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

Why Maintaining Balance Is Critical

 By: Terry Abrams 

Balance is not commonly viewed as an important aspect of physical fitness but it can prove essential in preventing injury. We normally don’t think about our balance until we slip or fall and get injured because of instability. Just like anything else such as muscle and bone strength our balance can deteriorate the older we get. Balance is one of those “use-it-or-lose-it” situations, it must be trained and strengthened over time. Poor balance can lead to instability and put us at risk to slip or fall causing serious injuries such as a broken hip, which in turn, can lead to prolonged injury and a downward spiral into dependence and ill health. The good news is that it’s never too late to start, simple exercises that don’t require a lot of equipment can be utilized to help improve balance.

CardioFlex Therapy is changing Physical Therapy in Davie with Physical and Occupational Therapy at our facility or in the comfort of your home.

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.

For more info visit: https://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/maintaining-balance/

Cardioflex Therapy Physical & Occupational Therapy Promo

Why Physical Therapy First?

 By: Terry Abrams 

Are you or a family member dealing with pain and aren’t quite sure who you should go see? A physical therapist might not be the first person you think of, but hopefully, after reading this, it’ll help you understand how we can help.

What does a physical therapist do and how can they help with an injury?

A physical therapist can help you move better. Whether you are having trouble getting out of bed, picking up your kids, having difficulty reaching into the cupboards, or any other daily tasks that you’re having trouble doing, a PT can help. 

. We spend one on one time with you to ensure that we tailor to your every need. We also come up with a comprehensive plan to help you get back to what YOU want to do, which is the whole point right? A physical therapist can help facilitate your recovery, with us giving you the tools to be successful. We want to empower you to be able to do things needed to keep you healthy for the long run.

Your physical therapist is focused on getting you back to the things you enjoy

If you choose PT first, you’ll feel better faster, and could potentially save money in the process! Who doesn’t love to save money? In most states, you can see a physical therapist first without needing to see anyone prior. Most people don’t know that, so we’re trying to make sure people understand they have a choice in where they want to go to get better.

I like to compare physical therapy to when something goes wrong with your car. If you need to invest in parts or work done to keep your car running properly, why wouldn’t you do the same thing with regards to your health?

There are many places you can go for an injury, hopefully, you know now that you can choose physical therapy first.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

How Physical Therapy can Help Fight the Opioid Crisis

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/how-physical-therapy-can-help-fight-the-opioid-crisis/

The ongoing opioid crisis in the United States reflects the unintended consequences of a nation-wide effort to help individuals control their pain. The health care system has, since the mid-1990s, employed an approach to pain management that focuses on the pharmacological masking of pain, rather than treating the actual cause(s) of the pain when its source can be identified. This strategy has resulted in a dramatic increase in opioid prescribing, causing widespread opioid misuse and addiction. It also has led, in the last few years, to a growing realization that current strategies for managing pain have to change—that opioid-centric solutions for dealing with pain at best mask patients’ physical problems and delay or impede recovery and at worst may prove to be dangerous and even deadly. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), “the health care system must reexamine its approach to pain, including how causal factors are identified, what tools or measures are used to quantify its impact, and how the approach to treatment is aligned with the patient’s goals and values. Ensuring that patients and families are aware of and have access to various options for care is a significant step in addressing this complex issue”.

Physical therapy is a dynamic profession with established  basis for therapeutic interventions capable of restoring, maintaining, and promoting optimal physical function. Physical therapists work both independently and as members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams to enhance the health, well-being, and quality of life of their patients, who present with a wide range of conditions including those that commonly cause pain. The CDC’s recommendations point to “high-quality evidence” that treatments provided by physical therapists (PTs) are especially effective at reducing pain and improving function in cases of low back pain, fibromyalgia, and hip and knee osteoarthritis. Additionally, a number of studies show the efficacy of Physical Therapist interventions in preventing, minimizing, and, in some cases, eliminating pain in patients post surgery, in patients with cancer, and in other clinical scenarios.

Physical therapy is playing a leading role in tackling the opioid epidemic by restoring well-being and mobility in the lives of those suffering from the effects of opioid overuse. Unlike opioids, physical therapy doesn’t mask pain. Physical therapy may contribute to major reductions in pain and significant gains in physical independence through the employment of effective, personalized treatments. Physical Therapists work with patients to develop calculated and tailored programs that progress patients from rest to mobile, and in most instances, pain-free activity.

Ending the opioid epidemic will require collaboration among patients, families, providers, payers,and professionals across the continuum of health care settings, from primary care practices and pharmacies to hospitals and behavioral health facilities. Physical therapists, who engage in an examination process that focuses on not only the symptoms of pain but also the movement patterns that may be contributing to pain, must become central to this multidisciplinary strategy.

If you are struggling with managing your chronic pain, CardioFlex Therapy can help! To schedule a screening, make an appointment, or ask your doctor about CardioFlex Therapy for your therapy needs, call us and we will guide you to get started as soon as possible at our Davie outpatient clinic or in the comfort of your home. Our phone number: 954-693-9090.  

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Physical Therapists’ Tips to Avoid Pain During the Holidays

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/physical-therapists-tips-to-avoid-pain-during-the-holidays/ 

“To most of us the holiday season is all about tradition, fun, and family, but if we’re not careful, the holidays can also be a pain in the neck—literally—”says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). “Typical holiday activities, such as shopping ’till you drop’, lifting heavy boxes and presents, and countless hours of cooking and baking, can cause muscles to work harder than usual, many times resulting in neck, shoulder, and back pain.”

Let us help you stay safe during this busy season! Using proper body mechanics can help prevent muscle and joint discomfort this holiday season, as recommended by the American Physical Therapy Association.

1- When lifting, make sure you:

• Test an object’s weight before attempting to lift heavy packages or luggage. Try pushing it with your foot. If it seems too heavy then take smaller loads, which are less likely to strain your back and are easier on arm and shoulder muscles.
• Keep the load close to your body when lifting.
• Ask for help or use an assistive device to lift heavy objects.
• Seek help from a physical therapist if your back pain lasts more than a few days or gets worse.

2-  When you’re shopping:

• Distribute the weight of shopping bags equally on both sides of your body.
• Consider carrying a small backpack rather than a heavy purse.
• Wear comfortable shoes; carrying packages while wearing high heels on hard surfaces can contribute to foot and ankle injuries.
• Don’t carry overstuffed shopping bags for extended periods of time.
• Consider using a shopping cart or getting help to carry packages to your car.
• Avoid prime shopping times to decrease wait times that can increase or exceed standing/walking time tolerances.
• Plan your shopping trip ahead of time. Having a set list of gifts you intend to buy will help you plan for extra help, if needed, to carry purchases.

3-  When Cooking and/or baking:

• Choose a work surface that is approximately at the level of your forearms when your elbows are bent at a right angle (90 degrees) or at elbow height. Shoulders and upper back will be in better position and this will decrease the risk of upper back, neck, and shoulder strain.
• Work on a padded surface.  If you have tile, vinyl, or wood flooring, for cushioning consider purchasing an inexpensive area rug  that has grippers on the back to keep the rug from moving and you from slipping or tripping. Standing long periods on a hard surface can lead to muscle fatigue and back ache.
• Use good lifting mechanics when retrieving small kitchen appliances from lower shelves or drawers. Kneel down if necessary and keep the object close to your body.
• Be careful when bending to take items in and out of a conventional floor-model stove. If that turkey is heavy you will need help to get it out of the oven, not because you can’t lift it, it’s the position of the body while bending and carrying than can really strain your back.
• Frequently perform gentle movement exercises to keep the muscles in your neck and shoulders loose.

Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility – in many cases without expensive surgery or the side effects of prescription medications.

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

Importance of Physical Therapy in Cancer Recovery

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/importance-of-physical-therapy-in-cancer-recovery/

By: Terry Abrams

Cancer rehabilitation is a growing area in medicine due to the increase in cancer survivorship. More and more individuals are beating cancer because of advances in medical technology, treatment and early detection. According to recent research from the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of all cancers that were diagnosed between 2003 and 2009 is 68 percent. This is a 20 percent increase from 1975 to 1977. It is also estimated that over 13 million Americans have a history of cancer, and in 2014 there were an expected 1.6 million new cases. This means that the number of cancer survivors will continue to increase in the U.S. With more cancer survivors, there will need to be more recovery strategies.

Cancer treatment is a grueling course, leaving many people exhausted, weak and with a compromised immune system. Just getting out of bed can be a huge and daunting task, let alone exercising in a gymnasium or playing at the park with grandchildren. This is where a physical therapist comes in. Despite advances in medical treatments, individuals that receive cancer treatments typically experience extensive physical limitations during and after treatments. These limitations include and are not limited to cancer-related fatigue (CRF), pain, nerve damage, lymphedema, deconditioning, as well as incontinence.

There is strong evidence to support conservative management of these impairments through physical therapy. As each individual experiences different impairments during and after cancer treatment, it is important to have an individualized evaluation to focus your rehabilitation. Physical therapy can address common cancer related impairments including:

Lymphedema: Effective lymphedema management is accomplished through manual lymph drainage, range of motion exercises, aerobic exercise, and lymphatic bandaging.

CRF: Individualized aerobic training, strength training and functional management training is known to reduce effects of cancer related fatigue both during and after medical cancer treatments.

Pain: There are many pain relief strategies that can reduce the intensity and frequency of pain after cancer treatment. Specifically, treatment strategies including soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic massage, modalities, therapeutic stretching and strengthening.

Peripheral neuropathy: Often times, cancer survivors experience peripheral neuropathy, which is abnormal nerve function that can be experienced as pain, numbness and tingling. Physical therapy can help to improve nerve function or compensate for nerve dysfunction.

Deconditioning: Rebuilding endurance for activities and cardiovascular function can be difficult during and after cancer treatment. A skilled physical therapist is able to educate and monitor cardiovascular endurance training.

Genitourinary complications: For men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and women undergoing treatment for bladder or ovarian cancer, incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common. A skilled physical therapist can help to rebuild the strength of the pelvic floor in order to improve urinary continence and reduce pain related to sexual function.

In a recent study published April 2015 in Physical Therapy Journal, researchers found that physical therapy services are more commonly sought out for individuals surviving breast and genitourinary cancers. Researchers sought to find the characteristics of patients with cancer that were referred for outpatient physical therapy and common clinical findings. Over the course of two years, data from 418 patients were analyzed. Genitourinary and breast cancers were the most common types of cancer in their sample. The most common impairments were strength loss and soft tissue dysfunction. Lymphedema was the most common issue for people with breast cancer and incontinence was the most common complaint for people that had genitourinary cancers. They also noted that pain and high fatigue levels were prevalent in individuals that had undergone radiation therapy. This study shows that therapy services are being utilized for individuals that have survived cancer, particularly breast and genitourinary cancer. However, this study also suggests that a large portion of cancer survivors are not seeking out rehabilitation services, even though they would likely find it highly beneficial.

According to the European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, most-mastectomy physical therapy ‘widely improves’ a patient’s quality of life. After mastectomy surgery, patients may experience tightness around the surgical site caused by scar tissue formation. The result can be very dense tissue under the incision, which is painful and can restrict range of motion. The restricted range of motion puts women at risk for a painful condition known as Frozen Shoulder. Early treatment by a physical therapist can help reduce the pain and help regain functional range of motion and strength.

The good news is that it is never too late to utilize rehabilitation services for cancer recovery. If you find that you are having trouble accomplishing daily tasks or functioning at your prior level of independence, seek out a rehabilitation expert and regain your vitality.

Article credits to CUREToday.com and Susan G. Komen.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Understanding Pain by CardioFlex Therapy

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/understanding-pain/

CardioFlex offers free Injuries & Conditions Advice, so we would like to present some very informative videos on understanding pain and how it affects the body. Both videos go into detail how pain occurs and what we can do prevent, manage, as well as get rid of pain.

We’ve developed several Specialized Programs for injuries and conditions. For orthopedic and sports injuries, we specialize in Knee Rehabilitation, Shoulder Physical Therapy, Tennis Elbow Therapy, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment, Plantar Fasciitis Treatment, Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Therapy, and TMJ Treatment. For neurological disorders, we specialize in Stroke Rehabilitation and Vestibular Rehabilitation. For therapeutic massage, we offer Herniated Disc Treatment and Headache Treatment. And for cardiopulmonary conditions, we specialize in Lymphedema Treatment and so many more.

We hope you enjoy the videos!!

For more info please contact us at: 954-693-9090

Email: info@cardioflextherapy.com

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