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Is Laser Physical Therapy Right for You? There may not be anything cooler-sounding than using lasers to treat your injury. Lasers have played a part in popular culture and in science innovation for a long time but they also have an important role in healthcare. Physical therapists have been implementing laser therapy in their care for quite a while…
The Lowdown on Kinesio® Tape- Taping in rehab became more visible as people around the world noticed athletes like Olympic swimmers and professional volleyball players sporting tan, black or brightly-colored tape on shoulders, knees, and other joints. More than a cool fashion accessory, athletic tape like Kinesio® Tape offers many benefits when used on the right patient. Though there are different types of tape used in sports and rehab, in this article we will introduce you to the concept, benefits and indications for Kinesio® Tape specifically.
If you have been in a physical therapy clinic before you probably noticed that physical therapists have a lot of tools and equipment. Some equipment is used to help patients perform exercises while others are modalities that promote healing. Many of the tools that therapists use to promote tissue healing fall under a category called IASTM which stands for instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization.
The terms health and wellness, while similar, are not interchangeable. Health, according to the World Health Organization, refers to a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease, or infirmity. Wellness is defined as an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.
Physical Therapy and the Graston® Technique-Have you ever noticed a physical therapist using a small silver tool to scrape along a patient’s skin and wondered, “what the heck is that for?” It’s likely that you witnessed the therapist using a technique called the Graston® Technique.
Combat Workplace Injury with Ergonomics: If you are like many Americans, you spend thirty to fifty hours a week working at your job. Many individuals have tightly defined work duties and spend much of those hours repeating similar tasks or maintaining similar positions. Repeating any posture or activity for a long period of time increases your risk of developing a musculoskeletal injury.
Physical Therapy for Tennis Players: Does Your Tennis Game Need PT? Tennis is a great sport that offers opportunities for players of all levels to get involved. For those who play at a competitive level, they enjoy the thrill of fast-paced competition and the opportunities to see their hard work and practice pay off…
Electrical Stimulation in Physical Therapy: If you have ever been in a physical therapy clinic or worked with a physical therapist before, you probably realize that physical therapists use a variety of tools in their practice. Some of these tools are meant to reduce symptoms, some to promote healing, some to help bodies learn. Amongst the various tools in a physical therapist’s toolbox, is electrical stimulation.
Extreme Athletes: Crushing Injuries While Crushing Records- For those who spend their lives pushing their bodies to the extreme, pain and injury are almost unavoidable, but an athlete that hopes for a long career needs to have a great team of professionals on hand, a physical therapist being one of them.
For those who golf regularly or would like to get into the sport, they will notice that despite its relaxing pace, golf swings place quite a demand on the body and pain or injury can leave you spending the day in the cart rather than swinging for a hole-in-one. If this sounds like you, there is more you can do than just wait for things to improve…
Performance Enhancement & Injury Prevention for Softball Players . Don’t let the term “soft” ball fool you. Softball players are anything but soft and to be successful at a game that requires speed, skill, power and teamwork, softball players dedicate hours to improving their performance…
Tackle Soccer Injuries and Performance with PT- Soccer is a favorite sport among kids, teenagers and adults, worldwide. Hitting the pitch to play a casual game with friends or lining up to start a professional or college match, soccer requires both fitness and skill…
Physical Therapy for Basketball Players; Playing Offense Against Injuries- Most basketball players are looking to gain a competitive edge and many hope to be able to play the game for years. Some even have aspirations of playing professionally. One important aspect of longevity in basketball is high quality injury rehabilitation and injury prevention programs.
Whether playing baseball in a recreational league, for the big leagues or even in little league, players can benefit from having a good physical therapist on the roster. Baseball is a fun sport but even recreational play can stress a players’ bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles as they run the bases, throw the ball and slide into bases.
Physical Therapists are a Football Player’s Friend. Any athlete who wants to play at a competitive level can benefit from having a great physical therapist in their corner. Football players are no exception. Just like coaches and trainers, physical therapists play an important role in keeping players in top physical condition for practice and game day.
Enhance Sport Performance with PT- Whether you are a weekend warrior or a pro-level athlete, working with a good physical therapist can enhance your performance and reduce your risk of injury. In 2021, 3.2 million people were treated in emergency departments for injuries involving sports and recreational equipment.
The Many Faces of Vestibular Dysfunction- While all humans have a vestibular system, most will never know it is there unless they develop a vestibular system disorder. The vestibular system, like most of our body systems, typically hums along in the background doing its job without much notice and no active participation from its owner.
Tennis Elbow? If you are experiencing pain on the outer elbow or forearm with wrist, hand or elbow movements, you may have a condition called tennis elbow. Known formally as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is a condition in which the tendons on the outside of the elbow become inflamed, irritated, and painful resulting in the symptoms noted above. Not a tennis player? While this condition…
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE MUSCLES: Muscles get most of the attention when it comes to strength and conditioning. We work hard to build those muscles up so that we can lift heavier objects, run faster, jump higher, and look good while doing it. But while our muscles display all of our hard work, our tendons are in the background working just as diligently with little of the glory.
Get Help Healing from Shin Splints for Good- If you are running, jumping and sprinting at high volumes and begin to experience pain along the inside of the shin bone, you may be developing shin splints. While it is tempting to ignore the discomfort and push through your training, shin splints is a condition to be taken seriously and a physical therapist trained in sports and orthopedic injuries can help you recover fully.
Physical Therapists Tackle Rotator Cuff Tears- Over 2 million people a year in the United States will visit their doctor because of a rotator cuff tear, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Injuries to the rotator cuff of the shoulder can affect your ability to perform daily tasks like washing your hair, picking up your kids and even sleeping comfortably.
Could Your Heel Pain be Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in an outpatient setting and can be difficult to treat without the help of a knowledgeable practitioner like a physical therapist.
Get Help for Painful Heels! As many as 1 in 10 people will experience pain in their heel or heels at some point in their life. That is to say, heel pain is fairly common but that doesn’t mean you will welcome its presence. In fact, heel pain can range from mildly annoying to quite painful and given that many of us walk as our primary form of mobility, it can be quite disruptive to our lives.
Physical Therapy for Heel Spurs- If you have been dealing with pain, inflammation or warmth over your heel, you could have a condition called a heel spur. This condition affects up to 1 in 10 adults though many individuals may not even realize they have a heel spur.. The likelihood of finding them on imaging increases with age. For those experiencing discomfort due to the presence of a heel spur, let’s learn more about the condition and how PT can help.
Bursitis 101: Bursitis is a condition many are unfamiliar with until they begin to experience the telltale signs. Because bursae are located throughout the body, bursitis is not relegated to only one limb or joint but can occur in many different places. When pain is occurring near or around a joint, bursitis is one condition that should be included in the differential.
MEET THE MENISCUS : The menisci (plural for meniscus) are small but important structures found in the knee. So important, in fact, that you have not one but two menisci on each side. The knee, anatomically known as the tibio-femoral joint, consists of the articulation between the end of the femur, or long thigh bone, and the flattened top portion of the lower leg or tibia bone.
Spondylosis: Wearing out its Welcome- Under the best of circumstances getting older means you have created a lifetime of good memories. Hopefully your body has carried you through lessons and adventures you can pass along to the next generation. With aging, however, our physical bodies undergo changes that can lead to sensations of pain, stiffness and even weakness.
MCL Injury 101- Knee injuries are hard to ignore. Even mild knee pain can interfere with your day to day activities. While a mild knee injury may heal and resolve on its own with a little rest, injuries to the ligaments of the knee can be more serious and physical therapists are often involved from the early protection phase to the return-to-activity phase to ensure the injury heals fully and that you are as protected as much as possible from future reinjury.
Feeling Hopeful About Hip Labral Tears- Hip pain in both the athletic and non-athlete population is a common complaint heard by orthopedic physicians and physical therapists. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint and is designed to move through a large range of motion…
The Role of Massage in Physical Therapy- There is nothing like a good massage, is there? Many people turn to massages regularly to address tight muscles, release stress and manage discomfort. Some people have them once a year while others make it a part of a regular wellness routine. Though licensed massage therapists are trained in the art of massage, many of our patients seek out this type of treatment when they first come to physical therapy.