Cairn Physical Therapy & Wellness

In February we acknowledge Black History, Chinese New Year, Heart Health, Valentine's Day, and more. Let's start by talking about cardiovascular health. Have you resumed your normal aerobic exercise since the holidays? Have you started a new aerobic exercise? Have you forgotten what aerobic exercise is? ("Yes!" ~ me) Since having kids 22 years ago my cardio exercise has been spotty at best! I am not the “let’s go for a run” kinda gal. The only stationary cardio equipment I like is the elliptical. The things I love to do most require time and special equipment ~ hiking, dancing, kickboxing. Currently I am rehabbing an ankle injury and trying to get back to hiking ~ if you want to watch my progress you can find it on youtube! When we talk about cardiovascular health from a physical therapist perspective we are considering Your resting heart rate (RHR) Your oxygen saturation (O2 Sat) Your heart and lung exercise capacity Your Heart Rate Variability (HRV) There ar...

Hi there! Hope your January has been everything you have wanted and needed it to be! I wanted to take a moment to let you know where I am on my plans of action journey . . .  In my first post this year I wrote: My plans for the next few weeks include:  Walking my dog 3-5 times a week. Doing Yoga 3 times a week. Returning to my regular cleaning routine. Being consistent with my business plans. Buying, preparing and eating foods that nourish me! Well, here are my results: Walking my dog 3-5 times a week. not quite . . . only 2-3 times a week but that is better than zero! Unfortunately this was not entirely under my control. Kirby had some days in back pain and shoulder pain so I chose not to walk him and if any of you have pooches you know you cannot put on your tennis shoes (to walk yourself) and not take the dog! Kirby will walk regardless of pain and the PT in my says it's rest a massage time :) Doing Yoga 3 times a week. not exactly . . . I did yoga poses here and there for ...

Earlier this month I mentioned the Pentagon of Wellness. Today I would like to take a bit more time to elaborate on this concept and how we use it here at Cairn Physical Therapy & Wellness.  Remember that the World Health Organization (WHO) defines wellness as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (illness), the optimal state of health of individuals and groups, a positive approach to living. Physical Therapists are trained in the biopsychosocial model of care ~ we look at not just the body but how it interacts with its environment, the community and support system around it, etc But based on the definition of wellness this may not be enough. Enter the Pentagon of Wellness ~ here are the 5 sides to the pentagon: The Physical Body which comprises Our anatomy/physiology,  How we move,  The cellular processes,  Our stability and mobility, Our physical functioning The Intellectual Body such as ...

Are you a resolution maker? I am not . . . actually I am, or I was, but my resolution this year is to not make any resolutions! Why?  Because, while I make resolutions, I consistently do not resolve to act on them! I am tired of disappointing myself, berating myself and generally feeling like a failure . . . therefore resolve to not make any more New Year's resolutions!  Instead of making resolutions, I am making a plan of action! My plans yesterday were to:  Superficially clean and organize my home after the holidays (so I can think).   Check ✅ Take a look at my Cairn business plans for January. Check ✅ Watch some football ~ it is Sunday after all ;) Check ✅ My plans for the next few weeks include:  Walking my dog 3-5 times a week. Doing Yoga 3 times a week. Returning to my regular cleaning routine. Being consistent with my business plans. Buying, preparing and eating foods that nourish me! A Plan of Action for me is smaller than a resolution. They are bit...