Broadcaster Press 9 October 4, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Advantages to Physical Therapy to Relieve Pain Improve Indoor Air Quality in Advance of Winter Upon the arrival of winter, people in regions where winter is marked by cold weather tend to spend significantly more time indoors. Because windows tend to be closed during winter, indoor air quality can suffer, making conditions inside a home less than desirable. According to the American Lung Association, poor air circulation in a home can promote the spread of bacteria and viruses. Once such bacteria or viruses are inhaled, coughs, colds and flu can spread. In addition, asthma and allergy sufferers may experience worsening symptoms thanks to the presence of endotoxins, which are substances that come from the broken-down cells of dead bacteria. Because many people spend significantly more time indoors during winter than other times of the year, it’s essential that they take measures to improve indoor air quality in the months ahead. • Cut back on chemicals. It’s ideal to avoid heavy chemical usage inside a home throughout the year, but it’s especially important to do so during winter. Solvent-based cleaners or cleaning products with strong fragrances can negatively affect indoor air quality and potentially trigger allergic reactions. In lieu of chemically-enhanced cleaning products, use natural products that get the job done without sacrificing indoor air quality. • Stop smoking indoors. Tobacco smoke can affect smokers and nonsmokers alike. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children. Those include more frequent and severe asthma attacks and respiratory infections. In addition, reports from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have linked secondhand smoke to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Adults exposed to secondhand smoke are at greater risk for coronary heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of pollutants that can greatly diminish indoor air quality, so make sure smokers limit their smoking to outside the home throughout the year, but especially during winter. Chronic pain affects people all around the world, greatly impacting sufferers’ quality of life. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, recent reports have indicated more than 1.5 billion people worldwide experience chronic pain. Common complaints include lower back pain, headache, neck pain, or neurogenic pain, which is pain resulting from damage to peripheral nerves. Pain can impact people in many ways, as some people can tolerate discomfort better than others. Chronic pain may result in missed time at work, depression, anger, and an inability to live a full life. According to a recent Institute of Medicine Report: Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research, pain is a significant public health problem that costs society at least $560 to $635 billion annually. To cope with pain, many people rely on over-the-counter and prescription medications. This reliance on drugs has helped to fuel pain medication addictions that can lead to other drug abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says research now suggests that abuse of opioid pain medications may actually open the door to heroin use. Some individuals report switching to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to obtain than prescription opioids. A safer and sometimes more effective method of pain relief than opioids, physical therapy can help a person get back on track and feel much better in the process. The American Physical Therapy Association says while surgery and prescription drugs can be the best course of treatment for certain diagnoses, there is increasing evidence that conservative treatments like physical therapy can be equally effective and cheaper treatment plans for many conditions. Physical therapy can be as effective as surgery for meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears and spinal stenosis, among other conditions. When a patient is prescribed physical therapy, a therapist will develop a treatment plan that addresses the specific needs of the patient. This is essentially a collaboration between patient and physical therapist. Therapists are experts in improving mobility and motion and have studied extensively to that end. Because weakness or stiffness may be contributing to pain, therapists try to address the source of the pain and relieve the pain itself. Physical therapy may include exercises that stretch the body and improve flexibility. Strengthening exercises will help work on core muscles as well as other parts of the body to prevent injury down the road. Therapy may target specific areas of pain. Because of their expertise, therapists may be able to assess posture, gait and other attributes that may be contributing to injury and make suggestions to reduce recurrence. In addition to the therapies mentioned, a combination of massage and other work may be included in a physical therapy plan. This may include TENS and ultrasound. According to WebMD, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, or TENS, uses a device to send a low-voltage electric current to the skin over the area where you have pain. Ultrasound sends sound waves to the places you have pain. Both of these options may help to block pain messages to the brain and offer relief. Chronic pain can be debilitating. However, physical therapy is often an effective way to combat chronic pain and help individuals find relief and return to living full lives. • Take off your shoes when entering the home. Snowy conditions often require a home’s inhabitants and guests to remove their footwear upon entering a home, but it helps to remove footwear in a mudroom or just inside the front door when entering a home even when it’s not snowing. Shoes can pick up dirt, dust and a host of other particles during winter, and if tracked inside those unwanted guests can negatively affect indoor air quality. • Routinely inspect bathrooms for mold. During winter, mold can grow in rooms that are exposed to moisture but not properly ventilated. In many homes, that’s the bathroom. Even if a bathroom has a ventilation fan, routinely inspect the ceiling and shower for mold growth. Exposure to mold can cause a host of negative side effects, including nasal and sinus congestion and sore throat. Mold also can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Improving and maintaining indoor air quality in winter can help a home’s inhabitants stay healthy during the colder months. VERMILLION HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION Why can’t I just throw Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) away? Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility. Even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain. When and where can I dispose of my HHW? On October 7th, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, bring your HHW to the Missouri Valley Recycling Center. The cost per vehicle is $10. The Missouri Valley Recycling Center is located at: 840 N Crawford Rd • Vermillion SD, 57069 Vermillion Household Hazardous Waste Collection When: October 7th, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM Where: Vermillion Recycling Center Why: To get rid of hazardous waste that can harm you, your family or the environment. Examples of HHW •Latex and Oil Based Paints •Household Cleaning Products •Fluorescent Light Bulbs •Batteries •Pesticides •Anti-Freeze •Oil BrougHt to you By: The CiTy of Vermillion Missouri Valley recycling • clay county