Are You Taking Care of Your Heart?
Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? Do you get out of breath going up a flight of stairs? Your heart is vital to your survival. At Columbus Physical Therapy, our therapists understand how important it is to address underlying issues and create a plan to help prevent injury and disease.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, accounting for one in four deaths each year. Fortunately, most forms of heart disease are preventable by making lifestyle changes, including exercising, practicing good nutritional habits, and reducing stress in your everyday life.
February is American Heart Month. Our team at Columbus Physical Therapy can help improve your heart health by helping you learn how to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid anything that can cause damage to it.
Request an appointment with one of our specialists to learn how to keep your heart healthy!
5 Tips for Better Heart Health
Taking action and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will assist you in making sure your heart is healthy. When your heart doesn’t get enough attention, significant problems might arise in the artery lining, leading to plaque buildup. Plaque forming in your arteries is the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Here are 5 simple ways you can make sure your heart continues to perform at its best:
1. Exercise to increase your heart rate:
2. Participate in strength training:
3. Maintain mobility of the joints and muscles:
4. Eat healthy meals:
5. Manage your stress:
The best approach to keep your heart strong and healthy is to exercise regularly. It’s a natural, safe, and effective way to help improve your heart function! Physical therapy is an excellent method to add additional physical activity to your daily routine.
What to Expect in Physical Therapy
If you’re looking for a safe way to improve your heart health, physical therapy is a great option. At Columbus Physical Therapy, our team of experts can play a leading role in preventing, reversing, and managing heart-related conditions. Our therapists can help you improve your heart health by advising you on lifestyle adjustments that include daily exercises, nutrition, and stress reduction strategies based on your individual needs.
Our team comprises movement experts who have the knowledge and training to evaluate and treat several kinds of acute and chronic pain conditions and abnormal physical function related to an injury, disability, disease, or unhealthy lifestyle.
We perform a thorough evaluation that includes your overall health status to create an exercise plan that ensures you’re getting as much physical activity as you can throughout the day. This will consist of treatments to address any injuries you may have and to help prevent other health issues.
We can guide you through proper exercises and specialized treatments to relieve your joint and muscle pain, increase your strength and flexibility, and improve your overall health by getting your blood flowing and your heart rate up. Participating in regular physical therapy appointments can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, significantly decreasing your chances of cardiac arrest in the future.
Our goal is to incorporate activities to improve your heart health so you can enjoy your life!
Request an Appointment Today
Caring for your heart is just as important as caring for any other part of your body. For American Heart Month, our team at Columbus Physical Therapy can help you get back into shape safely and healthily!
Contact us this month to learn how you can improve your heart health by incorporating more physical activity into your life!
Exercise of the Month
FIGURE 4 BRIDGE
Begin on your back. Bend your knees and keep your back flat on the ground. Cross one leg over the other so that your legs make a “4”. Gently, contract your abdominals and hold to keep your back flat as you move up into the bridge position. Remember to breathe. Gently, squeeze your butt muscles and lift your hips off the ground. The goal is to have your hips aligned with your knees and shoulders.
3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Staff Spotlight: Jocelyn Micek, PT
Role at CPT: Physical Therapist
With CPT/HPT/NPT since: December 2017
Education/Certifications: Doctorate of Physical Therapy
What you love most about your job: The people! I love getting to know our patients and learning from them. I also love getting to help reduce pain and improve quality of life. We have a top-notch staff that are like family and make it easy to come to work each day.
Professional Highlight: I enjoy treating all pains and problems, but I do have extra training with dizziness, vertigo and balance issues.
Get to Know Me
- Favorite hobby: Playing cards/games with family and spending time outdoors.
- Fun fact: I’m having our second baby in May 2026.
- Favorite movie/sport/team: Huskers
- Coffee order or go-to snack: Cold brew with flavored cold foam.
- More about me: I’m from Shelby and enjoy small-town life.
We are so thankful to have Jocelyn on our team. Her compassion, expertise, and genuine love for her patients make a difference every single day.
Tips for A Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day!
This year, don’t forget the most important Valentine of all: your heart! With February being the month of love and American Heart Month, here are a few tips to combine them into one fabulous celebration:
- Try a heart-healthy treat: Pomegranate seeds, good dark chocolate, and sweet strawberries are all delicious alternatives to candy hearts.
- Take a ballroom dance class with your sweetheart: Nothing’s more romantic than a sweeping waltz or sultry tango. But ballroom dancing is also a great cardio workout–making it the perfect date night for American Heart Month!
- Sink into a relaxing bubble bath: Stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, so this month, set aside time to rest and relax with a bubble bath. Dim the lights, burn a few candles, and settle down with your favorite romantic read.
Want more healthy heart tips this February–or any month of the year? Schedule an appointment with Columbus Physical Therapy today!
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This Valentine’s Day Rose Latte is a cozy, romantic treat with delicate floral notes that feel like a little self-care in a cup. It’s the perfect way to slow down, savor the moment, and add a touch of love to your day. 💗
Seasonal Recipe
Valentine’s Day Rose Latte
- 2 1⁄2 cups Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Beet Powder
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp Rose Water
Optional
- 1⁄2 tsp Ground Cardamom
- 2 Espresso Shots
Add the unsweetened plant-based milk, maple syrup or agave, beetroot powder, and cardamom (if using) to a small pot over low heat. Heat on low for about 5 minutes or until warmed to your liking, stirring frequently. Then take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract & rose water. Pour the espresso shot into your mug (if using). If you have a milk frother, use it to froth the plant-based milk mixture (this is optional too). Pour the rose milk latte into your mug and top with dried rose petals and an extra dash of cardamom if you like. Enjoy!
February Word Scramble
lotacehoc
eeanlnitv
bauefrry
iprdinehfs
iwentr
aceornm
Answer Key
chocolate
valentine
february
friendship
winter
romance
Kaylee Jensen, DPT
Columbus PT
Arthritis Workshop (Columbus)
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026
12:15pm
Philip Parker, DPT
Humphrey PT
Back Pain Workshop (Humphrey)
Tuesday, February 12th, 2026
12:15pm
Philip Parker, DPT
Norfolk PT
Shoulder Pain Workshop (Norfolk)
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
12:15pm
Jocelyn Micek, DPT
Columbus PT
Balance Workshop (Columbus)
Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
12:15pm
Patient Testimonial
“Thank you for all the help in getting me walking again. I always come back to Columbus Physical Therapy when I need help. They encourage you. They are always helpful. They build strong relationships. I worked a lot with Sara—she always encourages me to do more. I will miss everyone! Columbus Physical Therapy does a wonderful job helping patients reduce pain and improve their quality of life. I’ve been here for spinal stenosis and now a broken hip, and I’ve worked with almost every employee here. I love them all!”
-Carolyn P.
Patient Testimonial
“When I began my knee recovery at Northeast Nebraska Physical Therapy, I was experiencing dull pain every day. I felt welcomed and heard each time I came into the office. The exercises were helpful, and I improved over time. I’m feeling so much better and am very thankful I chose to receive my care here!”
-Laura K.
Patient Testimonial
“After pregnancy and an unplanned C-section, I developed significant core and pelvic floor weakness, along with sciatica and plantar fasciitis. This made returning to 12-hour shifts very difficult. After completing physical therapy, I’m now able to work three 12-hour shifts in a row without discomfort and carry my 18lb baby around town in his carrier without pain or feeling weak. I had a great experience with everyone at Humphrey Physical Therapy and would definitely recommend them to all my patients. The cupping and dry needling provided so much relief.”
-Alyssa M.
