Flow Physical Therapy, PC

05/08/2022

04/26/2022

Exercising during and after cancer treatment is extremely beneficial. Exercise is proven to:
✨ Reduce fatigue
✨ Decrease pain
✨ Improve strength and endurance
✨ Improve bone health
✨ Improve well-being and mood
✨ Improve physical functioning

Any type of exercise is beneficial, so do what you enjoy most.

When it comes to exercise guidelines, the American College of Sports Medicine, recommends:
✨ aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, 3-5 days a week
✨ resistance training 2 days a week

If you have trouble going back to exercise during and after cancer treatments, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We can help you get back to physical activity safely.

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04/22/2022

During your first appointment with us, we will review your medical history and complete a thorough physical exam of your posture, flexibility, mobility and strength. To get a better sense of your body and where you may be experiencing pain, discomfort and/or limitations, we will perform some hands-on work and light movement. 

We will openly discuss our findings with you and then together establish goals and a personalized treatment plan. After addressing any of your questions and concerns, we will then end our session with hands-on therapy, to help you feel and move better. 

Our hands-on interventions may include a combination of:
✨ Manual therapy
✨ Scar mobilization 
✨ Soft tissue mobilization techniques
✨ Myofascial and Craniosacral Release techniques
✨ Lymphatic drainage 

We will then instruct you in a home program which may consist of self myofascial release and specific movement combined with breath work to supplement our work together.

We offer one-on-one, personalized treatment sessions with our highly credited physical therapists in our private, serene and inviting space. From your first appointment with us, our goal is to develop a genuine and long-lasting relationship with you, based on open communication, trust and compassion.

04/19/2022

Medical Therapeutic Yoga (MTY) combines evidence-based physical therapy with traditional yoga, with the aim of educating and empowering individuals to take an active role in their physical health and mental well-being.  At Flow Physical Therapy we integrate yoga with physical therapy, to take a holistic whole-body approach that addresses your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. 

MTY is utilized by a licensed healthcare professional for rehabilitation, lifestyle management and self-care.  The healthcare training ensures an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, which is crucial to safely helping people with existing health -related issues.  MTY is modified and customized to your specific needs to decrease pain and discomfort and improve overall health.

The benefits of Medical Therapeutic Yoga go far beyond the mat. 

Medical Therapeutic Yoga can also 
✨ Improve your flexibility and balance 
✨ Increase your muscle strength 
✨ Decrease your pain 
✨ Increase your blood flow 
✨ Enhance your lymphatic circulation 
✨ Restore your concentration and focus
✨ Improve mind and body relaxation
✨ Improve your heart health, including blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate
✨ Ensure your have deeper and less interrupted sleep
✨ Reduce your stress, anger and fear 
✨ Improve your self-awareness and boost your mood
✨ Improves self-care

If you are interested in learning more about the practice of Medical Therapeutic Yoga, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

04/01/2022

Consulting a physical therapy before your surgery, we can help you to address any limitations that may affect your recovery after surgery such as pain, poor posture, muscle weakness, and decreased flexibility and mobility. 

What does pre-operative physical therapy look like?
Prior to surgery, one of our physical therapists will perform a comprehensive assessment of your movement, flexibility, strength and posture, to identify any areas of limitations and/or concern. Then, the therapist will provide you with an individualized treatment plan, helping you to optimize your physical and mental health prior to surgery. 

Your individualized treatment plan may include: 
✨ Hands-on physical therapy to improve your mobility and flexibility, and reduce any pain and muscle tension. 

✨ Upper-body strengthening and range of motion exercises to help you reduce your risk of postoperative pain and frozen shoulder. 

✨ Breathing and mind-body techniques to help you reduce stress and anxiety prior to surgery. 

✨ Education on your upcoming surgery and potential post-surgical side effects, in addition to post-operative exercises that you can do at home after your surgery to help with your recovery. 


We understand that this is a physically and emotionally challenging time, and we’re here to help guide you through the process. We are here to answer your questions, attempt to alleviate your concerns and provide you with unlimited support. 

For more information, or to schedule a preoperative evaluation, please call us at: 212.421.2278.

03/24/2022

Whatever your rehabilitation needs, we are here to help you heal so that you can get back to doing what matters most to you.

03/21/2022

Bone loss is a common side effect of a number of breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. As bones begin to lose their density, they become weak and brittle, eventually leading to osteoporosis. 

The problem with osteoporosis is that it increases your risk of breaking a bone, as osteoporotic bone is brittle and weak compared to healthy bone. 

So, improving the strength of your bones during and after breast cancer treatments is essential. 

⭐️ Exercise
One of the best ways of improving the strength of your bones is exercise, specifically weight-bearing exercise. This type of exercise encourages bone remodelling, thus helping to make your bones stronger as it also slows down bone loss. In addition, by improving your overall strength and balance via targeted exercises, you can also reduce your risk of falls. 

When it comes to bone health, including a combination of the following 3 types of exercises into your weekly routine is recommended. 

1️⃣ Weight-Bearing Exercises
2️⃣ Weight training Exercises
3️⃣ Balance and Coordination Training
4️⃣ Core Strengthening Exercises

If you are at risk of osteoporosis or have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, we can help you!

03/18/2022

Early diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema is key to managing the condition and preventing long-term complications. So, if you are at risk of lymphedema, it is important to know its signs and symptoms. 

Lymphedema can look and present differently for each person, but generally the signs and symptoms include:
✨Feelings of heaviness, fullness, tightness in the at risk area 

✨Swelling in any part of the body 

✨Decreased movement and flexibility of your joints 

✨Trouble fitting into your usual clothing or clothing feels tighter 

✨Your rings, watch or bracelets feel tighter

✨Decreased visibility of your veins, tendons, and wrinkles 

✨Pitting edema 

✨Change in your skin’s texture

Keep in mind that lymphedema can develop in any part of the body.

⭐️Following breast cancer treatments, lymphedema can develop in the breast, chest, underarm, and/or arm on the same side as your treatments. 

⭐️Following abdominal, pelvic and lower extremity cancer treatments, lymphedema can develop in abdomen, gential, and/or in one leg or both legs. 

⭐️Following any head and neck cancer, lymphedema can develop in the neck and/or face. 

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is important to speak with your healthcare team or reach out to a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. If you have any concerns or questions, you can always reach out to us. As Certified Lymphedema Therapists, we can provide you with guidance and support. 

03/17/2022

While there is no cure for lymphedema, early diagnosis and treatment is shown to be effective in managing the condition in the long-term and preventing complications. So if you are at risk of developing lymphedema following breast surgery and radiation, it is important that you are educated on the early signs and symptoms of lymphedema. 

Signs & Symptoms of Lymphedema: 
⭐️ Feelings of heaviness, fullness, tightness and/or soreness in the at risk area 
⭐️ Swelling 
⭐️ Decreased movement and flexibility of your affected area
⭐️ Your clothing and jewelry feels tighter 
⭐️ Decreased visibility of your veins, tendons, and wrinkles 
⭐️ Pitting edema
⭐️ Thickening of your skin (fibrosis)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please do not hesitate to speak with your healthcare team or reach out to a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. 
 
If you have any concerns, our Lymphedema Therapists are always available to answer your questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone at 212.421.7728 or by DM.

03/10/2022

When it comes to managing lymphedema, Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the gold standard treatment and it entails a combination of the following 5 essential elements: 

1️⃣ Compression: During the intensive phase of CDT, multi-layered compression bandages are worn to reduce one’s swelling and improve skin changes. Then once the swelling is stabilized, we transition to the maintenance phase (phase 2) of CDT. In this phase, a compression garment is used to manage swelling in the long-term.  

2️⃣ Manual Lymphatic Drainage: MLD is a specialized hands-on technique used to promote lymphatic flow, and move lymph fluid out of the affected area. 

3️⃣ Therapeutic Exercises:  When you exercise, your muscles contract and act like a pump to move lymph fluid into and along your lymph vessels and out of your affected area. Exercise is also crucial for maintaining a healthy body mass index.

4️⃣ Skin and Nail Care: One of the biggest concerns with lymphedema is the risk of infection and cellulitis. Thus having a good skin care routine is essential for someone who is at risk of lymphedema or has lymphedema. 

5️⃣ Patient education: Since lymphedema is a life-long condition, education regarding self-management is a priority during CDT.

Regardless of the type of lymphedema, whether primary or secondary, or the severity of one's swelling, Complex Decongestive Therapy can help!

To schedule a ⭐️ FREE 15 minute phone consultation ⭐️ with one of our certified lymphedema therapist please call 212.421.2278

02/15/2022

Osteoporosis is an increasing public health concern due to the high risk of fractures and significant reduction in a patient’s health-related quality of life. 

Being aware of your risk factors is the first step in managing osteoporosis. 

Risk Factors:
✨Estrogen deficiency 
✨Women in menopause
✨Young women athletes
✨Late menarche 
✨Surgical removal of ovaries 
✨Hyperparathyroidism
✨Lack of calcium
✨Lack of Vitamin D 
✨Some medications like corticosteroids
✨Medical conditions like, cystic fibrosis, digestive diseases, and cancers
✨Abnormal calcium excretion
✨ Smoking and drinking too much alcohol 


If you have any risk factors, a family history of osteoporosis or have broken a bone after 50, we strongly recommend consulting a doctor who specializes in metabolic bone disease and a physical therapist. 

Physical therapy is an effective non-surgical treatment for osteoporosis, aimed at helping patients to address their pain and restore their movement and function. As part of your individualized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be given exercises to strengthen your bones and lessen your chances of experiencing an osteoporotic fracture, in addition to education on postural alignment to keep your spine safe during your daily activities.

Should you have any questions about your condition or our physical therapy services, please do not hesitate to contact us at 212.421.2278 or email amy@flowpt.com.