Greetings

Happy New Year from all of us at Peak Performance Physical Therapy!


We hope that the holidays were enjoyable for you and we wish you health and happiness for 2013!

Have a healthy winter season

If you participate in winter sports, the therapists at Peak Performance Physical Therapy can help you to enjoy a safe season with sport specific stretches and exercises.

Whether you staying at home or travelling for winter play or work, its time to prepare for cooler temperatures. 

Here are a few tips for enjoying the winter season in colder climates:

Safe Walking
Walking in wintery weather can be risky, so take care to be prepared. In a recent study, winter falls represented 47% of all outdoor falls, and occurred most often in people under 65 years of age. However, there are a number of things your Physical Therapist recommends to help prevent back pain and ultimately a trip to the doctor’s office.

• Wear shoes with non-slip soles. Rubber is best as plastic become rigid and less likely to grip in colder temperatures.
• Dress in bright colors so motorists can see you.  Make sure your children are dressed brightly as well.
• If possible, stay away from big patches of ice or snow.
• Don’t wear a hat or scarf that blocks your vision, and avoid using headphones under your hat or hood as you may not hear traffic.
• Make sure vehicles have come to a complete stop before crossing the road. You can’t always be sure a driver has the appropriate winter tires for the conditions.

Don’t let winter weather trip you up. For more tips on how to prevent winter injuries, talk to the trained, licensed Physical Therapists at Peak Performance Physical Therapy.

If you have been injured, we would be happy to assess your injury and create a program that will get you back into the great outdoors.

Safe Driving

Driving in wintery conditions can be extremely dangerous.

If you're driving in wintery conditions this season, here are some simple instructions to keep you and your family safe.  

Do some preventative maintenance.  Before the weather gets bad, have your car tuned, check the antifreeze levels, make sure the battery is good and check the tires.  Be sure you also use the proper tires for winter conditions in your area.

Keep the following emergency supplies in the car at all times

• cell phone
• flashlight
• jumper cables
• sand or kitty litter (for traction)
• ice scraper, snow brush, and small shovel
• blankets
• flares

For longer trips, pack food, water, and blankets.  Let someone know where you are going, the route you will be taking and about how long you will be gone.

Call Peak Performance Physical Therapy to make an appointment or to ask any questions you may have. And once again have a great 2013.

From all of us at Peak Performance Physical Therapy.

References

• Morency P, Voyer C, Burrows S, Goudreau S. Outdoor falls in an urban context:
• Winter weather impacts and geographical variations. Can J Public Health. 2012
• May-Jun;103(3):218-22.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Safe Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts 1998. Washington, DC: NHTSA
• U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States. U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts, Speeding, annual. http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1108.pdf
• Intelligent Transportation Systems-U.S. Department of Transportation. Accident Data Analysis. http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/14267_files/4.0_data.htm
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet. CPSC Document #4466.