Our out-patient physical therapy clinic provides pediatric care as well. This little sweet boy needed skilled therapy to meet his milestones. His milestones are being meet weekly so he can continue to grow, mature and progress
Pre-habilitation is a program specifically designed by therapists to meet the individual needs of a patient prior to a surgery or a medical procedure .This practice is often used for orthopedic surgeries for both acute and chronic injuries and helps to promote optimal outcomes and success.
These can range from an ACL rupture to an osteoarthritic knee waiting for replacement. “Pre-hab” provides patients with pain relieving techniques, stretches, and strengthening exercises needed in order to obtain a smooth and speedy recovery.
The goals of a pre-operative rehabilitation program include mentally preparing for surgery, reducing pain and inflammation, maximizing range of motion and muscular control, education of expectations post-surgery, and improving overall wellbeing and fitness.
The surgeon is only responsible for 50% of outcome success after a surgery or procedure. The other 50% is due to a patient’s commitment to recovery. Patients will feel better about their recovery process if they are able to get out of bed, go to the restroom, and walk around the house independently.
Outpatient therapy provides their patients with exercise programs to perform at home, making patients more comfortable and familiar with the types of intervention they will encounter post-surgery. Our clinic provides a wide range of knowledge and we would love to help you decide what type of care is best for you or your family members.
References
Ries, E. (2016). Better Sooner and Later: Prehabilitation. PT in Motion, 1-12. Retrieved from
http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2016/2/Prehabilitation/
What You Need to Know About Prehabilitation. (2014, July 1). Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. https://www.burke.org/blog/2014/7/what-you-need-to-know-about-prehabilitation/19
A total knee replacement is the substitution of weight bearing surfaces in your knee with artificial joints commonly made from mixes of plastic, ceramic, and metal. Knee replacements are commonly prescribed to those who suffer from arthritis which results in painful wear-and-tear in the knees when doing normal daily activities.
Following total knee replacement, there are three major factors that need to be monitored by a medical professional:
Cupping has been around for centuries originating in Chinese Medicine. It gained its mainstream recognition after the 2016 Olympics when Michael Phelps was seen with large red circular imprints on his skin, resembling a hickey.
This treatment involves a special “cup” placed on the targeted area of the body, where it is then suctioned into place. The cupping causes an upward negative pressure that produces dilation of the skin which allows increased circulation and decreased inflammation in the underlying tissue. Cupping can be applied in almost any area, such as the neck, lumbar region, gluts, or along joint spaces and tendons. Cups can also be used during therapeutic exercise to facilitate postural correction and muscle activation. It can be used for various reasoning such as pain management, trigger point release or tissue movement for strength training. Utilized for pain management with patient’s suffering from arthritis, sciatica, sprains and headaches to name a few. Can be used for strength training in cases involving diagnoses such as postural muscles, back stabilizers, scoliosis, and knee or shoulder rehab. It is considered a part of physical therapy manual techniques and is provided at no additional cost to the patient.
Cupping is becoming a widely used practice in the therapy world and we are excited to share it with our patients.
Temporomandibular joint aka TMJ is pain in and around the ear where the mandible attaches to the skull. The temporomandibular (TMJ) joint allows you to open and close your mouth for chewing, talking and yawning. Dysfunction of this joint causes jaw pain, headaches, swelling, numbness, radiating pain, stiffness, jaw locking, clicking and popping.
Occasionally acute TMJ pain will improve without treatment using home remedies such as soft food, heat, ice and NSAID’s. However, TMJ can develop into chronic pain and need physical therapy help to resolve pain and restore joint function. Our out-patient clinic uses manual techniques to relax the surrounding joint muscles, integrative dry needling, ultrasound, joint tapping, electrical stimulation, heat and ice to resolve pain and restore function.References
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. (2017, January 2).
Retrieved from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/less-is-best-tmj.pdf
Chest physical therapy (Chest PT) is a manual physical therapy technique used for airway passage clearance. It consist of percussion, vibration, deep breathing and coughing. The technique is used to create a productive cough to clear mucus and fluid from the five lobes of the lungs. Chest PT can be used for various diagnosis such as flu, cold, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD), neurological disorders, or bed bound persons.
The two main techniques are percussion and vibration. Percussion is done by slightly cupping the hand and clapping against the chest wall. Having the hand cupped provides comfort and less of a slapping sensation. Vibration is performed by gently shaking the chest wall with a flattened hand to loosen the mucus from the lungs. Person is placed in various positions to allow postural drainage to assist with the production of mucus. Each technique is then followed by attempting a productive cough to expel the mucus.
Our clinic provides manual chest therapy for all ages and we highly recommend this treatment for cold and flu season to prevent pneumonia and other complications from congestion.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Chest Physical Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.cff.org/Life-With-CF/Treatments-and-Therapies/Airway-Clearance/Chest-Physical-Therapy/
Adhesive capsulitis or commonly known as “frozen shoulder” is the tightness, lack of use and the pain associated within the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder can be caused by an injury or arthritis that then results in lack of use and loss of function. Injuries such as stroke, fractures, falls, or prolonged immobility after a shoulder surgery are examples of common causes. People over 40, particularly women, are more susceptible to adhesive capsulitis.
Physical therapy is the most common prescribed tool for improving adhesive capsulitis. Joint mobilizations, aggressive stretching, and range of motion exercise are techniques used during each session. Physicians may prescribe steroids or an injection into the joint for relief. In some cases, an orthopedic consult may be needed. An orthopedic surgeon would surgically clean the inside of the joint to remove arthritis, scar tissues, or tears and free the capsular space.
Preventive exercise can be beneficial. Contacting an experienced physical therapist is key. Physical therapy will guide the person through appropriate care. If suspicion of a frozen shoulder is occurring, range of motion exercise and joint mobilizations will be used.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018, July 20 2018). Frozen Shoulder. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frozen-shoulder/symptoms-causes/syc-20372684
“Physical Fitness – a dynamic physical state compromising cardiovascular/pulmonary endurance, muscle strength, power, endurance, and flexibility; relaxation; and body composition that allows optimal and efficient performance of daily and leisure activities.” Physical inactivity is the leading contributor to increased mortality and morbidity, physical therapists are exercise experts across the lifespan and physical therapists promote physical activity and exercise.
With the New Year, we rush to the gym determined to burn off those holiday calories and work toward our New Year’s resolutions. But unfortunately, studies show that more than half of those who join a gym will drop out in 3-6 months. If we can stay consistent, that creates a habit and a habit creates a healthier lifestyle.
Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn, the more calories you burn, the more weight you lose. Regular exercise helps prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, arthritis and falls. Physical activity stimulates numerous brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more at ease. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise frequently, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
Exercise and physical activity can be enjoyable. It gives you a chance to wind down, enjoy the outdoors or merely engage in activities that make you happy. I love to lift weights, for Sherri its running. So whether it’s a 5k, yoga, or a spin class; get out there, and get active!
References
cache://(itunes.apple.com/us.podcast/move-forward-radio/id127519960’mt=2) – Google Search. (n.d.). Retrieved from (https://itunes.apple.com/us.podcast/move-forward-radio/id127519960?mt=2)
Ries, E. (2009, June). Login. Retrieved from http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2009/6/Feature/WellBeyondFunction?
7 great reasons why exercise matters. (2016, October 13). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389?pg=2
Knee Rehabilitation is important for daily life! Having a pain free knee joint is important to maintaining daily life tasks, exercise routines, general function and mobility. Rehabilitation can be utilized for arthritic pain, strains, sprains and weakness. Therapist will listen to your complaints and descriptions of pain while palpating the area to feel for arthritic changes and muscular inflammation.
Treatment will then include strenghtening, plyometrics, stretching, taping and manual therapies to assist with the healing process. Manual therapy can consist of dry needling, soft tissue mobilization, and joint mobilization. A combonation of each treatment will be utilized to meet the patient’s goals. As goals are met, a home exercise program and self care instructions are given for long term needs. Strong pain-free knees make work and daily routines effortless! You may contact our clinic directly to schedule an appointment at any time. Direct access allows you to be seen 30 days without a signed prescription from your physican. We do stay in constant contact with your physican during your physical therapy.
Many American’s suffer with shoulder pain for several different reasons. Shoulder pain can be the result of rotator cuff tear, bursitis, tendonitis, labrum tear, frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis and impingement. Physical therapy is usually the first line of care and the gold standard in treating shoulder pain. Physical therapy can restore active range of motion, reduce inflammation, pain and restore stability and strength.
Rotator cuff tear is either incomplete (partial) or complete tears (full thickness) (McKinnis, 2014). The cause of rotator cuff tear could be from traumatic injury or from progressive tendon tearing during overhead repetitive activities (McKinnis, 2014). The rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscles, subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor. The most common tendon tear is the supraspinatus muscle. Imaging to diagnose a rotator cuff tear is MRI or US.
Shoulder bursitis is usually a gradual onset of pain caused by repetitive activities resulting in inflamed bursa. Shoulder pain is usually worse lying on affected side. The most cost effective and useful imaging modality to diagnose shoulder bursitis is US (McKinnis, 2014). Shoulder tendonitis also known as shoulder impingement is caused by repetitive overhead activities or trauma. Pain is usually gradual and worse with resistance. At initial injury (RICE) rest, ice, compression and elevation is useful in pain relief. Again US is the least expensive imaging modality to use to diagnosis shoulder tendonitis and / or impingement (McKinnis, 2014).
Labrum tear is usually from shoulder trauma injury causing pain with overhead activities, and instability. There are two types of labrum tears SLAP involving the superior labrum and Bankart involving the inferior labrum. Treatment is usually NSAID’s and RICE rest, ice, compression and elevation. If pain persist and shoulder is increasingly unstable surgery may be needed to restore stability. Imaging to diagnosis shoulder labrum tear is MRI (McKinnis, 2014). Frozen shoulder is a gradual increase in pain that cause loss of joint movement and can occur after shoulder injury or lifting something heavy. Physical therapy is the first and best treatment for pain and restoring joint mobility. Imaging for diagnosis is usually plain radiography and MRI (McKinnis,2014).
Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for shoulder pain in glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint. Osteoarthritis of shoulder generally is gradual onset of pain and loss of mobility and responds to NSAID’s and physical therapy to resolve pain and immobility. Imaging to diagnosis shoulder OA is plain radiography which is the least expensive, then MRI followed by CT (McKinnis, 2014). Shoulder pain is extremely common in both men and women of all ages. Surgery is usually the last resort and should be avoided if possible. Physical therapy is the gold standard of care and most effective treatment to restore range of motion, strength, function and resolve pain.
References
McKinnis, L. N. (2014). Fundamentals of musculoskeletal imaging.