You’re not alone if you have bone and joint issues! This week, CastCoverz! observes, and practices, healthy bone and joint education and we want you to try to live your best pain-free life with us.
There are five days to bring awareness to this week:
A couple common bone and joint diseases: Osteoporosis and Arthritis, both debilitating, can lead to more severe injuries if not taken care of properly.
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and leads to weak bones which can cause fractures. Fractures can lead to bone and nerve discomfort throughout your life if not properly treated, but the best way to avoid a fracture is by being cautious and improving your health.
Arthritis is joint pain and joint disease with 100 different types and conditions. Arthritis can make it hard to live a normal day-to-day life and cause permanent damage to your joints.
In observance of this national action week (every year from October 12-20), CastCoverz! has some tips and tricks to help you achieve the best joint and bone health you can have.
Stay active: take a new yoga class, go for a bike ride, swim a few laps, or take a walk around your neighborhood.
Eat a balanced diet: increasing important vitamins like Vitamin D and Calcium are great additions to your diet, eat whole fruits and vegetables, get enough protein.
Contact your healthcare provider to stay on top of your bone and joint health, and alert them if you feel any aches or pain. Early detection could save you years of discomfort, and they will provide the best methods of treatment options.
Cut out smoking/drinking/anything that won’t benefit your body..
Keep your body weight at a healthy level.
We hope that you can live your life pain-free, but if your bones let you down, we’re here to help you heal better and feel better!
Insert the inverter valve and attach it to the hose of your vacuum cleaner.
Wrap the CastCooler around your cast to enjoy INSTANT RELIEF!
What does the CastCooler® do?
The CastCooler keeps your cast fresh and reduces itch by removing moisture from the lining under your cast. Simply wrap the CastCooler around your cast daily, and connect a standard household vacuum. After 10 minutes, moisture is removed. Without moisture, bacteria growth (the cause of odor and itch) is reduced. Your cast stays fresh!
How does CastCooler® work?
CastCooler creates a gentle vacuum on the outside of your cast, bringing fresh air between your skin and the cast. Airflow is directed through the lining of your breathable orthopedic cast removing moisture and cooling your skin. Without touching your skin, bacteria, itch and odor are significantly reduced. Your cast stays fresh.
Do I need a special vacuum?
The CastCooler works with a common household vacuum and hose attachment (not supplied).
Will the CastCooler® work with my cast?
The CastCooler works with all breathable orthopedic cast material (fiberglass, sorry not plaster..but less than 5% of casts are plaster…so you probably have a fiberglass cast) no matter size or limb, one size fits all! Use the CastCooler as often as you like, it cannot be overused. Whenever your cast is moist, hot or stinky…use it.
Kids and adults alike look forward to visiting Disneyland, whether it’s to make memories with family or friends, ride the attractions, sample the food, or go shopping. But once in a while, accidents happen and we wind up with a broken arm before a major trip like this.
You might first think you have to cancel the entire trip. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. Disneyland goes out of its way to accommodate all types of visitors and situations. The park’s many helpful services, along with common sense and functional products to keep your orthopedic devices (casts, braces, splints and wraps) clean and/or dry can ensure you, your family, and friends enjoy every minute of your trip, even when one of you has a cast.
Armz! (pictured in Going Dotty!) keeps casts clean, prevents snagging and scratching and Slingz! (pictured in Minnie Dots) durable double-faced designer fabric with extended length to prevent wrist drop, a thumb loop to prevent sling creep, and optional comfort straps and pocket (for keys, most cell phones, …) Also available in Legz! and Bootz!
First and foremost, talk to your doctor. While most rides at Disneyland are mild compared to other theme parks, it is always better to have a healthcare professional’s opinion. Once you get the go-ahead, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Check-in with Guest Relations when you get to the park. Disneyland’s Guest Relations can answer many of your questions about which rides you or your loved one can go on, whether you need a wheelchair, and if your injured party member is eligible for a Disability Access Service (DAS) pass. You can also call Guest Services ahead of your trip and explain your situation at (407) 560-2547 or email disability.services@disneyparks.com.
Make note of first-aid locations in the park. First-aid stations are noted on printed park maps and also on the Disneyland app. Take special note of these ahead of time in case you need to stop at one during your day in the park. First-aid centers can assist you with any complications that arise from your injury. They can also store any medication you are taking that requires refrigeration.
Take care when entering and exiting rides. Even with a broken arm, you or your family member should be able to go on most rides at Disneyland. Take care when entering and exiting these rides, and make sure to keep the broken arm inside the ride at all times, so it doesn’t get bumped or jostled. Note that some rides, like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are faster and more intense, and may not be suitable for someone with a broken arm. Check with Guest Services or a Cast Member before riding.
Consider renting a wheelchair. Since the body is working to heal itself after a broken bone, you or your loved one will most likely be extra susceptible to fatigue. While that makes standing in a long line for Peter Pan’s Flight, less than ideal, it doesn’t mean you have to cancel your trip. Because of COVID-19, Disneyland’s FASTPASS, which cuts down wait times for rides, is still suspended. Consider renting a wheelchair from the park instead.
Beat the heat. Casts are itchy, smelly, and hot, especially when you’re at an outdoor park for extended periods of time. Fortunately, there are accessories you can buy that provide some relief by drying and cooling the moist areas underneath the cast. One product we are HUGE fans of is the CastCooler™. The CastCooler provides amazing itch and odor relief for casts by drying out the bacteria-creating moisture that is a natural by-product from wearing a cast. You’ll need a vacuum cleaner with a hose. So, back to the hotel room, you’ll go. If you didn’t bring your vacuum cleaner with you 🙂 just ask housekeeping, they are very accommodating.
Explore waterproofing options for your cast. You don’t necessarily have to skip Splash Mountain because your arm is in a cast. While Disneyland, itself doesn’t provide waterproofing options for casts, there are many companies, including CastCoverz!, that make waterproof covers for casts, splints and bandages. Our go-to waterproof product is the DRYPRO* Cast Protector which is completely watertight keeping your casts and bandages dry. The DRYPRO offers the only arm cast protection in the world with the patented vacuum seal to keep you dry. AquaShieldUSA is our latex-free option.
Remember, the whole point of a trip to Disneyland is to have fun and forget the day-to-day grind. You shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced while you and your family try to do that. CastCoverz! offers a huge range of FUNctional, fashionable solutions, including waterproof covers, cooling accessories, and slings. Explore our range of products to make your trip to Disneyland comfortable, fashionable, and fun.
Ahhhhh, you are injured and boredom is setting in.
In the midst of a global pandemic (COVID-19), we’re all experiencing the boredom that accompanies stay-at-home orders and social distancing. Healing from an injury makes this waiting game even more uncomfortable!
By now, you’ve probably found yourself wobbling around the house, trying to brainstorm creative ways to keep your mind busy as your body/limbs heal. You are feeling trapped and the walls are closing in around you.
Frustrating isn’t it? It makes you angry and cranky and is affecting not only you but those around you as well. You have the itch to do something. ANYTHING. But what?
Hang in there, help is on the way! Here is a great list of things to keep you occupied while resting and recovering that will help keep your mind off of the things you (and many other people around the world) can’t do during this time:
Binge-watch your favorite movies or a childhood TV series from start to finish
Play board games, start a puzzle, blow bubbles, or bust out the Play-Doh…why not?
Sort through old photos and make scrapbooks for your family and friends
Learn something new, like knitting, playing the piano, sofa juggling, or maybe even a new language
Create a free blog, share your experience AND your road to recovery in the midst of a pandemic
Start that bucket list; in fact, make a book with photos to help inspire you during this time (think about who you’ll want to share this experience with years from now!)
Research your next vacation; big or small, near or far…plan something fun
Color…who doesn’t love to color? It actually releases tension, too! For FUN coloring pictures, click HERE
Create a playlist. Add all your favorite songs and jam out while making it. Cheers you up and gives you something you can use forever!
Decorate your cast, boot, or crutch; family stuck at home might also enjoy sharing this project with you! Be sure to check out our 3 part blog series “How to Bling Your Boot, Cast, & Crutches“, too!
Here’s a bonus tip: Do something “old-fashioned”. Write thank you (and catch-up) notes to your friends and family!
We’d love to hear from our readers! Please leave your best family-friendly tips and ideas, below!
Ahhhhh, you are injured and boredom is setting in.