Heart Health
Cardiac Rehab at Vital Energy
by Ruth Chapman
I
met Hima Dalal, Occupational Therapist and owner of Vital Energy Occupational Therapy and Wellness Center in Lexington. We had a long talk about cardiac rehabilitation and other heart conditions which need rehabilitation of which Vital Energy has to offer its cardiac patients. She told me about an 8 year old patient named Ben. It’s odd to think of a cardiac patient that young, but Ben was born with a congenital heart defect called hypoplasty. This condition means that the four ventricles of his heart did not form properly and he only has two functioning lobes. Also, he has only 82-86% oxygen level which decreased his ability to run and jump, like other children his age. This young boy underwent surgery to re-route the blood flow, with the last of several surgeries occurring in November of 2009. Due to
some surgical complications, young Ben suffered a stroke causing his left arm to be non-functional and he walked dragging his left leg. Ben’s mother sought help from Vital Energy who is currently providing Ben with occupational and physical therapy in the pool, which includes walking on an underwater treadmill. The underwater treadmill helps because the buoyancy takes weight off the joints. Initially they completed a
comprehensive assessment and as a result they are performing muscle energy and craniosacral therapy to decrease tone in muscles and to increase the functional use of his left hand and leg. Stay turned for more positive update on this young man’s condition. Also, as a special treat that day, I was able to meet and talk with Vital Energy cardiac rehab patient, Ted McGee. Mr. McGee explained that he never
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Sneh Patel Exercise Physiologist
(803) 467-4217
Email: vitalenergyfitness@gmail.com
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• Under Water Treadmill • Aqua Detox
www.vitalenergyfitness.com 163 B Charter Oak Road Lexington, SC 29072 44
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