Before PT, I had regular chronic neck and shoulder pain. I spent tons of time, hours, and money between chiropractor and massages. It finally was suggested to me to try PT and specifically see John. Boy am I thankful. I learned so much about my body and key exercises for future. I feel great now and if I do flare up I remember my exercises and feel better much faster.

– Megan

At the time of my accident, I was 75 years old. I was painting the roof of a school bus. I fell from a ladder and broke my neck. After seeing five different doctors, I was told I was as good as I was going to get. I could not raise my arm above my shoulder or look right or left. I made an appointment with New Life and that was when my recovery began. I can now ride my motorcycle, do yard work, and most other things I enjoy (I have not tried golf yet). I can now do many things I could not do without pain after the accident. I can raise my arm above my head and look right and left. I take very little meds, and that I am very grateful for. Thanks New Life.

– Ken

By: Dr. Mary Rose Strickland

So much to do and so little time to do it.  We have all been there.  So what do we do?  We get to a few days off (be it a weekend, time off, etc) and we try to get it all done.  Spring cleaning.  Fall closet organization.  Run, walk, workouts.  Yardwork.  Flower and vegetable planting.  The google definition of a weekend warrior is:  “a person who participates in an activity in their spare time”.  In the musculoskeletal world, we define this as people who don’t do much activity during the week and then go crazy on the weekend.  Often ending up sore, in pain, and quite possibly injured.

How do we balance it all?  How can we participate in what we want and need to do in a way that is safe and sustainable for our bodies.  Here are my top tips to resist the urge of the weekend warrior lifestyle:

1. Make physical activity part of your weekly routine. Instead of a 60 min run or walk on Saturdays only, do 20 minutes, 3 days a week during the week.  This helps get your body used to physical activity so come the weekends when you are doing bigger projects it isn’t such a shock to your system.  Don’t forget strength training!  Adults should be doing 20 minutes at least 2 days per week.
2. Incorporate “movement snacks” into your workday. These are key movements that reverse whatever position your body spends lots of time in.  They can take all of 10 seconds and allow you to get right back to work.  Example:  hang up the phone?  Stand up for 10 seconds and stretch your arms overhead.  Lean over the computer? Anytime you send an email squeeze your shoulder blades together, straightening up your posture real tall.  Go to the bathroom and come back, doing 10 squats before sitting in your chair.
3. Stay hydrated. Drinking water is so important for our overall health.  Most people don’t drink enough of it.  Shoot for drinking at least 8 full glasses per day   Some sources cite up to 124 ounces (that is almost a gallon!).  If you sweat a lot, are pregnant/breastfeeding, working in hot/humid environment, or have other health conditions you may need to be on the higher side.
4. Do some general movements to warm up your body before doing your weekend activities or chores. Here is a video of one of my favorite warm ups.
5. Avoid the urge to sit on the couch all evening and the next day after hitting it hard over the weekend. When you utilize a lot of muscles your body produces lactic acid as a byproduct.  Staying hydrated is a good way to flush some of that out, but staying active (even slow, gentle movements) are quite helpful.  A leisurely walk, gentle stretches, yoga session, all are good suggestions.

Finally, the key is knowing when you have just overdone it vs. when you may have injured yourself and need help.  If you are experiencing sharp pain, inability to walk or change in bowel/bladder function, significant weakness, interrupted sleep, inability to do important activities or tasks, it’s time to talk to your New Life Physical Therapist.  Don’t have one?  Email me at DrMaryRose@newlifept.com

By Mary Rose Strickland, PT, DPT, OCS

“Mind over matter” may seem a bit cliché when it comes to health and science, but in Mary Rose Strickland’s world, a positive attitude plays an undeniable role in reaching and maintaining optimal health.

A physical therapist, co-owner, and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner at New Life Physical Therapy, Strickland has witnessed numerous success stories, from clients overcoming chronic pain issues to those achieving full return to life activities following surgery. And for each of these successes exists a single, underlying factor affecting the patient’s final outcome: a positive attitude.

“The people who achieve the most success in physical therapy and rehab are those who have a positive attitude, who are focused on their goals and who are looking into the future with a positive mindset,” said Strickland. “They put in the work and they visualize success. Keeping a positive mindset goes a long way toward achieving positive results.”

This isn’t just Strickland’s opinion. This is science.

According to several recent studies in the world of health sciences, a positive attitude can put you on the path toward a longer, healthier and more stress-free life. For example:

• A 2012 study published in Psychosomatic Medicine suggests that a positive attitude can reverse health risks in seniors, which leads to a better quality of life;
• Another 2012 study, this one by the Duke University Medical Center, linked positive emotions to better heart health;
• And according to the Mayo Clinic – and in support of dozens of other studies on the topic of positivity – a positive attitude can be linked to an increased life span, a stronger immune system, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, less stress, and overall mental and physical well-being.

These are studies Strickland and her New Life Physical Therapy team have taken to heart, mindfully applying the power of positivity throughout every aspect of their practice, from environment to the personalities of their physical therapists to the way they motivate their patients. Such an emphasis can lead to better outcomes for their patients.

“The power of positivity applies to everything, not matter your challenges, goals and obstacles,” Strickland said. “As studies have shown, attitude affects how people recover from injury and achieve greater health and longevity. But it goes much further than that.

“Having a positive attitude helps as you work toward any goal, whether that goal be in physical therapy, in education, advancing your career … whatever it may be.”