Health night to focus on ‘aging with independence’
Alaina Marino
Join physical therapist, Alaina Marino, as she walks you through some straightforward lifestyle practices and modifications to keep you feeling in tip top shape during our January Health Night on the Town program.
“Being aware and proactive about your everyday health routines can help maintain and improve your mobility,” says Marino. “Proper body mechanics around posture are simple tools to strengthen your core muscles and joints in your back, hips and neck.”
Taking precautions to safeguard your risk of falls is another incredibly important step to staying independent. According to the National Council for Aging Care, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults, and they may also cause other severe injuries, such as fractures of the hip, that can have extremely negative impacts on quality of life.
“Environmental factors such as lighting, clutter, improper flooring choices even pets can all become serious trip hazards,” continues Marino. “Identifying and correcting such issues are important – as a fall can quickly cascade into a variety of independence-limiting scenarios and is often the factor in the move to assistive living.”
Marino is the outpatient rehab manager for Methodist Therapy Services and just recently completed a three year fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Colorado Springs, CO.
Her fellowship thesis was on Management of Nocturnal Leg Cramps and she has specialized in treating spine issues and headaches for over 12 years.
She has completed three certifications in Orthopedic Manual Therapy, five years of study in clinical reasoning and orthopedics as well with the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy.
She is also LSVT BIG certified for Parkinson’s management. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Clinical Science in Orthopedic Manual Therapy from Andrews University and excels in treating complex and chronic patients. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists and also enjoys her role as an Adjunct Professor at South College.
Health Night will take place on Tuesday, January 29 at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike. This program is part of Methodist Medical Center’s continuing Health Night on the Town series. Programs are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call 865-835-4662.