Healthy Archives - American PT

Autoimmune diseases – when the body fights back

February 24, 2021

by Michael Boettcher with No Comment Nutritional Counseling Personal Training EN Physiotherapy

An autoimmune disease is a disease caused by a reaction of the body’s immune system. Autoimmune diseases attack tissues or organs. The symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the disease, and only in some cases can be treated with medication. Autoimmune diseases affect many people and are among the most common chronic diseases in Germany.In Western countries, they affect about five percent of the population, with women being affected relatively more often. The best known and most common autoimmune diseases are:

Crohn’s disease
Hashimoto’s
Type 1 diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Celiac disease
Lupus

What happens in the body during an autoimmune disease?

In an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune defense system attacks tissue. Which tissue is attacked depends on the type of immune disease. Normally, the immune system attacks mainly pathogens foreign to the body, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi. In the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system can no longer distinguish between cells that are foreign to the body and those that are the body’s own, and therefore also attacks healthy cells. However, an autoimmune disease should not be confused with an allergy. In the case of allergies, the immune system does not behave in an autoimmune manner, but rather assesses harmless foreign material as threatening and then reacts to it in an exaggerated manner.

How can physical therapy help with an autoimmune disease?

Certain autoimmune diseases affect the skin or internal organs, while others, such as multiple sclerosis, affect muscle tissue and joints. The physical fitness and motor skills of those affected can be impaired, especially after an episode. With targeted exercises, we help maintain mobility and fitness and relieve pain in the long term. Based on a careful assessment, we develop an individual therapy program – adapted to the circumstances, the course of the disease and the personal needs of our patients.

Nutrition is the key to a better quality of life

In some autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease or diabetes, a healthy diet is also an important factor for well-being. With our nutritional counseling, we help those affected to create a balanced diet plan tailored to their needs. Depending on the disease, certain diets can help alleviate symptoms. Basically, the diet should be low in sugar and rich in fiber and contain foods that are believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Would you like a consultation or an appointment? Feel free to call us or use our online appointment tool.

Yours Michael Boettcher

Stretching – lengthen your muscles

February 10, 2021

by Michael Boettcher with No Comment Personal Training EN Physiotherapy Regeneration EN

Stretching exercises maintain the flexibility of muscles and the mobility of joints, which is a prerequisite for a healthy musculoskeletal system. Stretching can also improve training performance, relieve tension and reduce stress.

An indispensable part of professional sports

That’s why stretching exercises are a must in professional sports. If the sport requires particularly explosive movements or flexibility, stretching afterwards is indispensable. It increases flexibility, reduces muscle shortening and has a positive effect on performance. Stretching should be done for at least five minutes after each fitness session to promote recovery. One-sided movement patterns and incorrect posture can also be corrected through stretching exercises.

Effects on the musculoskeletal system

In the long term, stretching primarily improves the mobility of joints and surrounding structures. Tendons and ligaments are strengthened, and muscular imbalances are corrected in the short term by lengthening shortened muscles, thus reducing tension in the muscle. Additionally, it can reduce stress and restore circulation.

In the field of physical therapy, stretching is used to reduce muscular imbalances and correct problems caused by muscle shortening, as well as speed recovery from injuries.

Stretching correctly

However, to avoid injury, some important rules should be followed when stretching:

Stretch dynamically before the fitness session, as the muscles are not yet warmed up and thus injuries can easily occur.
The movements should be performed slowly and in a controlled manner
It is better to do static stretches after the training session.
Do not forget to breathe
The pain should be sustainable at all times
Always stretch on a non-slip surface

Static and dynamic stretching

Static stretching involves trying to pull the muscle to be stretched as far as possible and holding this position for 20-30 seconds. Static stretching should never be done before a workout, as it can reduce performance and lead to injury. Static stretching exercises are also not recommended if muscle soreness is noticeable.

Dynamic stretching exercises, on the other hand, consist of gentle movements that could also be described as springy. The muscle is stretched for a few seconds, but can always contract again. This form of stretching promotes blood circulation and thus also the oxygen supply to the muscle and is therefore particularly suitable as a warm-up before the fitness session.

If you want to improve mobility and promote health through regular stretching, you should be patient in your approach. The muscles need a few attempts to stretch properly, so it’s better not to rush things.

Your Michael Boettcher

Reflexive Performance Reset – not only for competitive athletes

January 6, 2021

by Michael Boettcher with No Comment Altitude Training Chiropractic Performance Package Personal Training EN Regeneration EN

Reflexive Performance Reset, or RPR is more than just an ordinary therapy. It activates muscles that have a key function in our musculoskeletal system via certain reflex points. These key muscles give our body more support, bounce, energy and lead to more mobility in the long term. The Reflexive Performance Reset consists of different breathing exercises and the stimulation of certain nerves in the body, which help to increase the training success and prevent injuries.

When we are under constant stress and give our body little time to regenerate, it is inevitably put into stand-by mode. In this state, the body has little energy and performance is significantly reduced. Reflexive Performance Reset can help to bring the body back to its performance peak, reduce pain caused by compensating for poor posture, improve mobility and increase resistance to injury.

By activating specific reflex points that bring the body out of these damaging compensation patterns and targeted breathing exercises, the muscles can recover faster, you have more energy and are more resistant to stress. Whether you are a competitive athlete, an athlete or simply a sports enthusiast, the RPR concept is so simple and yet so promisingly designed that it can be implemented at any time. Just contact us!

Yours Michael Boettcher

Cold season – defying the weather with exercise and nutrition

December 9, 2020

by Michael Boettcher with No Comment Nutritional Counseling Regeneration EN

The winter period is characterised by cold weather and little sunlight and tugs at our energy.
Warm clothing and long walks outside are good for health and general well-being. If you want to protect yourself against colds in winter, you should pay particular attention to a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. In our practice for alternative medicine and physiotherapy we offer a wide range of possibilities for exercise and relaxation as well as nutritional advice. Defy the cold weather and say goodbye to your cold!

The right diet is essential

Food plays a central role in our lives. It supplies not only our body, but also the soul and spirit with nutrients and energy. Like everything else in life, nutrition must remain in balance, only in this way can optimal health be achieved. Especially during the cold season, you should pay more attention to your vitamin intake to strengthen your immune system. The body needs sunlight to produce vitamin D. In the winter months, the daily sunshine hours are few and often there is no opportunity to use these few hours for outdoor activities. The consequences are: Exhaustion, lack of drive or concentration problems. With our nutritional advice tips, we help you to bring your health and your diet back into balance.

Exercise is the key to optimal health

Regular exercise is not only good for our musculoskeletal system, but also stimulates the metabolism. This in turn leads to increased performance and, in the long term, to more energy. Movement is therefore essential for health. Physical processes such as digestion, circulation and respiration are strengthened – and ultimately so is the immune system. With the special personal training in our physiotherapy practice, we combine ambitious training with the latest scientific findings from sports and movement medicine. With your personal training goal in mind and a mobility test, problems are recognised and corrected, mobility is improved and fitness is increased.

Relaxed through the day

When it comes to strengthening the immune system, relaxation is an important part of our health, along with exercise and nutrition. Stress and lack of exercise can lead to muscle tension and attack our immune system. With massages, we release all forms of tension in the muscles. In this way, we help you with tension pains and at the same time stimulate the blood circulation and metabolism. The immune system is activated and cold viruses have no chance.

If you have any questions about nutritional advice, personal training or massages, please call us or make an appointment via our website.

Your Michael Boettcher

Medical rehabilitation training – effective and gentle on the joints

November 18, 2020

by Michael Boettcher with No Comment Chiropractic Physiotherapy Regeneration EN

What is medical rehabilitation training?

Medical rehabilitation training is generally used after injuries and operations to restore mobility and treat diseased areas of the musculoskeletal system. Targeted training units are used to improve strength, mobility and endurance in the long term. The specially developed medical build-up training for therapeutic purposes is considered part of rehabilitation treatment and is often accompanied by a doctor.

For whom is medical rehabilitation training recommended?

In general, medical rehabilitation training is prescribed by a doctor after an injury or operation on the musculoskeletal system. However, it can also be used for persistent pain in the joints or back. The physiotherapist draws up an individual training plan tailored to the problem area and person. Medical rehabilitation training is also suitable for the prevention of painful muscle tension and resulting damage to the spine.

What is trained in medical rehabilitation training?

Depending on the type of training, medical rehabilitation training trains balance, coordination and posture, strength, flexibility, speed or endurance. The essential components of the medical rehabilitation training are: mobilisation and mobility training, strength and stabilization training, coordination training, endurance and cardiovascular training.

What equipment is used for medical rehabilitation training?

The medical rehabilitation training uses training equipment that is easy on the joints and yet highly effective, while putting optimal strain on the muscles and joints. Additionally, computer-controlled training devices such as the Power Plate or EMS allow a targeted training of the deep muscles and can be used, for example, for muscle building before an operation.

In our practice for physiotherapy we offer medical rehabilitation training for therapeutic purposes. Do you have any questions or would you like to arrange an appointment? Call us, we will be happy to assist you!

Yours Michael Boettcher