When a burning sensation in Mary Lou Newstead’s shoulder didn’t go away with pain relievers, she brought the problem to LincolnHealth Occupational Therapist Lisa Castonguay.

Castonguay, who practices on the St. Andrews Campus, used myofascial release to help address the tension that had built up in Newstead’s shoulder and worked with her to correct the posture problem that was causing the issue. In a few weeks, Newstead could feel the improvement.

For Alina Blakesley, it was tightness in her left hip where an X-ray found the very beginnings of arthritis. Physical Therapist Kate Reed worked with the muscles surrounding the hip and gave her exercises to do at home. Over several weeks, her hips became looser and Blakesley's range of motion increased.

For the two friends, the St. Andrews Campus of LincolnHealth is a resource they can trust, close to home. The St. Andrews therapists help them address the aches and pains that arise from time to time and give them the education they need to maintain their active lifestyles well into the future.

At 66, Blakesley is a competitive ballroom dancer and also enjoys swimming in the ocean and hiking, among other activities, including the yoga class that Newstead teaches.

Newstead enjoys gardening, as well as yoga, kayaking and hiking during the summer.

“I want to ensure that I can continue to do these things and enjoy new things because I am planning on being here for another 30 years,” Newstead said.

To reach that goal she has to maintain her body, just as she would her house or car, said Newstead, and that means eating well, exercising and occasionally addressing issues like a painful shoulder with the help of her primary care provider, Family Care Center Physician Alan Barker, MD and the therapists at the St. Andrews Campus.

One of the things she likes about St. Andrews’ providers is that they listen and they have a range of different modalities in their therapy toolbox to address issues.

She also likes the way her therapists explain what they are doing and why. When Lisa Castonguay worked on her shoulder, she explained what Newstead could do on her own to keep her body in better alignment.

“Her passion motivates you. She gives you hope that you can feel better,” Newstead said.

An emphasis on education at the Wellness & Rehabilitation Department is also very important to Blakesley.

Her yearly checkups with Family Care Center Nurse Practitioner Anne Barker provide her with good information that she can use to address potential health issues long before they affect her lifestyle.

And when there is a need for therapy, she trusts the therapists at St. Andrews.

When she received therapy from Physical Therapist Kate Reed, she not only was able to address the tightness in her hip, she learned how to strengthen muscles that would support her hip and help keep her in a comfortable place.

And that’s important, because Blakesley has no plans to give up all the activities that she loves. In fact, a friend recently asked her to walk the El Camino, a historical trek of hundreds of miles across Spain.

Whether she takes the trip or not, part of what Blakesley loves about her lifestyle is being able to choose what she wants to do in life, and she knows she can count on the therapists at St. Andrews to help her maintain that freedom.

For more information on therapy at the St. Andrews Campus, call 207-633-1928.