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When you get into an accident, the hardships and stress you will suffer as a result of this accident can be difficult enough. Dealing with and adjusting to a new reality can present all sorts of challenges to you as you begin the recovery and healing process. It’s not just a matter of getting well physically; often, a great amount of mental and emotional pain can accompany any sort of serious injury and it’s important to be aware of this when you begin this journey. A huge part of your recovery will be guided by the physicians and medical professionals who assist you in your recovery process. It’s incredibly important to choose trusted professionals when you are in the process of forming your recovery team. Here’s why from your Denver physical therapist.

Your Physical Therapist Will be Crucial to Your Overall Recovery Process
In the course of embarking on this long, potentially intimidating journey to get back to optimum physical health, one of the most important factors will be which physical therapist you decide to go with. As with many medical professions, there are a ton of physical therapy options on the market to decide from as a consumer, as it’s important to be aware of what to look for when making the ultimate decision of who you would like as your primary practitioner. 

Unfortunately, not all physical therapists are created equal, and it’s definitely a smart idea to be mindful of what practice you decide to go with. A physical therapist will play a crucial role in your recovery process, perhaps even being the most important factor when it comes to your overall recovery timetable. These professionals will undoubtedly be working with you extensively, likely many times per week during the initial phase of your injury. Selecting someone who will work well with you is key if you are going to select the Denver physical therapist who is right for you and satisfies your individual and specific needs.

Which Physical Therapists You Should Definitely Consider Avoiding
As we stated earlier, there are a wide range of physical therapists to choose from, which can be an overwhelming decision to make early on in your recovery. It’s important to be aware that although the vast majority of Denver physical therapists will be competent, knowledgeable and caring professionals who will sufficiently guide you towards wellness, there are also a handful of professionals who will not be the best option for you. Simply put, there are a few physical therapists you should definitely avoid, which is why it is good to recognize the characteristics of a less than ideal option.

If your physical therapist is ignoring you in the treatment process and isn’t listening to your needs, you should seriously consider utilizing the services of another professional. Remember, your medical professional is working on the behest of you and what is best for you, and your opinion and perspective should never be devalued or overlooked. You are the one living your life in your body, and a smart and considerate Denver physical therapist will definitely value your input when formulating your treatment plan.

Another type of physical therapist you should seriously consider avoiding is the one who will constantly pester you into accepting a wide variety of treatments which you feel are unnecessary. These types of practices are often trying to bill your insurance as much as possible, especially if you were injured in an auto accident or another type of personal injury situation. If you believe your physical therapists is valuing their payout from your treatment over your treatment itself, you should definitely think about going elsewhere. 

Choose the Therapist Who Works With You
In treatment situations, it can be easy to simply fall back and rely solely on the opinion of the medical profession who is providing you with their expertise, but it’s also crucial to remember that your perspective and input are a serious and essential component in the journey to become well. A physical therapist who is committed to working for their patients’ best interest will certainly and unequivocally advocate in support of their client and acknowledge the value of their perspective. 

You should never feel overlooked or ignored throughout your treatment process, and this also includes the formulation of your specific treatment plan. A physical therapist who is trusted will likely ask their patients a series of questions which provide insight into what that particular client values and what sorts of exercises and treatments will best help their overall treatment goals. If you haven’t partaken in the goal-setting process with your physical therapist, you should consider bringing it to their attention.

The road to getting well again can be fraught with professionals who are not the most knowledgeable or are not fully advocating for their clients, an unfortunate reality that many people should keep in mind during their process of searching for the right physical therapist. Throughout the process, you should always remember to remain your own best advocate, as no one else can truly tell you what is best for you and your unique situation. Seek out a physical therapist who will help you fulfill your treatment goals and be someone who works for you instead of against you. 

If you are looking to improve your physical health situation is and are in need of physical therapy due to an accident or other physical ailments, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today and we will be happy to assist you with your first steps towards recovery. We have an extensive team of qualified physical therapists and specialists who care deeply about their clients and go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest quality treatment in the industry. If you are looking for a therapist who will carefully assess your individual needs and formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs, Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness is your preferred choice for the physical recovery process.
 

Pain is something that thousands of people ignore on a daily basis - but should you? Body aches and pains can oftentimes be indicative of a greater physical problem that might require you to see a doctor or Denver physical therapist. 

There are a few pains that you shouldn’t worry about, including workout pain and soreness. Workout pain, such as the soreness and burning that comes from lifting weights, isn’t something to be concerned about. This pain is caused by lactic acid buildup, and it should stop almost immediately upon putting down your weights or jumping off the treadmill. 

Days after a workout you might still experience muscle soreness, this is also common and nothing to be concerned about. Muscle soreness post-workout means your body is still recovering and that you worked your hardest throughout the workout! However, there can be a few things you should worry about when it comes to muscle aches and pains.

Pains you should worry about
Pain that decreases your range of motion. If you are experiencing pain that decreases your full range of motion, then you should seek the counsel of a healthcare professional. When evaluating this, be sure the pain is restricting your motion and not just something that is uncomfortable for you because of post-workout soreness. 

Pain that does not go away. If you are experiencing pain that does not go away, even after treatment and care, than you should seek a doctor’s assistance. Pain that doesn’t better after treatment could be the sign of something more.

Pain that is accompanied with additional symptoms. If your pain is accompanied with pressure, bruising, fever, and chills you need to speak with a doctor. 

Pain that is intense and constant. This is an important one. If you are experiencing constant pain, or the pain is so intense you feel nauseous and experience vomiting it is extremely important that you seek the care of a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Pain in your wrist, forearms, and fingers. Pain in your wrist, forearms, and fingers that is numbing, tingling, and consistent could indicate carpal tunnel which will require additional treatment. 

Pain in your chest. If you experience any out of the ordinary chest pain, especially pain that migrates into your jaw or neck, you should call an ambulance immediately or visit your nearest hospital/urgent care facility.

Pain in the lower right abdomen. Pain in your lower right gut, when accompanied by nausea, fever and/or vomiting means you could have appendicitis. Appendicitis is a life-threatening infection and should be taken care of immediately. 

If you are experiencing any pain, it’s extremely important that you discuss your symptoms with your doctor or physical therapist. If you are looking to improve your physical health situation and are in need of physical therapy due to an accident or other physical ailments, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today and we will be happy to assist you with your first steps towards recovery. Our extensive team of qualified physical therapists and specialists go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest quality treatment in the industry. 
 

If you’ve been injured recently in a serious auto accident, you might be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and utterly confused about what your first steps are after the accident. Other than the legal ramifications of the accident, the most important factor involved in these types of events is to assess your health situation and whether you are going to require extensive amounts of rehab and therapy. It’s not an easy situation to address, but it certainly can be something which is not a simple or straightforward process. If you’re feeling confused about what the first steps are going to be with regards to your recovery, here is what you need to know from your Denver physical therapist.

Did You Suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

One of the most important things to be concerned with after you are involved in a serious car accident is to determine whether you have a serious traumatic brain injury, something which can significantly alter the course of your life. A TBI is something which can change your cognitive functioning, as well as your personality and relationships. After experiencing a TBI, you will need to undergo extensive rehabilitation of all kinds, not just from a physical therapist. 

Depending on the severity of the injury sustained during this incident, you may also require serious speech therapy and other forms of treatment in combination with one another in order to successfully tackle the issue. It’s not just a matter of waiting things out and hoping they will get better in time. The best approach to these types of situations is to be as proactive as possible in order to fully address this issue. It may not be as serious as it initially appears and it is always important to remain positive throughout the rehabilitation process.

Talk to a Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident, you will likely want to seek the services of a trusted law firm who can help guide you through the murky world of personal injury law. Although it can be tempting to want to represent yourself, the amount of work required in order to achieve a desired result is likely not worth the hassle. You may also make many mistakes throughout the process, as insurance companies are always trying to get out of not paying as large of a settlement as they can. 

Find a Trusted Medical Rehabilitation Team

After you’ve gone through the process of trauma care and are in the early phases of your recovery care, you will want to find a trusted medical team to help you begin your road to recovery. In order to return to your optimal state, you will need to have a trusted and competent team of medical professionals supporting you through this difficult process. It’s not just a matter of seeing any doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor, as there are many practitioners who are much more skilled and knowledgeable with regards to your specific condition.

You will certainly want to make yourself aware of what resources are available to you in your area and do as much homework as you can before making the decision to go with a particular practitioner. As mentioned earlier, not every practitioner is created equal, and it is vitally important to be your best advocate with regards to your treatment. Just because a person is in the medical profession does not mean they will always understand exactly what you need, as every individual is different and has different needs. Do you want to get back to hiking strength? Do you have a particular physical activity you engage in? These are things a trusted medical professional will need to know in order to give you the best possible care you deserve.

Follow the Plan

If you have been injured in a serious car accident, you will certainly want to get back to your desired condition as soon as humanly possible. In order to do this, you will want to diligently follow the advice of your treatment team in order to achieve the results you seek. Often, physical therapists and other professionals will give you a series of stretches and other activities to do every day as a way to strengthen and empower your recovery. It’s not just a matter of attending your appointments and then waiting to take action in between. Instead, you should be as proactive as possible when dealing with your treatment plan.

Follow the specific advice of your treatment team and utilize every possible resource at your disposal in order to speed up the recovery process. Take care to follow through on your treatment plan and make sure you engage in every activity that is recommended to you. This will allow your body to go through the healing process much faster and will make it more likely that you will be back on your feet in no time. Recovery is a long process, but it doesn’t need to be an excessively long process. This is assuming that you do everything you can to make this happen. As always, being proactive is always the best course of action when it comes to your recovery path. 

If you are looking to improve your physical health situation is and are in need of physical therapy due to an accident or other physical ailments, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today and we will be happy to assist you with your first steps towards recovery. We have an extensive team of qualified physical therapists and specialists who care deeply about their clients and go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest quality treatment in the industry. If you are looking for a therapist who will carefully assess your individual needs and formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs, Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness is your preferred choice for the physical recovery process.
 

Spring has arrived and with summer months just around the corner you might be considering starting a new exercise regime. Starting a new exercise regime is the best think you could possibly do for your health - exercise will help prevent diseases, improve sleep, increase coordination, and release endorphins that leave you feeling happy and content for hours after exercise. You might be wondering how to start a new exercise regime - we have tips from your Denver physical therapist. 

Current State Evaluation
Take a few moments to evaluate where you currently are in your fitness journey. Doing so includes a few different things: 
What’s your resting heart rate? 
What’s your heart rate when you feel that you are at max effort?
How long does it take to run a mile?
What is your Body Mass Index (BMI)? 
How much do you weight? What are your measurements?
It’s important to know where you are starting so that you can measure progress as you continue your fitness journey. Weight is not always an indicator of fitness improvements, so be sure to keep tabs on all of your base numbers as time goes on. 

It might be helpful to snap some photos of where you are at now as well. It’s hard to see the progress you’ve made day-to-day, but it can be easier to see your progress with photos that are taken 30, 60 and 90 days apart. 

Your Plan
Next it is time to formulate your plan - but you need to figure out a few things before doing so. What are your fitness goals and how fast do you want to reach them? Knowing where you want to be will keep you motivated and focused on your fitness goals. If you are unsure where to start, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness, we can help. 

Getting Started
When you have a fitness goal in mind and are ready to achieve it, it’s easy to want to get there as quickly as possible. That might lead to over exercising, extreme dieting, injury, and burnout. Take starting your new exercise regime slow and progress with caution. A professional can help guide you in this aspect, and help ensure that you are taking the right steps to meet your long term fitness goals. 

Challenging your body will result in change, punishing it and pushing yourself too hard immediately will not result in anything! When you are just getting started, be sure to plan variety into your workouts as you can. Take your time, and do exercises right - even if it means less reps! Doing an exercise right will be far more beneficial then doing them wrong.  Variety will keep things interesting, keep your body from getting complacent, and ensure you are ready to go for your workout. 

When you are getting started with your workout make sure you leave enough time for recovery. Your body needs recovery, particularly when starting a new exercise regime. Address your concerns for recovery with the professional who will work with you to achieve your fitness goals. It’s okay to be honest and open with your fears, and hesitations. 

The next part you need to consider is what you will be doing to achieve your fitness goals - then secure the necessary memberships and equipment. Are you going to be swimming three times a week? Unless you have a pool at your home, you will need to get a gym membership for a club that has an accessible pool. What about weights? If you are looking to lift weights, you will either need to purchase a gym membership or the weights needed to accomplish your workout at home. No matter what, if it’s been awhile since you’ve worked out you will most likely need to invest in a new pair of athletic shoes. You don’t have to go to the gym to get your physical activity in - some people just prefer it.

Your Routine
You have a plan, and you’ve gotten started. Be sure to stick with your routine. Having a routine will help to form healthy habits and keep you on track to reach your fitness goals. Not only is an exercise routine essential, but having a routine with your diet will help as well. 

Your Diet
No matter your fitness goals, a healthy diet will be essential in reaching them. No matter how dedicated your exercise regime is, you can’t outrun a poor diet. Consult with a healthcare professional as to what you should be eating to fuel your body and reach your goals. Diet needs will vary person to person and rely heavily on what goals you are trying to reach and accomplish. Consider talking to your healthcare professional about the benefits of supplements - sometimes these can lessen recovering time and make it easier on your muscles post-workout.

Don’t Give Up
It will take time to see results. Don’t give up on your progress and your goals if you don’t see anything within a week or two. Consistency is key, and it will be the driving force behind being successful in your fitness journey. Remember why you started your fitness journey, and stay positive! Great things take time, and you won’t regret putting in the effort now.

Measure Your Progress
Remember how we talked about setting goals and taking base measurements? It’s important to measure your progress every few weeks. Run that mile again, re-calculate your BMI, take your heart rates, and write down your latest measurements. Measuring your progress will keep you motivated and moving towards your goals. 

As always, be sure to connect with a healthcare physician before starting a new exercise regime or changing your diet considerably. If you are looking to improve your physical health situation and are in need of physical therapy due to an accident or other physical ailments, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today and we will be happy to assist you with your first steps towards recovery. Our extensive team of qualified physical therapists and specialists go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest quality treatment in the industry. 
 

Are you a Coloradan resident seeking to improve your overall physical health situation? You’re not alone, as the centennial state is one of the healthiest and most physically fit states in the United States. If you’ve ever been to a state park or popular hiking trail on the weekend, you are well aware of the fact that people in Colorado love physical activity, as there are nearly endless ways to get exercise through outdoor activities in the area. If you’re wanting to make improvements to your overall health condition in 2019, here are a few helpful tips to follow from your Parker physical therapist.

Find a Physical Activity You Actually Enjoy
One of the most difficult parts about getting regular physical activity for many people is that it can be hard to motivate yourself to continue pursuing it, especially if you view the activity as a chore. The best way to stay on a consistent regimen of physical activity is to find one that you enjoy doing and one that will be easy to do on a consistent basis. When a person has a long day at the office, often the last thing they will want to do is exercise after work. This fact is compounded if the activity they are looking to do requires them to drive a long distance.

First, you may want to locate a gym that is close to your house, meaning you won’t have to drive home and then get stuck in traffic again just to work out. It’s best to make things as convenient as possible on yourself, as starting a new habit is difficult enough. The easier it is for you to engage in the activity, the better. This also applies to the activity itself, as any activity that is enjoyable will make it much more likely that you will actually complete the task. 

If you have a hard time working out because you don’t enjoy running, perhaps you can think about a class or other form of exercise that you find enjoyment from. You may also want to think about finding a workout buddy for as a way to help motivate you to keep exercising on a consistent basis.

If you are looking to improve your physical health situation is and are in need of physical therapy due to an accident or other physical ailments, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today and we will be happy to assist you with your first steps towards recovery. We have an extensive team of qualified physical therapists and specialists who care deeply about their clients and go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest quality treatment in the industry. If you are looking for a therapist who will carefully assess your individual needs and formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs, Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness is your preferred choice for the physical recovery process.