- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re a homeowner, it may seem as if your list of yard work never ends. Mowing, weeding, raking leaves and gardening are only a few of the common yard chores that take up both time and energy. But did you know your back and spine could be in danger of injury due to the high demands these chores put on your body? Here are some tips to help prevent back pain when you’re taking care of your yard: General Lifting Tips to Prevent Back Pain Squat or kneel when lifting light or heavy objects. Pull the object close to your body and then lift. The power should come from your legs, not your back. Maintain proper posture with a straight back by tightening your stomach muscles without holding your breath. Use smooth, not jerky, movements. Push instead of pull when possible. Leaf Raking Tips Use power from your arms and legs to pull the rake, not from your low back. Consider using a leaf vacuum or mowing your leaves instead of raking and sending them to the dump. Leaves are great free mulch for your winter garden and yard, or an excellent addition to your garden soil. Not only will you help save your back, but you’ll help the environment too. Squat or kneel on a foam knee pad to bag leaves. This will help you maintain good posture by keeping your back straight instead of bending at the waist. Don’t hold your breath when raking or lifting bags, inhale and exhale normally. Change position so you’re not always raking using one side of your body. Gardening Tips Kneel with a straight back and tight stomach muscles, while continuing to breathe normally. Move your body close to where you are weeding instead of reaching too far in front. Keep your body lined up straight with your work area to avoid twisting and pulling. Physical therapy can help with a wide range of injuries, increasing your mobility and decreasing your pain. Learn more about the techniques and services we offer at Luminis Health.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center has again been ranked among the top hospitals in the region by U.S. News & World Report. AAMC is ranked sixth on the list of Best Hospitals in Maryland. Maryland has about 70 hospitals, of which only 16 meet U.S. News’ standards and are ranked in the state. AAMC was also recognized as high performing for hip replacement, knee replacement, heart failure, and colon cancer surgery services. U.S. News & World Report’s rankings and ratings compared more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. Regional rankings are determined by a hospital’s performance in the national rankings analysis and by its scores across nine procedure and condition areas. See the full ranking of Maryland hospitals. AAMC is consistently recognized for providing high-quality health care to the community in a variety of services. You can find recent awards and recognitions on our news page.0
- Orthopedics, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA small, hard rubber ball…long sticks…and the speed of soccer with the contact of hockey. Can you think of a more injury-inviting sport than lacrosse? Lacrosse continues to gain in popularity, making it one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. U.S. Lacrosse, the governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse, estimates nearly 772,000 athletes play the game nationwide. The more people who play, the more likely injuries will occur. These injuries are not all sustained during games. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), athletes are three to five times more likely to be injured in a game than in a practice. However, athletes are twice as likely to sustain injury in preseason practice versus regular season play. Most common injuries More than 50 percent: Lower extremities (hips down to toes) 25 percent: Upper extremities (shoulder to fingers) 15 percent: Head and neck Less than 10 percent: Trunk and back Ankle sprains, knee ligament or cartilage injuries, and concussions are the three most common lacrosse injuries. All of these injuries can sideline players and can even end a player’s season. Rules are changing While rules have been created to help protect athletes near the crease (area surrounding the goal on a lacrosse field), this is the typical “hot-spot” for injuries on the field. Preseason “no pad” practices also help decrease injuries. These practices condition players before contact occurs on the field to decrease the high preseason injury rate. Many programs can help decrease knee injury rates, especially in female athletes who are most prone to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Injury prevention tips Get a sports physical exam from your physician. Train for strength and flexibility, both in and off season. Know the rules and play safe. Wear protective equipment properly and without modifications. Warm up and cool down…every time. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated before, during and after exercise. Use proper techniques involved in the sport. Eat properly to allow for maximum performance and optimal recovery. Take off at least one day per week to allow the body to recover. Understand your body and limits. Don’t push through pain. We’re often taught to “play hard,” but the most important lesson is to play smart. Author By Benjamin Petre, MD, orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. Originally published March 22, 2016. Last updated Aug. 13, 2018.0
- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere are several immunizations recommended for adults. Some are specifically for older adults, to protect against diseases that can be more serious in seniors. Other vaccines may not have been available when you were younger. And adults with a higher-than-average risk for certain diseases may need additional vaccines. While immunizations protect you personally from diseases, they can also lower the risk of disease outbreaks in your community. This concept is sometimes referred to as “herd immunity.” Herd immunity protects people who cannot be vaccinated, such as babies who are still too young for certain shots or people with weak immune systems. See the chart below for recommendations for some of the most common vaccines. Then talk with your doctor about which immunizations you may need. Author Daniel Makas, DO, is a family medicine physician at AAMG River Family Physicians, with offices in St. Michaels and Easton. To reach him, call 410-820-7270. Originally published Sept. 16, 2016. Last updated Aug. 6, 2018. Save0
- Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs women move beyond the child-bearing years, their responsibilities and sources of stress can shift and even increase. But the transition from mommy to midlife shouldn’t be a crisis. Women in their forties and fifties are often called the sandwich generation for a reason. We’re still parenting, yet may find ourselves caring for aging parents. In that squeeze women must remember to put their oxygen mask on first because women who take the time to care for their own physical and emotional well being are better equipped to handle everything else on their plate. Midlife is the time to tackle those issues our younger selves may have been too busy to address or too embarrassed to talk about. What are some of the top uncomfortable conversations to have with your doctor? Intimacy Issues A lot of intimacy issues I see with midlife women stem from loss of libido, or sexual desire. There’s no little blue pill to prescribe, but your doctor can help you can help you get to the heart of the problem, uncovering possible medical reasons for the issue. Bladder Control Problems Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is common for women as they age—whether it’s the strong sudden urge to go out of nowhere or the type that come on when you sneeze, laugh or cough. But it is not something you have to live with. There are exercises and diet changes that can help, as well as procedures that can be done. Perimenopause/Menopause As an OB-GYN I help many women manage the symptoms of menopause. Things that help include exercise, controlling your weight and, in some cases, hormone replacement therapy. New therapies have emerged, too. Healthy Habits Your doctor can help you make those necessary lifestyle changes you’ve been meaning to do, like quitting smoking, eating healthier, getting enough sleep, and exercising. In some cases, these changes may go hand in hand with helping a medical issue you’ve been having. Abuse Your conversations with your doctor are confidential, yet crucial if you don’t know what to do about your situation. Stress/Depression Talk to your doctor to better understand the chaos hormones may be inserting into your life, plus to help you navigate your stresses. Stress and/or depression could be tied to some of the other issues above, so taking care of one may help the other. Your doctor can help you navigate these midlife matters, allowing you to put down the supermom cape and realize you’re not alone on your health journey. Author By Karen Hardart, MD, an OB-GYN at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She can be reached at 410-573-9530. Originally published May 4, 2015. Last updated Aug. 6, 2018.0
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