Sometimes it feels like no matter what you do, you’re back pain just doesn’t seem to go away. When medication just doesn’t do its job, you should consider trying physical therapy to help ease your back pain. Now, no one is claiming that this is some sort of miracle cure, but the end goal of physical therapy is to lower the amount of pain you feel, give back some mobility and function, and help you from possibly causing yourself worse back pain.

Generally there are two parts  in a physical therapy program for back pain; active exercises and passive physical therapy. Active exercises are pretty self-explanatory, they’re a combination of stretches, back strengthening exercises and low impact aerobic conditioning. Passive physical therapy on the other hand are called passive because it’s not something you do, but something that is done to you to help reduce your back pain.

As previously mentioned, active physical therapy, has several parts to it. If you’ve suffered from any type of low back pain stretching out your hamstring muscles daily can help not only relieve your back pain but also stop it from happening again. There are a number of types of stretches that can help alleviate your lower back pain. Low impact aerobics is another way to ensure for long term pain reduction. Something as simple as walking, bicycling, or swimming can help you with your back pain, but be sure to do it for 30 minutes three times a week for it to be effective. Strengthening your back muscles can help reduce your back pain. Just recall that it is important to do the exercises correctly so that you do not injure yourself or make your back pain worse. Be sure to get help from a physical therapist or another qualified health professional.

The most common and easily  available form of passive physical therapy is heat and/or ice. Whether it’s an ice massage or heat packs, doing heat/cold therapy for your back might ease your pain. The following options should only be done by or with the approval of a physical therapist. If you get acute episodes of back pain an ultrasound can help relieve your pain and might enhance tissue healing. An ultrasound is a type of deep heating wherein sound waves travel through your skin and into your soft tissues. Another option is iontophoresis, which is a a way of delivering steroids through your skin. What happens is that the steroid gets applied to your skin and then an electrical current makes it go under your skin. Doing so will give an anti-inflammatory effect to where your back pain is coming from.

If you’re finding that your back pain is getting worse or hasn’t lessened no matter what you try, be to speak to a NJ physical therapy specialist for their professional help. Contact Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute today to make an appointment.

It almost feels like everywhere you look someone is advertising some kind of miracle weight loss pill, tea, and even fruit. You want to lose weight, but you know it takes time and effort. What would best is to lose weight in a healthy way that won’t leave you hungry afterwards, but will actually have you feeling refreshed and energized.

• Which Diet Is the Best Diet?: Everyone seems to know which way is the ‘best’ way to lose weight— and keep it off. Whether it’s a low fat, no carbs, or eating less and exercising more, everyone has an opinion on which one is the right way to diet. The fact of the matter is, they may actually be right, but only if it applies to themselves. Due to several reasons such as the way your body responds to certain foods, metabolism, genetics, and also other health factors. You’re going to have to try several types of diets, which will take time and patience, to find what diet works best for you.

• Get Up and Move: Although no one knows for sure how much exercising is the right amount, it’s indisputable that exercising goes a long way to help lose weight. Exercising has been known to increase your metabolism, boost your energy levels, and obviously, help you lose weight. Whatever you do try to find something that you’ll have fun doing, like dancing, swimming, hiking, or indoor rock climbing.

• No Emotional Eating: It’s easy to eat when you’re bored or stressed out, but that’s also an easy gain back the weight you’re trying to lose. Sometimes when you bored and have nothing better to do you might find yourself munching on some junk food while you binge watch a show. Or you might be feeling low on energy when two o’clock comes around and you grab a couple of sugary foods to boost your energy. Instead of doing any of that, consider other options. Why not try things like getting out of the house, hanging out with some friends, or taking a short nap to reenergize.

• Don’t Give Up!: The most important tip to remember is to never give up and to stay motivated! If you lose the will to try to lose weight healthily, then you’ll never end up getting rid of those extra pounds. Have a support system, a certain weight goal, an outfit that you’ve been wanting to wear again. Anything to keep you inspired and on track to lose unwanted weight.

While losing weight might be your main goal, keep in mind that your happiness and wellness should be your number one priority when it comes to dieting. If pain or an injury is preventing you from losing weight, request an appointment with the orthopedic specialists at AOSMI today.

With the summer holidays coming to a close, you might find yourself wondering how you can spend your spare time. One thing to consider, would be to start growing your own vegetables. If this is your first time making a vegetable garden, keep in mind to start small as to not overwhelm yourself. Having your own garden is not only a fun way to pass time, its gives you a real sense of accomplishment. You get to literally reap the rewards.

• Why Autumn?: Although summer might be considered by some, the peak of vegetable gardening season, fall is also a great contender for that title. During fall, the weather is much more milder than the sweltering summer. Therefore, devoiding you of the excuse that it’s ‘too hot’ to garden. With the breeze constantly blowing insects are kept away from your crops. Vegetables that prefer wetter conditions or even cooler temperatures will thrive during autumn. Most importantly, you’ll be able to have the much sought after ‘moist, but well-draining’ soil.

• Spring Fall Cleaning: Before you can even start to think about which vegetables you plan on planting, you have to make sure your garden is ready for crops. Remove any and all weeds, crops that have died out, and any fruits or vegetables that may have fallen off old plants. Get rid of old mulch to freshen up the soil, and consider using straw as your vegetable garden mulch.
• Ready Your Soil: Make sure to loosen up your soil so that the plant roots can move around and for water to reach said roots. Feel free to make some changes to your soil, by adding some compost, manure, or fertilizer when loosening the soil. Just remember to make sure that the surface is even, this can be done by raking out your soil. Raking will also break up any clumps and makes channels to catch water in.

• Winter is Coming: When gardening in the fall, you cannot forget about winter if you want your crops to survive past the season. Think about getting your frost protection structures ready now so that if winter comes early you aren’t rushing around protecting your crops. Early preparation will also ensure that the plants and roots will grow around cold frames or hoop covers.

Even though gardening can be considered a leisurely hobby accidents can happen. If you find that you are experiencing any aches or strains because of gardening, contact a NJ pain management specialist. Make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist at the Advanced Orthopedic and Sports Institute today.

If you’re suffering from arthritis you might have tried several ways to relieve the joint pain and/or stiffness; from heating pads, medicine, surgery, or even acupuncture. Something you might not have tried though is food. It may be hard to believe but certain foods are chock-full of nutrients that can help make your bones become stronger, boost your immune system, and lower inflammation. Just remember to eat in moderation!

Foods that help relieve the symptoms that come with rheumatoid arthritis, which happens when your immune system attacks your body’s tissues and painfully affects your joints. The following foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, fiber, folic acid, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium; all of which help fight inflammation, lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood, and boost your immune systems.

• Salmon
• Tuna
• Mackerel
• Herring
• Soybeans
• Tofu
• Edamame
• Oatmeal
• Brown Rice
• Whole-Grain Cereals
• Red Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Pinto Beans

Osteoarthritis or OA is the most common chronic condition that affects your joints. OA is known to degenerate cartilage which in its later stages can cause joint damage and for your bones to rub against each other painfully. The foods listed have nutrients and vitamins such as vitamins K, C, E, calcium, allium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, sulforaphane, and alpha linolenic acid. These nutrients can help slow or even prevent your osteoarthritis, boost your immune system or strengthen your bones.

• Broccoli
• Garlic
• Onions
• Leeks
• Walnuts
• Pine Nuts
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Almonds

Now the following foods help relieve symptoms typically associated with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These foods have a combination of the nutrients previously listed as well polyphenols, and oleocanthal, which help lower inflammation.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Safflower Oil
• Walnut Oils
• Green Tea
• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Limes

Gout, another form of arthritis. is actually one of the most painful types. If there’s too much uric acid building in your body, then you might suffer from gout. Anthocyanins (shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect) can be found in this next list of foods.

• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries

If you find that your arthritis is getting worse, a NJ pain management specialist can help you determine what steps to take to help relieve you of your pain and discomfort. Contact an orthopedic specialist today to request an appointment at the Advanced Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute.

Highly qualified physician, Dr. Greller, provides Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine’s clients with exceptional care, as recognized on a national level.

Freehold, NJ. August 14, 2016 — Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, the tri state area’s leading surgical and rehabilitation sport medicine practice, has a full complement of exceptional physicians. However, Dr. Michael Greller’s recent national recognition warrants special notice, as well as his extensive list of personal and professional decorations.  In 2016 alone he was awarded both the 2016 America’s Best Physicians Award and the 2016 America’s Most Honored Professionals Award by the National Consumer Advisory Board and the American Registry, respectively.

Dr. Greller’s accomplishments don’t end with awards on a wall. He is well known for his work with local and national athletes in sports such as football, tennis, softball, and dance. His positive results stand out, year after year. He was first awarded the “Patient’s Choice Award” in 2008 and has continued to receive this award annually, as well as another for “Most Compassionate” throughout the same period. Patients aren’t the only ones who have noticed Dr. Greller’s competence. He was also voted in by his peers to serve as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Medical Staff of CentraState Medical Center and serves on many committees within the hospital system.

By using an integrative approach to patient care, Dr. Greller’s patients are not only restored to physical health and function, but also to confidence in their own bodies and abilities. A recent patient shares, “I thought I would need surgery on a fracture I had of my humerus, but Dr. Geller was able to give me a full recovery without having to go under the knife!”  Utilizing processes such as physical therapy, nutrition, orthobiologics, hyaluronic acid, and others, Dr. Greller offers a full complement of both surgical and non-surgical treatments for every patient’s need. This includes treatment for injuries such as shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle arthroscopic procedures, including ACL, rotator cuff and meniscus surgery; hip, knee and shoulder replacements; computer-assisted joint replacements; adult and pediatric fractures; hand and upper extremity problems; as well as foot and ankle injuries.

Dr. Greller credits his family’s support for his ongoing drive and accomplishments. While he spends his free time with family and friends or playing sports, he is also currently pursuing an MBA through the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is an Associate Professor at Temple University – School of Podiatric Medicine, a Faculty Member of the Family Residency Program at CentraState, and the Assistant Director of the Cartilage Restoration Center of New Jersey (CRC).This ongoing commitment to personal improvement is precisely why Dr. Greller is the President and Managing Partner at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

To find out more about Dr. Greller or the other qualified practitioners at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, visit their website or Facebook page, follow their Twitter feed, read their blog, or call the Freehold office at 732.720.2555 or the Monroe Office at 609.235.4100