Welcome to the RPT Blog where we share knowledge and help you understand your health
Swelling during pregnancy is usually pretty common in the lower extremities and feet. All the extra fluid that your body creates to help support a healthy baby can cause blood circulation to slow – and much of it accumulates in the legs and feet. Especially if you are up on your feet a lot!
So! You’ve decided to take the leap into trying to conceive. As a very exciting (and sometimes nerve wracking!) time, a lot of things may feel overwhelming at first.
Here at Recharged PT, we’ve got all things pregnancy covered.
In the past, we have covered everything from what to expect each trimester to how to safely exercise and eat while pregnant. We have gotten into postpartum care and even the so-called “fourth trimester.” But another important factor to consider in your pregnancy journey is what to do before you get pregnant. Your lifestyle, mood and overall health can have a tremendous effect on your fertility and ability to conceive. And that is what we are here to talk about today. Aside from the mental, emotional, and relational dynamics involved in making this decision, your physical well-being is just as vital!
Often dubbed the “honeymoon period,” your second trimester lasts from 13 weeks to 28 weeks. Generally by this point, expecting mamas have settled into their bodies and emotions a bit more. The morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings that made the first trimester so hard often go away for people at this stage… but not for all of our mamas.
A lot of changes continue to occur quickly during this time – both for you and your growing baby. So let’s talk about it.
Today we are talking about how to care for yourself after you have surgery- this could be anything from a C-Section to a knee replacement. The info contained here isn’t super specific but that doesn’t make it any less important!!
Having surgery and recovering from it can be a very challenging process physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you elect to have it done or the procedure is absolutely vital to your health and well-being, surgery is trauma to your body: it takes a toll.
Today we want to talk about birth control (BC). There is a lot of information out there and it can definitely feel overwhelming to pick the type that is right for you, your body and your situation. And that is why we are here to help at Recharged PT! If you’re considering taking (or changing) birth control – commonly known as contraception – there are a variety of options available to you. Each one works a bit differently and comes with its own set of pros and cons. There is no “best” method of birth control.
Hormones are produced chemically by different glands throughout the body, such as your adrenal glands or sweat glands, to keep you as close to homeostasis as possible. This can include everything from the stress response with cortisol (which we’ve covered before) to hormones that affect digestion, temperature regulation, and mood. The pituitary gland, located deep in the brain, is the “puppet master” that controls the release of how much hormone and when to keep the body functioning.
Pelvic Health and Pelvic Floor Therapy in Melbourne, Florida. Dr. Paige, Dr. Laura, Dr. Sky
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Melbourne, FL. Pelvic Health Rehab. Pregnancy. Pregnancy and Exercise
The decision to become pregnant can be an exciting and (maybe slightly) scary time. In a perfect world, everything in your life would line up perfectly when you make the decision to expand your family... but we all know this is easier said than done. Check out our short step list for beginning your fertility journey!
Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath for a moment when life becomes too stressful or chaotic or overwhelming. But have you ever noticed how you take that deep breath?
Here at Recharged PT, we’ve talked *a lot* before about the importance of appropriate core engagement for pelvic health. This includes learning how to breathe properly. So today we are going back to the basics to learn how to breathe.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Melbourne FL, Dr. Paige, Dr. Laura, Pelvic Rehab
Hi Everyone! Here are our favorite tools to use to assist with pain and hip movement during labor. The more you can handle the pain & the more movement your hips can do- the better and faster your labor will be!
We carry all of these things with us when we do Birth Support for our Mama’s!!
To find these on Amazon- just click on the photo!
Holiday Burnout
What to look for during this holiday season!
And just like that….the holidays are almost upon us once again. It certainly can be the most *wonderful* time of the year. But sometimes the holidays can also be quite stressful. And, often with the new year, we may look back and take stock. What worked this year….what maybe could be improved. Last time we talked about our sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system and how it has been primed for sensitization with all the stresses we experience on a daily basis. Let’s take it a step farther and look at burnout. According to the American Psychological Association, burnout is “physical, emotional or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.”
We often tend to associate burnout with our jobs. It’s been especially prevalent in the news with healthcare professionals and teachers during the pandemic. Sometimes burnout can creep into other aspects of our lives: it can sneak up on us, where you are beyond “too tired to function.” Or maybe you like to stay busy, stacking up your to-do list with so many tasks that you don’t notice. Burnout often happens when work-life balance becomes dysregulated.
Some people often ask if burnout is the same as depression? The symptoms of one can often mirror the other. One major difference is that burnout is not considered a medical condition. Burnout is also often related to a specific situation or environment that gets the ball rolling. In other words, change the situation, the burnout may improve. Depressive symptoms tend to be more generalized.
So what can we do about it? One of the most important things is to talk about it. Whether to your family or friends, co-workers or even your boss — if they feel approachable. It may also be helpful to seek out a licensed counselor who specializes in burnout. Addressing your mental health is essential. It may also be helpful to schedule personal breaks and check-ins. This can be daily or hourly. Set an alarm on your phone and take a moment to reflect, maybe a deep breath. Exercise is also a good idea. Whether that’s using that same alarm to take a 2 minute walk or going to the gym. Practicing mindfulness and working on being emotionally present could also help. Whatever it is, establishing a daily routine that implements these tools is essential.
Burnout is often associated with work. But the pandemic has showed us that burnout can affect all different parts of our lives. It’s important to keep an eye out for it. Our “hustle” culture can make us particularly vulnerable. And with the holidays coming up, it’s important to check in with yourself — and add in the self care tasks that help protect your heart and your mind!
References
https://positivepsychology.com/burnout/
https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-burnout-symptoms-and-causes-3144516
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/burnout-recovery
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/signs-of-burnout/
The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism can feel overwhelming at first. Especially, on top of the anxiety and excitement of the changes your body is experiencing. But the diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence. No matter the cause, those with hyperthyroidism have very good long-term outcomes if treated and managed well. It is important to have a strong therapeutic alliance with both your obstetrician and endocrinologist. And to always advocate for yourself when something feels off!
A newly described phase of Pregnancy related care is being called the Fourth Trimester, lasting from birth until approximately 12 weeks postpartum.
An important subset of the physical component is what we eat: the type of fuel we give our bodies directly affects how we move through the world. Both physically and mentally.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, Pelvic Floor Rehab, Pelvic Floor Melbourne FL, Dr. Paige, Recharged Performance Therapy, Recharged Pelvic Floor
Xenoestrogens are synthetic hormones (“xeno” means “forgein”) designed to mimic the natural hormone estrogen. They’re found in everything from the plastic in our water bottles to food additives, household cleaners, and in the pesticide you use on your lawn. Basically, if you live some semblance of modern life, Xenoestrogens are there to keep you company.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation, Pelvic Floor PT, Pee Leakage, Urinary Frequency, Incontinence, Dr. Paige, Recharged Performance Therapy, Health, Hormones, women’s health, Melbourne FL
Okay...guys! With Thanksgiving approaching, we often take the time to look at what we have been thankful for over the past year.
Cultivating a sense of gratitude helps us feel connected to others as well as happier and healthier. It is more than just saying, “Oh, thank you!” when something good happens, but developing a grateful attitude on a consistent basis -- during the good days and the bad ones.
An improvement in overall physical health
Lower blood pressure
Better sleep
Better eating habits
An optimistic outlook on life
First, we want to be clear about the distinction between gratitude and “toxic positivity.” This is a term that has been floating around a lot recently -- and can sometimes be confused with gratitude. Taken to an extreme, “100% positivity all the time” can keep us trapped in some unhealthy habits and demotivate us to make important changes in our lives. This “good vibes only” approach often makes us avoid difficult emotions and replace it with a cheery, often (falsely) positive outlook. Research has actually shown that this “forced cheerfulness” has the opposite effect on our mood and well-being in the long-term.
Gratitude, on the other hand, is about recognizing those difficult emotions (pain, sadness, anger) and giving them the space to be looked at -- to be curious about why we are experiencing these emotions and what they may mean. (It doesn’t mean that these hard emotions take over our lives.) More research shows that “completing the cycle” of emotions (being curious and then finding a way to resolve them) is an important part of managing stress -- and gratitude plays a big part in this.
Now, you’re probably thinking: “That’s all well and good, but I’m so busy. I don’t have time to actively think about practicing gratitude.”
Start small! Try focusing on the little, everyday things. Your health, for example. A pet or family member; your home or a hobby that you really enjoy.
Change your self-talk! Negative self-talk can have a big impact on your mental health. This is easier said than done, of course. But you gotta start somewhere!
Keep a gratitude journal. Think about setting aside 5 minutes in the evening to reflect on the day and list 3 things that you’re grateful for. Writing things down helps us really solidify things (instead of just being tossed around in our brains, mixed in with all the negativity and stress!).
Put post-it notes around the house of things that you’re grateful for. It never hurts to have a little reminder.
Say “Thank you!” to those around you. Your spouse or friend or even a co-worker. Thank them for being or doing something that has been your life a little bit easier ...or even just something you really appreciate about them.
For a fancier twist: try writing thank you notes (and no, not just after Christmas or your birthday. An out-of-the-blue thank you card can make someone’s day! And help you center yourself in your appreciation/love for them.
With this holiday season, take some time to practice your thankfulness. Hopefully, it will turn into a daily ritual that enriches your life, your health and your mentality!
References
https://www.pelvicsanity.com/post/2017/11/29/7-health-benefits-of-gratitude
https://www.pelvicsanity.com/post/2017/12/01/three-ways-to-cultivate-gratitude-throughout-the-year
https://gyngwinnett.com/blog/how-being-thankful-can-improve-your-health
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/867905101/want-to-be-happier-evidence-based-tricks-to-get-you-there
https://gyngwinnett.com/blog/how-does-stress-affect-gynecological-health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3489271/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/figure/10.1080/02699931.2011.595393?scroll=top&needAccess=true&
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-hotspot/202107/what-is-toxic-positivity
—Katy F.
—Jill K.
—Mary B.
