Pediatric Core Strengthening Class

Returning to Sports After Injury

Now that the weather is getting warmer, we are starting to see the benefits of living in Idaho.  People are getting outdoors to hike, bike, swim, and run.  Baseball, softball, and other summer sports are starting, and  so are the injuries that accompany them.  At the beginning of the spring season, orthopaedic centers and physical therapy clinics all over the Treasure Valley “spring” to life.  Whether you are a pitcher, swimmer, goalie, or runner, you run the risk of getting an overuse injury or a muscle strain without proper conditioning. 

The hardest part of being an athlete is suffering from an injury.  Do I tell the coach?  Should I sit out of practice?  Will I still have my spot when I get back?  As a physical therapist, deciding whether someone is capable of playing is probably the most difficult aspects of my job.  To start, I look at strength and range of motion of the individual.  Then, I assess the functional needs of the athlete in relation to the sport that he/she is participating.  When the athlete is able to actively go through full range of motion and has good strength, we usually begin functional training.  This may include lunges, squats, agility drills, or even a throwing or running progression.  Making sure the athlete is strong enough to return is a big concern which is why these functional progressions are so important. 

 When rehabilitation has concluded, I try to insert the athlete back into practice while keeping a close eye on him/her to ensure that the injury doesn’t flare up again.  I encourage my athletes start with a good warm-up:  1. Jog and stretch.  2. Gradual increase to full speed running.  3. Agility exercises with gradual increase in intensity.  4. Gradual increase in sport specific movements.  Following those steps, the athlete can partake in regular practice.  Even when practice concludes, the athlete is still not done.  A cool down routine is necessary.  Usually, I ask athletes to cool down with jogging then stretching.  I also instruct the athlete to ice the injury following all activity for 15-20 minutes.

A good rule of thumb for returning to sports after an injury is:  If your injury is sore and swollen the day after practice, you should take the next day off, then lighten your workload for the next practice.  Coming back from injury too soon may cause you to miss more time. 

Brett Walker

Sports Resident, St. Luke’s-Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services

Downtown

Free Speech & Language Screening

What is a screening?

• A speech and language screening assesses a child’s abilities in the areas of: voice (tone, loudness), articulation (pronouncing sounds), fluency (stuttering), and language (understanding and using words).

 

Who is a candidate for a screening?

• Any child, ages 3-5, who has shown cause for concern relating to speech and language development.   

 

How long will the screening take to complete?

• Screenings take approximately 15 minutes.  Results and recommendations are provided at the conclusion of the screening.  Results may determine if a child is a candidate for a comprehensive assessment in the areas indicated. 

 

How do I schedule an appointment?

• Call Jasmynn or Patricia, at 489-5880 to schedule your free screening. 
  • Screenings are held from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on scheduled dates.  Jasmynn or Patricia will inform you of the next available dates.    

 

St. Luke’s ♦ Idaho Elks Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

600 E. Riverpark Ln., Suite 105

Boise, ID 83706

(208) 489-5880 Fax (208) 658-9820

Free Infant Massage Classes for Parents

 Learn how to:

• Relieve stress for your infant and you
•  Ease colic and promote healthy digestion
• Improve immunity and circulation
• Promote relaxation and deep sleep
• Aid growth and development  
• Soothe your baby and have fun!

When: Class A: Saturdays May 2 nd , 16 th and 23 rd or Class B: May 2 nd , 3 rd and 16 th .  From 10:00 -11:30 am.

Where : St Luke’s Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Pediatrics 600 East Riverpark Lane, Suite 105 (off Park Center Blvd) Boise, Idaho 83706

Cost: Attend all 3 consecutive classes for FREE . (additional classes and dates available at regular rate.)

Teacher: Sima Tavazoie, MPT, CIMT is a Certified Infant Massage Teacher and has over 10 years of experience as a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics.

Pre-Registration required: Please call 870-9746 or email at simapt@gmail.com to register. Be sure to leave your name, phone number, infant’s name and age.

Supplies: I will provide you with massage oil and handouts. Over the 3 days of classes you will learn:

· The benefits of infant massage

· The optimal time for you to massage your baby

· How to massage your baby’s legs, arms, tummy, chest, back, and face

· How to read your baby’s non-verbal cues

· How to provide infant massage to relieve discomfort associated with colic, constipation and gas

· How to soothe and comfort your baby and feel confident while having fun!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Infants between the ages of 3 weeks and pre-crawling age (~ 8 months). In this class only you will be massaging your baby and demonstrations will be performed using dolls. Both parents are invited to attend.

· call soon to register~ Space is limited*

Interactive Metronome

 

Interactive Metronome® was developed in the early 1990s and immediately proved of great benefit to children diagnosed with learning and developmental disorders.  Backed by years of clinical research and supported by prominent medical leaders in the industry, IM is now known as a breakthrough intervention to help those patients increase attention and concentration, motor control and coordination, language processing and control of impulsivity. - Interactive Metronome®, Inc.

How does it work?

IM program provides a structured, goal-oriented training process that challenges the patient to precisely match a computer-generated beat.  The patient attempts to match the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor actions such as tapping his/her toes on a floor sensor mat or clapping while wearing an IM glove with palm trigger.  Audio and/or visual guidance system provides immediate feedback.  Scores can be recorded by a computer program to show progress over multiple sessions. – Interactive Metronome®, Inc.

Who can benefit?

St. Luke’s * Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services certified providers, including Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists treat an array of children with attention and concentration deficits, language processing difficulties, fine and gross motor delays, balance and gait deficits, poor strength and endurance, coordination impairments and impulsivity. 

For more information, call 489-5880.

 

Health Care Reality Forum

Date:	Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Time:	7:00am – 12:00pm
Location:	Nampa Civic Center
Street:	311 Third Street South
City/Town:	Nampa, ID
	View Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo To RSVP:

Phone:	4635871
Email:	healthforum@ierh.org

7am – 9:30am – Breakfast & Keynote Speaker, Coach Chris Peterson – Boise State Football Coach

Coach Petersen will share his personal experience
about the impact comprehensive medical care
had on his son’s ability to heal.

9:30am – Noon – Health Care Education Series

$25 includes breakfast and event

Panelists

Ed Dahlberg
CEO of St. Luke’s Health System
Joe Messmer
CEO of Mercy Medical Center
Doug Dammrose, MD
Blue Cross of Idaho – Chief Medical Officer
John Stellmon
President of Regence BlueShield of Idaho
Tom Patterson, MD
Saltzer Medical Group – Immunization Coalition
Senator John McGee
Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Moderator
Dee Sarton – Idaho’s News Channel 7

Misconceptions of “The Core”

Core strengthening, training, and stabilization have become popular terms in exercise discussion.  However, they are often misused or referred to incorrectly.  Core exercises are often thought of as exercises of abdominal muscles (crunches, etc), or back muscles (lat pulls, rows, roman chair, etc.).  Although these are great for strengthening certain muscles of the trunk, they are not true core exercises.  Core muscles are not the abdominals, back extensors, or “prime movers” of the spine.  They are much smaller and more specific “stabilizers” of the spine.  Their responsibility is to control the vertebral movement, not initiate it.  These muscles reduce the amount of shear force at each vertebral level and give the spine balance and control.  They consist of the transverse abdominus, multifidus, pelvic floor muscles, and many of the smaller muscles that link each vertebrae together.  Training these muscles is not only essential for spine rehabilitation, but for functional training and activities of daily living. 

 

To truly work the core stabilizers, one must first learn to fire them volitionally, and once that is mastered they must be trained in an unstable environment.  This can be accomplished through a great deal of therapeutic ball use and balance oriented training to stimulate these muscles to centrally control the spine.  The improved functioning of the core muscles will result in “prime mover” strength being enhanced, more efficient, and the spine becoming more protected.

 

Therefore, understanding the use of the term “Core” is very important in understanding how spine rehabilitation progresses.  SLIERS therapists understand the core and are committed to correctly training and rehabilitating spine patients for the rigors of working and activities of daily living.  

 

 

Lymphedema: Exercise Guidelines

Exercise is a vital part of a Lymphedema Treatment program.  The lymphatic system and circulatory systems are greatly affected by active muscle contraction, which helps assist transport of lymph and blood supplies to tissues and organs.

• Exercise only with the limb in a compression garment or wrap.
• Include Deep Abdominal Breathing before and after every exercise program.
• Do not wear tight restricting clothing (eg.  Bra straps, tight underwear, etc.
• Perform exercise in a slow, controlled manner.  If any exercise causes pain, decrease number of repetitions or do not perform that particular exercise.
• Alternate each contraction of the muscle with equal time of full relaxation.
• Progress exercises slowly as to avoid soreness.
• After exercising, rest and elevate the limb for 15 to 20 minutes.
• You should rest 20-30 minutes between Manual Lymph Drainage Massage and exercising.

Sonja M. Maul PT, CLT-LANA

National Board Certified Lymphedema Therapist

St. Luke’s*Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services (SLIERS)

Boise, Idaho 

 

 

 

Parenting Class- Sensory Integration Education Training

Presented by Kavita Patil, MOTR/L and Krystal Butgereit, MSOTR/L, St. Luke’s ♦ Idaho Elks Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

 

Date: Thursday, April 2nd

Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Location: St. Luke’s Meridian, lower level conference rooms

Registration Deadline: Friday, March 27th

 

During this in-service we will discuss what Sensory Integration is, how and why it is used, and how it can be functionally used in the home and school environments.  We will learn through lecture, open discussion, and hands on application. 

 

Childcare is provided, spots are limited

 

To sign up, please call Jasmynn at 489-5880

Don’t lose out on therapy because of tough financial times!

What can you do if you have pain but you are afraid of generating a big medical bill?

 

Look for free services offered in the community.  SLIERS has free screenings available. Although this is not a substitute for seeing your doctor if you have a serious condition, it may be just what you need to learn a few tips or exercises to alleviate your pain. 

 

Look for low cost exercise classes.  Sometimes just getting moving helps your body to get stronger and more flexible and can help reduce pain and stiffness.

 

Look for free seminars. For example, support groups or web sites that are specific to your diagnosis or problem.  Chatting with others who have your same condition can help you to learn practical tips that work for them. 

 

Look for prevention programs.  These usually take the form of education or instruction in exercises.  For example, SLIERS has a Skiing Injury Prevention course with lectures by physicians and exercise programs crafted by physical therapists that was free and presented to the community in early Fall.

                            

If you need to see a therapist here are a few tips that can make your experience short and sweet.

 

Be prepared for your first visit.  Fill out paperwork in advance if possible.  You will have more time to think about the questions and you can look up things like medications, surgeries giving the therapist a good knowledge base to start from.

 

Choose the direction of your treatment.  Make sure you identify your main issues and emphasize your goals.  Don’t waste time on what is not important to you.    

 

Let the therapist know what your preferences are.  The final outcome of treatment should include an exercise program.  Make sure it fits your lifestyle.   Do you belong to a gym? Do you want exercises that you can do at home?  If something has worked well for you in the past, tell your therapist so time is not spent on treatments that may not be as helpful. 

 

Make sure your schedule reflects your treatment needs.  If you can do exercises at home, do them there.  Use treatment time for advancing exercises, treatment components you can’t do on your own or learning self management techniques that help you achieve your goals.

 

Take an active roll and let your therapist know in advance of your desire to get the most out of your treatment in the least number of visits.

 

Susan Gordon

SLIERS, Downtown

489-4040