Avoid Holiday Injuries

Physical Therapy is about health and wellness, and as experts on injury prevention, we care about your safety during the holidays! Decorating the house, participating in annual traditions, and the careless excitement of celebrating are essential to the energy of the season; however, danger is lurking. Broken bones from falling off ladders and intense football games, and injuries from intoxicated behaviors leave you hurting long after the tree comes down. Here are a few tips to injury prevention during the holidays according to ABC News Medical Team:

• Don't leave home unless you have to - the roadways are filled with drunk drivers
• Don't drive drunk!
• Keep decorations safe for children
• Ask an expert to handle high, dangerous lighting of the house
• Keep a sense of humor

If you do find yourself on your back, fallen from a tall ladder, don't wait to seek medical attention. Rehabilitate with physical therapists like First Colony's who will help get you back to your festivities quickly and safely. Happy Holidays!

Therapy for Your Body, A Chance to Regain Your Life!

Physical therapy (PT) is vital to your health. Here's a quick overview of how physical therapists in private practice can help, and why you should consider adding PT into your health and wellness routine.

Physical therapists utilize special techniques to increase your movement, reduce pain, restore function or even prevent disability - without the costs of surgery or medication! Physical therapists help you avoid the extensive financial, time, and emotional costs of hospital stays and pharmacy bills. In many cases, insurance will aid the expenses of treatments.

Trained PT pros, like those at First Colony Aquatic and Rehab Center, help you heal and rehabilitate using personalized therapy. Your therapist works with you to create the appropriate exercise program to get your body back to its highest potential. Physical therapists at First Colony have extensive knowledge of how your body works and apply all those smarts to help you feel your best.

Still have questions? Visit http://www.moveforwardpt.com/faq/ or call First Colony at 281-325-0188 today!

Women at Risk for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that decreases bone density and puts victims at a higher risk for fractures. The most common places for fractures are the spine, wrist or hip. 

Your bones are the building blocks of your body. Osteoporosis, which affects women more commonly than men, weakens the infrastructure. Learning how to prevent it is just the tool you need. Physical therapy is your ticket to stronger bones and injury prevention. Our PT's can educate you today about building bone mass early in life to prevent osteoporosis!

If you have already sustained a fracture because of weak bones, physical therapy aids rehabilitation for mobility, strength and function areas affected by the break. Following a fracture, physical therapy reduces your chances of similar injuries in the future. 

Here are a few osteoporosis prevention tips recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation:

• Get your daily recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D
• Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
• When appropriate, have a bone density test and take medication

The physical therapists at First Colony want you to function at your highest level of ability no matter your bone density! To learn more about osteoporosis and physical therapy, visit http://www.womenshealthapta.org/pdfs/Osteoporosis.pdf

Your Body: The Human Machine, and Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of interaction between your body and its working environment to decrease the risks of injury and illness due to work life (http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1425.html).



According to the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma, approximately 70% of U.S. workers sit while on the job. Even while sitting, you are at risk for pain or injury. Ergonomics is the answer to keeping your body healthy so you can offer your best performance in the workplace. The goals of Ergonomics are to decrease your risk of injury, enhance productivity and improve the quality of your work.

While sitting at your desk, practice these tips to prevent pain:

• Use a supportive lumbar curve for your lower back.
• Position yourself for minimal bend at the wrist.
• Set your feet flat on the floor or footrest.
• Keep the area behind your knee from touching the seat.

For more tips and exercises to keep your body feeling its best during a hard day's work, visit http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/ergo Still not feeling up to par? Make an appointment at First Colony Aquatic & Rehabilitation today!