Premier Physical Therapy

Blog

Premier Physical Therapy Receives Best Christian Workplace Certification

Premier Physical Therapy has received certification as a Best Christian Workplace. Premier has achieved highly-respected recognition for two consecutive years now. So, what does it mean to be a “Best Christian Workplace?” To have a flourishing business that understands and works towards having a fantastic team, life-giving work, outstanding talent, uplifting growth, rewarding compensation, inspirational leadership, sustainable strategy, and healthy communication.

Premier Physical Therapy founder and CEO Dennis Riney states, “We’re honored to receive this certification and look forward to continued improvement as we are driven by our Purpose “to glorify God in everything they do and be a positive influence to all they serve.” This includes their patients, collaborating healthcare providers, and the communities they serve.

The Premier team is grateful to have leadership that strives to constantly improve to make it a place where team members feel cared about and excited about their work. But, Dennis adds, “we firmly believe we have to have the right team in place to fulfill our mission, “to grow the Premier family by providing the ultimate physical therapy experience.”

The Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) said, “We’re excited to see them make greater impact through a healthy workplace culture. Congrats to this Certified Best Christian Workplace!” Being certified is an honor, and we are grateful for the recognition from BCWI.

February 3, 2023
Let Us Bring Some Balance Back Into Your Life.

Vertigo is a feeling or sensation that the environment around you is spinning or moving, even when you are not moving. It can also be described as dizziness or comparable to motion sickness. This condition, vertigo, can affect people of every age. However, it is most common in adults over the age of 20, but it can be more hazardous for those over the age of 65 because of the balance issues it causes. It affects nearly 40% of Americans sometime during their life.

The most common type of vertigo happens when there is an issue in one’s inner ear. Vertigo typically lasts for a few hours or days, but it can last longer for more severe cases. If you are feeling a sudden change that feels like these symptoms, our recommendation would be to see your healthcare provider.

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for those suffering from vertigo. Thankfully patients can see relief within 1-3 sessions. We know that if you are feeling unsteady, sick, and dizzy, you want to feel normal as soon as possible. So tell your doctor, “Send me to Premier,” or call our team at 573-335-7868.

December 16, 2022
Be Informed, Save Time, and Save Money.
As we approach the end of the year, many people are trying to use their benefits to get necessary surgeries done. It is estimated that in the United States that 7 million individuals have an orthopedic procedure each year. The most common surgeries that are performed are on the knees, shoulders, and hips.

Here at Premier Physical Therapy, we offer Prehabilitation. Prehabilitation can be defined as improving a patient's health, functional capacity, and well-being before surgery. A few of the things that Prehabilitation can help with are:
- Mentally preparing you for surgery
- Gaining knowledge of pre/postoperative exercises
- Reducing your pain and swelling
- Improving your range of motion and strength without causing further injury
- Improving your overall health and well-being
- Teaching you how to use an assistive device (if needed)
Not only does Prehabilitation do all of these things, but there is research to back up what we are saying. For example, this article by Snow, Granata, Ruhil, Vogel, McShane and Wasielewski (2014) states, “The use of preoperative physical therapy was associated with a 29% decrease in the use of any post-acute care services.” That also reduces overall costs, on average, by $1,215.

If you plan to have surgery in the future, we highly suggest Prehabilitation with Premier. This can ultimately save you time, pain, and money. Ask your doctor today for a script to start Prehabilitation and tell them, “Send me to Premier.” We look forward to helping you throughout your surgery process, and if you have any questions, you can reach our team at 573-335-7868.

_{“Prehabilitation.” ACS, https://www.facs.org/for-patients/strong-for-surgery/prehabilitation/PT In Motion News – October 2, 2014 – “Preoperative Physical Therapy Results in ‘Significant’ Reduction in Postoperative Care Use for Patients Undergoing Hip or Knee Replacement”}
November 7, 2022
Get Moving!

Physical activity can play an important role in your life and reduce the risk of many diseases. There was a study completed by the CDC, and it said, “About 1 in 4 Americans is physically inactive. The CDC defines “inactive” as not taking part in any physical activity outside of work in the past month.” As a country, we are inactive comparatively, but with regular physical activity and encouraging others to move, we can improve ourselves!

So what can physical activity prevent or help with?

It is shown that physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stress, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, several cancers, dementia, and depression. “Getting enough physical activity could prevent 1 in 10 premature deaths,” said Ruth Petersen, MD, Director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, in a press release. We want you to be healthy and live a long, happy life.

Each age range has a different suggested amount of time to be active, so see what category you and your family are in and make a plan!

Preschool-aged children (ages 3 through 5 years) should be physically active for at least 3 hours, if not more. Adult caregivers should encourage active play that includes a variety of activity types and limits the sitting-around time, such as screen time.

Children and adolescents (ages 6 through 17 years) need at least 60 minutes or more of activity a day. This includes activities to strengthen bones, build muscles, and get the heart beating faster.

Adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week and at least 2 days for muscle-strengthening activities. Adding more time provides further benefits.

Older adults (ages 65 and older) should do at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week and include muscle-strengthening activities 2 days a week. You should also add components, such as balance training as well. If you have limitations due to preexisting conditions, consult with a health care provider and be as physically active as your abilities allow.

Pregnant and postpartum women who were physically active before pregnancy can continue these activities during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, but they should consult their health care provider about any necessary adjustments.

Adults with chronic health conditions and disabilities, who are able, should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. You should consult with a health care provider about the types and amounts that are appropriate for you.

Physical Therapy can help you get moving!

Physical therapists are movement experts and can help pinpoint the cause of your pain, make a plan, and help you reach your goals. If you are having issues with your mobility or have pain limiting you, ask your doctor if you can try physical therapy. Tell your doctor, “Send me to Premier.”

References:

_{Flavish, Paul, and Kathleen Creedon. “1 In 4 Americans Is Not Physically Active, According to the CDC.” Texas Public Radio, 20 Jan. 2022, https://www.tpr.org/public-health/2022-01-20/1-in-4-americans-is-not-physically-active-according-to-the-cdc.}

_{US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2018. Accessed November 14, 2018.}

_{US Department of Health and Human Services. Move Your Way. Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services. Accessed November 14, 2018}

_{US Department of Health and Human Services. 60 A Day! Move Your Way. Washington, DC: Dept of Health and Human Services. Accessed November 14, 2018.}

_{US Department of Health and Human Services. What’s your move? Move Your Way. Washington, DC: Dept of Health and Human Services. Accessed November 14, 2018.}

October 5, 2022
Let’s Talk Arthritis
The Basics

Arthritis is inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Over years of research, over 100 types of arthritis have been discovered. Monoarthritis occurs if only one joint is affected; however, if two or more joints are involved, it is called oligoarthritis. A few of the most common arthritic conditions are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout.

Arthritis Facts and Statistics
- The cause of many forms of arthritis is still unknown by experts.
- It is estimated that 58.5 million US adults have arthritis.
- According to the CDC, arthritis is a leading cause of work disability among US adults.
- Arthritis is more prevalent in older women.
- Arthritis can lead to other lifestyle diseases.
Risk Factors

Arthritis has some risk factors that we cannot avoid. The three risk factors that cannot be avoided are age, gender, and heredity. The older you get, the more susceptible you are to getting arthritis. Women are more likely to have arthritis, and specific types of arthritis can be linked to certain genes.

Some risk factors that can be avoided or changed are weight, injury, infection, and your job. The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to develop osteoarthritis. If you have had an injury to a joint at any point in your life, you are more likely to develop arthritis. Reactive arthritis can specifically affect joints after an infection. Lastly, if your job requires repetitive movement, it can lead to arthritis in that joint.

Warning Signs

If you feel you have arthritis, check out these warning signs to see if they align with how you feel. Ultimately only a healthcare provider can diagnose you with arthritis, but it is good to know the warning signs.
1. Pain – Can be at more than one body part and can come and go. It also can hurt while resting or doing activities.
2. Swelling – If you have swelling over a joint that lasts longer than three days or occurs more than three times per month, you should visit your healthcare provider.
3. Stiffness – Just like swelling, stiffness is a classic symptom of arthritis. If it occurs longer than one hour, it could be a big red x warning you about arthritis.
4. Difficulty moving a joint – It shouldn’t be difficult or painful to move from your chair/get up.
If you have these warning signs, we would suggest you see your healthcare provider, and they can determine if you have arthritis.

Diagnosing Arthritis

Seeing your healthcare provider is the first step to finding the answers to your pain! There are a few different tests they utilize to diagnose arthritis. Those can include:
- Blood Tests
- Joint Fluid Test
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Physical examination and review of your medical history
- Ultrasound
- Urine Test
- X-Ray
Arthritis may be in more than one joint, but early detection is best! Early detection is best because arthritis can cause irreversible damage and disability.

Treating Arthritis

You can do many different things to help alleviate your arthritis, depending on which type you have. For example, if you have osteoarthritis and you are overweight, losing weight would greatly help your pain. In addition, some generalized treatments can help most arthritis conditions.
1. Physical Therapy – Therapy will strengthen the muscles around your affected joint by doing exercises. Therapy can help improve your mobility and ultimately help you stay moving!
2. Medication – There are a variety of prescriptions that can help with pain and also reduce inflammation.
3. Surgery – Generally, this is performed on hips or knees, and sometimes it is an option for a replacement of the joint.
Premier Physical Therapy Treatment of Arthritis

Here at Premier Physical Therapy, we would start you off with an initial evaluation with one of our Physical Therapists/Certified Hand Therapist. They would help get to know you, your diagnosis, and your goals. Then it’s our turn to educate you on what arthritis looks like and how your specific treatment will look.

Throughout your treatment, you will learn exercises to perform at home to keep strengthening the muscles around your joint long after you’re discharged. Our team can perform techniques that can “unload” the joint as well. We also want you to learn important things that could assist your progress, like posture or body mechanics, do’s and don’ts with hot/cold packs, nutrition, and how to properly use a cane or walker. For some arthritis conditions in the hand, a splint may be suggested, and our therapist can make a custom one for you.

Let us be your guide through this process and understanding of arthritis. We are happy to answer questions and try a few different treatments to find what works best for you and your body. So give our knowledgeable and friendly team a call today at 573-335-7868.
August 31, 2022