Anodyne therapy: FDA approved to treat pain
Pins and needles in your arms, legs, hands or feet? Perhaps there is the nagging pain associated with tendonitis that is plaguing you from being as active as you want to be. Whether it be neuropathy, tendonitis, poor circulation or inflamed tissue that is causing you pain and discomfort the …
BONNER COUNTY DAILY BEE | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Christmas relaxation
Relaxation is a necessary part of life in order to be well. It heals the soul, boots creativity and helps you get down to business with what needs to be taken care of in your life. What is so interesting is that I'm not talking about watching TV or cruising …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
T'was the night before
When I was little I loved the magic of the poem “The Night Before Christmas.” My parents had a well-worn book that had beautiful illustrated pictures and they would read it to me each Christmas season. As soon as I could read it myself I would slowly read each page …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
12 Days of Christmas
FA LA LA and HO HO HO, ‘Tis the season for great joy, right? Not stress, presents, no working out, money talks and families fussing. How should we spend this Holiday season? I say the twelve days of Christmas need to be easier not more complicated. Tailored to your families' …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Pelvic health: Body balance after baby
A new baby, there is nothing better! Snuggling them, loving them and nurturing them becomes your new life. Suddenly the aches and pains of pregnancy and delivery are forgotten. But don't kid yourself this is no little feat that your body just went through to make this precious new addition. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Pelvic health: Body balance after baby
A new baby, there is nothing better! Snuggling them, loving them and nurturing them becomes your new life. Suddenly the aches and pains of pregnancy and delivery are forgotten. But don't kid yourself this is no little feat that your body just went through to make this precious new addition. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Affordable health care
This has been quite a year when it comes to health care for all of us. With the presidential election days away and everyone trying to decide who is best for our country, this "little thing" called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or better known as Obamacare, keeps coming up …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Osteoporosis and you?
The statistics are daunting. How is it possible that 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mineralization and 60 percent of them are over 50 years old.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Self-reflection and your health
Last week a couple of my amazing patients came into my office, on different days, but with the same thoughts, how do we stay well and vibrant as we are aging? Do we just accept and give in to "old age" or do we fight it, which is right? What …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Breast cancer recovery and the gift of community
What makes America great is the people in our community. There is power in the people when they are dedicated to making the lives of other people, better. So on Saturday night at the Best Western Inn, the Casting for Recovery, North Idaho and Eastern Washington chapter, lead by Renee …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Pre-screening for dancers
Every year as the new Fall season starts it is great thing for all dancers, who are motivated to excel in their sport, to take inventory of their current physical health. It is good to be able to identify areas in their physical well-being that they are doing well with, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Calling all dancers
Last year our Lake City Physical Therapy staff had the privilege of working with the Coeur d'Alene Ballet Troupe Pre-professional Ballet program. It consisted of a group of amazing and talented young women that were thrilled to have the incredible Brooke Nicholson as their artistic director and owner of the …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Caregivers make the world a better place
Last week one of my incredible, long-term employees came to me and said, "I know what you need to write about next week. You need to write about all of our amazing patients that are caregivers. They need to know they are not alone and that we can help them, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Getting back on track with positive thinking
Years ago when I was a young graduate out of physical therapy school I had the opportunity to care for a young veterinarian who worked in the Air Force and who was an avid runner. She had run pretty much every day of her life and was sent to me …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Post-surgery recovery for breast cancer survivors
Last week, all the gals from my office and I donned our cowboy boots and headed out to the Chicks n Chaps rodeo event at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, to have fun learning about (and watching) the rodeo while raising money for the women in our breast cancer community.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Dance, dance, dance
I met her a few years ago in the lobby of the Denver Convention Center, the morning after I heard her speak at the Snow Sports Industry opening ceremony. Her name is Amy Purdy and she can be five foot four or six feet tall on any given day, depending …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Power up!
Just a few days ago, one of my patients came back into my office and emphatically reported that her osteopenia and osteoporosis scores had significantly improved over the past year, and she and her doctor were very excited. She was no longer at high risk, and she couldn't believe the …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Six habits for a healthy kingdom
Do you wish for a healthy kingdom? I know the feeling — with children, parents, and responsibilities that line the castle wall, sometimes I think the king and queen will never find time to make healthy choices. How will they choose wisely when they are trying to storm the castle, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Good morning exercise!
There's only so much time for exercise in the morning, so what's the fastest way to better glutes and abdominals to prevent injury to your back at home? Well, according to the latest electromyographic research studies, there are a few exercises for your core and hips that activate the majority …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Simple do-anywhere relaxation techniques
Summer is in full swing, and here in Northwest everyone heads for the great outdoors. I love it, there is no better life. Along with the fun of all of that, however;is the fact that we often over schedule ourselves and we end up needing simple ways to take care …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Muscle strategies
All of us have muscle strategies, even our elite athletes. A muscle strategy is a way of eliciting a group of muscles to accomplish a task or athletic endeavor in order to do the activity in the most efficient, cost effective way for our body. However that being said, it …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Lymphedema: What is a breast cancer patient's real risk?
A few years ago at Stanford University, I had the opportunity to study with Jean-Paul Belgrado, PT, a leading researcher in the field of lymphedema from the Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. He presented at the Breast Cancer Conference the possible reasons why lymphedema occurs after surgery.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Engage your core
This last week, we spent an evening teaching at Hayden CrossFit. An amazing group of ladies showed up to learn all about the strength needed for life.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Fly fishing and breast cancer
Who knew that the best place to start when learning how to fly fish is with paint brushes and cups of water, swimming pool noodles, and rods and reels with no hooks or flies in sight? These are just a few of the learning techniques the Casting for Recovery Breast …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Relaxin' and relaxin
I love summer in Idaho! There is nothing like relaxin' with your family and friends in the mountains, along the river and at the lake.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
The power of the squat
I went on a mission trip to Nepal for a month when I was an Adjunct Professor at Loma Linda University's School of Physical Therapy. They wanted us to establish a physical therapy clinic at a hospital in Benepi. In Nepal, everywhere you go you see people squatting: whether talking …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
'I didn't know'
Five times. How can that be? Just today I heard it five times, and I wonder how many days before that I have I heard the same thing: “I didn't know.” For me, it would be good to never hear that again from any of my patients.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Spring projects
I don't know what it is about spring, but when it comes, everyone around here thinks that the hibernation of the winter is over and they are bound and determined to get some work done. They are stacking slash piles, cleaning outside windows, putting in patios, cleaning out theirs garages …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
You should know
The time is now for you to have your annual physical therapy evaluation for any of your musculoskeletal problems. I know, maybe you think your back or shoulder pain is just something you have to live with, or maybe you think that nagging sciatica or old whiplash injury is just …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Brain power training
Lake City Physical Therapy and the Hayden CrossFit crew got together last Thursday night for a night of education and hands-on learning. The topic was pelvic health and the athletic woman. Crossfitters are an incredibly driven group of people and their desire to excel at high levels of physical performance …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
The abs have it
Last week we talked about "Belly after Baby" and how to know if you have a Recti Diastasis Abdominis (DRA) and what exercises you should not do. (If you did not see that article it is posted on our Lake City Physical Therapy Facebook page). This week, we will learn …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
Belly after baby
Cyndy would have never thought that her belly could stretch and a baby could grow that big over 38 weeks. She was amazed what her body did, and with such brilliance that a beautiful baby was born. What she couldn't imagine now, however, was that her "poochy " belly wouldn't …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
Some things you remember
I remember coming home from grade school and smelling the homemade spaghetti sauce that had been simmering on the stove all day before, I even came through the back door. It was a mix of Italian herbs and spices and yummy tomatoes my family had canned all summer. We had …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
Together is better
I had the opportunity to speak this last weekend to an amazing group of women (and a few Kevin's) at Casting for Recovery North Idaho and Eastern Washington chapter during Cabela's Spring Days. What an incredible experience I had, being able to interact with so many women about something so …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO
All in the swing
I have always marveled at individuals that possess the tenacity in their personal life to rise above their circumstances. Circumstances that often seem insurmountable or beyond one's physical or emotional limits. In my physical therapy practice we often see people that have been dealt a difficult hand in life, and …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
All about pelvic health
Kegel mania started years ago. In fact most of the women I know have heard about Kegel exercises, even if they don't really understand them or know how to do them very well. Often women will say, "I think I'm doing it right, but I'm really not sure."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Know for sure
I have such amazing patients that are going through such difficult things in their lives, and they always teach me things that they know for sure.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Teamwork equals healing
I had the pleasure of going to the American Physical Therapy association convention this last week in Anaheim, Calif.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Breast reconstruction — yes or no?
There was no way to explain it — other than the sheer joy of finally being whole — as a woman named Margaret raced into my office and promptly showed my staff her finished reconstruction.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Just show up
My 82-year-old father Tony amazes me. He is a strong, determined Italian man who just finished 35 days of radiation treatment for oral cancer at the end of 2015. Honestly, he is a true hero, as all my patients are who endure such things. He is a retired dentist of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Healthy New Year
I love this time of the year! I like the idea of closing the door to the last year and choosing to walk in the open door of the New Year. To me, there is nothing better than a chance to make “new healthy lifestyle choices,” because what else do …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Progress, not perfection
Discipline is the ability to obey rules or a code of behavior. It is the practice of training people, or teaching them direction, order and regulations. It is a way to control aspects of our life that might get out of control. If you forget your keys all the time, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Sports-related recovery
This last week, we played our annual Holiday Turkey Bowl with both sides of our family. Mind you, most of us hadn't played flag football since last year — except for a few who play college intramurals — so you can only imagine how over the next few days, I …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Gratitude written
Years ago, one of my amazing clients gave me a cookie jar. It was made of glass with letters etched in black on it that said, "Thankful Jar." She had made it especially for me. She told me in her family they had a jar too, and when you have …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Reboot your body
This last week I had the fun of traveling to Orlando, Florida for the annual private practice section convention of the American Physical Therapy Association. Each year it takes place in varying venues, and this year we were lucky to have great weather in Florida while we were there. I …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Body talk
A few years ago, in the dead of winter with snow piled high, I did the unthinkable for a physical therapist: I slipped on the ice and landed on my left elbow and wrist. As I was squirming around on the ground in my skirt and boots, trying to get …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Riding the roller coaster
I was never a platform stander waving at the riders, I was always a rider. I loved the thrill of the coaster, the excitement of the other passengers and my arms overhead as the coaster dove up and down. In fact the last roller coaster I rode was Thunder Terror …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Pink cupcakes
There they were standing on the dock at the lake, my nieces' high school varsity volleyball team. They were not in their typical volleyball attire, instead they were dressed to the nines in beautiful short dresses and high heels for the homecoming dance. My niece was dressed in a short …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
God made girls
I live in a house full of men. I have three amazing sons, a great husband and a wonderful father-in-law, so when the country singer from The Voice named RayLynn sings about why God made girls, I sing along. I mean how can you not when you are surrounded by …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Super girls
When I was growing up, no girls had super powers in the movies that I could relate to. I guess there was Catwoman with Batman and Robin, and Supergirl who was like Superman, but none of them made me stop and say, "She looks like a good hero for me." …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
No limits
Recently,my sister who is a physical therapist and I, finished Amy Purdy's book "On My Own Two Feet." I met Amy this past January in Denver at the opening ceremony of the Snow Sports Industry show where she was the keynote speaker. Amy is a Paralympic snowboarder and she is …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Ten things
Years ago when I was a young grad out of physical therapy school I had the opportunity to care for a young veterinarian who worked in the Air Force and who was an avid runner. She had run pretty much every day of her life and was sent to me …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
After breast cancer
Last week, all the gals from my office and I donned our cowboy boots and headed out to the Chicks n Chaps rodeo event at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, to have fun learning about (and watching) the rodeo, and raising money for the women in our breast cancer community.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Model what?
No one ever prepares you for feelings of the heart! Not until you have your own little munchkins and you nurture and care for their every need do you realize what has transpired in your heart and your body. Suddenly, they hit the road for college and the great adventure …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Mentor for life
A few weeks ago, I received a phone call at work with a message that said my mentor from Loma Linda University Physical Therapy School and his wife were going to be coming into town, and they wanted to know if I had time to visit. It had been a …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Body power: Never forget
Many years ago, I took care of a beautiful woman who had been brutally bitten by an animal while at work. By the time she came to see us, it had totally changed every aspect of her life. She couldn't work, take care of her daily life functions or do …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Stress busters
Physical pain and the anxiety it brings can be overwhelming and devastating. Learning coping skills to help you deal with the physical pain of life is key to successful living. Physical challenges occur throughout our life and the chance that your physical health will be an issue at one time …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Italian sisters
Physical therapists are basically the same all over the world. I guess why would I expect it to be any different from country to country, our services would be the same, right?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Everywhere the same
The smells were incredible all evening as we ate dinner at a small Italian restaurant in a quaint area called Aurelia, outside of Rome. Everyone eats outside in the summer in the garden, and they always eat dinner late, so it was a little after 10 p.m. when we were …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Bikes, bikes, bikes
Amsterdam, what a place. There are bikes everywhere. Rickety old bikes, cruisers, the Range Rover variety, and bikes with big carriers in the front to hold lots of children - or an occasional girlfriend as you take her out on a date. I have never seen so many bikes. There …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Babes with babies
To me there is nothing as special as a new born baby. Mom and Dad and all the family wait for nine months to snuggle, love and coo over this precious wonder. The Momma is especially attached to her baby due to all the hormones her body produces to grow …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Leading the way: After breast cancer
This next week I will visit with Jean-Paul Belgrado, PT, a leading Belgian researcher from the Universite Libre de Bruxelles who has specialized in the field of lymphedema for over 30 years.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Dear Mom and Dad
I want to thank you for all you did. I want to thank you for all the nights I kept you up. I want to thank you for caring enough for me that you sacrificed "your time" for me. I want to thank you for all the days both of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
What's in your fridge?
Well let's see. Milk, vanilla creamer, apple juice, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, too many condiments to count, a drawer filled with sliced deli meats and cheese for sandwiches, a bin with veggies for salads, omelets and stir fry, and a bin with the fruits of the season; strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Ten for ten
A year ago, two ladies in their early 50s asked a simple question, "How can we get in better shape with a few minutes everyday?"
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Number three
Recently while visiting my oldest son in Boise, I had the opportunity to have an interesting interaction with a woman about the seven different chakras that make up our body. She asked me to smell the different smells that are associated with these chakras and see which one of the …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Wake up your lymph system
Recently I flew to California for a meeting, taking two plane flights - from Spokane to Oakland, and then on to Orange County. Well, you know how you feel after you sit for prolonged periods of time. Your legs get stiff and your ankles look like they are two sizes …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
The doc is always in
Early one morning I was out exercising and I heard this crazy goose honking overhead for what seemed like forever. I caught glimpses of him here and there through the trees, but I couldn't tell if he was lost from his mate or just trying to get all the other …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO
Navigation
I turned on Apple Maps as I left the airport. It was late and I worked all day and then had to fly to a conference. I had to be there early the next morning in a city I hadn't been to in years. I was staying with some friends, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO
Navigation
I turned on Apple Maps as I left the airport. It was late and I worked all day and then had to fly to a conference. I had to be there early the next morning in a city I hadn't been to in years. I was staying with some friends, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO
On time
We invest our time everyday for a myriad of things: work, play and a constant litany of choices. Our time becomes our choices. Our choices then define our life. We see it play out so clearly in the rear view mirror of our life, our choices. But how do we …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO
Tele-health
Just a few weeks ago I got a text message with a picture from our summer intern. She was playing football, and the end of her second finger got jammed and looked terrible. She was wondering what she needed to do for it. Being a college student she didn't have …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Happy, happy, happy!
So Pharell Williams sings about it - and how can you not sing along with him and his catchy tune - but are you really happy? What is happiness and how do we get it?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Make a trade
When I was growing up, summer was always a time that we played cards - any type of cards. We played by the pool, at the dock, on the beach, and sprawled out on the porch. Anywhere that we might have a chance to play, we did. My favorite game …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
A friend of mine is a RN in an emergency room in a busy hospital in a warm, sunny state south of here. He came to visit us this summer and told us of the confusion of so many people upon coming into their ER. When asked upon check-in what …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Vonn tough
Last year, Olympic bronze medal winner in the Super-G and four-time World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury in the Super-G Skiing World Championships in Austria, where she tore her right knee anterior cruciate ligament and her medial collateral ligament, and fractured her tibial plateau. This injury would sideline …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Following breast cancer surgery
This past weekend at Stanford University Jean-Paul Belgrado, PT, a leading Belgium researcher for the past 30 years from the Universite Libre de Bruxelles in the field of lymphedema, presented an amazing conference on breast cancer surgery, and the possible reasons that lymphedema and venous problems occur in some people …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Who is your mentor? Will you be one?
According to the New York Daily News, at least 40 percent of college graduates are unemployed or underemployed. For the mother of a college student, this is quite a disturbing thought. How will our children have the opportunities that we have had? What will it take for them to move …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Journey
It was the day before senior pictures at my high school. I was the pitcher for my fast-pitch softball team, and I was on the mound when a ball was hit and took a funny bounce, hitting me right in the lip. Within minutes, my lip had swelled to huge …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
In honor
My dear friend is a physical therapist who works with people who have had strokes. She is a talented and compassionate lady who cares deeply, and whose desire is always to return her patients to their families and their own homes as quickly as possible.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
No regrets
During the first year of having cancer, you are so busy just trying to survive. From the moment of diagnosis to surgery, follow-up visits with multiple MD's, chemotherapy, radiation, PET scans, CAT scans, blood draws, ports, physical therapy and no hair, you don't think much about what's next. This is …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Survivor
I am not really a label kind of person, but this weekend at the Race for the Cure I met and saw a sea of beautiful people that were all survivors. Breast cancer survivors are brave, strong and resilient in a world that often thinks beauty is only skin deep. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
'DOC!'
In the spring of this year, I was back east in Maryland where I grew up, going to a continuing education conference and visiting my parents. One evening, I went out with my parents to a reception and the first thing I heard as we walked through the door was, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
'I didn't know'
Five times. How can that be? Just today I heard it five times, and I wonder how many days before that I have heard the same thing. "I didn't know." For me, it would be good to never hear that again from any of my patients.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
'10 Things'
Years ago when I was a young grad out of physical therapy school I had the opportunity to care for a young veterinarian who worked in the Air Force and who was an avid runner. She had run pretty much every day of her life and was sent to me …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Summer is here
Every year when summer hits my whole family heads to the lake. My family has always loved the water, any kind of water. When I was young, we would pack up and head south to Virginia to either Smith Mountain Lake or Lake Anna. They are beautiful lakes where all …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
It's late!
It's dark, it's raining, and it's so late that I don't think I want to do my exercises today. But instead of giving into the urge to forget it all and get my PJ's on and watch "The Voice" I think of all the people that I made a commitment …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
So fit
So you think you are fit, do you? Well over 800 high school football athletes showed up in Portland Oregon this weekend at the Nike Sparq Combine to test just how fit they are. Leave it to Nike to create a way for high school football athletes to see how …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Rain or shine?
For a dear friend of mine, it started over a year ago. He went everyday after work. He had his music and his tennis shoes in his car and he went rain or shine. He couldn't even go around the loop once without huffing and puffing and was so uncomfortable. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
4 Easy Ways: Wake-up your lymph systema
Recently I flew to the East Coast to see my parents and go to a meeting. Two plane flights from Spokane to Denver and then on to Baltimore, Maryland. Well you know how you feel after you sit for that long a period of time. Your legs are stiff and …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Anatomy of the lymphatics
1) The initial lymphatics are endothelial vessels converging to form collecting lymphatics. The linings of the initial lymphatics have a high endothelial layer but no pericytes or smooth muscle media. They form a 3 dimensional plexus - like patterns within the connective tissue. The walls of these initial lymphatics have …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
'I'm Gonna Dance Again!'
Adriene Haslet, known as an incredible dancer, was watching the Boston marathon with her finance, when she was hit with pieces of a bomb. As a result she lost part of her lower leg and foot. She was recently interviewed in her hospital room and her determination and drive struck …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
4 breast cancer
Recently a charming young woman named Cindy came in to my office after having a bilateral mastectomy. She was sporting a cute hat and said she had just finished chemo and was on her way to radiation oncology. She said she had surgery more than 8 months ago and she …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Need a break?
Taking a break means something different to everyone. Some people head to see family for their break and relax at grandma and grandpas. Some people hit the beach and sit in the sand and get tan. Some families go on adventures such as skiing, sightseeing in San Francisco, or biking …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO
Is your belly fat costing you money?
Health Risk Assessments for women, say it's a waist size greater than 35 inches and for men it's over 40 inches that might be costing you extra money. Your waist size is just one of the established guidelines that predict health related problems. Others include your blood pressure, your blood …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO
Family, family, family!
Oh deck the halls, and send in Santa and be sure to not forget all the family, with all the craziness that family brings. The holidays are a great time for us to remember how special family is and what the gift of Jesus has done for all of us. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Yoga for you
There are many different forms of Yoga. The word Yoga means "to unite" or "to join," some say that it can mean "connection" or "contact." The most frequently talked about form of Yoga in western cultures is called Hatha Yoga. It concentrates on the health and purity of the body. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Yoga
Yoga is a unique form of physical exercise that incorporates the mind body connection into its practice. It is a way to engage the mind in the body's work and vice versa. Many people feel that they do their physical exercise everyday already so why should they need to add …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Balance
During this time of year, we face slippery sidewalks, steps with snow on them and lots of responsibilities that take our mind off where we are walking. This can cause us all kinds of trouble when it comes to falling. We often think that because we are getting older it's …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Bitter or better?
Thanksgiving is here and it is one of my favorite holidays. I love this time of year because I get to focus on what's really important to me, my family and friends and this year is special because my oldest son will come home from college (and I miss him …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Read your body
My husband and I have three boys and the activity level in our house never slows down. When they were little they would play and run, and go and go, until they were literally so tired they would fall down ready for bed. Sometimes however they got so exhausted that …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Physical therapy and women's health
Women are unique! Because of that uniqueness women need a different type of health care. Women need health care that is specifically designed for them.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
What's for Christmas?
Well it's not even Thanksgiving yet and I already see signs of Christmas in the stores. It is way too early, but my kids have already been putting in their requests, so I guess I will put in my request too. What I want for Christmas is a massage once …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Tell me a story
Who doesn't love a good story! Especially one with adventure, a hero and heroine and all that stuff. Well growing up in my big Italian family we would often sit around the dinner table after church and talk the afternoon away. We heard all the adventures of our family's life. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
'Good evening, Bob!'
Years ago my husband owned a sandwich shop in Palm Springs. He and I were dating then and I was a doing one of my clinical internships there at a local hospital. I would often come to his shop after work to eat, study and help him get ready for …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Breast Cancer Month
October is Breast Cancer Month. Breast cancer continues to affect too many of our friends and family members and the women we are doing life with everyday. The whole reason we take this month is to prevent and eradicate breast cancer. It is so we can tell all the women …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Physical therapy and women's health
Women are unique! Because of that uniqueness women need a different type of health care. Women need health care that is specifically designed for them.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Times to beat
There is no way to get around it. The cardiovascular component of exercise is what we need to do everyday, 30 minutes a day, no matter what. It is the aerobic part of our program. It takes time to do it, because you need to keep your heart rate above …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Magic minutes
Strength training is just that, magic minutes. What strength training can do for you in a matter of 20 to 30 minutes a day, three days a week is incredible. It can change your overall health in no time, in a myriad of ways. Even those of us with chronic …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Upgrade please!
Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that with everything. I really sometimes wish it did. I wish all you had to do was the same thing you do at the airport when you suddenly decide you need a little legroom in order for you to tolerate your seven-hour trip. You just …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Remodeling
Transformation starts small. Sometimes it is just with a thought that comes to you while you are in a meeting or in the middle of the night. It grabs your attention and it makes you wonder. What would happen if I remodel my house, my office or my life?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Balance your body
Core Align is a new upright Pilate's machine from Balanced Body. A physical therapist from Israel designed this revolutionary new piece of Pilate's equipment that has changed the way we train the core in the weight bearing position. We now have the ability with this new piece of equipment to …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Max does it!
He amazes me. He is so dedicated. He is so driven. Rain or shine he is out there exercising everyday. He also travels all over the world and no matter where he goes, he exercises. He is a baby boomer. He is amazingly busy in his professional life, but he …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
6 out of 10
"Oh just live with it and it's all in your head." I have heard those statements a lot in my 28-year career as a Physical Therapist. Part of those statements sound true however there is definitely more to the story. Recently, one of my patients told me that Arthur had …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
A coach for your body
I guess it's all the same really wherever you go in the world. We all continue to struggle to make time for our health. Whether it is our physical health or emotional health, it is all the same. You can try to tuck it away and then it comes up …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Core muscles
Most of us spend the majority of our time everyday in a forward flexed position. We hunch over our cars' steering wheel, computer or just washing the dishes. This forward flexed position leads to poor posture and a weak, inefficient core. As physical therapists, we see so many injuries that …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Swim for fitness, swim for fun
Now that summer is finally here and the lake is slowly warming up, swimming is a wonderful thing to do to get your whole body moving in an easy, non-weight bearing way. It is a good exercise to begin getting healthy without so much stress to the system. There is …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Courage
They say courage is what we do in the face of fear. I think courage is what my physical therapy patients show me everyday when they come in to our clinics.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Tape it!
I know you have all seen it, that crazy colored tape that athletes all over the country are wearing. This summer you will see even more of it when you watch the Olympians in action. However, what maybe some of you didn't realize it's not just for athletes. In fact, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Muscle imprint
Sometimes don't you wonder if all those years of sports in junior high, high school and college, along with all the playing at the lake and skiing at the mountain is why we are so sore and achy today when we get up in the morning? Go ahead and think …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
90 days
Habits are easy to get and hard to get rid of it. They run our lives in many ways we don't even realize. We have to decide then which habits actually provide us with the lifestyle we want and which ones need to be replaced.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Apps for balancing
Balancing your life at times seems like such a challenge. There are so many things that are required of us that we have to constantly be adjusting our priorities all the time. We have our family, our health, our relationships and our professions. Something always gets shuffled around. What gives …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Keep moving
When I talk about moving, I mean your body not your house. In fact, there are so many benefits that come from moving that there is really not a downside. Your body loves to move, wants to move and can't live without it. As you exercise, your body releases chemicals …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Differences in exercise
What is the difference, anyway? Is all exercise the same? Do we need to do it everyday? Sometimes it gets all mixed up. If I do Yoga, do I need to do Pilates too? And if I do a spinning class, does it work for osteoporosis? If I have high …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
What's your treasure?
We all have them. They come disguised, as many different things and often we have to peel back the layers of our life to figure exactly what they are and where they came from. They seem to come handed down through the generations, maybe from your grandma or your dad, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Get it going on
Exercise... If it's the last thing on your list or the first thing to get rid of when you get "too busy," just hold on one minute. Your mind and your body need it everyday and your family will thank you for taking care of yourself. Remember, if you aren't …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Just breathe!
Everything moves so fast. You have every gadget to make your life less stressful from iPhones to smart phones to automatic deposits and "apps" for groceries and your caloric intake. We want anything that will make our life easier. But what if that is not what your brain needs? What …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Not your imagination!
I know it is complicated and so often misunderstood, that it seems as though it might just be your imagination. But for the last 16 years we have been studying and caring for people that have a glitch in their crazy lymph system. Lymph swelling is a sneaky little thing …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Lymph system, what?
The Lymph system is a major system in our body that probably is the least understood and one of the systems that is barely talked about in health care today. However, really it is of vital importance on a daily basis for our health and overall well-being. The lymph systems …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Lymphedema and the role of physical therapy
Lymphedema affects approximately two million people in the United States. Its incidence is on the rise because each year approximately 500,000 Americans will be treated for some type of cancer that will be treated for some removal or the destruction of their lymph nodes. One out of every five of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
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