Skip to content

Archive for December, 2011

Dec 21

Pain management through physical, occupational therapy

Living with pain can limit a patient’s mobility and enjoyment of life. While there are many treatments for pain — chronic or temporary — physical therapy and occupational therapy are two of the less invasive options. They have few side effects and great flexibility in care options.

Physical therapy can be used to treat all kinds of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. This therapy involves treating and healing, bringing back function and movement, and preventing further hurt.

A professional physical therapist may choose to focus on a patient’s pain through two kinds of therapy: passive or active. Examples of passive therapy include heat or ice packs, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units and ultrasound.

Examples of active therapy include low-impact aerobics, different types of stretches for the affected area(s) and strengthening/pain relief exercises.

Occupational therapy is based on medicine, psychiatry and behavioral psychology with the objective of helping patients become more functional in their lives. An occupational therapist can help the patient determine what activities increase pain and can teach methods for lessening it.

Read more

Dec 15

Make 2012 resolutions that stick

It’s easy to throw together a list of New Year’s resolutions—lose weight, stop procrastinating, call home more—but making them stick takes talent and determination.

This year, put some thought into your list and cull it down to a few achievable, meaningful resolutions that will make a difference in your quality of life. Here are five that we think are worthy of consideration.

1. Update your resume
As a traveler, you’ve got some excellent experience under your belt. Make sure your resume reflects the diversity of your experience, from treatment modalities to settings, staffing variety to hours. Your broad range of knowledge is a commodity and your resume should show that off to your best advantage.

2. Put the focus on fun
Dale Carnegie once said that, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” We take that to mean that a well-balanced, successful life includes a healthy dose of smiles and laughter. This exercise may seem silly, but try it anyway: make a list of 20 things you think are fun, anything at all. Now put that list where you can see it and make a point of doing them! Take yourself to a funny movie or comedy club; make coffee dates with new friends; go exploring in your city on a day off. It’s a sad fact that most adults seem to get so caught up in the business of day-to-day living that they forget to step back from the seriousness and concentrate on joy.

You might also consider taking up a new hobby as a way to enhance the fun factor in your life. Always wanted to learn to play the banjo? Paint watercolors? Snowboard? You’re never too young or old to learn a new skill.

Read more

Leave a comment

Dec 12

Exercising with arthritis

The pain of arthritis can give some people pause when considering an exercise plan. But this is one of the most important components to staying healthy with the condition. There are so many reasons to make moderate physical activity a regular part of your life.

Ways exercise can help arthritis:

* Strengthen the muscles surrounding your joints

* Help maintain bone strength

* Decrease fatigue and increase energy

* Improve quality of sleep

* Increase flexibility and stamina

* Help with weight control

* Improve sense of well-being

* Help with performance of daily tasks, like buttoning a shirt

Now that you know some of the great reasons to get moving, let’s look at how you can make your start. First, consider carefully what is within your physical limits and what kinds of exercise are going to help you see results. This means taking a trip to you doctor to see if your plan is indeed a good one and to learn of any precautions specific to your situation.

You might also consult a physical therapist (PT) for assessment of your fitness level, arthritis pain and joint protection needs. A physical therapist is expert at body movement and can formulate a reasonable plan for you with goals and benchmarks. They’ll even help you start an exercise log so that you can keep track of your new healthy habit.

There are four main categories of exercise: flexibility, strengthening, cardiovascular and general exercise.

Read more

Leave a comment

Dec 6

Hit the road with a travel therapy job

As we prepare to enter 2012, talk of the economy is all about us. With all the bad news, there are bright spots, like jobs in the healthcare industry. In particular, opportunities for physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) are growing. And if you’re an adventuresome soul, what could be better than working as a traveling therapist? You get to do what you love, change people’s lives and see the country 13-weeks at a time.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or seasoned professional, 360 Healthcare Staffing will find you a position based on your experience level and travel preferences. Want to stay warm in Florida for the winter? Spend summer in sunny California? See the northeast in the fall? We can accommodate your wishes! You can even take on travel assignments in your hometown if you want.

Read more

Leave a comment

Dec 6

How to help ourselves during the holidays

AseraCare HospiceWhen a loved one or friend is in hospice or has recently passed away, the holidays can be difficult days. The emphasis on family and the special memories associated with the season can create a huge number of powerful emotions: grief, denial, nostalgia, anger, fear and happiness are just a few. With all these sometimes-conflicting emotions, how can a person cope? Here are some effective strategies I have seen and recommended over the years.

1. Make honesty a priority. Share your apprehensions, feelings and fears with someone you trust, like a relative or friend. Admit that this is a tough time for you and ask for their support. You’ll benefit from their care.

2. Banish the word “should” from your vocabulary. This year is going to look different than you expect because you’ve never been in this situation before. Let things unfold in their own time and way and accept that even painful situations have beauty and grace.

3. Talk to your family about how you will commemorate the day(s). Sit down together and set realistic goals for yourself as a whole and yourselves individually. Talk about your feelings and try not to have high expectations—family members may not be able to handle their usual responsibilities and may want to do things differently this year.

Read more

Leave a comment

Dec 1

What makes a good traveler?

St. Augustine once said, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Traveling therapists read volumes with their work and even write a few pages themselves!

But just what makes a good traveler? When I speak with people about this lifestyle, the first thing I ask them is if they like change. This is important for a traveler because the environment varies all the time. Locations change. Hours change. Even coworkers change. Flexibility is a major asset and necessary quality.

After flexibility, good travelers are people who are knowledgeable about their own modalities, the different ways of doing things within the profession. They are not afraid to adapt to the way a particular facility does things and are always willing to learn new skills. In many hospital settings, the need is so great that they require travelers who can help wherever needed.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.