Our clinic has the only privately owned SwimEx pool in the Conejo Valley. The same type of pool used by our Los Angeles Lakers basketball team for rehabilitation. Many other professional and college sports teams across the U.S use this pool for rehabilitate their injured players due to the quick recovery water provides. Dr. Robert Klapper, MD, the orthopedic surgeon to the Lakers refers patients to us from  Valley to Santa Barbara to help his patients rehabilitate safely and quickly in our pool. Exercises guided by our physical therapist is one of the quickest way to recovery for many conditions. We have seen dramatic improvement  from orthopedic injuries that do and don’t require surgery, athletic injuries, arthritis, neurological disorders, back pain, fibromyalgia and other rheumatic diseases.

If you would like to learn more about our clinic please call us for a free tour or our facility and a free book of pool exercises. We can be reached at (805) 496-2189.  We look forward to helping you and answering any questions you may have about our programs.

Thank you, Cheryl Wertheimer PT – owner

When suffering injury due to disease or trauma, patients should submit themselves to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. It is the last element of this formula for restoring health that will be the subject of our blog in the weeks and months to come.

Our purpose is to inform and advise you, the public, about the variety of therapeutic and rehabilitative techniques and services available. They may be of considerable value in restoring comfort, strength and function to body and soul. In simple terms, physical therapy offers patients their best assurance that they will “get back on their feet” after a physical setback. The blog will also be useful in providing information that can help avert injury in the first place.

Treating an injury or pain expediently is crucial for successful recovery. Our staff of dedicated experts is committed to serving the community with high-quality physical therapy to accomplish the patient’s optimal life function.  Our detailed, comprehensive programs include orthopedics, sports training, neurological therapy, and balance & fall prevention.

Call Ability Rehab today to schedule an evaluation and see how our team of physical therapists can help you recover from an injury and/or prevent future injuries.  We get the results you need and desire.

Go to any nutrition store or google it online to buy the products below. They are inexpensive and have research proven effects. I have personally used them to prevent myself from getting really sick this season. At the first sign on an itchy throat, a light cough, unexplained fatigue, or drop in appetite, start the product below:

1. Elderberry (400 mg 3 x a day): Elderberry works by blocking the virus from spreading in the body. It prevent the virus from attaching to the cell wall and entering the cell. Research has shown that it can cut the duration of a cold (a virus) by half.

2. N- Acetyl- Cystine (1000 mg 2 x a day): Is a natural protein that increases the immune system’s defenses. It’s like increasing your germ fighting army or arming them with some heat seeking bullets.

3. 1,3 Beta Glucan (250 mg 2 x a day): a Rice Bran extract that increases the germ killing cells in the body. It’s one of the strongest immune booster with research to support it.

All of the above has really worked for me. Try it and see if it will help you. You can also try a massage at our Voorhees office. It’s been proven to improve you immune function.

If you have had a recent injury one of your main concerns may be how soon you can return to play. The answer to this question is not always easy because each athlete and each injury is unique. Returning too soon can increase your risk of re-injury or developing a chronic problem that will lead to a longer recovery. Waiting too long, however, can lead to unnecessary de-conditioning.

Proper Conditioning Aids Injury Recover Time

One thing that can improve your recovery from an injury is a high level of conditioning prior to injury. Not only will being in great shape reduce your risk of injury and lessen the severity of an injury, but it also has been shown to reduce recovery time. This is a good enough reason to stay in shape and try to avoid the “weekend warrior” syndrome.

Phases of Injury Recovery

During the acute recovery phase you should be following the R.I.C.E Principles  (rest, ice, compression and elevation), limiting your activity, allowing yourself time to heal. Depending on the type and severity of your injury, treatment may also include medical care, surgery, various taping, bracing, or physical therapy treatments.
While your injury heals try to maintain overall conditioning if possible. Try alternate forms of training such as water running, swimming, cycling, rowing or weight training of the non-injured parts.

Regaining range of motion and strength should be started as soon as possible as directed by your physician or therapist. Use discomfort as a guide and avoid movements that cause pain. Once muscle strength and flexibility return you can slowly get back into your sport, working at about 50 to 70 percent max capacity for a few weeks. During this re-entry phase, functional drills for balance, agility, and speed can be added as tolerated.

Guidelines for Safe Return to Sports

• You are pain free
• You have no swelling
• You have full range of motion (compare the injured part with the uninjured opposite side)
• You have full or close to full (90 percent) strength (compare with the uninjured side)
• For lower body injuries – you can perform full weight bearing on injured hips, knees, and ankles without limping
• For upper body injuries – you can perform throwing movements with proper form and no pain

Keep in mind that even when you feel 100 percent you may have deficits in strength, joint stability, flexibility or skill. Take extra care with the injured part for some time following to injury to ensure a full recovery.

* These are guidelines only; you should follow your physician’s advice regarding return to sports.