Preferred Therapy Services Sponsors the 6th Annual Discover Highland Run — In the Rain!
Rain or shine, Highland shows up — and so did we! Preferred Therapy Services was proud to sponsor the 6th Annual Discover Highland Run, hosted by the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s 5K and 10K took place in a steady downpour, but the weather didn’t dampen the energy at the start line.
Our team set up a tent at the event with a table of anatomical models and information about how physical therapy can help you move better and recover faster. Between ponchos, umbrellas, and plenty of puddles, we loved cheering on runners, walkers, and families as they took on the course.
Congratulations to everyone who laced up and finished, and a big thank you to the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce and the volunteers who kept the day running smoothly. We’re grateful to be part of a community that shows up for each other — no matter the forecast.
Whether you’re training for next year’s run or just want to move without pain, our team is here to help you get there.
Celebrating Our 10,000th Patient Visit!
We have some big news to share: Preferred Therapy Services has officially reached its 10,000th patient visit!
Every one of those visits represents someone who trusted us with their recovery — whether they were getting back to the activities they love, managing ongoing pain, or taking their first steps after surgery or injury. It’s a milestone that belongs to our patients as much as it does to us.
Thank you to everyone in Highland and the surrounding communities who has walked through our doors. We’re honored to be part of your care, and we can’t wait to help with the next 10,000 visits.
Take a Proactive Approach To Arthritis Pain With Physical Therapy
Have you recently learned that your persistent joint pain is the result of arthritis? For many, this can be a challenging discovery, as the most common forms of arthritis have no known cures. But rest assured that you do not have to spend your life living with debilitating joint pain — physical therapy can help!
Arthritis refers to several conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to its two primary symptoms: pain and mobility restriction. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, can cause pain during movement. It’s no surprise, then, that many people with arthritis wind up avoiding physical activity.
In reality, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to manage arthritis pain. Physical activity can also help delay the progression of arthritis — and help you avoid surgery.
As movement experts, the team at Preferred Therapy Services is well-equipped to help you manage your arthritis pain. The physical therapy approach to arthritis management focuses on drug-free pain relief and regular movement. Best of all, it allows you to take a proactive role in your treatment.
Let’s look at what happens when you exercise regularly with arthritis — and what happens when you don’t. And if you’d like to learn more, call us to schedule an appointment today!
Got Arthritis? What To Expect If You Skip Regular Exercise
- Your muscles will weaken: One of the big benefits of exercise is that it builds muscle mass. If you don’t exercise regularly, your muscle mass will decrease — especially if you’re older, as muscle mass naturally decreases as we age.
What does this mean if you have arthritis? Without strong muscles, your impacted joints don’t get the strength and stability they need to function, which puts even more stress on them — and means more pain in the long run.
- Your joints will get stiffer: Our bodies are made to move, and when we don’t move them frequently enough, our joints don’t get the lubrication they need to run properly. This is as true for people with arthritis as it is for anyone else. Plus, since arthritis causes joint stiffness, not moving will only worsen your symptoms.
- You increase your risk of injury: When you don’t exercise, you start to lose everyday abilities like balance, stability, and coordination. You can also develop muscular imbalances, improper biomechanics, or postural issues, all of which increase your odds of suffering an injury.
What Happens When You Do Exercise With Arthritis
- You’ll experience less pain: While it’s true that activity can initially worsen arthritis pain, regular exercise will decrease your pain symptoms over time.
- You’ll experience fewer mobility restrictions: Just as regular exercise can decrease pain, it will also help improve your range of motion — meaning you can move more easily.
- The progression of your arthritis may slow: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — the two most common forms of arthritis — will gradually worsen over time and may eventually require you to undergo surgery. Exercising won’t cure arthritis, but it will slow the damage to your joints.
- You may feel more empowered: Living with a chronic condition is hard. Regular exercise can help you feel like you’re taking an active role in managing your condition and reducing your pain.
- You’ll experience other physical and mental benefits: Exercise offers many benefits beyond pain management. It can improve mood and quality of sleep, protect you from heart disease and diabetes, and help you stay active and independent well into old age.
Ready To Start Exercising? Preferred Therapy Services Can Help!
While the benefits of regular exercise for arthritis are undeniable, getting started can be challenging. Which movements are safe for you to perform? Which will provide you with the most benefits? What should you do if even simple movement is too painful?
This is where our physical therapists shine! We’ll create a customized arthritis treatment plan that speaks to your needs and abilities. Here’s a taste of all that we can offer:
- Acute pain management using manual techniques and pain relieving modalities
- Personalized exercise programs with targeted, progressive exercises that build strength and improve mobility
- Specialized exercise programs to address balance and other functional challenges
- Guidance on general exercise programs to keep you moving outside our clinic
Don’t let arthritis keep you from living an active, healthy lifestyle. Call us today to find out more about our arthritis treatment programs!
You Don’t Need a Referral to Get Started
Did you know California law gives you direct access to physical therapy — no doctor’s referral required? Whether it’s pain from an accident, an old injury, or something new, you can walk right in and start your recovery with Dwight and Jeremy today.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Quick Dive
Most discussions of arthritis focus on osteoarthritis, and for good reason: it’s the most common form of arthritis in the United States. However, about 2-3% of the population develops rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It causes similar symptoms as osteoarthritis, including joint pain and limited mobility.
The good news is that physical therapy can help manage rheumatoid arthritis just as it can osteoarthritis. If you’ve recently received an RA diagnosis, schedule an appointment at Preferred Therapy Services to learn what we can do for you.
What You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis
What It Is
RA is an autoimmune condition occurring when your body’s immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells—in this case, the soft tissue in your joints. Researchers currently aren’t clear on what causes this to happen, however.
Signs and Symptoms
RA’s symptoms tend to go through cycles of flares and remissions. This means you’ll have periods where symptoms are more intense and periods where they are less troublesome. These symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling in joints on both sides of your body
- A gradual onset of joint pain, starting with the small joints in your fingers
- Stiffness and restricted range of motion in the affected joints, particularly first thing in the morning
- Redness, warmth, and tenderness in the affected joints
- Fatigue, low-grade fever, and a general sense of feeling unwell
What Else Should I Know?
RA is more common among women than men.
As with other forms of arthritis, regular physical activity can help manage RA symptoms. In fact, physical therapy at Preferred Therapy Services offers a great, drug-free approach to managing RA.
Want to learn more? Call to schedule your appointment today!
Don’t Let Your Benefits Go to Waste This Year
As the year winds down, so does your chance to use the insurance benefits you’ve already paid for. If you’ve met your deductible, now’s the time to schedule the care you’ve been putting off — because come January 1st, you’ll be starting over. Give yourself the gift of feeling better before the year ends.
Physical Therapy Tip of the Month: November
Innovative Approaches to Physical Wellness this Thanksgiving Season
Thanksgiving is more than just a day of feasting; it’s a time to come together and celebrate what we’re thankful for. While traditional advice often emphasizes the basics, let’s elevate your approach to physical well-being this season with these cutting-edge tips:
- Dynamic Warm-Up Before the Turkey Trot: If you’re planning a Thanksgiving morning run or family games, forget old-school stretching. Use a dynamic warm-up to prep your muscles and boost your range of motion.
- Text Neck Prevention: As we catch up on social media or text friends and family Thanksgiving wishes, “text neck” can be a real issue. Counteract this by sitting tall or not at all and doing neck stretches every hour.
- Mindfulness Through Movement: Instead of sitting to meditate or relax, try combining mindfulness with gentle movements like Tai Chi or a light stroll through the neighborhood.
Embrace your health by prioritizing your physical and mental well-being to ensure you have the best Thanksgiving yet! 🦃
Patient Success Story
“I’ve only been there once, but the whole staff from the front desk throughout the building were very polite and helpful. I enjoyed my experience with Jeremy! He was so knowledgeable, helpful, and made me feel very comfortable! I’d definitely recommend Preferred Therapy Services and Jeremy to all my friends and family!”
— Destin M.
Exercise of the Month
Resistance Presses (Shoulders, Chest)
Sit or stand tall with your head in a neutral position. Place one hand on your forehead. Gently press your head forward into your hand while resisting the motion with your hand. Hold briefly, then relax. Repeat with your hand placed on the back, and each side of your head to target all directions.
3 Sets, 10 Reps (each direction).
Recipe of the Month
Butternut Squash, Kale & White Bean Soup
Nothing says fall like a warm bowl of butternut squash soup. This hearty, plant-based, one-pot meal pairs fiber-rich white beans and iron-packed kale with naturally sweet butternut squash for a nourishing dinner that supports an active lifestyle — and leftovers reheat beautifully.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Plain yogurt or grated Parmesan, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in garlic, thyme, and cumin; cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add butternut squash and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the squash is tender.
- Stir in white beans and kale and simmer for 5 more minutes, until the kale is wilted.
- Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm, topped with a spoonful of yogurt or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired, and a slice of crusty bread on the side.
Ready to feel stronger? We’re here for you, like family.
