Did you know – diabetes is considered to be a national health epidemic? November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and at Scerbo PT we are constantly aware of the health consequences of this disease and what we, as physical therapists, can do to help patients manage their symptoms and feel better.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin. When diabetes is present, the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood becomes too high, a condition that causes many health problems.
Studies from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) determined that over 37 million Americans have diabetes, and according to the American Diabetes Association, 9.6% of adults in New Jersey have been diagnosed with the disease. Many more have prediabetes, when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Problems related to diabetes include weakness, loss of endurance, obesity, and balance problems, all of which may lead to decreased physical activity. But physical activity and exercise are effective ways to lower high-blood sugar levels. At Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, we help our patients safely add physical activity to their lives to improve health and diminish the impact of diabetes, and to keep prediabetes from progressing.
When working with one of our physical therapists, patients will benefit from a supervised exercise program tailored to their needs at whatever stage of the condition they may be. Take a step in the right direction and speak to one of our physical therapists to see what treatment program is right for you.
A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. It’s important for you to take good care of yourself before, during, and after cancer treatment. This is where physical therapy can help. Your Scerbo PT specialist will play an important role as part of your care team. If you have surgery, your physical therapy specialist will design a regular program of exercise to help get the arm and shoulder moving again and keep them flexible going forward post-surgery. Many breast cancer patients find that they feel better when they stay active. Exercise may reduce nausea and pain and make treatment easier to handle. It also can help relieve stress. For guidance on what activities might be right for you, be sure to talk to your doctor and your physical therapist before you start.
This month, The National Breast Cancer Foundation reminds us to support and help those facing breast cancer: Get involved. Get screened. Make a donation. Take action.
Every October, Scerbo PT joins the American Physical Therapy Association to celebrate the benefits of physical therapy. It’s also a reminder that you don’t have to be injured to benefit from the wide range of services we offer.
In this month’s blog, we talked about some fun ways to ramp up your physical activity this fall. According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Facts & Statistics on physical activity, more than 80% of American adults do not get enough physical activity despite the proven benefits, such as a reduced risk of some cancers and chronic diseases, as well as improved bone health, cognitive function, weight control, and quality of life. The good news is that regular physical activity can help prevent and improve many chronic conditions.
But what if you know you need to move more, but pain or a condition is holding you back? A physical therapist can help get you moving to reduce your risk of chronic disease, enhance your fitness, and prevent injuries. You don’t need a referral to see a physical therapist. Come in or call us at our Edgewater, NJ facility to discuss how physical therapy can help improve your health, fitness, and quality of life.
Scerbo Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation is here to help you celebrate National Golf Month by motivating golfers of all ages and abilities to get out their clubs and hit the fairways and swing away this month of August. Plan a tee up with friends and family, enjoy the great outdoors or book a session with a Titleist Performance Institute Certified Instructor.
Contact us today to learn how our TPI Certified Instructor Michael E. Pomykala can help you improve your game.
Dr. Pomykala is a Titleist Performance Institute Certified Golf Fitness Instructor in this capacity he helps injured golfers make their way back onto the course. He has a TPI Medical Level 2 Certification as a medical provider within the Titleist Performance Institute network.
Visit the Titleist Performance Institute homepage for more information about the details of the TPI program: www.mytpi.com
Each June, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is recognized as a time to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation is proud to support the Alzheimer’s Association in its mission to raise awareness for this disease and provide ways that Physical Therapy can help those suffering.
It’s important to highlight that Alzhеimеr’ѕ is a рrоgrеѕѕivе, degenerative disease аnd another fоrm оf dementia which affects the mеmоrу, the thoughts, and the behavior. It can eventually lead to losing control of reasoning, planning, lаnguаgе, and perception.
Alzheimer’s is a disease that currently has no effective treatment or cure solution. However, there are ways to slow down the development and prevent some of the symptoms from developing, and that option is Physical Therapy. When you choose Physical Therapy as part of your treatment program, you will be able to stay active and keep your mind sharp by performing stretches and activities designed to work your whole body and mind. Our licensed physical therapists will develop exercise routines to help you focus on increasing balance, strength, and mental strength. These exercises aim to slow down the progression of your symptoms.
Contact us today to learn how a physical therapy preventive program can help you.
National Scoliosis Awareness Month takes place yearly in June, intending to highlight the growing need for public education, early detection, and awareness about scoliosis and its prevalence within the community. The campaign also unites scoliosis patients, families, physicians, clinicians, institutions, and related businesses in collaborative partnerships of local activities, events, and grassroots networking throughout the month.
At ScerboPT, we want to help highlight the importance of early detection and the effectiveness of Physical Therapy as non-operative care. Physical Therapy can help eliminate pain, improve mobility and posture, and increase core muscle strength. We believe in a holistic approach at Scerbo Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation, and that is why we always start with a thorough physical examination, in which our clinic manager and your physical therapist will look at your whole spine and asses your balance, medical history, and overall physical condition.
After the assessment, your physical therapist will share our findings, and they will explain the best treatment options. Then, your physical therapist will design a treatment plan unique to you. This plan might include combining techniques such as physical therapy sessions, bracing, and an at-home exercise program.
During your physical therapy sessions, you will learn mobility exercises to help improve your range of motion, core strength, and posture and stabilize yourself better as you move. Our Scoliosis exercise program usually includes stretching and core muscle strengthening to help stabilize the spine. Some exercises need no equipment, while others require simple tools the therapist can help obtain. These could include resistance bands, exercise balls, balance boards, or foam rollers. Additionally, Scoliosis bracing involves wearing a custom-made brace around the torso to prevent the curve in the spine from worsening over time. Depending on the type of brace, it may be worn during the day or at night only.
Our goal is for patients to lengthen, strengthen, and achieve a more natural position for their curved spine.
Every year, the American Stroke Association and the Stroke Awareness Foundation lead the stroke community in providing ways to learn about stroke, shareable resources, and opportunities to participate. Learn more by visiting the American Stroke Association and the Stroke Awareness Foundation websites.
We can all participate in the National Stroke Awareness Month in a number of ways:
• Get active and participate in the different events from the American Stroke Association
• Commit to making a change and improving a stroke risk factor
• Share the resources on the National Stroke Awareness Month
Strokes can be devastating, physically, cognitively, and emotionally. The process of recovery may be tough, but physical therapy can be helpful for minimizing symptoms and improving the quality of life after a stroke. Your physical therapist can help you:
• Recover from brain damage and loss of muscle function
• Stimulate damaged nerves and muscles
• Reduce stiffness and maintain circulation to affected muscles and nerves
• Relearn movements and activities
• Gain the most function and independence possible
• Learn new ways to move due to any lingering side effects
• Rebuild mobility and physical strength
• Prevent muscle loss
• Recover better and faster
At Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, our physical therapists provide a comprehensive and holistic approach, we make personalized care plans based on each patient’s individual needs and health goals. Contact Us today to learn more about our Post Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
Ready to Spring Forward into Wellness?
At Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, every month is Physical Wellness Month!
But since it’s officially celebrated in April, let’s make the most of this reminder to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Research suggests that more than 80% of American adults do not get enough physical activity despite the proven benefits, such as a reduced risk of some cancers and chronic diseases, as well as improved bone health, cognitive function, weight control, and quality of life. If there are concerns that keep you from improving health through physical activity, now is a great time to partner with a Scerbo physical therapist to create a safe and effective program to get you moving.
This month we recognize the hard work of all Athletic Trainers and the vital role they play in the prevention and recovery of professional athletes. Athletic Trainers play a vital role between an injured athlete, their physician, and their coach. According to NATA.org, “Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals that work in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions.
Athletic trainers improve functional outcomes and specialize in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury. Preventative care provided by an athletic trainer can reduce injury and shorten rehabilitation time for their patients.
This month of March join us in recognizing the importance and valuable contribution these professionals provide to the care of their patients.
Calling All Athletes – Any Age, All Levels – Stay Injury-free and Perform at your Best! Call Scerbo PT for an appointment with our Certified Athletic Trainer
Angel Montanez, ATC, LAT, PES is a licensed Athletic Trainer and a Performance Enhancement Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. His training experience extends from preadolescents to competitive athletes of multiple disciplines to seniors. Currently Angel designs sport-specific strength & conditioning programs for adolescents in a private high school as well as a seasonal staff member for the San Diego Padres Development Team in the Dominican Republic.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing one in four deaths each year. This February, we celebrate American Heart Month, and what better way to join these efforts than by making lifestyle changes, such as eating right, quitting smoking, lessening stress, and exercising. Based on recommendations from the American Heart Association, a heart-healthy exercise plan should include cardiovascular or aerobic activity five times per week, for at least 30 minutes a session.
At Scerbo Physical Therapy we can help lower your risk of developing heart disease by improving your exercise capacity, strength, endurance, and overall well-being. Our physical therapists will evaluate your condition and assess your lifestyle to determine the best long-term plan to improve your cardiac health. Here are some of the ways that we can help your heart:
• Improved Strength – Our physical therapists can help strengthen your body and heart after a cardiac event.
• Pain Relief – If you suffer from chest pain and other heart-related symptoms, we can help.
• Improved Wellness – We can help educate you on ways to create lifestyle habits such as eating healthy, getting more active, and quitting smoking.
• Stress Reduction – Stress heavily influences your heart health. Physical therapy treatments can help provide stress relief and take some burden off of your heart.
• Lowered Blood Pressure – Physical therapy rehabilitation exercises can help improve your endurance and lower your blood pressure at rest and when active.
If you are interested in trying physical therapy to improve your cardiovascular health, our physical therapists can help you get started. Our programs are designed to help gradually build your cardiac health and incorporate healthy lifestyle choices into your daily routine.
For more information and resources about how to American Heart Month and how to donate visit the American Heart Association.
At Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, we are proud to announce the celebration of our 15th year providing physical therapy to the Northern New Jersey community.
Dr. Frank J. Scerbo, PT, DPT, MS, CSCS owner and founder of Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, first opened his doors in 2007. The clinic then consisted of a small suite with two Physical Therapists, including himself. As the demand for the physical therapy profession in healthcare grew, so did Scerbo Physical Therapy. Over the years additional therapists joined the practice, keeping Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation a local business owned and operated by physical therapists.
As the needs of the community grew, the team expanded to include Michael E. Pomykala, PT, DPT, OCS; Adrian Lorenzo, PT, DPT, Kyle McDonough, PT, DPT; and Frankie Goris, PT, DPT, as well as Jennifer Gentile, PT, DPT, SCS, and Angel Montanez ATC, PES.
The current facility features an inspiring view of Manhattan and the Hudson River and is equipped with a full line of state-of-the-art equipment, including machines designed by Precor, Nautilus, and Vision Technologies.
Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation provides treatment for all ages, including sports athletes, active adults, beginner to advanced runners, golfers, bicyclists, those recovering from injuries, surgery, or chronic illness, and pediatrics. We are here to serve everyone in the community who wants to improve their health and active lifestyle.
Owner Frank J. Scerbo and the entire team of physical therapists at Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation would like to express their gratitude for all the support from the community during these past 15 years. We look forward to continuing to serve the people of Edgewater and the Northern New Jersey surrounding areas for many years to come.
Call us today at (201) 941-2240 or email info@scerbopt.com.
Dr. Kyle McDonough is the newest Physical Therapist to join the team at Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Edgewater, New Jersey. Dr. McDonough has particular interests in outpatient orthopedic and sports rehab.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science/Physical Therapy from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Kean University in Union, NJ. During his doctoral studies, he collaborated on research on the treatment of Bell’s Palsy, and investigations into how COVID-19 affected cardiopulmonary rehabilitation outcomes.
The Jersey Shore native enjoys working out, sports activities, and visiting the beach. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Mercy College Lacrosse team. Dr. McDonough credits a high school shoulder injury as the source of his keen interest in physical therapy to help people reduce pain and restore, maintain and optimize physical function.
Contact us today to schedule, your appointment with Dr. Kyle McDonough, PT, DPT.
We are proud to announce that Dr. Michael E. Pomykala PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS has earned the professional designation of Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS).
The Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS) board certification is granted by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) and involves a rigorous application and examination process. Less than 5% of the physical therapists in the United States are certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists.
The advanced clinical knowledge and skillset required to sit for and pass Certification allow therapists to better treat patients in their specialty and keeps them up-to-date with cutting edge research and technology. This allows patients and the health care community in identifying these physical therapists.
Getting off the crutches takes patience to aid recovery, hard work with a specialized physical therapy team such as Scerbo PT. For Finn, it was all about getting back into the game. Rehabilitated by Dr. Michael E. Pomykala, PT, DPT of Scerbo Physical Therapy LLC.
Gives a brief lecture about how to find your neutral spine zone at Mobility class at Brazen Athletics Hoboken, NJ. by Dr. Nicole M. Lombardo of Scerbo Physical Therapy LLC.
Cliffside Park High School student Amber Fernandez undertakes surgery which was performed by Chief of the Trauma Center, Dr. Sanjeev Kaul at Hackensack hospital and rehabilitated by Michael E. Pomykala, PT, DPT of Scerbo Physical Therapy LLC.
WPIX news anchor Marvin Scott discusses his Rotator Cuff surgery which was performed by Dr. Christopher Ahmad and the Columbia Orthopedics team and rehabilitated by Dr. Frank J. Scerbo of Scerbo Physical Therapy LLC.