Monthly Newsletter

Ice is still one of the best ways to reduce pain, decrease swelling and inflammation. The article written in last week's New York Times has many people confused about the use of ice. I've had several people tell me they aren't going to ice their injuries any longer based on the headlines. The take home point from the article should be that athletes should not ice and immediately return to sports, a fairly common practice. For pain control after activity, ice is still one of your best treatments.

-Joe Carroll PT DPT SCS

If resistance training is not a part of your program, it should be! Doing cardiovascular exercise alone is not enough, especially as we age. Jan Sundell's article "Resistance Training Is an Effective Tool against Metabolic and Frailty Syndrome", confirms that resistance training will help with both metabolic and frailty syndrome. Sundell reports, "Metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors (abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) which increases markedly the risk of arteriosclerotic vascular disease. In subjects with frailty syndrome, aging-related loss of muscle (sarcopenia) and bone (osteoporosis) might progress to the extent that an older person loses his or her ability to live independently."

To read the full article follow the link HERE. If you need advice on a safe and effective resistance training program, talk to a FitPlan staff member.

Wake Up & Shape Up: A comprehensive workout that includes total body resistance training, core work, balance and cardio in 30 minutes! This class will have you energized and ready to take on the day! Tuesday will be held on land and Thursday will be in the pool. Class will begin on Tuesday 2/21/12. Download the class schedule.

Check out the bulletin boards in Mashpee and Hyannis this month as we are recognizing all the couples that work out together at FitPlan! If you do not see your picture up, please notify a FitPlan staff member and we will add you to the board. Also, for those of you not currently exercising with your Valentine, bring them in between the 14th and the 18th to workout with you free of charge.

On A Roll will be continuing in Hyannis and will be added to the Mashpee class schedule. Class will be held in Mashpee on Mondays from 8-8:30am. This class is designed to improve core stability and overall muscular strength. Class will utilize medicine and physio balls, as well as the foam half roll. Follow the link HERE to our YouTube page to learn more about On A Roll.

If you missed it, we held a Super Bowl Challenge leading up to the big game. Each day leading up to the Super Bowl, we posted a fitness challenge on our YouTube page to encourage people to exercise before they indulged on Sunday! Even though the game is over, these videos are still a great resource to challenge yourself or change up your routine. Follow the link HERE to our YouTube page to check out the videos. If you have any questions about the exercises in the videos, ask a FitPlan staff member.

Alan joined Cape Cod Rehab and the Mashpee FitPlan staff with over 20 years of experience teaching physical education at the high school and college level. He currently coaches the DY Girls’ Varsity Basketball team.

Favorite sport to watch/sports team: Ice Hockey, New York Rangers

Favorite movie: Cape Fear

Favorite singer: Bob Dylan

Best concert ever attended: The Police during college at the University of South Florida

Favorite color: Orange

Favorite place to vacation: Cape Elizabeth, ME

Best place you've ever traveled: IrelandCape Breton, Nova Scotiap>

Favorite form of exercise: Walking his dog Camden

Fun fact: I won't admit it, but I enjoy cooking!

Good luck to Eric Wheeler who will be running in his first marathon on February 26th. Eric will be participating in the Hyannis Marathon.

Cape Cod Rehab collected $150 for Dave Nowlan's ride across the country for MS. We will be holding another fundraiser for Dave as his departure date approaches. For more information about his story, check out his blog.

Cape Cod Rehab held our annual staff training "Rehab 2012". Staff participated in AED and CPR training. Presentations and labs included Hip Mobilization, Cervical Muscle Stabilization, Standardized Tests, TRX, Bench Exercises and Pool Exercise. Case studies included the Laterjet Procedure, Labral Tear of the Hip and Cervical/Rotator Cuff Tear.