Blog
Getting Better and Stronger with Age
September 14, 2020
By Alena Walrath, PTA
As you get older, strength training may be the last thing that comes to mind, but it’s exactly what you need to lessen the effects of aging. The saying “use it or lose it” is especially relevant when it comes to strength.
Muscle mass decreases as age increases, and this loss of muscle mass is even greater with […]
Back To School Fun Family Fitness Challenge
September 1, 2020
Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT, Fitness Blogger
With summer coming to a close and a different school experience beginning soon, keep yourself and your kids active and having fun together. Whether it’s during school hours, after school or before bed, your kids will love doing a fun activity or having some friendly competition to help take away the stress of a new schedule.
[…]
Read More...Back to School Vision
August 27, 2020
By Alena Walrath, PTA
As classes start back up again this fall, many schools have turned to technology to enable virtual learning. We are fortunate to live in a time where advances in technology have made this possible. One hurdle for most students with this new form of learning will be increased screen time. Even children with in-person classes may use […]
Simple Tips for Exercising in the Summer Heat
August 13, 2020
Written By: Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT, Fitness Blogger
Whether you’re exercising indoor or outdoor, the summer heat can make things a bit more challenging. I’m not one to keep the AC very low so working out in the basement, somewhere cool, or with a fan blowing is a must. But if you’re taking your workout outdoor, remember these simple tips to make your […]
Summer is Here; Your Best Choice for Hydration is Clear
August 4, 2020
Written By Alena Walrath, PTA
Grabbing a glass of water is so simple, yet sometimes it’s easy to forget. As temperatures rise, staying hydrated is especially important. So what’s the best way to stay hydrated? While drinking water is certainly the best option for staying hydrated in most situations, it’s not the only option. Consuming other types of foods and beverages will increase your overall fluid […]
Boost Your Energy Level this Summer
Written by Alena Walrath, PTA
A few small changes to your daily routine may be just what you need to beat the heat and get more energy. Here are some tips to stay cool and energized:
Eat lighter meals more frequently throughout the day. Large or heavy meals can make you feel lethargic. Choose foods with a high water content and make sure you are drinking […]
Read More...Is Low Back Pain Halting Your Sex Life?
July 8, 2020
Written by: Paul J. Roubal, Ph.D., DPT, OCS
I bet that you didn’t expect to see this as a topic covered by your physical therapist! But, why
not? Part of my job as a therapist is to provide patients with an improved quality of life and
help them get back to activities that they enjoy and consider important – for some, that
involves the […]
The Pain Center Helps Working Mom Find Relief from Stress Headaches
July 7, 2020
A Repost from our Partners at Mary Free Bed. Original Source: https://www.maryfreebed.com/kathydahms/
For many folks, headaches are often more annoying than painful. But for Kathy Dahms, the pain of her constant headaches was enough to interfere with her daily routine and enjoyment of life.
“I don’t remember what it felt like to not have a headache,” Kathy says after being treated at […]
Research shows interdisciplinary rehabilitation best treats fibromyalgia
June 30, 2020
Guest blog: Dr. James Hudson is medical director of the Pain Rehabilitation program. He’s specialized in the treatment and management of patients with chronic pain at Mary Free Bed for more than 30 years.
He leads a specialized team of doctors and therapists who use a rehabilitation approach to pain management. In this blog, Dr. Hudson discusses the history […]
Read More...Stay Safe Out There
By Alena Walrath, PTA
Since Michigan’s COVID-19 Stay-at-Home order was lifted and many businesses have opened again, we face the challenge of maintaining health safety precautions in public spaces. Here are a few ways you can continue to protect yourself and others:
Wash your hands often. Hand washing is most effective when you wash with soap and water for at […]
Education is an Important Part of Pain Rehabilitation
June 23, 2020
From our experts: Nicole DeHaan is a physical therapist and therapeutic pain specialist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function.
People with chronic pain recognize the pain they’re experiencing is … different. Unlike pain they’ve had before, […]
How to Play Sports with Your Children and Avoid Injuries
June 19, 2020
By Alena Walrath, PTA
Not only have parents and caregivers played an important role in helping children with online learning and homework the past few months, but they have also been stepping up to the roles of teammate and coach. With fitness centers closed, we’ve had to get creative when it comes to getting exercise. Playing sports with your children is […]
Taking care of ourselves means staying connected with those we love
June 11, 2020
From our experts: Maggie Travin is a psychologist at Mary Free Bed.
In times of confusion, fear or panic, the most natural thing to do may be to lean in — both physically and figuratively — to those you love. There are few things more comforting than a warm embrace from a family member. However, during this unique time […]
Creative Solutions for Working From Home
June 3, 2020
By Alena Walrath, PTA
So you’re working from home now? Perhaps the better question is: where in your home are you working? If you don’t typically work from home and you haven’t given much thought to your workstation setup, you might find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
Here are some tips to help get you through your workday:
The desk. Ok, maybe you […]
Read More...Fun Ways to Keep Kids Moving When You Can’t Get Outside
May 21, 2020
Written By: Alena Walrath, PTA
With children finishing up the school year online, it may be easy to overlook two important parts of your child’s day: recess and gym class. According to the CDC, school-age children should get at least 60 minutes of “moderate-to-vigorous physical activity” every day. Younger children, 3-5 years old, should be “active when they play” and aim […]
I Think I’ll Go for a Walk Outside
April 9, 2020
Written By: Alena Walrath, PTA
Before the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the Environmental Protection Agency reported that the average American spent 90% of his or her life indoors.
Now, with the social distancing measures that have been put in place to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, you can imagine the amount of time people are spending indoors is even greater than 90%. Many of […]
Treating Jaw Pain With Physical Therapy
March 9, 2020
Written By: Alena Walrath, PTA
The temporomandibular joint, commonly known as TMJ, is located just in front of your ear on both sides of your head. It connects the upper and lower jaw, allowing you to open and close your mouth. If this joint is not functioning properly, it can cause symptoms such as stiffness, locking, clicking, popping, pain, soreness, ringing in your ears, […]
We Are Proud To Announce…
February 5, 2020
Dear Patients,
We are proud to announce our direct association with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Mary Free Bed is the fifth largest free-standing rehabilitation hospital in the United States.
Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, they have been offering rehabilitation services since 1891. Restoring Hope and Freedom to thousands of patients over the last 129 years. Starting on 12/01/2019, Physical Therapy Specialists, […]
Shovel Snow Like a Pro!
January 6, 2020
Written By: Alena Walrath, PTA
We’ve already seen quite a bit of snow this year in Michigan and it technically isn’t even winter yet. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re prepared for the next snowfall:
Make sure you have the right equipment. When selecting a shovel, make sure the shaft of the shovel is long enough. A shovel that is too […]
Read More...(Re)Learn to Eat Intuitively
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
Humans are born with an ability to recognize our bodies hunger and fullness cues. This natural ability is known as intuitive eating, a phrase used by Evelyn Tribole, M.S., R.D, and Elyse Resch, M.S., R.D., in their book, Intuitive Eating.
If you watch a toddler eat, they will walk away from food when they are full. As […]
Don’t Put Your Exercise Routine on Layaway
The cold temperatures may have you in hibernation mode, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a couch potato. Getting out to exercise is more challenging in the winter months, and while it is tempting to reduce your amount of physical activity, reducing or eliminating exercise could lead to problems down the road.
Here are a few reasons why you should […]
Why I Chose Physical Therapy
November 20, 2019
Written by: Alena Walwrath, PTA
Physical therapy restores movement and function, eliminates pain and the need for pain medication, and helps prevent future injuries. If this sounds like something you could use in your life, keep reading.
Before I worked in a physical therapy clinic as a physical therapy assistant, I was a patient. From that experience, one of the things that […]
Exercise as Part of Breast Cancer Recovery
Written By: Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT, PTS Fitness Blogger
Cancer is a serious matter. It is second only to heart disease as Americans’ leading cause of death. Of those cases, many will be invasive breast cancer. While these statistics are eye-opening, nearly half of these new cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes. In fact, some of them […]
World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
October 19, 2019
By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
October 19 is World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day. Too often, bone and joint health are subjects we only think about as we age. However, adolescence is the time for building peak bone mass. Ninety percent of peak bone mass develops by age 18 for girls and age 20 for boys.
Good nutrition during adolescence plays a […]
World Food Day
October 16, 2019
By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
October 16, 2019, is World Food Day. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations started World Food Day to achieve zero hunger worldwide, through healthy lifestyle choices. The FAO has created a Recipe for a Healthy Life. This “recipe” includes diet choices, life choices, and planet choices, which will […]
The Problem with Posture
October 11, 2019
By: Alena Walrath, PTA
If poor posture has become normal for you, it may be time to see a physical therapist. Good posture involves keeping your back straight and maintaining the natural curve in your spine. Prolonged periods of time in poor postures can have a negative effect on your muscles, create joint imbalances and put unnecessary stress on your spine. […]
Physical Therapy as an Alternative to Pain Medication
October 9, 2019
By: Alena Walrath, PTA
According to the National Institutes of Health, pain is the #1 reason people seek medical care and is a leading cause of disability in America.
Pain medicine is one common way to manage pain, and it is often the first treatment people turn to. However, there continues to be growing concern about the misuse of pain medications, especially opioids.
Pain medications are used to treat symptoms. While a temporary fix may work short-term, in the long run it is […]
National Food Safety Education Month
October 7, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
September is National Food Safety Education Month. Food safety is important to prevent food-borne illness. Here are some simple tips to keep your family healthy:
Wash hands before, during and after food preparation. Also, wash hands before eating. All
family members should make this a habit, even little children. This is the number one defense against the spread […]
How Would You Describe Your Pain
By Alena Walrath, PTA
If you could give your pain a number from 0-10 with “0” being no pain and “10” being the worst pain imaginable, what number would you give it?
You may have been asked this question before. While coming up with a number to describe your pain may seem arbitrary, pain scales are helpful tools for medical […]
Progressive Muscle Relaxation For Stress Relief
August 30, 2019
Written By: Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT,PTS Fitness Blogger
For many of us, relaxation means flopping on the couch and zoning out in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day. But this does little to reduce the damaging effects of stress. Rather, you need to activate your body’s natural relaxation response, a state of deep rest that […]
Relax!
August 26, 2019
By Alena Walrath, PTA
If you are in a constant state of stress, you may not realize the effects stress can have on your mind and body. Prolonged periods of high-stress levels can lead to numerous side effects, including high blood pressure, back and neck pain, a compromised immune system, headaches, and difficulty sleeping, to name just a few. On top […]
Summer Corn Salad
August 21, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
Summer is in full swing, and my garden is providing a bountiful crop of tomatoes and
cucumbers. If you don’t have a veggie garden, this is a great time of year to explore your local
farmer’s market. This is a simple, nutrient-rich salad to showcase some of that beautiful
summer produce.
2 ears sweet corn, grilled, roasted or steamed
1.5 cups small tomatoes (grape, cherry, pear), cut in half
1/4 cup […]
Gluten-Free for Weight Loss?
August 19, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
Foods labeled gluten-free are everywhere these days. Will gluten-free foods help with weight loss? First, let’s take a look at gluten.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten helps to give shape, structure, and elasticity to baked goods.
Since the biggest sources of gluten are wheat, barley, and rye, you may assume you […]
Golf Tips
August 13, 2019
Written By: Alena Walrath, PTA
Before you venture out to the golf course again this summer, there are a few things to keep in mind to help prevent injuries.
Perfecting your golf game requires work both on and off the course. If you step onto the green without warming up first, you may be setting yourself up for injury. Also, […]
How Can Exercise Help with Depression in Kids?
August 2, 2019
Written by : Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT,PTS Fitness Blogger
Most of the research on exercise and depression has been conducted on adults, but symptoms often strike in childhood and can be as traumatic as later-in-life cases. Scientists are now turning their attention to the mood-boosting power of exercise in children as young as 6 years old and finding similar positive results. They […]
Help Find a Cure for Juvenile Arthritis
July 29, 2019
Written By: Alena Walrath, PTA
If you didn’t know that arthritis also affects children before reading this, then you can understand the need to get the word out and educate others about this disease. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the most common type of juvenile arthritis, occurs spontaneously before the age of 16 with no known cause. According to the Arthritis […]
Weight Gain in Juvenile Arthritis
July 26, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
Children with Juvenile Arthritis (JA) can gain excess weight, as a result of the medications used in the treatment and limited physical activity. Excess weight can put added pressure on joints.Encourage healthful nutrition to support JA, instead of focusing on dieting for weight loss. Offer plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthful fats, carbohydrates, and […]
Nutritional Concerns for Children with Juvenile Arthritis
July 19, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
Children need many nutrients to help their bodies grow. However, children with JuvenileArthritis (JA) may need more support to meet their needs. Both the disease itself and the medicationsused to treat the disease can suppress a child’s appetite.
Tasks that seem simple to a healthy person, such as chewing and swallowing, can be difficult forchildren with JA. […]
Exercise at Home vs Gym
July 15, 2019
Written By: Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT, PTS Fitness Blogger
EXERCISE AT HOME VS. GYM
Everyone knows that exercise has many benefits but does the environment you work out in make a difference? It depends on your personal preferences and fitness goals. Here are some things to consider for both.
HOME
PROS:
✔ Saves Time – No travel time is a huge bonus when considering […]
Can Children Get Arthritis??
July 5, 2019
a parent holds the hand of a small child
Written by: Alena Walrath, PTA
Most of us would associate arthritis with old age, but did you know it affects children too? According to The Arthritis Foundation, 2/3 of people with arthritis are under age 65, which includes children. In fact, arthritis affects approximately 300,000 children in the United States.
Arthritis affecting children, known as “juvenile arthritis,” is an autoimmune […]
Eat A Rainbow
June 19, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
Summer is upon us! The warm weather brings lots of picnics, barbeques, and parties. As well as, a lot of good food. Summer is the best time of the year to experiment with fruits and vegetables that you’ve never tried.
Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals, which offer […]
Tips for Avoiding Back Pain
June 14, 2019
Written by: Alena Walrath, PTA
Back pain affects most of us at some point in our lives. It can also be very debilitating. Fortunately, there are things that you can do every day to help prevent it. Here are some basic tips:
1. Watch your posture. This is easier said than done and may require the help of a mirror or a […]
Protein: More than Just a Source of Energy
June 12, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition
Protein has many roles in the body. Protein aids in growth and repair of tissues acts as a messenger in the form of hormones, aids in immune function, and helps support fluid balance and proper pH.
As we age into our senior years, our bodies need more protein to keep up our […]
Watch Your Step!
June 7, 2019
Written By: Alena Walrath, LPTA
We are often reminded to be extra careful in the winter months when the ground is icy and the
sky is cloudy, but don’t let the warmer weather of summer catch you off guard. Here are some
tips to avoid falling any time of year.
Are you planning to go to the pool this summer? Whether indoors […]
Exercises To Improve Posture
May 31, 2019
Written By: Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT
PTS Fitness Blogger
To put it simply, poor posture affects our long-term health. Over time, it causes bone
and joint issues that jeopardize our quality of life. Poor posture can lead to debilitating
headaches, injury, and circulatory issues. From mild to severe pain and discomfort to
other health concerns caused by medication use, slouching can be the underlying issue
that if remedied […]
A Silent Disease
May 25, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN
May is National Osteoporosis Month. Osteoporosis can weaken bones and lead to fractures. Why is it called a “silent disease?” Often, there are no signs or symptoms that you have, until you break a bone. Half of the women and one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis, according to the National […]
Exercising with Arthritis
May 17, 2019
Always warm-up before jogging or injury occurs…Written By: Megan DeLuca, MEd, CPT
PTS Fitness Blogger
Your joints ache, you’re tired and in pain. Getting up and active may be the last thing you want to do but it could be just what you need to ease pain, improve range of motion and energy level. Exercise plays an important role in managing […]
How Much Does Sleep Matter?
May 10, 2019
How Much Does Sleep Matter?
Written By: 
Alena Walrath, LPTA
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Are you getting enough? What are you willing to sacrifice for a few more minutes or hours of awake time?
Lack of sleep can have a negative effect on your immune system, how well you heal from […]
Reduce Arthritis Inflammation Through Diet
May 2, 2019
Written By: Lisa Perry, RDN, Lisa Perry Nutrition, lisaperryrdn@gmail.com
With the 2019 Walk to Cure Arthritis just around the corner, discussing nutrition strategies seems fitting. While there is no specific diet for arthritis, increasing anti-inflammatory foods may help ease symptoms. Some suggestions include:
Eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables and fruits, which are good sources of antioxidants needed to quell inflammation.
Cook […]
Are You Suffering from Joint Pain?
April 30, 2019
Written By: Alena Walrath, LPTA
If you are, you’re not alone. The reason for your pain could be arthritis. Arthritis is joint inflammation, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. According to The Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects 50 million adults. People of all ages can have arthritis, but it is most common in older adults. There are also […]