During the holiday season something to be thankful for is the health of loved ones. Recently the caregiver of a gentleman I was working with invited me to have a cup of her home made yogurt. To my surprise I didn’t know it was even possible to make yogurt from scratch and yes it was much better than the store bought version.

The caregiver simply wanted to express her gratitude to all the people who assisted her husband’s transition back home after a prolonged hospital stay. Although her husband was returning to a…

Corrective pediatric surgeries happen everyday in most hospitals in the United States. For the most part, these surgeries are required for many different conditions and can be life changing. Corrective surgeries, for example, open doors for ambulation, normal cardiac function, normal diet consumption and opportunities for achievement. Families do there best to prepare themselves and their child for what may be a difficult road to recovery. It can be life changing in both good and bad ways.  Bad in that some surgery recipients have complications and have great difficulty “getting…

Holiday cheer, family in from out of town, and all the fittings of the many feasts that come with the holidays. As you prepare to entertain, visit with family and routines get changed, don’t forget the safety part of any holiday. Many years ago, I had a parent who reported to me her daughter’s trip to an ER on Christmas Eve. Because her daughter (then 3-years-old) took an unidentified pill. A pill you ask? Yes, it was left in the bathroom on the sink by an older cousin who had…

It’s no surprise that many successful athletes have been able to prolong their careers by taking care of their bodies. At age 42, relief pitcher Mariano Riveria who is famous for his conditioning regimen continues to help the New York Yankees win close games. He also happens to be their oldest player in a sport that values youth.

Equally if not more impressive are the elderly I work with who continue to take care of their bodies by staying physically active. Here are some of the ways I have observed how…

Interesting isn’t it that today’s children (the under three year old set) are already watching two or more hours of television or electronics play (this includes computer screen time) everyday.

Where is all this sit-down time coming from because it is taking a toll on the opportunity for normal language exchange between parent and child and the creative play that comes from mimicking what Mom or Dad is doing. I still remember the first time my now-18 year old daughter was two years old and picked up her play plastic phone,…

A few months ago, a friend of mine asked what I would choose to do if I could work in a different field. Am I right if I assume that many of us have tossed around the same question? To provide you with a little background, I have wanted to be a physical therapist since my senior year of high school, and after graduation attended a combined undergraduate/graduate program at Boston University. It’s the only field I’ve known.

Now back to the question, my immediate reply to my friend’s question…

Gone are the days of exchange system diet plans. Today, the carbohydrate counting rule applies, and this can be challenging for both children and adults. Portion control is key. Avoiding empty calories is of the utmost importance. Balancing diets and balancing energy needs for your day may seem unsurmountable but there is help.

In home-care, we utilize the services of nurses trained in diabetes care and also nutritionists to assist with diet teaching. Working with your doctor as a team is a component that makes a big difference. Keep your doctor informed…

Is there anything we can learn about falls prevention from the sports fan that is glued to his TV? You may be surprised, but there is one thing I can think of.

Here’s the scenario: the big game everyone has been waiting for is about to start, and one second of action can’t be missed. Now let’s examine what items surround our sports fan sitting in his living room.

Things you may find:

• Remote Control: It’s too risky to allow someone to change the channel.
• Food and Beverage: Nutritional requirements need to be sustained, right?
• Phone:…

Some things are difficult. For example, most people when they are told that a habit of theirs is harmful will take heed and try to change. Others, on the other hand, think they know more than their doctor or nurse and decide on the spot they are changing for no one! Spanning my career I have had many patients who fall into either of these two categories. Some patients are quite memorable for their strong will and high goals to prove me wrong or to prove that they are stronger…

We all have goals and so do our children BUT when they take over our normal lives and become all that we think about, we have a problem. More children today are diagnosed with depression or mood related disorders.  The use of medication is growing and has been for some time. We try to control their behavior at an early age with medication and structured activity and very little time is given to “free time.” Remember your free time as a kid? Was it spent on extra-curricular activities, reading, hobbies,…