Suffering a stroke

Going through a stroke can be life changing and debilitating.

A stroke, brain attack, or a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), is the sudden death of brain cells caused by a lack of supply in oxygen to the brain. Resulting disabilities will vary depending on stroke location and severity.

After a stroke, brain cells die in the affected areas resulting to damaged or even lose neurons. Patients will often suffer physical disabilities such as partial loss of motricity or hemiplegia, sensory loss, language disorders, aphasia, visual disorders, and even memory loss. Level of recovery will vary from patient to patient. Starting rapidly a rehabilitation program is key to recovery.

After a stroke, you’re probably not anxious to put on your running shoes and go jogging. You’re facing other concerns — but you should know that exercise is very important for stroke recovery and for preventing another stroke.

Why Exercise Improves Stroke Recovery
Being physically active will help with your stroke recovery, and help prevent a second one, because it:

• Controls cholesterol levels. Keeping your cholesterol level low is very important if you want to prevent another stroke. Exercise increases “good” cholesterol.

• Fights high blood pressure. By keeping your blood vessels working well, you can fight high blood pressure.

• Controls weight. Many stroke survivors need to lose weight to reduce their risk of another stroke. Even if you’re already at a healthy weight, exercise will help with weight management.

• Fights depression. Depression is common after a stroke and can make it hard for you to find the motivation to do anything, let alone get moving. But did you know that being physically active fights stress and depression, which in turn reduces your additional heart disease and stroke risk?

Focusing on neuro in my practice, I have seen a number of stroke patients. Their hardwork and progression has been nothing short of remarkable!

One particular patient could hardly lift her leg just 2 years ago. She is now able to not only move her leg in all directions but she is now able to walk!!!

Your exercise program will consist of a number of different exercises including passive range of motion, active assisted range of motion, strengthening exercises, stretching, etc

You too can improve with our help!

Most important you need to get clearance with your doctor and make sure you are under strict supervision of a biokineticist when exercising.

Play2Gym

Are you concerned about the sedentary lifestyle our kids are living? Does your child slouch in front of the TV or at the table? Take a look at our Play2Gym page and contact us today!

A new year....a new you!

Welcome back to one and all! We hope you had a good break, are well rested and you are ready to take on 2012!

Mumtaz Gani biokineticsists would love to be a part of your new years resolution and helping you to a healthier, stronger, happier YOU!

We would like to you inform you that we charge below the medical aid rates and are cheaper than most other biokineticsists. Thus by coming to see us your savings of your medical aid will last longer!

Call us today for an assessment to help sort out those aches and pains.

Stay pain free this holiday!

Before you head off to the beach here are 10 tips to keep you pain free while you away:

1) When flying don't remain seated for the entire journey. Make sure you walk around to stretch out those legs and back.
2) Dont lift a heavy bag to put in the overhead compartment, rather get someone to help you.

3) If you have knee pain, stretch your legs out and avoid keep them bent for long periods of time
4) If you are travelling by car take breaks, stop and walk around
5) If you absolutely have to carry a heavy bag, remember to bend at your knees, tighten your tummy and keep the bag close to your body!

6) Walking on the beach is not the best thing for back pain so try and avoid it. However, if you don't have time to go to the gym, make sure you take walks or do some activity to keep that body mobile!

7) Always wear comfortable, supporting shoes when going on long walks
8) Remember all the TA training that I have taught you!:)
9) Speak to us about giving you a home program while you are away.
10) Make the most of the break! Relax and enjoy!

Call us to make an appointment, should you suffer from aches and pains that have stopped you from enjoying your holiday!

Wishing everyone a safe trip and happy holidays!!

Biokinetics or Physiotherapy?

his has been a long, drawn out debate. I want to make it easier for you to understand the difference so that you can make the best choice for yourself and your pain!
A physiotherapist is used in the early, acute stages. He/She will help get rid of the pain. They do this by using massage, ultrasound, tens, dry needling, strapping and other methods. Thus they treat the symptoms and help get you ready for a Biokineticist to work with you.

 

 

As a biokineticist I will assess your body as a whole. We will do a full postural analysis, gait analysis, look at your strengths and weaknesses and do muscle testing.

By doing this I can see the cause of your pain. For example you may be experiencing pain in your hip or your knee and this could possibly be coming from your back.

Thereafter a biokineticist uses exercise and stretching to treat the cause of your pain and prevent it from recurring.

There is a place for both a Biokineticist as well as a Physiotherapist in your treatment. However they need to be utilised at the right time during your treatment. So you could be with a biokineticist however if you flare up, then the right thing would be for your Biokineticist to refer you back to your physio and once he/she is done with their treatment you come back to your Bio.

A combination of Biokinetics and Physiotherapy usually works best.

So take time, assess which stage you are at and then contact us for an assessment!

Strength or flexibility?

Yesterday at my gym, I watched a man do a push up while standing on his hands! The ultimate strength!

While the other day, yet another person, did his entire stretching regime while standing on an upside down bosu.

So what is better? Strength or flexibility?

A combination of both actually. If you have just strength and minimal flexibility you are at a higher risk of an injury as the muscle won't move around the joint with fluidity.

And the vice versa is also true. Hence if you have flexibility but no strength, you are once again at risk for injury because the muscles aren't strong enough to cope with your flexibility.

This is why during your biokinetic session I ensure that we include stretching!

So next time before rushing off, remember......stretch, stretch, stretch!:)

Multiple sclerosis and biokinetics

Before I begin I want to say that this blog was inspired by a new patient of mine. You know who you are!:)

Multiple sclerosis is a disease whereby the sheath around the nerves, your myelin sheath, degenerates. This means that the message to your muscle goes slower and eventualy stops getting there.
There are different types of MS, but the main difference is that one type is progressive and the other is not.

In both cases, biokinetics can help! During your biokinetics you will be given exercises that strengthen your muscles, you will do stretching exercises and we will also work on your balance and proprioception.
This can all lead to one of 2 things. One, is that your disease will still progress but at a much slower rate. This is because your muscles will be much stronger.

The second is that you will have less recurrences of episodes or less severe recurrences. Again because your muscles are stronger and more able to handle what is thrown at them.

Biokinetics is a safe medium whereby someone with MS can exercise as we would treat each patient as an individual and deal with other complications (such as being affected by heat) more effectively.

I have personally seen the effect of biokinetics on patients with MS and it is nothing short of remarkable!

Let us help you manage your disease today!