL tear. She is scheduled for and undergoes surgery at Cooley Dickinson. She initiates physical therapy upstairs from her surgeon’s office. Once she successfully completes her therapy, and successfully passes her six months return to sport test, she continues with her rehabilitation protocol and continues to strengthen in the ACL return to performance class next door at the Wellness and Sports Performance Center, so she can return to play without dysfunction and with
the ability and knowledge to prevent another injury.” Adds Markey, “like each health profession, each facility plays an important and collective role in this process.” Ultimately, says Markey, the patient comes first, and the specialists, physicians, and therapists come together to prioritize and help the patient achieve their treatment goals. “Every injury can and should have a seamless recovery,” says Markey. “I view ‘the seam’ as an interruption in care. Some interruptions are not in our control. We are able to minimize interruptions in care because our patients are moving through each phase of care under one, comprehensive program. That is why we created our current system. Improved communication, one system, and an integration of care.” In a year defined by adaptation, Cooley Dickinson introduced virtual therapy visits to help patients seamlessly and safely continue appointments from home during the ongoing pandemic. Adds Markey, “many patients have found this option to be extremely beneficial, as they receive the professional guidance,
education and support that they need to improve all from their own home.” Following current restrictions and guidelines with their “We Screen, We Clean, and We Protect” initiative, patients who choose to continue with in-person appointments and staff “are screened for COVID-19 risk and exposure every day, and at each appointment,” says Markey. “We have enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing, and all staff and patients are wearing hospital grade masks for the duration of the visit.” Cooley Dickinson Health Care, a Massachusetts General Hospital affiliate, has six rehabilitation clinics throughout the Pioneer Valley, including Atwood (Northampton), Hatfield, Hadley, South
Deerfield, Southampton, and Worthington. Specializing in Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapies, all locations are currently accepting new patients. Concludes Markey, “as of this writing, Cooley Dickinson Health Care was the first and is currently the only organization in Western Massachusetts to invest in a program such as the Wellness and Sports Performance Center, where patients can find services to fully return to their activities, and the community has direct access to the array of programs and expertise of our valued training staff.” To learn more about Cooley Dickinson Health Care’s programs and services, visit www.cooleydickinson.org
Stephen Markey, PT, MS, OCS, OMT, MDT Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and Hatfield Rehabilitation Services Team Leader at Cooley Dickinson’s Hatfield Rehabilitation Services in Hatfield, MA.
Cooley Dickinson is Proud to Serve the Pioneer Valley.
SERVICES KEY: Primary Care Specialty Care Imaging/Radiology Lab Services Center Rehabilitation Services Urgent Care
Cooley Dickinson is much more than just the hospital in Northampton. Our growing network of Cooley Dickinson specialists, primary care providers, urgent care facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and lab locations cover more than 1,000 square miles of western Massachusetts. We are proud to serve the residents of the Pioneer Valley. Virtual visits for PCP, Specialty, Urgent Care
Our Safe Care Commitment—we screen, clean, and protect for your safety
Primary Care providers accepting new patients; online and telephone visits available
413-582-2000 | cooleydickinson.org 30 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 3143807-01
A DVA N C I N G YO U R H E A LT H
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Avoid injury during
workouts
Physical Any time is a great time to get in shape. People with more time on their hands due to stay-at-home restrictions may want to begin an exercise regimen right away. When proper form is followed, exercise can be highly effective. However, failing to exercise properly can result in injuries that sidetrack fitness plans. Exercise is a significant component of a healthy lifestyle. The U.S. Surgeon General, the Institute of Medicine, the American Heart Association, and the American College of Sports Medicine all say that daily physical activity is necessary, but recommendations from these groups vary in regard to how much exercise is best. Harvard Medical School says most people should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise or 15 minutes of intense exercise a day. As important as duration of exercise can be, proper form is a must. The following are some
ways to avoid injury while exercising. · Consult with your doctor. Speak with a doctor before beginning an exercise regimen, especially if it has been some time since you last exercised. A physician will tell you if there are certain workouts or activities you should avoid, or give you a green light. Discuss exercise each time you get a physical. · Consider a personal trainer. Many people do not know where to start their exercise journeys. A personal trainer can help you begin safely and structure a fitness plan that becomes more challenging as your body acclimates to exercise. Personal trainers also can hold you accountable. Many trainers work independently and may offer guidance remotely through services like Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. · Begin slowly. Harvard Medical School experts say that sprains, muscle strains, tendinitis, knee injuries, and rotator cuff tears are some of the more common exercise- and sports-related injuries.
Slowly wading into the water and building up intensity gradually can help prevent some of these injuries. Choosing non-impact exercises, such as swimming, or using an elliptical machine, can be helpful if you have a preexisting condition like arthritis or osteoporosis or a history of injury. · Warm up. Don’t start workouts cold. Spend several minutes stretching and gradually increasing your heart rate. · Exercise caution when lifting weights. Get instructed on the proper form for lifting weights, as there is a risk for serious injury when not following form. Spotters are key when lifting heavy weights or if you’re jittery after an intense routine. Ask a friend or family member to spot you any time you’re doing strength training. This can prevent injuries and emergencies. Novices need to learn the ropes when they begin to exercise for the first time or after a long pause in physical activity.
Get Well. We Can Help. Mental Health | Addiction | Crisis Call today for more information or to schedule an appointment: 413-BHN-WORK (413-246-9675) Now offering BHNTeleCare: Connecting adults, children and families with counseling by phone or through a secure internet connection.
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activity
guidelines for children, adolescents and adults
adults follow these physical Staying healthy Adults activity guidelines. is a full-time job The DHHS advises adults to make a concerted effort for people of all Children and to move more and sit less throughout the day. Some ages. While it adolescents physical activity is better than The DHHS recommends none. Adults who sit less and might not always that children and adolescents do any amount of moderprove so easy to between the ages of six and ate-to-vigorous physical 17 should get 60 minutes or activity gain some health exercise or eat more of moderate-to-vigorbenefits. For substantial health benephysical activity every right, the benefits ous fits, adults should get at least day. 150 minutes to 300 minutes of healthy living of moderate-intensity, or 75 · Aerobic: Most of the 60 are undeniable. minutes to 150 minutes a minutes or more per day
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According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, “prevention” refers to helping people avoid getting sick or identifying diseases early so treatment can begin. Immunizations and disease screenings are two vital components of preventive care, but children, adolescents and adults can take more active roles in preventive care by embracing physical activity. The Department of Health and Human Services notes that physical activity fosters normal growth and development and can help people feel better, function better, sleep better, and reduce their risk for a large number of chronic diseases. Reducing risk for chronic disease keeps people out of the doctor’s office, or even the hospital, and it also can help save considerable amounts of money. One report from the The Milken Institute estimated that high chronic disease and obesity rates are responsible for more than $1 trillion in lost productivity in the workplace every year. In addition, the National Commission on Prevention Priorities notes that increasing the use of five preventive services to 90 percent can save more than 100,000 lives in the United States each year. Such services include advising smokers to quit and offering medication or other assistance to help them and providing flu shots for people age 65 and older. In recognition of the role exercise plays in preventive care, the DHHS recommends children, adolescents and
should be either moderate- or vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity at least three days a week.
· Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity at least three days a week. · Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity at least three days a week. Parents can consult with their children’s physicians to determine age-appropriate muscle- and bone-strengthening activities for their youngsters.
week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. An equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity can serve as a substitute. Ideally, aerobic activity should be spread throughout the week. Adults should do muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups two or more days a week, as the DHHS notes these activities provide additional health benefits. These guidelines also apply to older adults, but older adults also should incorporate balance training into their exercise routines. In addition, the DHHS urges older adults to consult with their physicians about the appropriate level of effort for physical activity relative to their level of fitness. People of all ages should include physical activity in their preventive health care routines. More information about exercise is available at www.health.gov.