October 2020 Newsletter
Cancer Related Fatigue
I remember when I first was diagnosed with cancer. My thoughts went all over the place, but never once did I think of one of the main side effects, fatigue. My commute, unlike most Austinites, is less than 10 minutes from my house to work. However, with fatigue from cancer, I had to pull over half way home to take a nap in the Target parking lot almost daily. I also remember pinching myself to stay away throughout the day. For me beating cancer was easier but fighting the fatigue was a battle that lasted for months.
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment. It is not predictable by tumor type, treatment, or stage of illness. It comes on suddenly, does not result from activity or exertion, and is not relieved by rest or sleep.
There are a several tools that you can utilize in order to manage cancer-related fatigue. You should focus on energy conservation by planning ahead and organizing your work. Make sure to schedule rest and pace yourself with your activities. Practice proper body mechanics and limit work that requires reaching over your head and activities that increase muscle tension. Also avoid extreme temperatures, like living in Central Texas during the Summer!
Nutrition is another important factor in managing cancer-related fatigue. You should make sure to meet your basic calorie needs (2,000 to 2,500 calories a day) and include protein in your diet (65-80 grams a day). Drink plenty of fluids (12 ounces) and make sure that you are getting enough Vitamins. A daily multi-vitamin should be appropriate, but if you need more assistance please make an appointment with a dietician who specializes in cancer.
As a physical therapist, I cannot forget exercise. You should exercise for 15 to 30 minutes 3 to 5 days per week. The goal would be 50 to 70% of maximum heart rate. In order to achieve this, make sure that the exercise is aerobic in nature such as walking, swimming and biking. To make your work outs well rounded, include stretching such as yoga and a resistive training program such as working with weights or bands.
Last but not least, stress management. Being diagnosed with cancer is difficult and you might need to adjust your expectations. You should incorporate rest time and relaxation techniques in your daily schedule. Most importantly, allow your love ones to support you and help them to understand your needs. It is okay to ask for help, I am so glad I did.
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment. It is not predictable by tumor type, treatment, or stage of illness. It comes on suddenly, does not result from activity or exertion, and is not relieved by rest or sleep.
There are a several tools that you can utilize in order to manage cancer-related fatigue. You should focus on energy conservation by planning ahead and organizing your work. Make sure to schedule rest and pace yourself with your activities. Practice proper body mechanics and limit work that requires reaching over your head and activities that increase muscle tension. Also avoid extreme temperatures, like living in Central Texas during the Summer!
Nutrition is another important factor in managing cancer-related fatigue. You should make sure to meet your basic calorie needs (2,000 to 2,500 calories a day) and include protein in your diet (65-80 grams a day). Drink plenty of fluids (12 ounces) and make sure that you are getting enough Vitamins. A daily multi-vitamin should be appropriate, but if you need more assistance please make an appointment with a dietician who specializes in cancer.
As a physical therapist, I cannot forget exercise. You should exercise for 15 to 30 minutes 3 to 5 days per week. The goal would be 50 to 70% of maximum heart rate. In order to achieve this, make sure that the exercise is aerobic in nature such as walking, swimming and biking. To make your work outs well rounded, include stretching such as yoga and a resistive training program such as working with weights or bands.
Last but not least, stress management. Being diagnosed with cancer is difficult and you might need to adjust your expectations. You should incorporate rest time and relaxation techniques in your daily schedule. Most importantly, allow your love ones to support you and help them to understand your needs. It is okay to ask for help, I am so glad I did.
For more information please email:
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
SPT Spotlight
Krista Hartig
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Krista graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2006. She then earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, graduating in 2009.
She practiced in Las Vegas for 7 years focusing primarily in outpatient orthopedics and pediatrics. In 2016 she moved south to Georgia where she worked at an Army hospital helping soldiers return to duty. It was in this setting that Krista became interested in pelvic floor physical therapy after seeing first hand how much pelvic health affected her patients' quality of life. She was inspired to pursue further education in pelvic floor physical therapy to broaden her knowledge base and enhance her treatment skills to best help her patient population.
Krista is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association as well as their Section on Women's Health. She has been trained in trigger point dry needling, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and battlefield acupuncture. Krista is a firm believe that patient education is a large key to patient success. She is a dedicated and passionate physical therapist with a goal to see each one of her patients succeed.
Krista and her family live in Marble Falls. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, playing with her dogs and making memories with her family.
She practiced in Las Vegas for 7 years focusing primarily in outpatient orthopedics and pediatrics. In 2016 she moved south to Georgia where she worked at an Army hospital helping soldiers return to duty. It was in this setting that Krista became interested in pelvic floor physical therapy after seeing first hand how much pelvic health affected her patients' quality of life. She was inspired to pursue further education in pelvic floor physical therapy to broaden her knowledge base and enhance her treatment skills to best help her patient population.
Krista is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association as well as their Section on Women's Health. She has been trained in trigger point dry needling, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and battlefield acupuncture. Krista is a firm believe that patient education is a large key to patient success. She is a dedicated and passionate physical therapist with a goal to see each one of her patients succeed.
Krista and her family live in Marble Falls. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, playing with her dogs and making memories with her family.
October is National Physical Therapy Month
Every October the American Physical Therapy Association celebrates National Physical Therapy Month, an annual opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of physical therapy. Sullivan Physical Therapy is very proud to be a part of the Austin Health Community. We are celebrating by spreading the word about pelvic health physical therapy during the month of October.
We are asking our patients to provide a review so more patients are aware of the benefits of physical therapy.
As a thank you, for every review written your name will be put into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.
Thank you again for all your support. We feel very lucky to have the best patients and that you chose us to be a part of your care.
We are asking our patients to provide a review so more patients are aware of the benefits of physical therapy.
As a thank you, for every review written your name will be put into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.
Thank you again for all your support. We feel very lucky to have the best patients and that you chose us to be a part of your care.
Research Roundup
Pudendal Nerve Injuries in Sports and Exercise: A Case Series of Pudendal Neuropathies From Squats
It is important for both physicians and physical therapists to learn to recognize pudendal neuropathy as a cause of pelvic pain and to counsel patients effectively to help them avoid pudendal nerve injury during exercise.
Women With and Without Self-reported Stress Urinary Incontinence Walk Differently Before and After 16-Ounce Water Consumption - Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence did not use different hip moments but used different hip positions during gait compared with women without Stress Urinary Incontinence. Women with and without Stress Urinary Incontinence altered force generation differently in response to bladder stress.
It is important for both physicians and physical therapists to learn to recognize pudendal neuropathy as a cause of pelvic pain and to counsel patients effectively to help them avoid pudendal nerve injury during exercise.
Women With and Without Self-reported Stress Urinary Incontinence Walk Differently Before and After 16-Ounce Water Consumption - Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence did not use different hip moments but used different hip positions during gait compared with women without Stress Urinary Incontinence. Women with and without Stress Urinary Incontinence altered force generation differently in response to bladder stress.
Austin Area Birthing Center
Christina McGee PT, DPT, is on site at Austin Area Birthing Center South on Wednesdays to provide physical therapy evaluations and treatments to pregnant and postpartum AABC clients to maximize health and healing and allow patients to get back to activities safely following delivery.
Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy is standard in some other countries, with health systems recognizing that preventative care during the crucial healing period following delivery can save women from future suffering and save the system hundreds of thousands of dollars in medications and surgeries farther down the line. Problems such as incontinence, prolapse, scar pain, diastasis recti, back or hip pain, and pain with intercourse can be addressed and eliminated or even prevented all together with a post partum evaluation and recommendations or exercises from a pelvic floor physical therapist trained in postpartum health. To this point, these services are rarely offered in the United States.
Currently, AABC is allowing only one person (partner or family member) to accompany patients and children are not allowed in the center at this time. When you arrive, please wait outside and Christina will step out to greet you at the time of your appointment. She will walk you by the front desk for a brief screening prior to your session. Face coverings are required for all patients. Please bring a face covering with you if you have one. If you do not have one, we will provide you with one.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service please email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at 512-335-9300.
Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy is standard in some other countries, with health systems recognizing that preventative care during the crucial healing period following delivery can save women from future suffering and save the system hundreds of thousands of dollars in medications and surgeries farther down the line. Problems such as incontinence, prolapse, scar pain, diastasis recti, back or hip pain, and pain with intercourse can be addressed and eliminated or even prevented all together with a post partum evaluation and recommendations or exercises from a pelvic floor physical therapist trained in postpartum health. To this point, these services are rarely offered in the United States.
Currently, AABC is allowing only one person (partner or family member) to accompany patients and children are not allowed in the center at this time. When you arrive, please wait outside and Christina will step out to greet you at the time of your appointment. She will walk you by the front desk for a brief screening prior to your session. Face coverings are required for all patients. Please bring a face covering with you if you have one. If you do not have one, we will provide you with one.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service please email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at 512-335-9300.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
- Amethyst virtually met with Beth Marnix, co-owner of Bright Light Counseling on Tuesday, September 22 to discuss the importance of holistic care for peri-partum people and people who have experienced sexual trauma and abuse.
- Lauren Steele met with a reporter on September 25 to help with an investigation on the high episiotomy rate in certain Texas hospitals. This information will be released from the San Antonio Express News in October.
- Amethyst will be meeting with Savannah Van Besien on Friday, October 2nd, host of the YouTube Channel Sex Talk with Savannah to discuss what is pelvic floor therapy and how it is useful in treating pain with sex and other sexual incongruencies.
- Check out our Instagram Page for Saturdays with Sima. Sima will be hosting yoga sessions each Saturday in October at 8 am.
- In October we will have 3 physical therapy students at the clinic to learn more about pelvic health. These students are from Elon University, Hardin-Simmons and Washington University in St. Louis.
- On October 13th, the Physical Therapy Team will be receiving an in-service on Ayurvedic Therapy.
- On October 30, the staff will be dressed in their favorite "animal costume" as Halloween is one of the staffs favorite holidays.
- Our schedules are open for appointments through January 31, 2021. Please call us to schedule your future appointments.
For more information please contact Angela Dobinsky:
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
angelad@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com
Engage with SPT on Social Media
