It's Summertime, and the Livin' is Easy...
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In the longer, lazier days of summer, life often seems to a be a little less chaotic. Adults even seem to adopt the "schools out for summer" mentality.
That's why summer is the perfect time to improve your health...it's so seasonally laid back you'll barely notice the effort!
The following is a list of suggestions of t
o simple changes to boost personal health during the prime time of summer:
1. Boost Your Berry Intake
If you do one thing to improve your diet, have a cup of mixed fresh berries (blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries) every day. Not only will they help you load up on
antioxidants
, but they are also tops in fiber, which helps keep
cholesterol
low and may even help prevent some cancers.
2. Stress Less--Get Dirty!
Plant a small garden, cultivate a flower box, or plant a few flower pots -- indoors or out. Just putting your hands in soil is "grounding."
3. Get Outside to Exercise
Pick one outdoor activity (i.e. go on a hike, take a nature walk, play games such as tag with your kids, cycling, or
swimming
) to shed that cooped-up feeling of gym workouts. As added bonuses, you'll boost your immune system, get a dose of Vitamin D, and you're prone to work out longer and harder!
4. Vacation Time!
Improve your
heart health
: take advantage of summer's slower schedule by using your vacation time to unwind! Did you know that vacations can help lower your
blood pressure
,
heart rate
, and stress hormones such as cortisol, which contributes to a widening waist and an increased risk of heart disease?!
5. Sleep Well
Resist the urge to stay up later during long summer days and keep the same
bedtime
and wake-up schedule. It's also a good idea to avoid naps during the day unless you take them every day at the same time, for the same amount of time.
6.Wear Sunglasses
Your eyes do a lot for your body. Protect them by wearing sunglasses that block 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Not only will this help you avoid cataracts, it can also help you keep wrinkles around your eyes away.
We hope you enjoy all that summer has to offer and remember to live well! For more health and wellness tips, please visit our website at
www.thesmithclinic.com
.
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Did You Know??
6 Interesting Facts about Physical Therapy
We often get questions about what physical therapy actually is and how is it different from other healthcare specialties. So, we wanted to take a moment to answer some of those by providing you with 6 interesting facts you may not know about physical therapy. Check out these little-known facts about its origins, benefits, and how it differs from other forms of treatment:
- How did it all begin? Physical therapy began in the United States as a result of World War I in response to the vast need to treat injured soldiers. Typical patients during World War I were those with head injuries, amputated limbs, and spinal cord injuries. The benefits of PT have since been proven so great that it is now an integral part of strengthening and recovery.
- Is PT just for injuries or post surgery? Physical therapists do a lot more than just stretch or strengthen weak muscles after an injury or surgery. They are skilled at evaluating and diagnosing potential problems before they lead to more serious injuries or disabling conditions—from carpal tunnel syndrome and frozen shoulder, to chronic headaches and lower back pain, to name a few.
- Do physical therapists have special training? Yes. In fact, physical therapy can only be performed by a licensed physical therapist (or a licensed physical therapy assistant who is under the supervision of a physical therapist). PT's must be licensed in one of eight areas by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists, and some physical therapists even continue training to get a doctoral degree (DPT) or other advanced degree.
- What is the success rate of physical therapy treatment? Through extensive research, statistics widely report physical therapy to be an effective treatment for a number of different conditions. A study published by the Journal Health Services Research showed that initial treatment costs were 50% lower when the primary care consultation was followed by a referral to a physical therapist, rather than an advanced imaging referral. The study also found that using physical therapy as a first treatment strategy resulted in 72% fewer costs within the first year, for the patient.
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Patient Spotlight: Andrew Harrington
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We are thrilled to introduce you to a very special patient and friend, Andrew Harrington. An 11 year old and soon to be 6th grader, Andrew came to The Smith Clinic to regain strength and the ability to walk/run after multiple surgeries on both feet and lower legs.
Having lived in Memphis since he was born, one of Andrew's favorite pastimes is learning about the Bluff City's history, it's old buildings and businesses downtown. He especially loves the view of the Mississippi River and Memphis bridge from an airplane.
Speaking of airplanes, another favorite pastime of Andrew's is flying. In fact, he is currently working on his pilot's license! In addition, Andrew is also an avid basketball fan (especially when it comes to Steph Curry!) and a big U of M football fan.
When asked about his experience at The Smith Clinic thus far, Andrew said, "Chris, Amber and Kelsey are kind and smart. They know just what I need and how much to push me. They are always positive, and we talk about the things I CAN do, not the things I can't." Andrew expressed that his favorite part of coming to The Smith Clinic is, "how I can get a lot of work done and not really realize it. We talk a lot while I am working on my exercises, and it passes the time. My mom and dad say they like the way everyone communicates, that Mr. Chris (my PT) and Ms. Amber have a specific plan just for me each time I come in, and that they always answer any questions they have."
We asked Andrew what the biggest challenge has been when it comes to physical therapy, and he said it is not getting to sleep in on his PT days due to the morning appointments. On the flip side, Andrew conveyed he has gained a lot of confidence in his ability to do things that he wasn't sure he could do and also stated, "They care about me...because everyone here believes in me, I believe I can do anything."
We DO believe in you, Andrew. You inspire us each time you come in, and we are honored to be able to come alongside you in your journey back to health!
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