How to Tie a Theraband

 By: Terry Abrams

Most people have no idea how to tie a Theraband correctly. There are even Therapists who may not know how to tie it correctly either. In this video, we will both explain and demonstrate how to tie a Theraband so that you can exercise with it, and then untie it rapidly without any issues.

A Theraband or resistance band is a synthetic rubber band used for Physical Therapy and light strength exercises. Your PT will most likely use it to isolate strength training for specific muscles that have been affected secondary to a surgery or a non surgical injury/condition. There are several ways to tie a Theraband. Most people tie the band in a simple knot, although this isn’t the best way to tie it because then it’s time consuming to get the knot out. We like to call this simple knot “the lifetime” knot.” You’ll be spending what seems like the rest of your life trying to untie this knot.

The easiest and most useful way to ensure you get those most out of your training session is to tie the Theraband properly with either the Bow Tie or Half Bow Tie knot. For the Bow tie knot, you should have a full bow tie on both ends. To achieve the Half Bow Tie knot you are going to tie it as if you would a bow tie but the other side of the bow is going to come all the way through straight and the other end is a bow tie. When you undo either of these knots, it should be an easy release. There shouldn’t be a knot getting in the way of you untying it, and it will undo rapidly.

Check out our Youtube Video on How to Tie a Theraband below:

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Marketplace Insurances CardioFlex Offers

 By: Terry Abrams

CardioFlex Therapy is excited to announce we are in network with three major insurances from marketplace. Ambetter, Oscar and Bright Health. We work with a wide array of insurance carriers and plan types to ensure that our community has access to the care they need to stay healthy and strong. We’ve expanded our insurance portfolio to a maximum level, while still providing the quality care that we are known for.

Ambetter from Sunshine Health is Centene Corporation‘s Health Insurance Marketplace product. Their approach is based on the core belief that quality healthcare is best delivered locally. Ambetter and Sunshine Health offers coverage with no lifetime limits, pre-existing conditions, increased coverage for kids, increased preventive care for adults and seniors, and preventive care for women.

Oscar is now the third largest for-profit national insurer in the Individual Market in the United States based on membership, and has expanded to Small Group in 2017 and Medicare Advantage in 2020. As of 2022, they have at least one health plan in 607 counties across 22 states, and expect to expand in the years ahead both geographically and with respect to insurance markets.

Bright Health gained recognition of its health plan with a prestigious URAC accreditation that is recognized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They have proved compliance with rigorous standards, proving our ability to adhere to the mandates of the Affordable Care Act and compete in insurance marketplaces nationwide. Bright Health demonstrates their quality and compliance with standards that align with state and federal expectations for a more value-based delivery of care.

Whether you need Outpatient or Home Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, please call CardioFlex Therapy for PT & OT information on how we can best help you at our Outpatient Clinic in Davie at 954-693-9090.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

CardioFlex Therapy Joins Oscar HealthCare

By: Terry Abrams 

CardioFlex Therapy is excited to announce our joining of Oscar HealthCare insurance as of April 27th, 2021. As an In-Network provider of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, CardioFlex now accepts all plans from Oscar Health including Marketplace, Medicare and Medicaid insurance coverage. CardioFlex Therapy performs Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, located in Davie, FL and in the homes of our patients.

Founded in 2012, Oscar provides consumers with access to the affordable, high-quality health care they deserve. They began by offering health plans in the Individual market because Oscar believed it was where their member-first approach would set them apart. After only seven years of selling health insurance in the Individual market, their strategy has proved out.

Oscar is now the third largest for-profit national insurer in the Individual market in the United States based on membership, and has expanded to Small Group in 2017 and Medicare Advantage in 2020. As of 2022, they have at least one health plan in 607 counties across 22 states and expect to expand in the years ahead both geographically and with great respect to insurance markets.

Oscar is tackling health care’s biggest problems by providing more for Americans with access to the affordable, high-quality health care they deserve. It starts with reorienting consumers’ expectations of their insurer, and earning something that is all too rare in the health insurance industry: member trust.

Whether you need Outpatient or Home Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, please call CardioFlex Therapy for PT & OT information on how we can best help you at our Outpatient Clinic in Davie at 954-693-9090.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Cardioflex Therapy Physical & Occupational Therapy Promo

Stretches for Morning Back Pain Relief by Physical Therapists

By: Terry Abrams 

Here at CardioFlex, we know that on some mornings it’s harder to get out of bed than others. This is because one of the most common complaints that patients have over 50 is… lower back pain. CardioFlex would like to share some tips to help combat the stiffness and discomfort of lower back pain. Here are 5 stretches that you can do every morning before you get your day started. We hope you enjoy!

Lying Quadriceps Stretch

This list wouldn’t be complete without a stretch for the quadriceps and hip flexors. Lie sideways, keep the legs stacked and rest your head on the bottom arm.

Bend the top leg and grab its ankle with the top arms.

Pull the leg to bring its heel as close to the butt as possible.

Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Then lie on the other side and stretch for the same duration.

Supine Spinal Twist

The supine twist stretches the spine and back muscles. It’ll also stimulate your kidneys, urinary bladder and other internal organs.

Lie on your back and keep the left knee bent at 90 degrees.

Lift the left foot and cross it over the right leg. Then use your right arm to press the right knee to the floor.

Keep the shoulders flat on the floor throughout. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds, then alternate sides.

Side Stretch

This stretch targets your obliques (side abs), outer thighs and the shoulders. Stand upright and place your left arm on a chair or bed. Cross the left leg in front of the right one.

Raise your right arm straight over your head while you bend your hips to the right side.

Extend your right arm to the left as far as possible.

Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds and then switch sides.

Neck Stretches Side to Side

These stretches alleviate neck pain and undo the effects of sitting at a desk all day. Sit upright, then lean your head to the left side. Pull it with your left arm and stretch it for 15 seconds. Bend your neck to the right side and hold the stretch for the same duration.

Knee to Chest Stretch

This exercise stretches the lower back, hamstrings, and glutes. Feel free to perform it while lying on the floor. Lie on your back and bend your knees.

Grab both legs with your hands and pull your knees as close to the chest as possible.

Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, then rest and repeat once.

Remember to breathe deeply while holding the stretch.

CardioFlex is open Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 7 pm, and specializes in Orthopedics, Sports Injury, Neurological Conditions, and other Specialized Programs like TMJ treatment, knee rehabilitation, herniated disk treatments and more. Whatever your condition is, come in for a consultation. We accept all insurances, including Medicaid and Worker’s Comp.

Give us a call: 954-693-9090

If for any reason these exercises increase the pain or do not relieve any symptoms it may be beneficial to consult a physical therapist.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Low Back Pain? You need Physical Therapy

 By: Terry Abrams

If you’re suffering from low back pain and wondering why your insurance company won’t approve an MRI before going to physical therapy – there was a great study done on about 800 individuals where they compared two groups, published originally in the journal Health Services Research. One group went straight to imaging and one tried physical therapy first. What they found, was that the ones that went straight to imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRI) had a greater likelihood to go to surgery, have injections, and end up in the emergency room compared to those who went to Physical Therapy first. The article describes physical therapy as an approach that “focuses on educating patients about what might be causing their back pain, assuring them that most problems subside in time, and engaging them in their therapy.”

Physical therapists are specially trained experts in low back pain.

They are trained to identify any red flags or emergencies that would require further medical assessment. They’re also trained to help you understand your low back pain, find the root cause of your condition, and give you some practical advice on how to resolve those issues without medication and surgery. So, if you’re dealing with low back pain and you have not received the authorization for an MRI, I encourage you to find a local, licensed physical therapist in your area and have a conversation about your condition.

“What sets physical therapy apart from other types of treatment is the quality time we spend with our clients,” says Terry Abrams owner and physical therapist at CardioFlex Therapy in Davie, Florida. “Not only will we teach you about your condition and ways you can help yourself, but we will also start you on a program made just for you to get you moving again. A program customized just for you, and none of the side effects of surgery and pain medication.”

NOTE: your physical therapist is well trained in warning signs that would require you to see a doctor for further testing if required.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

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Crossfit needs Physical Therapy

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/crossfit-needs-physical-therapy/

By: Terry Abrams

“The physical therapist is one of the most underutilized avenues of rehab among conventional fitness athletes and CrossFitters. Physical therapists are movement specialists with a deep understanding of human anatomy. PTs are also the main point of contact for physical medicine and unlike many primary care physicians, PTs usually won’t tell athletes to give up the sports they love. Instead, PTs will provide athletes with the tools they need to understand how their bodies can perform better in those conditions”, says Genevieve Gyulavary, PT, DPT in an article written for Covalent Careers. This could not be further from the truth, well-written statement and I couldn’t agree more. Let’s go back to the basics.

CrossFit will push you to the absolute max with heavy weights, as many reps as possible, as fast as possible. It is promoted as both a physical exercise philosophy and a competitive fitness sport, incorporating elements from high-intensity interval training, Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, girevoy sport, calisthenics, strongman, and other exercises. While all exercise can create injury, we see more injuries with CrossFit because of the high-speed, high-impact approach. 

The number one reason we see more patients injured during their CrossFit sessions is muscle and joint exhaustion caused by incorrect techniques, paired with patients not knowing their own limitations. You will need to learn the fundamentals and the right technique before you begin to increase intensity or volume.

Anytime an athlete pursues a recreational activity with intensity & volume, injuries are possible. The most common injuries we see at our practice caused while practicing CrossFit are shoulder, back, and knees. We explain more bellow.

• Torn labrums, shoulder impingement, and rotator cuff injury. Repeated use of the shoulder can make the tendons in your shoulder swell, leading them to “catch” on your upper shoulder bone. Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach your upper arm bone to your shoulder. They help you lift and rotate your arm. The rotator cuff sits under the top of the shoulder, which is called the acromion. If you have shoulder impingement, your rotator cuff catches or rubs against the acromion. When you lift your arm, the space (bursa) between the rotator cuff and acromion narrows, which increases pressure. The increased pressure irritates the rotator cuff, leading to impingement. 
• Lower back sprains are the most common problem and they often occur from improper lifting techniques or from trying to lift too much weight. Sciatica caused by short and tight piriformis, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), slipped vertebrae or herniated disc, stiff iliopsoas. 
• Squats, jumps and various other CrossFit movements give knees a pounding. The most common knee injuries that can occur during this type of exercise are MCL injury and meniscal tears. The MCL is a band of tissue on the inside of your knee connecting your thighbone to the bone of your lower leg, injuring it will require Physical Therapy or surgery. A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that happens when one or more of the fibrocartilage strips in the knee (called menisci) is stretched or torn. 

When these injuries occur, the best course of action is to work with a physician group that understands how to deal with the pain and rehabilitation of sports injuries. It’s your best chance to avoid additional injury and to get you back to your previous activity level. Only a healthy athlete can be a successful athlete. When pain or injury do occur, seek the right treatment with a Sports Physical Therapy clinic after you see your doctor. CardioFlex Therapy in Davie, Florida is well prepared to treat these and many other Sports Injuries to get the athlete back in shape and back in the game.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Physical Therapists Can & Will Manage Your Pain

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/physical-therapists-can-will-manage-your-pain/

by Terry Abrams.

CardioFlex Physical Therapists are professionally trained to help you improve movement and regain control of your lifestyle. Physical therapy is among the safe and effective alternatives to opioids recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the management of most non-cancer related pain.

Whereas opioids only mask the sensation of pain, physical therapists treat pain through movement, hands-on care, exercise, and patient education. Physical therapists know how to manipulate your body to get it up to its best performance, though this can only be achieved with the commitment of the patient.

Here’s how Physical Therapists help manage pain:

1. Exercise.
A study, per APTA, following 20,000 people over 11 years found that those who exercised on a regular basis experienced less pain. And among those who exercised more than 3 times per week, chronic widespread pain was 28% less common1. Physical therapists can prescribe exercise specific to your goals and needs.

2. Manual Therapy.
Research supports a hands-on approach to treating pain. From carpal tunnel syndrome to low back pain, this type of care can effectively reduce your pain and improve your movement. Physical Therapists may use manipulation, joint and soft tissue mobilizations, ultrasound, hot and cold compresses, and electricity, as well as other strategies in your care.

3. Education.
A large study conducted with military personnel demonstrated that those with back pain who received a 45-minute educational session about pain were less likely to seek treatment than their peers who didn’t receive education about pain. Physical therapists will talk with you to make sure they understand your pain history and help set realistic expectations about your treatment.

4. Teamwork.
Recent studies have shown that developing a positive relationship with your physical therapist and being an active participant in your own recovery can impact your success. This is likely because physical therapists are able to directly work with you, assess how your pain responds to treatment and monitor improvement.

Low Back Pain: Although low back pain is rarely serious or life-threatening, there are several conditions that may be related to your low back pain, such as:

• Degenerative disk disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Fractures
• Herniated disk
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Tumors of the spine

Our Physical Therapists can help you improve or restore mobility. Stay active, and do as much of your normal routine as possible (bed rest for longer than a day can actually slow down your recovery). If your pain lasts more than a few days or gets worse, schedule an appointment to see your physical therapist. Your physical therapist will evaluate, identify the factors that have contributed to your specific back problem, and design an individualized treatment plan for your specific back problem.

Treatments for Low Back Pain may include:

• Manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, to improve the mobility of joints and soft tissues
• Specific strengthening and flexibility exercises
• Education about how you can take better care of your back
• Training for proper lifting, bending, and sitting; for doing chores both at work and in the home; and for proper sleeping positions
• Assistance in creating a safe and effective physical activity program to improve your overall health
• Use of ice or heat treatments or electrical stimulation to help relieve pain

CardioFlex Therapy is located in Davie, Florida. We offer Physical and Occupational Therapy at our facility or in the comfort of your home. Call us at 954-693-9090 to learn more about how we can help you manage your pain. We accept most Insurance plans and with our flexible schedule, we will be able to bring you in.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Knee Pain? Symptoms of Chondromalacia

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/knee-pain-symptoms-of-chondromalacia/

If you are feeling a dull, aching pain in the front of your knee, behind your kneecap, a pain that can get worse when you go up or down stairs. It can flare up after you have been sitting in one position for a long time. Is your knee painful and stiff when you stand up after watching a movie or after a long trip in a car or plane? You could be suffering from Chondromalacia. Chondromalacia also can make your knee joint “catch” meaning you suddenly have trouble moving it past a certain point, or “give way” (buckle unexpectedly). These symptoms tend to occur when you bend your knee repeatedly, especially when you go down stairs. In some cases, the painful knee also can appear puffy or swollen. Chondromalacia can cause a creaky sound or grinding sensation when you move your knee. Let’s talk a bit about this condition, and how physical therapy will help you.

“The joints in your body are cushioned with a type of tissue called articular cartilage. This tough, rubbery tissue covers the ends of bones inside a joint. As the joint moves, the cartilage helps to cushion the bones and allows them to glide smoothly against one another. Sometimes, the cartilage inside a joint softens and breaks down. This condition is called chondromalacia. The cartilage loses its ability to protect the ends of the bones as the joint moves. The ends of the bones can rub together, causing pain.” according to Harvard Medical School.

Chondromalacia can affect any joint, but the most common location is inside the knee. It usually begins as a small area of softened cartilage behind the kneecap (patella) that can be painful. Eventually, more of the cartilage softens, and the softened cartilage can crack or shred into a mass of fibers. In severe cases, the damaged cartilage can wear away completely, down to the undersurface of the kneecap. If this happens, the exposed kneecap’s bony surface can grind painfully against other knee bones. Also, bits of cartilage can float inside the joint, further irritating the cells that line the joint. In response, these cells produce fluid inside the joint (called a joint effusion).

At CardioFlex Therapy, our physical therapists are professionally trained to help patients that are suffering from Chondromalacia, and can be especially helpful to safely guide patients through these treatments: using knee tape, a brace or a special patellar-tracking sleeve to keep your kneecap aligned properly, starting an exercise program to strengthen the muscles around your knee. We recommend avoiding high-impact exercises, avoiding all kneeling and squatting.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Stretches for Morning Back Pain Relief recommended by Physical Therapists

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/stretches-for-morning-back-pain-relief/

Here at CardioFlex we know that on some mornings its harder to get out of bed than others. This is because one of the most common complaints that patients have over 50 is… lower back pain. CardioFlex would like to share some videos to help combat the stiffness and discomfort of lower back pain. Here are 5 stretches that you can do every morning before you get your day started. We hope you enjoy!!

CardioFlex is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 7pm, and specializes in Orthopedics, Sports Injury, Neurological Conditions, and other Specialized Programs like TMJ treatment, knee rehabilitation, herniated disk treatments and more. Whatever your condition is, come in for a consultation. We accept all insurances, including Medicaid and Worker’s Comp.

For more info please contact us.

Phone: 954-693-9090

To view the videos we invite you to visit our blog by clicking above.