Newsletter Articles
Try Qigong
Qigong integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intentions. The gentle, rhythmic movements of qigong reduces stress, builds stamina and increases vitality.
A personal story by Carolyn – who lives with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
“Several years ago I went to a Qigong class hoping to find a way to manage my pain, by working on building energy, balance and stamina.
At the beginning, I could barely walk and sat on a stool trying to learn the graceful movements I was seeing performed around me.
During the next several months, I learned a way to see within, moving what energy I had evenly throughout my body. With practice I learned to relax. In time I got rid of my stool and found myself focusing on what I could do and not lamenting on what I couldn’t do. My world changed.
I live with pain. It is my constant companion. I am also able to do things I want to do, respecting my need to rest and take care of myself.
After years of learning and practicing medical Qigong, I now teach others this wonderful alternative health method hoping they to will find a way to do the things they want to do as they live with their illness.”
Carolyn teaches at the Stow COA, and the Emerson Wellness Center.
Once Upon A Boy
No Pool, No Problem
Resources for Parents and Kids
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition Against the Tide
Lighten Up
The nights are getting longer, which translates into more opportunities to stumble in the dark.
Laura does not want you to have a fall, especially if it can be prevented with a simple and affordable appliance. She recommends the LED Smart Light Plus by LIGHT IT.
This is an approximately $25 insurance policy that’s compact, lightweight, portable, easy to use and will protect you from missing a step or stepping on something that could cause long-term injury.
Laura uses the Smart Light Plus in her home. As you see here, it blends right into the household decor while providing valuable safety.
Order yours today.
High Note for Jazzy
We are beyond thrilled to share Jazzy’s big accomplishment this summer – she earned her Green Swim Band at the Beede Center.
For the uninitiated, earning a Green Band is no small feat. Jazzy, who is 6 ½, flawlessly swam the front crawl, complete with rhythmic breathing, NONSTOP for 25 yards. Then – as if that’s not impressive enough – she swam the backstroke another 25 yards, again NONSTOP! And without even taking a split second break from swimming half the length of a football field, Jazzy treaded water for 30 seconds then floated on her back for 30 more!!
Did we mention that she made it look easy?
And did we mention that Jazzy is now a member of the Pre-Otters, a training program for Beede’s youth swim team? Jazzy will learn the fun of being part of a team, as well as instruction in the butterfly, breaststroke, flip turns and competition. If she keeps up her current pace, we’ll be seeing Jazzy standing center podium in no time. Go Jazzy!
Jazzy, who has spastic diplegia, was 3 when she first began aquatic physical therapy with Laura. Spastic diplegia is a form of cerebral palsy that tenses up Jazzy’s feet and legs, creating coordination challenges. But spastic diplegia stands no chance against Jazzy’s blooming self confidence. Since working with Laura, Jazzy keeps up with her peers on land, and now in the water.
Laura’s experience as a physical therapist and as a Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructor enable her to teach kids like Jazzy how to swim with confidence and enjoyment and, as importantly, how to be safe in and around the water.
Great work, Laura! Great work, Jazzy!
Against the Tide
We are beyond thrilled to share Jazzy’s big accomplishment this summer – she earned her
Get Ready for Against the Tide
June 15th 2019 at Hopkinton State Park
In support of the MassachusettsBreast Cancer Coalition
Please join me and our team – Making Waves!
You can swim, walk, run, paddle and/or kayak.
Dear Friends,
This is the 27th anniversary of this inspiring benefit event that I helped to create.
Last yearour team Making Waves had a blast at the benefit for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition! We were the top fundraising team of the event, raising almost 20% of the total funds raised! And, we did it with your help!
As an aquatic physical therapist, I work with people of all ages who have disabilities and other challenges. Many of the special kids I work with have learned to swim and have become strong, young adults, as a result of our work together. Many of the adults I have worked with have been able to return to fitness and achieve their goals. Some of them participated last year in their first, open water, 1 mile swim. Will you join us this year?
I swim in honor of friends and family members who are living with breast cancer.
Click on the links below if you would like to sponsor me and support the prevention of breast cancer, or join our team. Don’t forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate or join! Please join our team – Making Waves!
Many thanks!
Warmly,
Laura
Jane Katz, Zoe Borden and Laura
Marsha and Laura
Annual Beede Luncheoun
Good to Go
Recently, I listened to Christie Ashwanden on NPR talking about her new book – Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery. My ears perked up and I thought you might like to know about it.
Christie Aschwanden, an award winning journalist and a decorated athlete. This book addresses the questions many patients ask me time and time again.
When should I use ice?
Should I take ibuprofen?
How much hydration is needed?
Are energy bars and electrolyte drinks good for me?
How often should I exercise?
Guidelines from the Osteoporosis Foundation
5 Reasons to See a Physical Therapist
Schools are Replacing Detention with Meditation
When kids are misbehaving they are sent to the “Mindful Moment Room” where they practice deep breathing, meditation, reflection, and they are encouraged to talk through what happened. The results are remarkable.
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This school replaced detention with meditation. The results are stunning.
September 22, 2016 | James Gaines
Imagine you’re working at a school and one of the kids is starting to act up. What do you do?
Traditionally, the answer would be to give the unruly kid detention or suspension.
But in my memory, detention tended to involve staring at walls, bored out of my mind, trying to either surreptitiously talk to the kids around me without getting caught or trying to read a book. If it was designed to make me think about my actions, it didn’t really work. It just made everything feel stupid and unfair.
But Robert W. Coleman Elementary School has been doing something different when students act out: offering meditation.
Read More
“How to be Sick” by Toni Bernard
Many of my patients suffer from chronic pain. Some people have been able bodied all their lives and then are suddenly faced with an injury or an illness which is life changing. Accepting and embracing a change in ability or illness can be challenging and requires courage. Mindfullness and wisdom is the key to finding a path to living with greater ease and freedom. This book by Toni Bernard has been a lifesaver to many of my patients and friends.
“You cannot help but come away with a new perspective and a new awareness of life’s beauty despite chronic bodily pain. The choice of inner peace and compassion is available to all of us. There is a lot to embrace in this lovely work of art.” -Chronicle: The Journal of the American Chronic Pain Association
Aquatic Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain
Some people are unable to exercise on land because they have pain and fatigue. The buoyancy of the water provides a supportive environment in which to help you achieve your land based goals. Some people exercise in the water as a way of cross training and some people just exercise in the water. The benefits are numerous!
- Increase your activity
- Improve your mood
- Increase relaxation
- Decrease spasm and pain
- Use less medication
- Achieve your goals faster
Don’t Judge People
Aquatic Equipment – Buoyancy Cuffs
Would you like more of a challenge?
By Laura Diamond, MS, PT
Would you like to get more out of your workout? There are a few ways to accomplish this. You can improve your strength by increasing resistance with the use of fins or gloves. Alternatively, you can work against buoyancy, which is the upward pressure from the water.
To increase the effect of buoyancy you can use floatation devices such as hand buoys, therapy bars, or floatation cuffs. These devices increase the upward pressure of the water on your arms or legs, leading to an increased resistance as you push them down into the water. Be sure to control the upward motion of the device by moving slowly.
With the use of this additional aquatic equipment, you will need to work harder to stabilize your posture, which will help you to develop more core strength.
Don’t forget, every time you change positions in the water you are changing which muscles are getting stronger with every movement.
Hydrofit buoyancy cuffs have 6 inserts in each cuff. You can vary the difficulty when you adjust the number of inserts in each cuff.
Here are some pictures which demonstrate the use of buoyancy equipment. You will find these and more in the book. The book will provide step by step instructions on how to perform each exercise.
Are you walking with crutches due to an injury or surgery?
Get Rid of the Crutches and Walk in the Water!
The percentage of weight bearing you experience in different water depths depend on your height, weight and body type. Generally, deep water exercise is non-weight bearing. Standing in neck deep water, you will be weight bearing about 10% and standing at waist depth, you will be weight bearing about 50%.
If you use crutches or a walker on land to decrease weight bearing, you may be able to walk in waist-deep or chest-deep water with or without one or two therapy bars. Since the water’s buoyancy decreases the demands of weight on your body, you may be able to walk more easily and quickly by doing walking in the water. This will speed up your recovery from injury or surgery!
Do you have back pain? Skip the scan or surgery. Go immediately to physical therapy!
Tish Scolnick – leveraged freedom chair
When Tish Scolnick was a freshman at MIT she dreamed of becoming a doctor. She took a class called “Wheelchair Design in Developing Countries” and that changed her career path forever. She is now Chief Executive Officer of her own social enterprise startup. She has engineered a wheelchair that gives people with disabilities freedom to lead independent lives.
Learn more about her remarkable story and her company!
