Author: Peoria Ear, Nose & Throat Group

Motor Control: The Body-Brain Connection

Let’s start with a riddle: What do these four people have in common?

  • A teenage football player sprained his ankle a week after returning to play after a concussion.
  • 75-year-old grandmother with Parkinson’s disease tripped on an uneven sidewalk, fell and broke her hip.
  • 47-year-old construction worker trips over an electrical cord
  • 35-year-old administrative assistant got progressive lenses on her new glasses and slips on a wet floor.

All have suffered injuries, but more than that, they all may be referred to rehabilitation for consequences after falling. But that is where the similarities end. Each person will require a different treatment based on the underlying reason for the fall. Whether the focus is on neurological, orthopedic or sport rehabilitation, applying motor control principles is key to identifying task impairments and targeting the training program to achieve success.

So, what exactly is motor control? It’s a science that explores how the nervous system interacts with other body systems and the environment to produce purposeful, coordinated movements. It looks at perspectives from biomechanics, kinesiology, neurophysiology, neuroscience, and cognitive psychology to answer the question of “how do we organize and produce movement?”

The brain adapts motor outputs to respond to changing sensory inputs from both the body and the external environment. This ranges from day-to-day activities to complex sports. The central nervous system selects, suppresses, and combines these inputs to determine the most correct response and create the desired movement.

Our ability to balance and perform complex motor skills occurs at several levels in the nervous system. Automatic reactions to our posture occur as a response to losing balance from a slip, an uneven surface, or other external perturbation of the center of mass. These semi-automatic, pre-programmed postural reactions can be modified with training.

At FYZICAL, we use a virtual reality system called BERTEC CDP/IVR, which is used to diagnose balance problems. By combining immersive virtual environments with dual-balance force plate technology, we can assess the direct point of a person’s dizziness, balance problems, or motion sickness. If you’ve been struggling with any of these issues, make an appointment with us today!

Contact FYZICAL Peoria today by visiting our website fyzical.com/peoria or calling (309) 589-5900 to Love Your Life this summer!

FYZICAL THERAPY & BALANCE CENTER – A DIVISION OF PEORIA EAR, NOSE & THROAT GROUP

How Physical Therapists Can Help You Love Your Life

During warmer summer months, there are far more opportunities for outdoor work and play. With these opportunities comes risks with walking on uneven surfaces such as grassy yards and potential difficulty completing yard work or gardening tasks. These difficulties can be due to balance deficits, weakness, pain, or lack of mobility – all of which are areas which can be targeted and treated by physical therapy. Live life to the fullest this summer!

Many people underestimate, or perhaps are unaware of, the capabilities of physical therapists. The main goal is to optimize overall health and wellness so patients can love their lives.

Physical therapists examine patients and develop treatment plans to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function and prevent disability.

Orthopedic rehabilitation is a form of therapy that treats a wide variety of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. It includes physical therapy rehabilitation, pain management, pre- and post-surgical care, and more.

FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers offers rehabilitation, wellness, and prevention programs that help patients resume an independent, healthy lifestyle. Patients with musculoskeletal pain can experience significant improvement through physical therapy.

Benefits of Orthopedic Rehabilitation

  • Maximize Your Movement – Pain-free movement is crucial to your quality of life, your ability to earn a living, and your independence. Physical therapists are movement experts who can identify, diagnose, and treat movement problems.
  • Participate in Your Recovery – Physical therapists work collaboratively with our Patients, designing treatment plans for each person’s individual goals, challenges, and needs.
  • Avoid Opioids – Opioid risks include depression, overdose, and addiction, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping use. In some situations, dosed appropriately, prescription opioids are an appropriate part of medical treatment. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging health care providers to reduce the use of opioids in favor of safer alternatives like physical therapy for most long-term pain.
  • Avoid Surgery – Before you undergo expensive or invasive surgery, try physical therapy. For some conditions, including meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disk disease, treatment by a physical therapist has been found to be as effective as surgery.

At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers – Peoria, our therapy team is educated and specially trained in treatment of chronic conditions like arthritis, back pain, jaw pain, overuse injuries, muscle weakness and more. We also treat patients who have experienced concussions, vertigo, imbalance, and frequent falls.

What to expect at FYZICAL

Physical therapy is a vital part of restoring function and independence, but is not a one-time quick fix. Your body takes time to recover, improve range of motion, increase strength, and restore connection between brain and body. At FYZICAL Peoria, one of our physical therapists will evaluate you at your initial visit, assessing various components relating to your specific concerns and deficits. Following evaluation, treatments are typically 40-60 minutes multiple times a week and are customized to YOU!

We now offer Direct Access, giving you the opportunity to seek the care that you need, now. You can receive an evaluation and treatment from a physical therapist without a physician’s referral or prescription. Most third-party insurance companies will cover your Direct Access physical therapy visits. Our team will check your benefits and explain your coverage during your evaluation visit.

Contact FYZICAL Peoria today by visiting our website fyzical.com/peoria or calling (309) 589-5900 to Love Your Life this summer!

FYZICAL THERAPY & BALANCE CENTER – A DIVISION OF PEORIA EAR, NOSE & THROAT GROUP

Better Hearing Month

In 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) designated May as Better Hearing and Speech Month. Encouraging people to think about their own hearing and get their hearing checked is the first step towards addressing the issue of hearing loss.

Noise is now acknowledged as an important public health issue and is actually a top environmental risk faced by the world today, according to the World Health Organization’s first World Report on Hearing.

The average person is born with about 16,000 hair cells within the inner ear, which allow your brain to detect sounds. You can lose 30-50% of those cells before changes in your hearing can be measured by a hearing test. Noise can also damage the auditory nerve that carries information about sounds to your brain. Although there is no treatment to restore normal hearing once it has been damaged, you can help prevent hearing loss.

Since 1967, Starkey has led the way in hearing aid breakthroughs, providing quality products that withstand the most grueling quality control processes in the industry. All of their hearing aids must first survive over 50 performance and durability tests. With over 360 active software and hardware patents, Starkey is a leader in better hearing.

Their new Genesis AI hearing aids feature an all-new processor, sound, design and software for an all-new patient experience. With the industry’s most advanced processor technology, it mimics the cerebral cortex of the human brain. It adapts to more listening situations than ever before, utilizing complex pattern recognition with advanced machine learning technology.

Early identification and intervention for hearing loss is important. Unidentified hearing loss causes many people to fail to realize they are missing certain words and sounds. Our highly-trained audiologists have completed several years of specialized education in order to appropriately treat patients for a variety of auditory conditions, including hearing loss. They will take the time to diagnose your symptoms and discover the best treatment option for you.

Dentistry & Physical Therapy: An Unlikely Duo

While physical therapy and dentistry may not seem to be related, they can actually go hand in hand. While you may not have directly related issues, you may suffer from neck pain, jaw pain, or headaches. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are disorders of the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and the nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Continue reading “Dentistry & Physical Therapy: An Unlikely Duo”

Finding Sinus Relief

Chronic sinusitis occurs when your sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, interfering with the way mucus drains and making your nose stuffy. Breathing through your nose may be difficult, and the area around your eyes may feel tender or swollen. It can be caused by an infection, growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps), or by swelling of the sinus lining. Continue reading “Finding Sinus Relief”

The Benefits of Assisted Devices

Individuals with disabilities, injuries, or older adults who are at an increased risk of falling may choose to use an assisted device. These devices such as canes, walkers, etc. can benefit patients in several ways.

Assisted devices promote independence and increase activity level and mobility. They reduce the stress on caretakers and family members, improving their quality of life and that of the person they are caring for. These devices also reduce the risk for falls and injuries, and reduce early entry into care homes and hospitals.

Finding the right type of assisted device is crucial. One of our physical therapists can help. By assessing your balance, gait, cognition, musculoskeletal challenges, cardiovascular fitness and any neurological conditions, they can help recommend what device best suits your needs. You may also need an assisted device that matches your weight-bearing status. The most common type of assisted devices include canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and more.

Canes and crutches both support the body’s weight and help transmit the load from the legs to the upper body. However, canes take less weight off the lower body and place greater pressure on the wrists and hands. Canes and walking sticks come in a variety of designs. However, they need to be sized properly and have a grip that you are comfortable using. It is estimated that 1 in every 10 adults over the age of 65 in the United States uses a cane.

Walkers are very stable devices that are used by nearly 5 percent of adults in the United States over the age of 65. The metal framework has for legs that provide support and stability to the user. Some walkers have wheels or glides on the base of the legs.

Wheelchairs are best for those who should not put weight on their lower limbs or who are unable to walk. They can be manually propelled by the user, pushed by someone else, or power electrically.

For more information on assisted devices, please visit our website at fyzical.com/peoria or call (309) 589-5900 today.

FYZICAL THERAPY & BALANCE CENTER – A DIVISION OF PEORIA EAR, NOSE & THROAT GROUP

The Importance of the Thyroid Gland

Your thyroid gland is something you may not ever think about. As long as it’s functioning properly, it’s always working – making sure it produces the right amount of hormones necessary for all the cells in your body to work normally. However, when your thyroid gland malfunctions, the food you eat may not make the transition to energy that you need for all the processes that sustain your life. Continue reading “The Importance of the Thyroid Gland”

Are over-the-counter hearing aids right for you?

Approximately 15% of American adults over the age of 18 report some trouble hearing, and nearly 25% of those between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss severe enough to affect their daily life. In an effort to make a more accessible solution, the FDA recently made over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids available at some retail stores in Illinois. However, they can be purchased without a professional hearing evaluation and are not yet available through licensed, professional audiologists who are experienced experts in hearing loss. While this may make them a more convenient option, they may not be the best solution for you.

Prescription hearing aids require a hearing evaluation – the audiologist performing your evaluation can help determine if hearing aids are the correct remedy for your issue(s) and exactly which device will personally meet your exact needs. Prescription hearing aids can be fit for all ages, can be customized to the individual wearer, and are programmed and supported by a professional. Follow-up care and instructions are provided, and the state mandates a return policy.

For comparison, OTC hearing aids are currently only available for those aged 18+ with only mild to (at best) moderate hearing loss. No professional fitting or support is provided, and they come with self-guided instructions. One size fits most, and there is no state requirement for a return policy. It’s a more ‘cookie-cutter’ approach to hearing loss solutions.

Prescription Hearing Aids Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Who fits them? Programmed and Supported by a Professional (Licensed Audiologist) Self-fit, no professional fitting or support
Intended User? For any age, any medical status For Ages 18+, best for those without complex ear conditions
Degree of Hearing Loss? Any degree – hearing aid is programmed to the individual hearing loss profile Self-perceived mild to moderate
Design? Full-range, including standard and customized options Limited: one-size-fits-most
Follow-Up? Follow-up care and instructions provided by a professional Come with self-guided instructions

Peoria ENT Group believes a hearing aid is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to providing you or your loved one with a hearing solution. Our Doctors of Audiology partner with our Doctors of Medicine to find the very best solution to fit your specific needs and lifestyle. We provide a comprehensive menu of hearing evaluation, selection, fitting & dispensing of hearing aids and assistive devices, counseling, and continued support.

IF A HEARING AID is part of the solution, you can rest assured you will be provided the most advanced technology, the best warranty available, and the longest trial period offered anywhere. We know the products we offer are proven to work in real-life situations with the highest degree of patient satisfaction.

For more information, please visit our website at peoriaearnosethroat.com or call (309) 589-5900.

Your body on a lack of sleep

man not sleepingYou may know that sleep is good for you. But did you know that not getting enough sleep is linked with many long-term health problems, including diabetes, obesity, and depression?

Sleep helps heal our bodies and minds by allowing time for us to grow and repair cells and form new pathways for learning and remembering. Why is sleep so hard for us to achieve? Things like traveling or too much caffeine can trigger insomnia, though stress and worry can also keep you from resting well. Find out what else gets in the way of sleep and what you can do to help.

Learn more about how lack of sleep impacts your overall wellbeing >