Month: March 2021

Pain and tightness in your shoulder can be a nuisance. If you are looking to improve your upper body strength or are recovering from an injury, there are exercises you can implement into your routine to improve your mobility. Our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions would like to share some of the best suggested exercises that you can do for upper-body mobility. 

Before we get into these exercises, we want to point out the difference between mobility and flexibility. Flexibility refers to the muscle’s ability to lengthen and stretch, and mobility refers to the joint’s ability to move through its full range of motion. Performing exercises specific to your upper body can help improve strength and mobility in your shoulders and potentially help you avoid injuries. We always recommend warming up before exercising to help with your overall performance. (Before beginning any exercise program, it is important to consult with a physical therapist or another medical professional.)

Arm Swings

1. Stand up straight with your arms at your sides. 
2. Tighten your core and swing your arms forward as high as they can go. Do not raise your shoulders while performing this motion. 
3. Return your arms to the original position, and repeat. You should do this movement for about one minute. 

Shoulder Pass-Through

1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. 
2. Hold a long stick with an overhand grip. The stick should be parallel to the floor, and your arms should be wider than shoulder-width apart. 
3. Engage your core and raise the stick above your head with your arms straight. Do not push past the point of comfort. 
4. Hold this pose, return to starting position, and repeat five times. 

Reverse Fly

1. Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Make sure the weight is manageable. 
2. Stand with your knees slightly bent and your feet shoulder-width apart.
3. Bend forward at the waist while engaging your core. Make sure your back is straight. 
4. Raise your arms away from your body, and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Stop this motion when you get to shoulder height. 
5. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do three sets of ten repetitions. 

Contact Us

At Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, we provide our clients with the education they need to help them achieve the highest wellness level. Our team will evaluate your capabilities and needs and develop a treatment plan that best serves you. To learn more exercises to improve your mobility, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today! 

As we continue to age, one of the most common issues we need to be aware of is an increased likelihood of falls and balance issues. While this may not seem like a big deal, the truth is that falls can come with serious injuries. Here at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions, our team can help prevent this from happening. We can offer physical therapy sessions to help combat the likelihood of falls so you can remain as healthy as possible.

Potential Injuries To Be Aware Of 

As previously stated, falls can lead to a wide range of injuries and medical issues. Understanding what they are may have patients take the matter more seriously, which is why our team would like to spend some time sharing them. Some of the most common injuries a person can face as a result of falling includes:

• Broken bones.
• Ligament sprains and tears.
• Muscle contusions.
• Head injuries.
• Dislocations.

Risk Factors To Be Aware Of

Patients should not wait until after they have fallen and sustained an injury to start working on preventing falls. The sooner you begin the process, the higher the likelihood that it will be successful. That is why our team wants to make patients aware of the common risk factors that point to falls potentially being a standard part of their future. If you begin to recognize any of the below in your life, you should consider starting a physical therapy program with us:

• Living a relatively sedentary lifestyle in old age.
• Noticing you have begun to have trouble keeping your balance.
• Becoming easily fatigued.
• Generalized muscle weakness in the legs.
• Limited flexibility and range of motion.
• Pain in the joints located in the lower half of your body.   

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy involves therapeutic stretches and strength exercises to correct medical issues that the patient is dealing with. When it comes to improving one’s balance and preventing falls, various aspects allow for this to be achieved. Some of what you can expect may include the below:

• Exercises and stretches specifically tailored to assist with balance.
• Strength training to correct any weakness and problematic imbalances.
• Endurance training to ensure falls don’t take place as a result of tiredness.
• Physical activities aimed at restoring any pain that could lead to future falls.

Schedule An Appointment

One of the best aspects about working with our team at Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions is that our team will travel right to your home to administer care. If you’ve been avoiding traveling due to the fear of falling, working with our team is the perfect solution. For more information on how we can help, please don’t hesitate to contact us today and schedule your first appointment.