Healthy Bones: Exercise Can Improve Bone StrengthTuesday, August 9th, 2011

Did you know that we have 206 bones in our body? Bones help protect our brains, heart and other organs from injury.  Every day, our body breaks down old bone and puts new bone in its place.  As we get older, our bones break down more bone than they can put back.  It is normal to lose some bone mass as we age, however if we do not take the appropriate steps to keep our bones healthy, we can lose too much.

Good news!  Exercise can increase bone density.  Bone is a living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger.  Two types of exercises that are important for building and maintaining bone density are weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.

Weight bearing exercises include:

Activities that make you move against gravity while staying upright.  They work directly on the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine to slow mineral loss.  Weight bearing exercise forces your muscles to pull harder on your bones than they normally do.  This makes your bones seek more calcium from your body which causes bone density to increase.

Muscle strengthening exercises include:

Activities where you move your body, a weight or some other resistance against gravity.  Resistance training can provide significant functional benefits and improvement in health including increasing bone density, improving joint function, increasing metabolism and reducing injuries.

Interesting Bone Facts

• The ear has the smallest bone in the body, the “stirrup bone” and it’s the size of half a grain of rice.
• It takes 12 weeks on average for a broken bone to heal
• There are 12 bones in the face
• Bone composition includes 50% water and 50% solid matter

Therapy Can Help to Keep Your Bones Healthy

Always consult with your physician before starting a new exercise routine.  If you would like more information about improving bone health with exercise, contact your therapy department.  Physical & occupational therapists work with individuals to improve bone strength, reduce falls & injuries, and improve balance and flexibility.

References: National Osteoporosis Foundation

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WATER WORKS…Are You Drinking Enough?Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Since our bodies are mostly water, and water is essential for every bodily function, it is very crucial to replenish our systems often by drinking plenty of water. When we get enough water our bodies are much more likely to function at optimal levels. Without enough water we begin to feel the symptoms of dehydration very quickly.

Initially, these symptoms may appear as routine fatigue, dry skin, headaches and constipation. Over the longer term, every body function will degrade more quickly, leaving us prone to all sorts of degenerative conditions.

An adequate daily water intake:

• Is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption and elimination
• Aids circulation
• Helps regulate body temperature
• Lubricates and cushions joints
• Keeps the skin healthy
• Helps remove toxins from the body

We’ve all heard a million times how important it is to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.  There are disparaging studies as to how much water one should intake.  Some say that adults need more water and it should be ½ of our body weight in ounces.  If someone weighed 180 lbs, they should drink 90 ounces of water a day.  Others say, that the good old 8, 8-ounce glass rule is fine.

A good general rule is for every 50 pounds of body weight we should drink one quart of water per day.

A person weighing 150 lbs should drink three quarts per day. A 200lb person should drink a full gallon per day. Getting plenty of water each day is one of the most beneficial things we can do for our overall health.

What Type of Water Should We Drink?

BPA Free bottles to hold your spring water and/or filtered water are both good options.

Tap water or water from a softener should generally be avoided because it often contains chlorine and may contain fluoride, toxic substances that, with ongoing consumption, can have negative effects on the body.

Distilled water should also be avoided because it has the wrong ionization, pH, polarization and oxidation potentials, which can drain your body of necessary minerals. It has been tied to hair loss, which is often associated with certain mineral deficiencies.

Water with a higher pH is thought to be more hydrating and puts the body in a more alkaline state, thus reducing cancer risk.

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May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention MonthTuesday, May 17th, 2011

Please join with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in promoting National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.  Estimates indicate that as many as 50 percent of Americans older than 50 will be at risk for osteoporosis fractures during their lifetimes.  Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without symptoms, but early diagnosis and treatment can reduce or prevent fractures from occurring. 

Medicare Coverage:

Medicare provides coverage for bone mass measurements once every 24 months (or more often if medically-necessary) for a qualified Medicare beneficiary when ordered by a physician or qualified non-physician practitioner.

What Can You Do?

As a healthcare professional, you play a crucial role in helping your patients maintain strong, healthy bones throughout their life.  While osteoporosis is not curable, it can be treated and managed.  Here’s how you can help:

• Talk with your patients about their risk factors.
• Encourage all eligible Medicare patients to take full advantage of Medicare’s bone mass measurements benefit.
• Visit the websites listed below to learn more about National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month and Medicare coverage of bone mass measurements.

For More Information:

§  Bone Mass Measurement web page – This CMS web page provides an overview of information on provider resources for bone mass measurements.

§  Bone Mass Measurements Brochure – This brochure provides fee-for-service healthcare professionals with an overview of Medicare’s coverage of bone mass measurements.

• Quick Reference Information: Medicare Preventive Services – This chart provides coverage and coding information on Medicare-covered preventive services, including bone mass measurements.
• The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Physicians, Providers, Suppliers, and Other Healthcare Professionals – This comprehensive resource provides coverage and coding information on the array of Medicare-covered preventive services and screenings, including bone mass measurements.
• NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases national Resource Center
• The National Osteoporosis Foundation

Together we can promote better awareness and healthier bones.  Thank you for your support!

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The Best Gift to Give Yourself and Others by Jim RohnFriday, January 14th, 2011

Some of you might find this interesting: Jim Rohn is a renowned business philosopher who wrote the following article.

Remember: It never works to try and change others, we are better suited to changing ourselves and have faith in what effects will come from engaging others.

Yours,

Christine

The Best Gift to Give Yourself and Others by Jim Rohn

I’m often asked the question, “How can I best help my children, spouse, family member, staff member, friend, etc., improve/change?” In fact, that might be the most frequently asked question I receive, “How can I help change someone else?”

My answer often comes as a surprise and here it is. The key to helping others is to help yourself first. In other words, the best contribution I can make to someone else is my own personal development. If I become 10 times wiser, 10 times stronger, think of what that will do for my adventure as a father… as a grandfather… as a business colleague.

The best gift I can give to you, really, is my ongoing personal development. Getting better, getting stronger, becoming wiser. I think parents should pick this valuable philosophy up. If the parents are okay, the kids have an excellent chance of being okay. Work on your personal development as parents—that’s the best gift you can give to your children.

If you have ever ridden in an airplane, then you might have noticed the oxygen compartment located above every seat. There are explicit instructions that say, “In case of an emergency, first secure your own oxygen mask and then if you have children with you secure their masks.” Take care of yourself first… then assist your children. If we use that same philosophy throughout our whole parental life, it would be so valuable.

If I learn to create happiness for myself, my children now have an excellent chance to be happy. If I create a unique lifestyle for myself and my spouse, that will be a great example to serve my children.

Self-development enables you to serve, to be more valuable to those around you; for your child… your business… your colleague… your community… your church.

That’s why I teach development skills. If you keep refining all the parts of your character (yourself, your health, etc.) so that you become an attractive person to the marketplace, you’ll attract opportunity. Opportunity will then begin to seek you out. Your reputation will begin to precede you and people will want to do business with you. All of that possibility is created by working on the philosophy that success is something you attract by continually working on your own personal development.

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Revision to LCD for Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy (L26884)Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

In 2010, National Government Services received a request for reconsideration of the Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy local coverage determination (LCD) (L26884) to include International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification, 9th Revision (ICD-9-CM) codes V57.1-V57.89 as correct coding. Review of the ICD-9-CM manual indicated that the request was technically correct, and therefore the requirement was included in the May 2010 draft revision to the LCD. Numerous comments were received from all National Government Services jurisdictions that such coding was redundant and created additional burden for providers. 

The National Government Services medical directors and policy staff agreed with these comments, and sought further guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about whether these diagnosis codes needed to be included in the LCD. CMS has indicated that although the ICD-9-CM manual does include this recommendation, contractors did not have to include these diagnoses in the LCD. 

Consequently, the LCD and supplemental instruction article (SIA) are revised, effective November 1, 2010, to delete coding instructions that required ICD-9-CM codes V57.1-V57.89 be included as the primary diagnosis on all therapy claims. Furthermore, National Government Services will not require these diagnosis codes as primary or subsequent codes. National Government Services does, however, note that such a recommendation does exist in the ICD-9-CM manual. If providers use these codes, they must also include the diagnosis code of the specific medical condition for which each therapy service was provided.

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11.29.2010: House of Representatives Added Its Approval To Bill H.R. 5712Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

11.29.2010:  The U.S. House of Representatives added its approval to a Senate-passed bill (H.R. 5712). This will stop a projected 23 % cut in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and extend current payment rates through the end of December.  The House action clears the bill to be sent to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.  Without this legislation, payment rates would have been slashed beginning Wednesday, December 1st.  H.R. 5712 legislation extends current payment levels under the fee schedule through December 31, 2010.  It is expected to be signed by the President without delay.

This is a very short term fix. Many advocacy groups continue to work with Congress to further extend the therapy cap process, extend the fix to the PFS, and to fully implement the RUG-IV system.  Please continue to speak with your Senators and Representatives regarding these issues.

Yours,

Christine Kroll, MS OTR

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45 LessonsWednesday, November 10th, 2010

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come…
44. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
46. Yield.
48. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

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The Power of Rehabilitation National Rehabilitation Awareness Week September 19th – 25thMonday, September 20th, 2010

Every year, the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation designates a week in September to educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation. Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists all work together to help individuals overcome obstacles and accomplish normal tasks of daily living.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists are the experts in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems that affect peoples’ abilities to move the way they want and function as well as they want in their daily lives.

When do you need physical therapy?

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Knee, ankle or foot problems
• Sprains and muscle strains
• Arthritis
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation after a serious injury
• Chronic respiratory problems
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Shoulder problems
• Problems with balance
• Hip fractures
• Incontinence

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy uses goal-directed activity in the evaluation and treatment of persons whose ability to function is impaired by normal aging, illness, injury or developmental disability. Treatment goals in occupational therapy include the promotion of functional independence and prevention of disability.

Who should receive occupational therapy?

• Individuals who have limitations in their abilities to carry out self-care activities
• Individuals whose strength and endurance are at risk
• Individuals whose ability to function in the community has been impaired
• Individuals whose physical, cognitive, or psychological problems prevent them from achieving tasks that are currently meaningful and important to them
• Limitations following a stroke or heart attack
• Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, other chronic conditions, mental health problems including Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress

Speech Therapy

Speech language pathology, also known as Speech Therapy, is the study, diagnosis, and treatment of defects and disorders of the voice and of spoken and written communication. Speech therapy also evaluates and treats neurological and physical disorders and conditions caused by an injury or illness.

Who should receive speech therapy?

• Individuals that have swallowing difficulties
• Individuals who have trouble with memory or have increased confusion
• Individuals who cannot follow simple commands or have trouble understanding
• Individuals who cannot formulate words and sentences correctly
• Individuals who have slurred speech, are very hoarse, or strain to talk
• Individuals who are having trouble reading and writing
• Individuals that have lip, mouth or tongue weakness, lack of coordination or decreased range of motion

Learn how therapy can help you or your loved one by talking with your doctor.

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