Are You Taking Care of Your Heart?
Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? Do you get out of breath going up a flight of stairs? Your heart is vital to your survival. At Boulet Physical Therapy, our therapists understand how important it is to address underlying issues and create a plan to help prevent injury and disease.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, accounting for one in four deaths each year. Fortunately, most forms of heart disease are preventable by making lifestyle changes, including exercising, practicing good nutritional habits, and reducing stress in your everyday life.
February is American Heart Month. Our team at Boulet Physical Therapy can help improve your heart health by helping you learn how to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid anything that can cause damage to it.
Request an appointment with one of our specialists to learn how to keep your heart healthy!
Our Patients Get Great Results
“I was pleasantly surprised to discover Boulet Physical Therapy and can’t say enough wonderful things about them. After suffering for months with TMJ I am finally free from pain and feeling much better. The whole experience was great due to the staff being so friendly and professional. They made appointments that were convenient to my schedule and I never had to wait. Taylor is very knowledgeable and caring. He listens to your concerns and takes his time finding the right solution. I am very happy with the results I received from Boulet Physical Therapy and highly recommend them.” – K.C.
5 Tips for Better Heart Health
Taking action and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will assist you in making sure your heart is healthy. When your heart doesn’t get enough attention, significant problems might arise in the artery lining, leading to plaque buildup. Plaque forming in your arteries is the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Here are 5 simple ways you can make sure your heart continues to perform at its best:
- Exercise to increase your heart rate: Walking and biking around your area regularly can help you raise your heart rate. Exercising regularly can help you lose weight, reduce your stress and improve your mood.
- Participate in strength training: Strength training is one of the most effective injury-prevention strategies for the body and heart. Your therapist can help you develop safe strength-training techniques.
- Maintain mobility of the joints and muscles: Regular stretching and mobility work keeps you active and makes you feel better. The more active you are, the healthier your heart is! Knowing the right workouts and therapies for your joint and muscle health will help you feel better and enhance your overall function.
- Eat healthy meals: Nutrition plays a huge role in heart health. Plant-based foods, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats like fatty fish and olive oil should all be in your diet. Fried foods, trans fats, processed foods, and added sugar should all be avoided.
- Manage your stress: Stress can raise blood pressure, so do your best to find daily ways to relax. The less stressed out you are, the less tension and stress you place on your heart. Exercising, getting adequate sleep, stretching before bed, or taking a nightly warm shower are all things that could help with relaxation.
The best approach to keep your heart strong and healthy is to exercise regularly. It’s a natural, safe, and effective way to help improve your heart function! Physical therapy is an excellent method to add additional physical activity to your daily routine.
What to Expect in Physical Therapy
If you’re looking for a safe way to improve your heart health, physical therapy is a great option. At Boulet Physical Therapy, our team of experts can play a leading role in preventing, reversing, and managing heart-related conditions. Our therapists can help you improve your heart health by advising you on lifestyle adjustments that include daily exercises, nutrition, and stress reduction strategies based on your individual needs.
Our team comprises movement experts who have the knowledge and training to evaluate and treat several kinds of acute and chronic pain conditions and abnormal physical function related to an injury, disability, disease, or unhealthy lifestyle.
We perform a thorough evaluation that includes your overall health status to create an exercise plan that ensures you’re getting as much physical activity as you can throughout the day. This will consist of treatments to address any injuries you may have and to help prevent other health issues.
We can guide you through proper exercises and specialized treatments to relieve your joint and muscle pain, increase your strength and flexibility, and improve your overall health by getting your blood flowing and your heart rate up. Participating in regular physical therapy appointments can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, significantly decreasing your chances of cardiac arrest in the future.
Our goal is to incorporate activities to improve your heart health so you can enjoy your life!
Staff Spotlight
Dr. Kyle Buvens
Kyle is a physical therapist that joined the team at Boulet Physical Therapy in the fall of 2024. He specializes in treating a variety of orthopedic conditions. His clinical practice involves getting people stronger and more confident in their movements as well as addressing lifestyle behaviors to ensure long term health and wellbeing for everyone he helps along the way. He has a strong background in sports and weightlifting and uses this background knowledge to help clients achieve their goals and get them living a healthier and happier life. Kyle has had several injuries and a few surgeries, so he understands what it is like from the patient’s perspective of dealing with an injury.
When Kyle is not in the clinic he enjoys leading an active lifestyle with working out, biking, and discovering local coffee spots on the weekends with his wife, Elizabeth.
Can physical therapy help me?
If pain is keeping you from the activities or lifestyle you want, we can help you. PT is often the first step recommended in healing a muscular or joint condition. We specialize in treatments that create tissue change that lead to healing and pain relief. This gives patients their best chance to avoid injections, medications or surgery.
Conditions We Treat:
- Neck & Back pain
- Shoulder and Rotator cuff injuries
- Tennis Elbow
- Hip & Knee pain
- Foot/Ankle conditions
- Orthopedic Surgical Recovery
- Balance & Vestibular
Say Goodbye to Back Pain with Personalized Care
Is back pain preventing you from playing with your kids or grandkids or limiting you with your hobbies or activities? The back is a crucial part of the body, playing a key role in countless daily activities. A healthy back should be both mobile and strong, allowing you to handle whatever life throws your way.
To improve spinal mobility, exercises like cat and cow or thread the needle can be highly effective. For strengthening your back, consider incorporating bird dogs and bridges into your routine. By regularly practicing these mobility and strength exercises, you can keep your back healthy and pain-free.
At Boulet Physical Therapy, Taylor and Kyle don’t rely solely on exercises to help you feel better. We take a personalized approach tailored to your unique needs. This may include balance training, stretching, joint manipulation, endurance building, soft tissue massage, and a variety of other treatments.
Call us today to learn how we can help you regain your strength and mobility!
Exercises of the Month
Cat Cow
Directions:
- Inhale deeply while curving your lower back and bringing your head up, tilting your pelvis up like a “cow.”
- Exhale deeply and bring your abdomen in, arching your spine and bringing your head and pelvis down like a “cat.”
- Repeat 10 times.
Bridge Pose
Directions:
- Place your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart, and keep your knees bent. Put your hands down at your sides, palms down on the floor.
- Inhale and push your hips up towards the ceiling. Ensure your head, neck, and shoulders remain flat on the floor.
- Hold for 20 seconds.
Request an Appointment Today
Caring for your heart is just as important as caring for any other part of your body. For American Heart Month, our team at Boulet Physical Therapy can help you get back into shape safely and healthily! Contact us this month to learn how you can improve your heart health by incorporating more physical activity into your life!
Tips for A Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day!
This year, don’t forget the most important Valentine of all: your heart! With February being the month of love and American Heart Month, here are a few tips to combine them into one fabulous celebration:
- Try a heart-healthy treat: Pomegranate seeds, good dark chocolate, and sweet strawberries are all delicious alternatives to candy hearts.
- Take a ballroom dance class with your sweetheart: Nothing’s more romantic than a sweeping waltz or sultry tango. But ballroom dancing is also a great cardio workout–making it the perfect date night for American Heart Month!
- Sink into a relaxing bubble bath: Stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, so this month, set aside time to rest and relax with a bubble bath. Dim the lights, burn a few candles, and settle down with your favorite romantic read.
Want more healthy heart tips this February–or any month of the year? Schedule an appointment with Boulet Physical Therapy today!
Cupid’s Vanilla Berry Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces Horizon Organic low-fat Vanilla Milk
- ½ cup Horizon Organic Fat-Free Plain Yogurt (can substitute with vanilla flavored yogurt for a sweeter smoothie)
- ½ cup frozen red berries
- ½ cup ice
Directions:
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Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
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Divide between two glasses and serve immediately.
Make This Year Your Healthiest One Yet!
Did you make a health-related New Year’s resolution this year? Whether going to the gym twice a week or eating more fruits and vegetables, these resolutions always start with the best intentions–but often fizzle out by Valentine’s Day.
This year, why not have the Boulet physical therapists help you reach your health goals? Schedule an appointment today so we can help you get healthy in the new year. We’ll…
- Conduct a comprehensive physical assessment to pinpoint areas of weakness and/or impairment.
- Help you set realistic and attainable health goals.
- Show you how to make the most of that new gym membership.
- Provide tips for healthy, delicious meals.
- Suggest strategies for integrating more movement into your day-to-day life.
Call today to kickstart your journey toward good health and wellness!
