If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke or traumatic injury or had surgery such as a joint replacement, you may think that medical treatment is what is needed to get you back to living the life you love. And while it is true that medical treatment can help put the pieces back together again, it is physical therapy that trains and retrains the body and mind to work together to restore and maintain physical function and mobility. Although physical therapy, commonly known as PT, has been used … [Read more...] about Does Physical Therapy Really Help Recovery?
Columnists
Wondering About a Hip Replacement?
The ability to walk in a balanced, fluid motion is something that many of us take for granted. The hip joint is an essential part in creating this function. When pain and stiffness alter this ability and non-operative measures fail, I begin the discussion with my patients about total hip replacements. This surgery involves replacing the damaged hip with a properly functioning prosthetic joint, restoring the patient’s range of motion and relieving their pain. Hip Anatomy and Background The hip … [Read more...] about Wondering About a Hip Replacement?
Guarding Against the Flu
Warm days, cool nights, yellow and gold leaves, black-eyed susan flowers and the flu – all signal the start of autumn in Northern Arizona. And though some of “fall’s glory” is welcomed; some is not, such as the flu. During the 2017-2018 influenza (flu) season (October to May), more than 700,000 Americans were hospitalized. Coconino County had near-record numbers of 1,106 confirmed influenza cases from October to May, peaking in early January. This number is nearly double the cases of the … [Read more...] about Guarding Against the Flu
Rent or Buy: Either Way, You’re Paying a Mortgage
Renting short-term is sometimes necessary and even beneficial, especially if your credit needs some TLC or if you are unsure where you want to live. With that being said, whether your monthly payment is going to a landlord or a mortgage company directly, you are paying someone’s mortgage. Housing in Northern Arizona is a common gripe among renters and homeowners alike, but if you are serious about your finances, you will want to own your home. It is a long-held, traditional belief that houses … [Read more...] about Rent or Buy: Either Way, You’re Paying a Mortgage
Does Physical Therapy Really Help Recovery?
If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke or traumatic injury or had surgery such as a joint replacement, you may think that medical treatment is what is needed to get you back to living the life you love. And while it is true that medical treatment can help put the pieces back together again, it is physical therapy that trains and retrains the body and mind to work together to restore and maintain physical function and mobility. Although physical therapy, commonly known as PT, has been used … [Read more...] about Does Physical Therapy Really Help Recovery?
Higher Education Paying Off for Arizona Students
Last month, Northern Arizona University hosted the Arizona Board of Regents for in-depth discussions about Arizona’s educational attainment and NAU’s important role in shaping our state’s workforce. I want to share a recent column that ABOR Chairman Ron Shoopman published during his time in Flagstaff. His message reflects NAU’s conviction that higher education transforms our state and our economy. I am grateful for Regent Shoopman’s vision for Arizona and his commitment to NAU. Our … [Read more...] about Higher Education Paying Off for Arizona Students
Antioxidant Serums Boosting Skin Health During Massage
Did you know the skin is the largest organ of the human body? Our skin is made up of everything that covers the body, including the hair and nails. The skin is also the heaviest organ, accounting for nearly 20 percent of a person’s total body weight. The skin’s primary functions are to hold our body together; to protect us from harmful elements such as the sun, cold and heat, wind, harmful substances and disease; to regulate our body temperature; and to help rid the body of toxins. For … [Read more...] about Antioxidant Serums Boosting Skin Health During Massage
Tipped Workers Providing Maximal Work for Subminimal Pay
I am so grateful that the quality and variety of Flagstaff’s restaurants have improved over the last 10 years. I have my favorites and have come to know some of the waitstaff with my regular visits, as I am sure you have, too. It’s always nice to see a familiar, friendly face, especially during the summer when the restaurants are busy with transient tourists. The tourists can be friendly, too, and I greatly appreciate what they do for our economy; however, I understand that foreign tourists … [Read more...] about Tipped Workers Providing Maximal Work for Subminimal Pay
How Childhood Vision Problems Can Relate to School Performance
Reports estimate that one in four students in grades K-6 have vision-related problems; and 80 percent of what a child learns in school is presented visually. The visual system matures rapidly during the first few years of life and it’s important to identify any problems that may interfere with normal cognitive and visual development. When addressed early in life, these problems can often be rectified. “But, my child passed all the school vision screenings,” you say. Vision is more than 20/20, … [Read more...] about How Childhood Vision Problems Can Relate to School Performance
Handling Senior Hoarding and Self-Neglect
Do you have an elderly parent or relative whose living conditions seem to be deteriorating? Are you met with mountains of clutter when you enter the living space? Does your loved one seem to be neglecting his or her own well-being? If so, your loved one may be suffering from Diogenes syndrome, also known as senile squalor syndrome. In cases of Diogenes syndrome, it is usually up to the children or relatives of those affected to identify the first signs and seek out care for seniors with the … [Read more...] about Handling Senior Hoarding and Self-Neglect