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Studies have shown that people with disabilities are more likely to be overweight, and also obese. Carrying extra weight not only increases your risk for health complications such as heart [...]

The CDC says that obesity rates for adults with disabilities are approximately 57% higher than adults without disabilities. This is based on BMI (Body Mass Index) measurements. Does that get [...]

If you get sick or injured, then everybody loses, right? You cannot perform your job, and the person who relies on you is also now in trouble. Parenting is tough. [...]

If you have not received skilled instruction on how to perform range of motion, it may be beneficial to learn how to gently perform stretches firmly to safely prevent and [...]

If you practice diaphragmatic breathing, you will develop an ability to choose this relaxation response when you start to feel that stress response. This can lower anxiety, it can lessen [...]

I have recently had more clients requesting services for shoulder pain, so I thought it would be a good time to discuss this issue. The shoulder joint isn't designed for [...]

When you or your child has a disability, I am sure that you try to stay up to date with what the latest research is studying--and what results seem promising. [...]

Think of a goal you would like to accomplish--is it that you would like to lose five pounds? (or 50?) Would you like to lower your cholesterol by 30 points? [...]

If you have a disability, it is even more important to get enough exercise because your ability to move throughout the day while doing daily activities is limited, which increases [...]

As we approach the holidays, it is important to go in with a plan regarding your nutrition. It is very easy to splurge at the dinner table, or snack on [...]

It is that time of year again, a holiday children equate with eating candy. And holidays no longer are restricted to a single day, for they tend to spill over [...]

Feel free to get second opinions. Physical therapists treat many different diagnoses, again at many different stages. Exceptional Parents often are well versed in many avenues of care for themselves [...]

Write down your goals to keep you focused on why you are exercising. Are you trying to stay healthy for your children? Are you trying to cut down on medications [...]

Summer is a great time to get outside and do more activities! The weather is warm, the days are long, and many children have more time off from school. Time [...]

Given this month's theme of 'mobility,' I considered many ways to approach this article. As a physical therapist, I concluded that range of motion has the greatest impact on a [...]

Does your child participate in physical education class at school? How much screen time does your child get every day? Does your child eat any vegetables? The CDC (Centers for [...]

Are you an Exceptional Parent of a child with a spinal cord injury, spina bifida, or cerebral palsy? It is important to encourage your child to get a sufficient amount [...]

There are a number of reasons why you may not like your physical therapist. Personalities may not gel. Maybe you do not like the treatments the therapist is having you [...]

We know that exercise can improve mood and decrease the risk for depression and/or manage stress and anxiety. Heading outdoors can further contribute to improved mood! As the weather gets [...]

Remember that you are also setting an example for your children. Demonstrating healthy habits will teach kids to incorporate these activities as they grow. You may have heard about the [...]

In 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed, requiring that all people with disabilities, of school age, have access to Physical Education in a normal school environment. [...]

It's summertime! Most kids are on a break from school and many families are looking to take a vacation! Whether it's a local getaway or a big trip abroad, it's [...]

Studies have shown that vigorous exercise is associated with decreased stereotypic (self-stimulatory such as hand flapping or body rocking) behaviors, hyperactivity, aggression, self-injury, and destructiveness. Exercise is one of the [...]

I am sure that you have heard about yoga, but have you tried it? Are you aware of all of the benefits it can have for the whole family? Quite [...]

Childhood obesity is on the rise in our country, and the rate of obesity among children with special needs is even steeper than that of other children. There are a [...]

When it comes to people with spinal-cord injury or disease exercising, what's more important, endurance or strength training? Strengthening refers to the exercise of increasing the muscular power and mass, [...]

We all know that exercise is important to incorporate into our regular routine, and yet there are many excuses that get in the way, and the workouts get cut easier [...]

Shoulder pain is a common complication following spinal-cord injury (SCI). Some studies show as many as 70% of people with SCI experience shoulder pain at some point. This pain can [...]

Don't beat yourself up if you cheat! But cutting back is a great start. Soda is still the second most consumed beverage to water in the United States and it [...]

The article discusses stress which is defined as a reaction to a stimulus that disrupts one's equilibrium. Topics covered include the three stages of stress, how chronic stress affects people physically and mentally, and ways of managing stress and decreasing depression and anxiety through regular exercise.

The article discusses how athletes with disabilities protect their shoulder against pain. It states the need of an exercise that address the muscles that aren't being used when pushing wheelchair or transfer. It notes performing an exercise that targets the muscles that squeeze the shoulder blade back. It mentions the shoulder adductions and external rotation exercise.

The article offers information on breathing. Topics discussed include description of chest breathing, physiological benefits of diaphragmatic breathing, and instructions on diaphragmatic breathing. Also mentioned are the link between our breath and our pelvic floor musculature and a website suggested to find physical therapists who specialize in pelvic health.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for eliminating shoulder pain.

The author provides suggestions on how individuals can achieve their fitness goal. She stresses the importance of breaking the goal down into three smaller goals and giving it a timeline. The author offers recommendation when working toward a financial goal and wanting other people's encouragement to feel motivated. She emphasizes the significance of writing down goals to keep an individual motivated.

The article addresses the importance for people with disabilities to incorporate exercise into their life. Topics discussed include reason it is important for people with disability to get enough exercise, risk factor for sedentary lifestyle, and significance of rehabilitation therapies for people in any stage of their recovery from an injury or living with a disability. It also mentions the definition of exercise and factors that can impact a heart rate's response to exercise.

The article discusses the things that parents of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs should consider when looking for physical therapists to ensure that their children get the best therapists for their needs. Topics covered include the need for parents to discuss the goal they want to achieve with physical therapy, the importance to discuss how the treatment plan may be impacted by insurance coverage, and the value of getting second opinions.

This article discusses the importance of exercise for keeping people's bodies and minds healthy. Topics covered include the reasons most people do not get enough exercise, such as limited time and fatigue, the American Heart Association recommendation on 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, and motivations that can get people moving, such as other people's encouragement, awards, and to cut down on medications they take. Mentioned also is the fitness club Every Body Fitness.

The article discusses the importance of fitness and exercise for children with physical disabilities. It mentions several health risks arising from a sedentary lifestyle including coronary heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, several health benefits of exercise including lower anxiety or stress, the maintenance of the range of joints and management of tone for children with cerebral palsy and improved muscle strength, and some recommended activities including wheelchair and water sports.

The article offers guides on how to address splurge eating during the holiday season. Topics discussed include the nutritional benefits of eating lots of vegetables to control blood glucose, the importance of being conscious of and keeping log of what one eats during the holidays, and the value of snacking on healthy options. Also mentioned is the necessity of exercise to burn extra calories from consuming more than what is necessary during holiday gatherings.

The author discusses possible healthy activities for special children during the Halloween holiday in 2018. Topics covered include a pumpkin patch or cornstalk maze visit for the family, a neighborhood walk to view fun decorations that people put up, and buying undesirable sweets and storing them in inconvenient locations to lessen chances of consumption. Also noted is the suggestion of drinking lots of water on the holiday itself to help limit the amount of candy eaten.

The article discusses ways to keep fit on vacations and how to add activity into one's travels and to prevent diet disasters. These include investigation into the area and the hotel such as accessibility and whether the place has a gym or pool, looking into the local activities that the whole family can enjoy specifically physical activities, and portion control during meals whether trying out the local dishes or preparing own meals.

The article discusses the benefits of yoga to children with disabilities and special needs. Topics covered include the use of yoga in managing stress and anxiety which can reduce panic attacks, the anecdotal evidence for increased creativity in children with the regular practice and the increase in eye contact skills among children with autism spectrum disorder who practice yoga.

The article discusses ways parents can make healthier choices for their children with special needs. Topics include factors that contribute to unhealthy habits in children with special needs including medications and mobility limitations, the need to offer fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks instead of chips and cookies, and the importance of limiting the amount of screen time a child has on a daily basis.

The article provides suggestions to individuals who are not satisfied with their physical therapists (PT). Topics discussed include importance of having an honest conversation with a therapist, reason clients should not challenge their therapists, and significance of asking some clinics on whether the client's insurance coverage is impacting their treatment plan.

The article discusses several factors to consider when performing exercises or taking at least 10,000 steps a day for physical fitness. Getting 10,000 steps in a day does not replace exercise, since the latter is defined by intensity. Aerobic exercise can enhance glucose regulation, improve memory and decrease depression, among other health benefits.

The article discusses the benefits of exercise for parents which is crucial for outstanding parenting. These benefits include protecting the back from injuries, keeping muscles balanced and strong, decreasing health complications, and maintaining a healthy weight. It notes that exercise will also encourage children to exercise and take control of their health.

The article talks about the online fitness program offered by SCI Total Fitness to people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The exercise ideology was created by physical therapist Kristin McNealus. The Fitness and Strengths Training (F.A.S.T.) class runs for 45 minutes and is offered online to address the transit concerns of wheelchair users. The workout strengthens scapular stablilizers, increases endurance and lowers the risk of health complications commonly associated with spinal injury.

The article discusses the importance of both strength training and endurance training, or also called cardiovascular exercise. Topics include the health benefits of both exercise, monitoring heart rate, and things to be cautious of when planning a workout, such as knowing one's medications, having a plan for cooling down, and checking skin.

The article offers suggestions to decrease shoulder pain when performing specific tasks. These include transferring to surfaces that are level with the wheelchair, considering the use of a slideboard and making the chair as light as possible. It also cites the importance of stretching the muscles in the front of the chest and shoulders every day and provides the 2 stretches to do daily such as the Doorway Stretch for the Pectoralis Major and the Doorway Stretch for the Biceps. INSET: Work it Out.