There has been a change in recent years in how patients see illness, health and wellness.

In the past, physical therapy patients, in Maryland and elsewhere, would visit a physical therapist for arthritis pain relief, sciatica, or lower back pain. They wanted a quick fix that did not require much work on their part and they were not much concerned with an overall wellness program.

Nowadays, however, patients also want to improve their health, boost their immune system and prevent further deterioration of their bodies. They are no longer satisfied to take medications to merely make them feel better. They are looking for a holistic approach, where they can actually improve their health to the point where they no longer need medications and are healthy enough to fight off future illnesses.

People these days do not seem to manage stress well. Relaxation techniques help calm the nervous system and stimulate the body’s healing capabilities into action. A simple way to activate self-healing is with deep diaphragmatic breathing - or by taking a pleasant walk around the neighborhood focusing on the flowers and trees and admiring them. When the body is relaxed, more oxygen can get to more parts of the body, thus increasing the body's nutrition supply. Something really simple which every body can easily do is to just sit down, take a few deep breaths and relax the body. Turn off the radio and TV and begin to notice the sounds, smells, sights and sensations.

Studies have shown that happier people are healthier. Norman Cousins cured himself from an incurable disease using laughter, while watching funny movies.

Most patients at Friendship Heights Rehab Center in the D.C. metro area know that diet, exercise and mental states affect health to a large degree. And they know that changing their lifestyles and habits can improve their health and wellness. They know that taking control of their habits now will help keep them out of the hospitals in the future. Most eat a healthy diet which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, and restrict red meat intake. Adding nutritional supplements and eating live food, can boost the immune system. Processed foods and depletion of minerals from the top soil make foods less nutritious than 50 years ago.

“Many patients show an interest in the benefits of exercise but this part is still difficult for them to do on a daily basis,” says Theresa Rodda. “Only after they have experienced injury, are they more likely to develop the exercise habit.“

State of the art techniques practiced at Friendship Heights can help to ensure long lasting health by seeking out the cause of  dysfunction on multiple levels and working to correct the dysfunction,.

Some manual therapy techniques and neuromuscular re-education can help boost the immune system. 

Taking care to allow the body to engage in self healing can take time and effort but is well worth it when it prevents illness and unnecessary visits to the hospital.

Theresa Rodda a Physical Therapist in Maryland, in the DC metro area, specializes in manual therapy pain relief techniques. Her interest in natural solutions puts her in the vanguard, finding new ways to help her patients boost the immune system and find health and wellness

Theresa Rodda, P.T.

Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center
5530 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Ph: 301-656-6977  F: 301-656-6977

10801 Lockwood Drive, Suite 280
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Ph: 301-576-6474

Links:
http://fhrehab.com/index.html - Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center - Maryland Physical Therapy
http://fhrehab.com/ptServices.html - Physical Therapy Programs
http://media.fhrehab.com/tips_index.php - Friendship Heights Health Tips

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