A growing social media trend is putting vibration plates in the spotlight as a potential tool to shake off lymphedema symptoms, though specialists caution that the devices should complement, not replace, established therapies.

Whole-body vibration plates, which create rapid muscle contractions while users stand, sit or exercise on the device, have attracted attention online for claims that they can improve circulation, reduce swelling and support lymphatic health.

Many people discover the devices through social media platforms such as TikTok, where wellness trends often spread quickly. Rachel Rohman, PT, DPT, CLT, an OSF HealthCare physical therapist specializing in lymphedema treatment, stresses that while vibration plates may provide an additional tool for symptom management, they should not replace compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage or other evidence-based treatments.

She also warns against believing claims circulating online that portray vibration plates as a standalone solution for lymphedema. While early research is encouraging, Rohman says evidence specific to lymphedema remains limited.

More research is needed

“There has been a lot of positive research regarding, especially improvements in circulation, improved venous vasodilation and getting the blood moving,” Rohman says. “While the circulatory system and the lymph system go hand in hand, there's not as much research looking directly at people with lymphedema and use of vibration plates.”

Lymphedema is a chronic condition caused by a disruption in the lymphatic system that leads to swelling, most commonly in the arms or legs. While the condition cannot be cured, it can often be effectively managed through treatments such as compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage therapy and compression pumps.

Rohman points out studies examining vibration plates in healthy individuals, and patients with other medical conditions, have demonstrated benefits related to circulation and mobility. A smaller number of studies have explored their use among people with lymphedema or related conditions, with some positive results.

In the past few years, there have been a handful of published studies including one that looked at women with a related condition called lipedema, which results in an abnormal fat buildup on both sides of the body.

Rohman explains, “Those women do get some swelling and that study did show some positive improvements in swelling over time with use of vibration plates in addition to manual lymphatic drainage massage. So, the new studies are showing some promise. I think there will be a lot more promising research that comes out, even potentially in the next few years.”

Because research remains limited, vibration plates are not considered part of the standard of care for lymphedema management. Instead, Rohman says she discusses the devices primarily with patients who are already following established treatment recommendations and are looking for additional ways to manage symptoms.

Vibration plates can be a good supplement to care

“They are already potentially doing their other treatment options that are more standard of care, but they're just looking to take their treatment to the next level and so I’m telling them that is an additional option they can try that does have some promising research,” Rohman shares.

Users of vibration plates often report feeling less swollen, more energized or generally better after use. For most healthy people, the devices are frequently incorporated into fitness routines, allowing people to perform body-weight exercises while standing on the vibrating platform.

Still, Rohman cautions that the devices are not appropriate for everyone.

“I am looking for a patient that does not have any medical contraindications,” Rohman says. “They don't have any uncontrolled medical conditions that would warrant being seen by a specialist. Someone with an implanted device like a pacemaker, that can cause some harm to the device, which could be life-threatening.”

Patients with poor balance, untreated blood clots or uncontrolled heart and respiratory conditions could face increased risks. Anyone trying a vibration plate should begin with a low setting and short sessions before gradually increasing intensity.

For people experiencing swelling and considering vibration therapy, Rohman recommends consulting a lymphedema specialist first to determine whether the treatment is appropriate and to rule out other underlying causes.

As interest in vibration plates continues to grow, Rohman emphasizes that potential users should approach the therapy with realistic expectations and view it as one potential component of a broader treatment plan rather than a miracle cure.

Rachel Rohman is a physical therapist specializing in lymphedema treatment at OSF HealthCare in Bloomington.

Video clips with Rachel Rhoman

B-roll-Vibration plates

Calves

It’s a “same song, different verse” situation for injuries to your calf muscles that sit in the back of your lower leg. Delaney says sports that involve sprinting or a sudden direction change are breeding grounds for calf injuries.

“We see it in baseball and softball outfielders. The ground might be uneven. You might hit the ground just right that you’re going to feel that calf tighten up,” leading to a sharp pain or cramp-type pain, Delaney says.

Health care providers also grade these injuries one, two or three, with three being a severe rupture. Like hamstrings, Delaney says the calf muscles can heal themselves with time and rehab.

“With calves, you can immobilize [the patient]. At times, I may treat an athlete with a controlled ankle motion boot [CAM boot] to immobilize and give that calf muscle more of a rest,” Delaney says. “With hamstrings, you can just put them on crutches and be non-weight bearing for a short time.”

Delaney says a grade one calf injury is typically two to four weeks of rehab. Grade two is four to six weeks. And a grade three complete rupture can take up to 12 weeks to heal.

Prevention

For prevention of these injuries, “dynamic” is the word of the day. As in, dynamic warmups before competition. Gone are the days of just touching your toes. Delaney has her athletes combine dynamic and static stretches before a practice or game. This might mean a light job around the baseball field to warm up the muscles.

“A lot of athletes can feel these injuries coming on,” Delaney points out. “So back off and modify your activity. Cross training also helps. My long distance runners may go to the pool and work out. Weight training can help.”

Coaches and parents should also keep an eye on young athletes for signs they need a break. Talk to a professional to know the right way to treat injuries at home. You don’t want to apply heat when you should be applying ice, for example. And, empower the youngsters to speak up when they’re hurt.

Learn more

Read more about keeping your body in top shape on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

Read more from OSF athletic trainer Brittany Delaney here.

On a cold winter night in December 2019, Deanne Meseck of Rockford, Illinois, couldn’t wait to dig into her store-bought meal of roasted chicken, gravy and mashed potatoes. She had just completed a colonoscopy earlier that day and was famished.

But as she and her husband, Ryan, started eating, her life at age 47 changed forever.

Ryan noticed food was dropping from the left side of her mouth. Concerned, he told his wife to put her arms up, but Meseck couldn’t lift her left arm. And when he asked her to speak, her words were jumbled, so he immediately called 9-1-1. A crew arrived and suspected Meseck was having a stroke.

Meseck was taken by ambulance to OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, where she underwent a battery of tests and procedures. The diagnosis came back as an ischemic stroke from a blood clot.

Ischemic strokes, caused by a blocked vessel, account for about 87% of all strokes, and roughly 60% of strokes among people under 50.

Michele Johnson, APRN, is a nurse practitioner at OSF HealthCare, and Meseck’s primary care provider. Johnson says Meseck had a large-sized right middle cerebral artery stroke, that affected half of her brain.

“Anytime somebody goes in for a stroke, you have to look at what type of stroke,” says Johnson. “What was it caused from? Was it from a blood clot? Is it a bleed? Just trying to figure those things out initially, in the emergency room and in the hospital.”

Meseck required surgery to relieve the swelling in her brain. She suffered respiratory depression from pneumonia, which required being on a vent for an extended period. After spending weeks in the hospital, Meseck was moved to a rehabilitation facility, followed by extensive physical, speech, occupational and ophthalmological treatment, some of which is ongoing.

Turning a corner

Johnson says despite tremendous progress, Meseck will always have some limitations. 

“With the contractures (stiffness) of the hands, going back to therapy is important, some speech impediment, some visual problems and the weakness, she has progressed significantly since this all occurred,” Johnson says. “But there will always be some permanent disability.”

Perhaps the hardest part for Meseck was giving up her 26-year career in finance. “They were just really worried about what being in a stressful work environment would do,” says Meseck. "There was no way that I could hold a nine-to-five job.”

While the physical toll was hard on Meseck, the mental hurdles proved equally challenging. She sought mental health therapy, which gave her a new perspective while coping with severe depression.

“I spent a lot of time with a therapist talking about how I lost my identity, and I lost my whole way of life and had to figure out how to be a new person,” she says.  “That was probably as difficult as any physical therapy that I had.”

Meseck filled her days by walking her dog, streaming TV shows and enjoying time with her two-year-old grandchild. But as she worked to heal both inside and out, Meseck, now 53, was searching for an opportunity where she could make a difference, especially for people going through similar challenges.

Giving back

She started attending a local, monthly group for stroke survivors. In 2024, the organizers of the group planned a benefit walk, and Meseck was on board, recruiting friends and family to form a team. But when she found out there wouldn’t be a second walk the next year due to a lack of volunteers, Meseck knew what she needed to do. She and her sister, Shelly, rolled up their sleeves and started planning the second annual walk, which takes place on May 30 in Rockford. Proceeds from the event support a stroke camp for survivors.

Meseck says coordinating this major special event is her new calling.

“I want to motivate people to know that there is life after stroke,” she says. “It may be hard to find it, and you won't be the same as you were, but you can do it. If I can do it, anybody can do it.”

Johnson says the timing is right for Meseck to take on her latest challenge of planning the walk. 

“It is good for her to have a purpose because she was so busy before,” says Johnson. “This does give her joy. It’s important to hear from somebody like Deanne; there are treatments out there and you can live and function. Maybe not the way you did before, but there is life after stroke.”

Meseck says her journey is far from over. She knows that she will always be in constant recovery. And she can live with that.

“It was difficult,” she says. “But I just kept waking up every day saying, 'You know what, I'm here, and there's a reason I'm here.' You have to find a silver lining.”

When to seek emergency help

Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away if you or someone you're with has signs or symptoms of a stroke.

Use F.A.S.T. to remember warning signs.

• Face. Does the face droop on one side when the person tries to smile?
• Arms. Is one arm lower when the person tries to raise both arms? Is one arm weak or numb?
• Speech. Can the person repeat a simple sentence? Is speech slurred or hard to understand?
• Time. Every minute counts during a stroke. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away if you see any of these signs.

Deanne Meseck interview clips 

Michele Johnson interview clips 

B-roll

When watching a basketball game on television, you may hear coaches and announcers say the star player is missing time with a hernia.

A sports hernia is different than a hernia suffered in everyday life, says Raman Kumar, MD, a colorectal surgeon and general surgeon at OSF HealthCare. But each should be taken seriously.

Hernia

Dr. Kumar says a hernia is when an internal organ or piece of fat goes through a hole in the abdominal wall. The most common type – around 80%  – is an inguinal hernia, when a part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall in the lower belly (also called the groin). Anyone can get a hernia, even newborns. But Dr. Kumar says they are seen more in older men. Symptoms include a bulge or swelling in the abdominal area and pain when moving.

“A lot of chronic heavy lifting,” can cause hernias, Dr. Kumar says. “Other things weaken the abdominal wall such as diabetes and smoking. Being obese causes a lot of weight hanging down on the abdominal wall. If you’ve had surgery in the past, that’s also a risk factor.”

So be mindful when lifting objects, Dr. Kumar advises. Lift with your knees, not your back, and don’t try to lift heavy items. Get a cart or a partner to help. Eat healthy and exercise to avoid obesity and diabetes. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

Dr. Kumar says an exterior wrap known as a hernia belt or abdominal binder can be a short-term solution. But surgery is often the endgame.

“If you have a hole or defect, it needs to be closed,” Dr. Kumar says. “The reason we fix hernias is because we don’t want a loop of intestine or bowel to get into the hernia, twist off and die.”

That would make a person very sick and possibly threaten their life, Dr. Kumar says.

Sports hernia

Dr. Kumar says a sports hernia is a muscle tear in the groin area. They’re seen in athletes due to all the twisting, turning and bending that comes with competition.

“Stretch before you do any type of activity. Work and develop your core muscles, including your abdominal and hip muscles.” Dr. Kumar says. “If the muscles are strong, they are less likely to tear.”

Athletes who complain of groin pain should immediately leave the competition and get checked out by a trainer or doctor. Resting and icing the groin will help, but a combination of medication, physical therapy or surgery will likely be needed to fully heal.

Be proactive

If you have symptoms of a hernia or sports hernia, see a health care provider right away.

“Nine times out of 10, we can determine you have a hernia just based on a physical exam,” Dr. Kumar says.

But for more complicated cases, your doctor may order an ultrasound or CT scan. Then, the provider will develop a treatment plan.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

Hernias: More common than you think

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to slip on those flip-flops and other comfortable shoes. But this seasonal wear can cause injuries and foot pain during the hottest time of the year, including plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis (fashee-EYE-tiss) is one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of the heel, according to the Journal of Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy.

Plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot, says Brittni Zick, a physical therapist with OSF HealthCare.

“Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia in the bottom of the foot gets stressed, and it's typically due to a lack of mobility in the foot,” Zick says.

Plantar fasciitis is common, especially in people between the ages of 40 to 60. It affects one in 10 people at some point in their life, and roughly two million people seek treatment for the pain and discomfort. It’s a frequent problem for athletes, especially runners, but it can happen to anyone. That includes people who have structural foot issues or often wear heels.

Zick says plantar fasciitis can feel like a dull, constant ache or a sharp stabbing pain when you put pressure on your heel. “Common symptoms are heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after a period of inactivity or if you stand or walk on your feet a lot,” she says.

There are plenty of things you can try at home to relieve discomfort. That includes massaging the bottom of your foot, rolling your foot over a cold-water bottle or wearing arch supports. You can also stretch out the hamstrings.

Zick says if you’ve been having pain for two weeks, it’s probably time to call your provider. But if you’ve already started a home treatment regiment, give it at least two months. Your provider might refer you to a physical therapist to help improve your range of motion and introduce stretching exercises. Dry needling is another technique used to ease muscle pain and improve the range of motion in the nearby joints. Surgery might also be an option for people when other factors are at play such as bone spurs.

Protect your feet

If you’re experiencing any foot pain, don’t walk barefoot. Check your shoes for signs of wear and tear and make sure your sandals or flip-flops have arch support. Wearing shoes is important because they unload the compression to the heel. Shoes with thick soles and extra cushioning can also reduce pain while standing and walking.

“Shoes are really important for preventing and managing plantar fasciitis,” Zick says. “You want a shoe that gives good arch support and allows your toes to extend.”

The best way to manage and prevent plantar fasciitis is stretching, especially before a walk. Zick says before heading out the door, stretch the bottom of your foot, the bottom of your toes and your calf muscles out.

Plantar fasciitis can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

“It really depends on how diligent you are when it comes to all the remedies for it, and the type of work you do,” Zick says. “If you’re on your feet a lot and you’re not wearing supportive shoes, and not doing stretches, you’re going to be battling it for a lot longer.”

There is always a chance of recurrence. But by taking preventive ‘steps,’ Zick says people can get back on their feet sooner rather than later.

For more information on plantar fasciitis and other foot-related problems, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview Clips 

B-roll 

Travis Jones, DPT, OCS, MBA, and an OSF Mission Partner (employee) learned about the power of data while getting his master’s degree in business administration. While concentrating on business analytics Jones thought about how data could apply to his job as a physical therapist and soon he was working with the OSF Innovation Studio team to build an AI-backed platform that can be used to help health care employers identify job risks and speed review of injury assessments in workers’ compensation cases.

That’s important because, according to Jones, nurses and CNAs are injured on the job more than any other profession in the U.S. — even more than construction workers. RNs suffer over 20,000 work-related injuries each year serious enough to miss work. One back injury can cost a hospital $30,000+ in direct costs alone, not including lost productivity, overtime, or turnover.

Jones’ platform and company Health Shift AI uses advanced algorithms and historical data analysis, built on licensed intellectual property from OSF HealthCare, to identify risks on day one of workplace incidents in a health care setting to prevent chronic injuries. It also ensures the person injured gets a quick assessment.

“So really, one of our biggest goals is improving the access, so that way people can have access to rehab programs almost immediately when the injury occurs, which then can help reduce costs down the line from those issues not becoming chronic issues, and by getting really to the root of the problem quickly.”

By using his platform, Jones estimates health care systems could see a 30% reduction in the current annual claim costs, which can easily be hundreds of thousands of dollars or more for large hospitals.  He also believes it could likely lower workers’ compensation premiums.

Jones explains he developed his algorithm by looking at crucial data points.

“We look at things like job type, we look at age, we look at what the individual was doing when they were injured, what body region was injured, what type of injury it was. And then also we can look at the descriptions of the incident that happened. And we can generate insights from those as well.”

The platform analyzes historical workers' comp data to prioritize physical therapy for at-risk employees, aiming to improve recovery time and reduce employer costs. But it also offers a personalized approach for injured workers.

“That computer vision model can then identify potential faulty movement patterns that may increase risk of injury. And then it provides that individual with customized exercise programs, education; things they can do to address those faulty movement patterns to reduce their injury risk.”

There might be other companies that provide virtual physical therapy, but Jones says his digital platform is the most integrated solution available for employers – evaluating workplace risk, plus proactively identifying and addressing movement risks using AI-powered personalized assessments and educational resources.

OSF Innovation Studio provided Jones with guidance, coaching, and connections to help him refine his idea, understand the market potential, and ultimately develop a software solution that could be licensed to a startup. Jones’ efforts with Health Shift AI are currently self-funded and include support from family and friends.

Used AI to help develop the software

He used AI to help him write code to develop his software, saving time and money because he didn’t have to hire a software engineer. And as an OSF Mission Partner, he received input and support in that area from OSF Innovation Studio.

Kip McCoy, vice president, Innovation Studio says Jones is an enthusiastic entrepreneur, and he maximized the help available.

“There are a lot of resources in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem that are available. So, what we’ve tried to do is to get him tied into or connected to a lot of those that are at the disposal of various start-ups in the Peoria area.”

That includes Distillery Labs in Peoria where Joes participated in gALPHA class last September. He says exposure to others’ struggles and mentors who have been successful entrepreneurs really helped. Additionally, he also connected with Enterprise Works, and the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ program.

His company, Health Shift AI, has since licensed the software he developed at OSF HealthCare.

Other aspects that are not part of the licensing agreement include self-guided recovery access -- personalized recovery programs and progress tracking through the digital platform.

Jones established his company in Peoria, Illinois and plans to keep it here. Next steps are to work on a pilot within OSF HealthCare that utilizes all aspects of the platform. Jones also sees a market for his Health Shift AI in manufacturing and is testing the software with a window manufacturer and distributor.

McCoy says Health Shift AI is a success story that reminds OSF HealthCare Mission Partners that if they have an idea, the OSF Innovation Studio team is ready to assist.

“We can help you think through that, look at different opportunities, see what resources we can have available to help you just better craft or focus in on where the potential opportunity or the need might be that can help move it (your idea) forward.”

OSF Mission Partners can begin their journey toward potentially developing their solution by filling out an idea submission form online here.

Travis Jones

Kip McCoy

B-roll of Health Shift AI

A pinched nerve can also be a culprit.

“The most common cause [of a pinched nerve] is arthritis. Over time, a disc [in your spine] dries out and starts to bulge. Arthritis builds up in the joints of the neck. That can start squeezing on the nerve,” Dr. Syed explains.

“Certain activities can increase the risk for all that,” he adds. “You do something that requires moving your neck a lot. You do a lot of strenuous work. That can cause things to happen a little bit faster. It can also happen if you’re sitting at a desk at an uncomfortable angle for prolonged periods.”

Pain from a pinched nerve can travel down your body and into your hand, for example.

Treatment

Regardless of the cause of your neck pain, Dr. Syed says a good physical therapy program – both in the doctor’s office and continued at home – can take care of many cases before surgery is discussed. He estimates only around 10% of his patients need surgery.

If it does get to surgery: “A lot depends on which nerves are pinched and where,” Dr. Syed says. “For some people, we go in from the back of the neck to free up the nerve. For some, we go in through the front of the neck. Some surgeries are fusion surgeries. Some are what we call motion sparing. Rather than taking the individual bones of the neck and turning them into one bone, we’re able to keep them free. That preserves [the person’s] motion.”

Prevention

Here's an alert to put in your phone for morning, midday and evening: stretch. Stretching often can keep your neck limber. Five to 10 repetitions of up/down and side to side motions can go a long way, Dr. Syed says.

Practicing good posture goes hand-in-hand with stretching. Sit up straight at your work desk, and take breaks to walk around. Dr. Syed says research is still in progress on how much a standing desk or sitting on a big bouncy ball helps. But he says if those decrease your pain, go for it.

“If you work at a very physically involved job, make sure you have good ergonomics [good workplace behaviors]. If something is a two-person lift, grab someone. Don’t try to lift heavy things by yourself,” Dr. Syed implores.

A diet high in protein, vitamins and calcium is another must-do. Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more prone to breaking.

And lastly, manage chronic illnesses, and drop the cigarettes.

“We know from a lot of studies that smoking damages bone metabolism. It accelerates arthritis. It’s bad for blood supply and nerves,” Dr. Syed warns.

Learn more

Read more about how to keep your body in top shape on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

B-roll

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Prevention

Delaney works with her athletes on good throwing mechanics and building strength in your whole body.

“They understand that when they’re throwing, it’s all about speed. But they think it’s all in the shoulder. It’s not,” Delaney says. “It’s in your upper back, core and hips.”

Other tips:

• Delaney says when kids are just starting baseball, their growth plates (areas of new bone growth) are not yet solid. So, throwing extra hard or mixing up pitches can lead to injuries. At young ages, she says to concentrate on mechanics. Start with a good fastball down the middle of the zone, and learn other pitches when you’re a little older. This allows bones and muscles to mature.
   
• Do a proper warm up and cool down. Delaney has her baseball players jog a couple laps around the field to warm up, followed by dynamic stretching (stretching with active movements, not just touching your toes). The Throwers Ten program is one she uses to wake up the muscles.
  
  After the game, stretch again, and ice sore body parts if needed.
   
• Empower kids to speak up if they are hurt and need to head to the bench. They shouldn’t fear losing their spot in the lineup.
   
• Make sure your child’s league has a pitch count to avoid overuse injuries. Organizations like Little League and Major League Baseball have guidelines that local leagues can work from.

Learn more

Read more about how to keep your body in top shape on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

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A shin-termission: Navigating lower leg pain

Moore, who had her right leg amputated above the knee and did her rehabilitation at OSF HealthCare, has become an advocate for others in her situation. She’s telling them: Here’s what to expect in rehab. And more than anything, losing a limb doesn’t mean you have to lose hope.

“A good attitude is so important when you’re dealing with something like this,” Moore says.

Linda’s journey

A Centralia, Illinois, native, Moore had a long career in the automotive industry before turning her focus to friends and family. But her life’s work took a toll on her body, leading to both knees being replaced in 2014. Complications and a fall in 2019 produced problems in her right kneecap.

“It kept popping off to the side,” Moore says, gesturing to where her knee used to be. “It made for great conversation, but it didn’t feel very good.”

Multiple attempts by doctors to fix the kneecap didn’t produce a permanent solution. In fact, she developed a cellulitis infection that caused her whole lower leg to become discolored.

“The doctor came in and said he didn’t think my knee was going to work out,” Moore recalls.

“He said I could possibly never be able to walk again, or I could have my leg cut off,” she adds with a grimace.

Doctors amputated Moore’s leg on November 13, 2024. She went to OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois, for inpatient rehab – physical therapy to build strength and occupational therapy to relearn movements to accomplish daily tasks like dressing and showering.

She makes no bones about it: “Three weeks of intense therapy,” Moore says.

“It included standing on my left leg. Depending on that leg for my balance. How to move my leg around to get where I need to go, with support of course,” Moore recounts.

“With these patients, we’re working a lot on hip extensions,” says Deidre Murphy, a physical therapy assistant at OSF who worked with Moore. “For the residual limb [limb remaining after amputation,] the hip needs to be straight. You don’t want it to be flexed. People tend to guard that injured leg. When they do, they flex it, and it tends to get stuck there. You have to fight that, or they’ll be walking bent over.”

Sit-to-stand movements, like mimicking getting out of bed or a car, are also common. People take those exercises home to keep up their progress.

For Murphy, Moore was a patient she won’t soon forget.

“Linda had the best attitude from the start. She was positive and ready to put in the hard work,” Murphy says. “She made it fun. She kept me laughing. Always in good spirits. When she got down a little bit, she really bounced back. She could see her hard work pay off.”

“I don’t know how to describe how they made me feel. It was just wonderful,” Moore says.

The outlook

Moore came home to an assisted living facility in Rantoul just in time for the holidays. She spent holiday gatherings on her scooter, but she’ll soon learn to use a prosthetic leg.

“It’s a long process,” Murphy says of getting used to a new leg. “The limb has to heal. They’ll shape the limb with compression. Eventually, they’ll go to a prosthetist and start getting the prosthetic ready.”

Then, it’s like rehab all over again. No fear for Moore, though. She’s determined to dance her limitations away as soon as she can.

“I feel good about things,” Moore says. “Attitude is everything. If you have a bad attitude, you’re going to have a bad recovery. If you have a good attitude, people want to be around you and help you. And it makes your day a whole lot easier.

“You don’t have to be miserable. Accept the help you can get. Find a good place to live. You can get through it,” Moore adds.

Learn more

Read more about the procedures and goals involved with rehabilitation on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips - Linda Moore

B-roll

Freddie Freeman has plenty to be grateful for this holiday season. Not only did his Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series in October, but the first baseman was named the series most valuable player.

But the best news for Freeman and his wife is that their young son is recovering after a scary bout of Guillain-Barré (pronounced Ghee-yan Bah-ray) Syndrome (GBS).

“Guillain-Barré Syndrome is an illness that we see often in adults, but we can see it in children as well,” says Asma Khan, DO, a pediatrician with OSF HealthCare. “It's an inflammation of the body. It's like an autoimmune disease but it's an inflammation where the body attacks its nerve cells.”

While experts aren’t sure of the exact cause of GBS, many people with Guillain-Barré exhibit early symptoms of an infection before a diagnosis is found. Freeman’s three-year-old son, Max, first started experiencing symptoms in July when he developed a viral infection. When Max was unable to stand or walk without being in pain, his parents rushed him to the hospital.

“Usually there's an illness about a few weeks prior to the onset of Guillain-Barré, within four to six weeks prior, and it's either a GI infection or upper respiratory infection,” says Dr. Khan.

Symptoms usually happen suddenly, can affect both sides of your body and start in the feet and legs. “We see signs of weakness,” says Dr. Khan. “We see some nerve issues where they have numbness, tingling, and weakness of the muscles progresses from your lower extremities, from your legs all the way up, and it can even reach your eyes, your lungs. So, it's progressive.”

While it’s rare, anyone can get GBS, but it’s more common in adults and especially in males. But Dr. Khan has seen a few cases in her pediatric practice.

“We notice the child having leg pain and refusing to walk or having an abnormal gait,” she says. “That's usually your triggering factor that you notice first, and then, upon evaluation, you notice weakness in the lower extremities, and then the reflexes are diminished or absent.”

The most severe problem is trouble breathing. Dr. Khan explains that as muscles and the chest wall get weaker, respiratory failure can occur. That’s the reason hospitalization is so important.

“We want to make sure they're eating okay,” she adds. “So as the weakness progresses, is it affecting their ability to swallow or choking? Do we need to give them a feeding tube? Do we need to give them fluids? And then the big thing that we need to really watch is respiratory status.”

Treatment includes plasma exchange, which filters out the antibodies in the plasma that are attacking the nerves. Another treatment, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG), involves IV injections of immunoglobulins which are proteins that the immune system makes. IVIG can reduce the immune system’s attack on the nerves.

Physical, occupational and speech therapy may also be required, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Dr. Khan says most people completely recover from Guillain-Barré Syndrome, but it can take six to 12 months, or longer. However, some people may experience lingering effects including weakness and fatigue.

Freeman has posted on his social media accounts that Max is back home and recovering. Still, the young boy has a long road ahead to regain his strength and learn to walk again.

For more information on children and Guillain-Barré Syndrome, visit the OSF HealthCare website. 

 

Interview Clips 

Summer is in full swing, which means it’s time to slip on those flip-flops and other comfortable shoes. But this seasonal wear can cause injuries and foot pain during this time of year, including plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis (fashee-EYE-tiss) is one of the most common causes of pain on the bottom of the heel, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot, becomes irritated.

“Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation from the bottom of your foot," says Ashley Gunlock, a physical therapist with OSF HealthCare. "If you're having sharp pain, especially in the morning, when you're not weight bearing and when you go to stand up for the first time and you have a sharp pain, that's a good indication that you probably have plantar fasciitis.”

Plantar fasciitis is common, affecting one in 10 people at some point in their life. About two million people seek treatment for the pain and discomfort. 

The most common symptom is a sharp pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel. Besides morning pain, it can occur after long periods of rest as well as after exercise or other activity.

“Plantar fasciitis may have several contributors," says Gunlock. "It can occur when somebody has mechanical inefficiencies, such as prior injury, poor body mechanics, or changes in their lifestyle, or from changes in their footwear. The tissues on the back of their legs and foot are getting excessive stress, so they're going to get inflamed. The other way is a common overuse injury. It can happen often with too much running or walking.”

Plantar fasciitis is common among athletes. but it can happen to anyone. Gunlock treats many factory workers, for example, who stand or walk for several hours at a time.

“That prolonged pressure on your foot can inflame the fascia on the bottom of your foot or if they were off of work – if it's a seasonal job, so if they're off over the wintertime – and then they come back to that job in the beginning of the year we're going to get people coming in with that heel-bottom of the foot pain," Gunlock adds. 

If you’re experiencing foot pain, don’t walk barefoot. Examine your shoes for signs of wear and tear and make sure your sandals or flip-flops have arch support. Gunlock says the reason shoes are helpful for people is because they unload the compression to the heel. Shoes with thick soles and extra cushioning can reduce pain with standing and walking.

Things you can try at home to relieve the pain include massaging the bottom of your foot, rolling your foot over a cold-water bottle or stretching the foot. If none of that provides any relief, it’s probably time to seek a referral to a physical therapist. Surgery might also be necessary for some people if other factors are at play such as bone spurs.

“The first thing that I do is look at how their feet are on the ground barefoot, look at their foot posture to see the way the inflammation occurs which has a lot to do with the angle of the calcaneus, which is the heel bone," says Gunlock. "We look at the knees, look at the hips, see how the mechanics look with how you walk, how you move. That gives us a better idea which tissues are the issue. Sometimes the plantar fasciitis is caused by another muscle or overuse of another body part.”

But by taking preventative ‘steps,’ Gunlock says patients can get back on their feet sooner rather than later.

For more information, visit OSF HealthCare.

Interview Clips 

B-Roll

She was about to become a statistic in a polio epidemic and battle a disease that still impacts her in 2024.

Though polio is nearly eradicated today thanks to childhood vaccinations, both the disease and the shots have garnered headlines lately. This month, Paul Alexander, who spent much of his life in an iron lung, passed away at age 78. And the state of Illinois is combating a measles outbreak, reminding us of the importance of vaccines.

Kemnetz’s story

Kemnetz says the week she got her headache that led to a polio diagnosis was a painful blur.

“All my senses were on high alert,” she says. “The littlest sound was like somebody stomping next to my ear. We had a little night light. I couldn’t even stand to have it on.”

On Sunday, the family doctor made a house call and immediately called for an ambulance. Kemnetz wound up at Mercy Hospital in Urbana, Illinois (now OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center). That next month, she says, was also a blur. Among other things, doctors upon her arrival performed a spinal tap to examine Kemnetz’s spinal fluid. She also recalls waking up one day with doctors preparing to put her in an iron lung to help her breathe.

“I screamed at my parents not to put me in that. I was terrified,” Kemnetz says.

After leaving the hospital, Kemnetz got more treatment near her home before spending over a year at a hospital in New York. There, she reprogrammed her leg muscles to work through repetitious exercises. It’s what we know today as physical therapy. Eventually, she returned to a mostly normal life and a career in real estate.

Polio then vs. now

Albert England, MD, an infectious disease physician at OSF HealthCare, says polio has been around “for a long time.” There’s even evidence of ancient Egyptians having it, he says. The disease is caused by a virus that “invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Other symptoms are flu-like, including fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and pain in the arms or legs.

Dr. England says today, doctors use ventilators to help sick people who can’t breathe. But back in 1952, the iron lung – which Kemnetz got acquainted with – was the help available for people with polio.

“It produced negative pressure around the patient, allowing the lungs to expand and contract regularly,” Dr. England explains.

“It was like having CPR 24/7,” Kemnetz says of lying in the tube. “So uncomfortable.”

Kemnetz also gave blood to help develop a polio vaccine, the number one way we have come to fight that disease and many others. It’s a topic she’s passionate about today.

“We have to save the children,” she says.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says children should get four doses of the polio vaccine as a part of routine childhood vaccinations. The CDC says while it’s rare, adults who know or suspect they did not get the shots as kids should get them as adults. Adults who are at an increased risk of getting the disease, such as working in a laboratory where the virus may be present, can get a booster shot.

“The vaccine prevents illness by developing antibodies,” Dr. England explains.

Kemnetz today

In 1985, Kemnetz developed post-polio syndrome, a disorder that weakens the nerves and muscles. She says her hands “look nice,” but everyday tasks like writing, eating or shuffling cards are tough.

“There are just not as many neurons providing the strength the people need,” Dr. England says of post-polio syndrome.

But, after being told in 1952 that walking, having children and living a long life was unlikely, Kemnetz is counting her blessings. Among them are the chances to recount her life story with her children and grandchildren.

“I think I thumbed my nose at them pretty good,” she quips about her prognosis back then. “The word ‘can’t’ isn’t in my vocabulary.”

Interview clips

B-roll

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Basketball season is in full swing, and with it comes the possibility of ankle injuries. You’ll hear doctors and television commentators rattle off different ways to describe an ankle injury. Sprain, strain, fracture and break are common ones. Marc Leonard, MD, an OSF HealthCare podiatrist, says it’s important to know what these conditions mean and how to treat and prevent them.

The good news: you don’t need to memorize four definitions.

Sprains and strains

Dr. Leonard says a sprain and a strain generally describe the same thing: when a ligament or tendon is torn or weakened.

“Maybe it’s a basketball player who twists their ankle,” Dr. Leonard suggests. “It gets a little swollen and bruised. We’re able to treat that conservatively with the acronym RICE. Rest, ice, compression and elevation.”

Fractures and breaks

Dr. Leonard says an ankle fracture and an ankle break also generally describe the same thing: a crack in a bone. He often sees this in older adults who have fallen down the stairs or on the ice.

“If there are breaks in multiple bones and we consider it an unstable ankle, then we would fix it surgically,” Dr. Leonard says. “The process is surgery, then maybe physical therapy and perhaps a brace.”

Dr. Leonard says surgery patients usually go home the same day. A doctor will use screws, staples or both to stabilize the ankle. The person then needs to rest and not put weight on the ankle for six to eight weeks.

Treatment and prevention

Amid basketball season, here’s the take-home advice for when someone suffers an ankle injury: get them off their feet.

“We would advise them to be non-weight bearing. They would use crutches until they can get an X-ray. Then we can decide whether protecting the ankle, physical therapy or surgery may be appropriate,” Dr. Leonard says.

Prevention, Dr. Leonard says, is tough, due to all the movement that comes with sports or just a jog around the block. He advises to just be sensible with your movements. If you know your body can’t handle a cutting motion that comes with running a basketball play, don’t do it. Or, when you’re walking, go slow and watch for ice. And when you do get hurt, get care quickly. Don’t play through the pain.

Dr. Leonard also says that some people with a history of ankle problems may wear a brace during any physical activity, not just when recovering from an injury. But for others, he says a brace isn’t necessary.

“Play with a purpose. Be intentional. And hope for the best,” Dr. Leonard says matter-of-factly.

Learn more

Read more about keeping your body in top shape this winter on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

For ankle sprains, think RICE
Take it slow on the ice: Walk like a penguin

When kids head back to school, it can often be a weight off the shoulders of parents and caregivers. For the students, however, the literal weight of textbooks, folders and supplies can do some serious damage.

The risks of lugging around heavy backpacks are real. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says from 2019 to 2021, there were around 1,200 backpack-related injuries that sent children to the emergency department per year. Keep in mind that during this time, many kids were schooling at home due to the the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. So it's safe to assume that during normal school years, backpack injuries are more prevalent.

OSF HealthCare physical therapist Kelly Bogowith cites a Simmons College study that illustrates just how common the problem is.

“Fifty-five percent who wore backpacks were wearing them beyond the safe recommendation, which is a maximum of 10 to 15% of their body weight,” says Bogowith. “Also in that study they found a third of the children were having back pain that caused them to miss school, see a physician or stay out of activities. So it’s a pretty prominent problem.”

According to Bogowith, children should never carry more than 10% of their body weight in a backpack. Too much weight can create abnormal stress on the body and result in chronic problems down the road.

“We do know that kids who have back pain tend to have recurrent back pain, and once you have one episode of back pain, you tend to have additional. So, I think it’s a concern that’s definitely worthy of a parent taking a look at with their child,” she says.

Even if the weight is right, Bogowith says wearing the backpack incorrectly can be just as damaging. She says backpacks should be worn with both straps on the shoulders, and the bottom of the backpack should land on the low back. If your child's backpack is hitting their buttocks, it is too low, and the straps need to be adjusted.

“If the child is leaning forward,  arching their back or even just complaining of neck pain, shoulder pain or back pain, those are some things to further investigate into the proper fit of the backpack and the weight,” says Bogowith.

Parents should be selective when choosing a backpack for their kids. Backpacks should have two wide, adjustable padded shoulder straps. These help distribute the weight in the backpack and keep the satchel from digging into the shoulders.

Also, look for backpacks that have many different compartments, to allow for even distribution of weight.

Following these simple steps can keep your kids’ necks, shoulders and backs safe and prevent problems down the road.

Interview Clips

A January grocery trip for Charlotte Davis turned out to be life-altering.

The Shipman, Illinois, woman was loading food into the back of her van when she says the hydraulics failed, and the back door slammed into her head.

While she didn’t lose consciousness or have any visible signs of trauma, Davis doesn’t mince words: “It hurt really bad.”

Davis says she put up with worsening headaches, garbled speech and weakened memory as long as she could.

“I tried to drive one day. I hit a flower pot, drove through the ditch, missed my turn, forgot where I was going three times,” Davis says. “My eight year old granddaughter told her mom, ‘Please don't let Mawmaw drive anymore. She's scaring me.’”

When a CAT Scan found no brain bleed, Davis wound up at the OSF HealthCare rehabilitation office in Alton, Illinois. She was skeptical at first but now considers herself a prime example of why you shouldn’t just shake off a head injury – whether it’s in a football game or just around the house. Otherwise, serious issues like the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) may follow.  CTE is often seen in football players. In July 2022, officials announced the late NFL player Demaryius Thomas had CTE.

Physical therapist Kelly Bogowith cared for Davis at the Alton office.

“All concussions are a form of at least mild traumatic brain injury,” Bogowith says. “So it’s important to make sure that you get assessed and also ensure that you're not playing sports later that same day. A provider can give you education on how long you should be sitting out from sports and other physical activities, as well. And that might even include work.”

“Sometimes with concussions, we may not have symptoms for hours or even weeks afterwards. So it's important to get checked out by your physician, urgent care, emergency department, or athletic trainer, depending on your setting,” Bogowith adds. “But it's not something to shake off. And it can be especially important, too, to not have a second concussion because that can be very dangerous and even deadly.”

Every patient recovering from a head knock receives a specially-tailored plan, Bogowith says. The roadmap could include different types of therapy, like physical or speech language. It will always include at-home activities – stretches for physical therapy or puzzles for speech language therapy, for example. And the OSF HealthCare team encourages you to ask questions along the way.

Davis’ plan started with massages and stretches to relieve tension. She progressed to walking, then running on a treadmill.

“I beat that treadmill,” Davis says, beaming.

She beat the non-physical aspects, too. Davis’ memory and speech improved to the point that when she met with speech language pathologist Ashley Brim at the Alton location, it was a one-and-done.

“[Speech therapy] can range within working on targeting problem solving skills,” Brim explains. “So, either really basic problem solving all the way up to reading paragraphs of information. And trying to figure out information that, most of the time, people don't think about. We can just read it and figure it out. But when you have a concussion, and that is impacting you, it makes it 10 times more difficult.”

“We work on a lot of memory tasks,” Brim continues. “Exercises for working on memorizing word lists, figuring out different ways to help the patient memorize things better. So they associate the word to something else and then they use those associations to be able to remember what has been said to them and chain it all together.”

What people in Bogowith and Brim’s roles don’t want to see: people relying solely on pills to get through pain. That can lead to addiction and side effects. Therapy is somewhat the opposite, Brim notes. It gives the patient ownership of their recovery.

Davis agrees with that assessment and says her determination to see therapy through to the end has paid off in multiple ways. Most notably, she can handle playing with her eight grandkids.

“I want people to know that it's important,” Davis says. “I understand that it's a pain. It's not always convenient. There are always other things people want to do. But if your doctor says to do therapy, I 100% will tell you: go to therapy. You don't know how bad you need it until you actually go.”

For more information on types of rehabilitation, visit the OSF HealthCare website or talk to your primary care provider. OSF HealthCare also offers neurological services.

Interview Clips - Charlotte Davis

Interview Clips - Kelly Bogowith

Interview Clips - Ashley Brim

Previous Coverage

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Concussions Hit Student Athletes as Fall Sports Get Underway

Preventing concussion in young athletes 

Concussion: More than Just Getting Your Bell Rung

Myths about concussions increase the risk of harmful effects

Taking a Team Approach to Concussion Rehab

Heading Up Health Study on High School Heads

It can be an embarrassing ailment, but experts say it’s time to talk about it.

Urinary incontinence is when a person leaks urine by accident.

Uwais Zaid, MD, a urologist at OSF HealthCare in Alton, Illinois, says urinary incontinence can wreak havoc on a person’s social life and intimacy with partners. In other words, you can’t go out and have a good time with friends if you don’t know when you’re going to suddenly “go.”

“It can be associated with medications. It can be associated with aging,” Dr. Zaid says. “It can be associated with certain surgeries. A lot of our cancer survivors, whether they're from prostate cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer…they can have effects to their urinary control.

“Things as normal as having children,” Dr. Zaid adds as a cause.  “Over time [childbirths] can wreak havoc on the pelvic floor and on the urinary sphincter, and you can have urinary accidents as a result.”

While incontinence is often associated with older people, Dr. Zaid says all those precursors apply to any age.

Dr. Zaid says urinary incontinence breaks down into four groups.

• Stress: This is when the bladder sphincter does not work as well. Simple things like coughing, sneezing, laughing or bending over could provoke a release of urine.
• Urge: “When the bladder has a mind of its own,” Dr. Zaid remarks. This is when you have to go and you just can’t make it to the bathroom in time. Dr. Zaid adds that hearing or seeing certain triggers like running water or jingling of keys as you rush to enter your home might provoke urge incontinence.
• Overflow: This occurs when your bladder is full. This is the opposite of urge incontinence, Dr. Zaid says, and is associated with infections and kidney issues.
•  Functional: This applies to someone who may have normal bladder control but can’t get to the toilet in time due to physical limitations like arthritis.

A health care provider will ask you about your symptoms and health history to see which type of urinary incontinence is ailing you. Testing would typically follow. Each type of incontinence, generally, has its own treatment plan.

• Stress: A provider may recommend pelvic floor physical therapy as treatment. For women, a small device can be inserted to stop leaks. Surgery is also an option.
• Urge: You may be told to cut back on caffeinated food and drink, spicy food and alcohol. Medicine and surgery are also options.
• Overflow: “That's where we need to make sure we're not missing anything like a blockage - for women, a prolapse and for men, an enlarged prostate.” Dr. Zaid says.  “A stone in the bladder. A tumor in the bladder. And we also need to make sure the kidneys are functioning okay.”
• Functional: Since people with this type of incontinence may have a normal bladder, external solutions are necessary. For example, keeping your route to the bathroom clear of obstacles like chairs and doors. For older adults with physical limitations, have a walker handy for when the need to go arises.

Other tactics include urgency suppression, when you distract yourself from thinking about urinating. You could take long, relaxing breaths or sit completely still.

Timed voiding is when you schedule times to urinate. Dr. Zaid says this can work in both directions. If you are urinating too frequently, set a timer on your phone to go every hour. Then when you get comfortable, you can increase the time. If you are holding on to your urine too long, set a plan, get comfortable then decrease the time.

The bottom line: if something seems off about your bathroom visits or if friends or family remark “You’re sure in there a lot,” see a doctor.

“If you’re chronically wet down below, it increases your risk of fungal infections and skin breakdowns,” among other serious health issues, Dr. Zaid says.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

Gotta go? Try these six bladder tips