Physical Therapists join Make-A-Wish

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The CardioFlex team of Physical Therapists is joining the Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida foundation, which presents the 20th Annual Dream Date Auction. This unique auction features 20 of South Florida’s most eligible men and women, paired with unique date packages, on the auction block. More than 600 guests are expected. The Auction will be held in Ft Lauderdale.

100% of the proceeds from this exclusive event benefits Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, who grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses. In its 19-year history, the Dream Date Auction has raised enough to grant the wishes of more than 130 South Florida children.

Where: Sway Nightclub, 111 SW 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

When: Friday July 20th, doors open at 7pm, aunction begins at 8pm.

CardioFlex Therapy is proud to sponsor this great cause, always looking for ways to helping and participating in our community events. There are four steps to granting a wish. Each step builds on the next and creates amazing experiences that delight wish kids and their families. Make a Wish creates an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. In that spirit CardioFlex physical and occupational therapists get together to help make wishes come true.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Cardiovascular Rehab in Physical Therapy

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Cardiovascular Rehab in Physical Therapy is a growing area of PT that serves those who have had cardiopulmonary surgeries, diseases, and general deconditioning. Because of an aging population and an increase in Physician Physical Therapy referrals, Cardiovascular PT should continue to increase in popularity well into the future.

Most people think of Cardiovascular Rehab as using cardio machines only.  Although patients generally will utilize the cardio equipment at a Physical Therapy Facility, they can also do many different therapeutic exercises that will increase their muscular strength and endurance. These exercises will in turn assist patients to become more functional and to be healthier overall.

As the patients are doing exercises and using cardio machines, the Physical Therapist will be monitoring their vital signs using a Pulse Oximeter and a Blood Pressure Cuff. This will give a reading on their O2 Saturation Level, Heart Rate, and Blood Pressure. Taking measurements before, during, and after their workouts will give the PT an idea of how the patient can tolerate the routine, at what levels they can perform at, and also will help to measure improvement.

If patients have vital measures that are not within the normal ranges, then the Physical Therapy will have to decide the next course of action. For instance, if a patient has low blood pressure, then they will need to sit down and drink a lot of water before they are allowed to continue. If a patient’s heart rate gets too high or O2 Saturation gets too low, then they will need to take a break until their vitals go back into the normal ranges.

The best cardiovascular type of machines are the Recumbent Bicycle, Elliptical, Treadmill, and Rower. Alternate machines include an Upper Body Ergonometer (UBE), Airdyne Bicycle, Recumbent Elliptical, and Versa-climber. All of these machines have positives and negatives to them, and can be incorporated into a Cardiovascular Rehab program. It’s best to have at use 3-4 cardio machines in the program, to build up different muscle groups, and avoid boredom.

Also, changing up the therapeutic exercises and the order of things can help to keep the program exciting and new. The best therapy for cardiovascular patients are whole-body, functional exercises. These include Squats, Lunges, Dead-lifts, Push-ups, Pull-ups, Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling, Rows, Bridges, Crunches, Obliques, Leg Lifts, Throwing, Dips, Calf Raises, etc.  Any exercises can be used and mixed into the program, as long as they’re functionally relevant for the patient.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Fix Your Posture To Improve Your Strength

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Most of us who work in an office setting are most likely sitting slouched over our desk chair and staring at a computer screen creating bad posture in our bodies. Having poor posture can result in tremendous structural damage to the spine, shoulders, hips, and knees. It can lead to things such as joint pain throughout your body, reduced flexibility, and compromised muscles which can limit your body’s ability to burn fat and build strength.

Over time, your poor posture takes a tremendous toll on your spine, shoulders, hips, and knees. In fact, it can cause a cascade of structural flaws that result in acute problems, such as joint pain throughout your body, reduced flexibility, and compromised muscles, all of which can limit your ability to burn fat and build strength. But don’t worry—all these problems can be corrected. Are you ready to straighten yourself out? Use this head-to-toe guide to make sure your posture is picture-perfect.

A treatment approach that has been clinically effective involves stretching of over active/tight muscles, strengthening of under active/weak muscles, and utilization of exercises that incorporate functional movement patterns last. Article credits to BodyStructure.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com