Physical Therapy and Stroke Recovery

Physical Therapy and Stroke Rehabilitation

As most of us probably already know, having a stroke is perhaps one of the most terrifying situations a person could ever go through. Fortunately though, if you ever have a stroke, you don’t have to sit there and accept the damage the stroke has done to your body. There are steps that we can take to get you to a point where you regain function of your body while also building up your strength. The following article is a quick guide that you can use as a starting point to give you an idea of what a stroke is, what can cause a stroke, how a stroke rehab program is the most suitable decision after having a stroke, and how we can work together to overcome any of the stroke’s lasting effects on your body.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is when brain tissue is damaged due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen. This is what we call a cerebrovascular accident. The most common cause of a stroke is the clogging of a blood vessel in your brain, causing certain parts of it to rapidly fail. This type of event is an ischemic stroke, where as the bursting of a blood vessel is a hemorrhagic stroke. Both of these types of stroke are equally terrifying. Both of these types of stroke can cause severe damage to the nervous system and dramatic loss of motor function. The extent of damage a stroke can cause widely varies depending on the section of the brain and where the stroke related “hot spot” is located.

What are the common signs of a stroke?

• Sudden numbness and weakness

• Sudden headache, dizziness, problems with coordination, and loss of balance

• Changes in eyesight

• Slurred speech and confusion

What are the risk factors for a stroke?

• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels

• High blood pressure

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Cardiovascular conditions

• Obesity

• Lack of physical activity

The last two points, obesity and lack of physical activity are the biggest risk factors for a stroke. Now, I know that sometimes I can talk about them a lot but these two risk factors are important as they are something that you can control. When you are at Evolve you will need to face the possible consequences of your past lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean that you have to live with these consequences. We all hope that a stroke won’t happen to us, but if it does then there is a thing or two we can do to help.

What does the rehab program entail after a stroke?

The first thing we do is an initial assessment, which is absolutely crucial so that we can judge your overall postural tone as well as your level of sensory deficit. It is extremely important that before we start you on your rehab program that we have a clear picture of how you feel and how you will respond to the different physical therapy activities. We always follow the moto "Primum non nocere", which is a fancy way of saying do no harm.

The initial phase of treatment is all about reeducating any muscles that have lost motor functions. If we are dealing with the loss of function in either an arm or leg, the therapy will focus on achieving joint movements through a full range of motion. We will start with passive movements at first until you experience some regeneration going on and traces of contraction. Then we move on to aided movements, where you will need to try as hard as possible to gain control of the affected limb.

As we move through the process and as you improve, we will move on to more complex tasks, including working to achieve fine motor activity in the hands and fingers. This is a very important segment because achieving success here in therapy will give you a lot more independence and self-confidence in your daily life.

Before starting the stroke rehab program, you must understand that every treatment is individually adjusted, and it depends on the patient's current status. It is crucial that you continue to perform the physical therapy movements and exercises at home, and make it into a daily routine. That way you can work on getting better every day and we can make sure that you are not missing any opportunity to make your stroke recovery quicker.

What results can you expect from stroke physiotherapy­?

How long you can expect to undergo stroke rehabilitation depends on the severity of the stroke. In a lot of cases, you can expect to see results typically around 3 to 6 months. After this period, the longer you continue the physical therapy sessions and recommended daily routines, the more longer lasting results you will achieve.

How do I sign up for a stroke rehabilitation program­?

Stroke rehabilitation has the best outcome if it is started as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to book your first stroke rehab session at Evolve Physical Therapy today! As soon as you are booked in, we will give you an initial assessment and then we can get underway with your full stroke rehab program immediately. The quicker we start, the quicker you can regain motor function and achieve more independence. 

Call: 1-718-258-3300

Or Get Started by Filling Out Our Form Here- https://evolveny.com/contact

About Evolve Physical Therapy-

Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics-

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!

First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.

Multiple Locations!

1-718-258-3300

https://EvolveNY.com

Bicep Tendinitis and Bicep Tendinosis

How to Heal Bicep Tendonitis

If you are an athlete or regularly play sports, you may be familiar with the frustration and pain associated with the “dreaded” bicep tendonitis injury.  When you get this injury, I know you want to fix it as quickly as possible. Just hold your horses for a minute though, if you don’t give yourself the proper amount of time to heal, you will potentially cause severe complications in the future.This does not mean you will be permanently on the bench, it just means that you will need to plan for a period of recovery before your return to the field.

This guide will help with explaining what happens to your body when you get bicep tendonitis and how my team of highly trained, experienced physical therapists and certified fitness specialists will help you overcome it.

What is bicep tendonitis­­?

If you get bicep tendonitis, you will most certainly know about it.  The pain is noticeable when you use your arm, and often gets worse as you continue to use it.  The damage from this injury affects the long head of the biceps muscle. There are several ways the biceps tendon can be damaged; from within the shoulder joint (SLAP lesion), or it can be damaged in the region where it passes through the intertubercular sulcus on the front side of the humerus, or you can have a ruptured tendon of the long head. 

A bicep tendon injury causing severe bicep pain is very common in people that play sports which include shoulder rotation and elevation of the arm above the head, such as; baseball, basketball, swimming, tennis, etc.  If you are repeatedly swinging a bat or throwing a ball, you are more likely to experience problems in the bicep and shoulder areas. The technical explanation for what is happening to your arm is that you are experiencing a shallow humerus intertubercular sulcus, which causes the tendon to pop out or sublux.  Tendon subluxations cause damage and inflammation of the tendon and its sheath, something which is called Tenosynovitis.

Unfortunately, things can get a bit worse and you could develop secondary bicep tendonitis as a result of shoulder impingement syndrome or shoulder instability.  In these cases, there is increased contact between the tendon and bone structures in the shoulder joint.

I know that the explanation of what is happening to your bicep can sound extreme, but it is not, and you will be able to fix it.  The rest of this guide will show you how to recognize what is happening and what my team at Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn can do to get you back on track as quickly as possible!

How do I know if I have bicep tendonitis?

You may have bicep tendonitis if you spot some of the following symptoms:

• pain on the front side of your shoulder

• pain during physical activity involving the shoulder joint and lifting heavy objects

• increased sensitivity and palpitations of the muscle

However, to be certain that you are suffering from bicep tendonitis, we will perform a few tests, including:

Speed's Test – the patient flexes his or her shoulder by lifting the arm to a horizontal position in front of his body.  The physical therapist applies mild to moderate resistance on the distal region of the arm, while the patient tries to hold the arm horizontal.  If there is bicipital tendinitis, pain will increase during these activities, while constantly keeping our eyes focused on the position of the tendon in the sulcus, and its eventual subluxation.

Flexion of the elbow joint – this is the main movement done by the bicep, and if a patient experiences pain while performing this movement pattern, with or without applied resistance, it is possible that there is tendonitis of the long head.

Besides a regular physical examination, other diagnostic tests are required in order for us to be absolutely sure that we are dealing with tendonitis of this particular muscle.  These tests include an x-ray and ultrasound scan of the shoulder joint. If it becomes clear that you have bicep tendonitis, we will not hesitate to get you started on a rehab program right away.

So how are you going to fix my bicep tendonitis?

As a reminder, in order for you to recover quickly from this injury, you must commit to not carrying out your normal work or sport activities.  We have to work on your bicep injury intensively and give it the required rest and recovery that it needs to heal. The more committed you are, the easier this will go, I can promise you that.  I expect you to ask me, "Am I going to get better soon?" or, "How long is this supposed to take?" We totally understand your frustration to fix the problem as quickly as possible. My team and I at Evolve are here to help you get through your physical therapy treatment program as quickly and efficiently as possible.

So this is how it will go.  In the first phase of treatment, we must ease the pain and reduce inflammation of the long head tendon.  To reduce pain, in the acute phase you must halt all activities demanding certain effort, especially those involving repetitive elbow and shoulder movement. You may experience some pain relief by pressing something warm on the painful spot.  Heat can help in the healing process, increasing blood flow and dispersing algogenic pain substances from the area, but it is crucial that we apply cold procedures first, and then after about 72 hours we can proceed with heat therapy. We will administer cryotherapy, meaning we use cold compress packages and ice cube massages to reduce the inflammatory process affecting the tendon and its sheath.

After cryotherapy, we move on to the fun part, a kinesiotherapy and rehab program consisting of carefully dosed, isometric muscle contractions, followed by isotonic exercises and stretches at the end of each treatment. 

In phase two, besides regular bicep tendonitis rehab, we focus on correcting muscular imbalances.  It is essential that we evaluate the current strength of all muscle groups surrounding the shoulder, so we can improve the strength and overall stability of this joint.  The last thing you want is to have the bicep tendonitis come back and that is why we must take this step to ensure we correct any problems before they come about again.

If you are an athlete and are recovering so you can get back on the field as soon as possible, we will also conduct a movement pattern analysis that is sport-specific, meaning it will help you overcome any irregularities that are causing you trouble and preventing you from playing. 

What are the main goals of the rehab program?

Overall, I can guarantee that your rehab program will:

• Strengthen your bicep muscle

• Strengthen the muscles surrounding and supporting the shoulder

• Increase your forearm strength

• Activate and strengthen your rotator cuff muscles, which are of utmost importance for the dynamic stability of the shoulder joint

• Complete stretching exercises after your workout to remain flexible at all times

How soon can you sign me up?

Today!  You know that you can’t delay this any longer.  Your bicep tendonitis will not improve by itself and it needs specific help to get it back to full health.  If you are an athlete being prevented from playing due to this condition, then you really should have come to see me yesterday. 

Don’t worry, the main point is that you act now and act fast. Come down to Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn and we will start working with you immediately.

Call to Schedule a Consultation- 1-718-258-3300

Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics-

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of bio-mechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!

First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.

Multiple Physical Therapy Clinics in Brooklyn!

Call- 1-718-258-3300

https://EvolveNY.com

We Are Hiring!

We Are Hiring! Looking for a Fun, Friendly, Personable, and Active Physical Therapist…

Evolve Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation is in search of a fun loving “Certified Physical Therapist” at our Mill Basin, Brooklyn location!

Unlike other outpatient physical therapy and sports medicine facilities, Evolve is 100% committed to our staff. Our goal is to help determined, growth-oriented and fun physical therapists achieve their full clinical potential.

Do you have healing hands?
Do you have a passion for physical therapy?
Do you constantly seek to learn more and improve those skills?
Do you want to control your career?
Do you have more to offer, and your current job does not give you the opportunity to fully express your true potential?

If these skills overlap with yours and you have a passion for helping people, and are always interested to learn, you should consider applying to work at Evolve Fit For Life Physical Therapy.

We offer mentoring on how to achieve clinical excellence as well as training for therapists who have their sights set on management or creating their own performance program.

We offer competitive salaries along with strong upward growth potential, and health benefits.

Join a company where we value our employees with competitive salaries, incentives, health benefits, PTO and 401K!

Must be licensed to work in New York, and new grads are welcomed as well!
Job Type: Full-time
Required education: Master’s or Doctorate
Required experience: New grads may apply, experienced only!
Compensation: Competitive, based on experience

If you think we’d make a good fit, please click below to find out more about the position, benefits, and perks!

What is Hand Physical Therapy?

Hand Physical Therapy in Brooklyn

Hand therapy is a rehabilitation method performed by physical or occupational therapists on patients who have conditions that affect their hands and upper extremities. Hand physical therapy allows patients to recover faster, and return to a healthy, productive lifestyle.

A lot of people who have suffered trauma or accidents resulting in injured nerves or tendons, fractures, wounds, scars, burns, and even amputations of the arms, hands and fingers can benefit greatly from hand therapy. Additionally, many people who suffer from conditions such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or neurological conditions can also find relief by visiting a certified hand therapist.

However, keep in mind that a certified hand therapist and a therapist who treats patients with hand or arm conditions aren’t even remotely similar in terms of experience and quality. A certified hand therapist goes through several years of experience in order to attain their certification, while a practitioner can treat their patients without any extra formal education.

Hand therapy aims to address the underlying, bio-mechanical issues of upper-extremity conditions. Hand therapy specialists use a client-centered and occupation-based approach that helps identify the needs of the client. In other words, the patient will express what they want to be able to do in their everyday life that is necessary, so that the therapy focuses on improving their performance of those activities as the main goal.

The end-goal of hand physical therapy is to enable patients to perform all of their everyday activities, while ensuring the rehab process promotes permanent healing of their condition. That being said, hand therapy fosters positive outcomes for patients, allowing them to experience an increase in their quality of life and ultimately, making them independent.

What are the Benefits of Hand Physical Therapy?

As aforementioned, hand therapy fosters many positive outcomes for patients. Depending on your condition, your needs, and dedication to the physical therapy, you will experience One of the most satisfying parts of going through hand therapy is the feeling of restored function and mobility. Our arms are of utmost importance to many pivotal tasks. Experiencing constant pain and loss of function can be hard on anyone, and every condition can take a toll on a person, in one way or another. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and arthritis can kill the enjoyment people receive from fulfilling jobs, hobbies, and many everyday activities. The hands are extremely complex body parts, which may require surgery and months of hand therapy, but the end result will justify the means almost every time.

Another huge benefit of going through hand physical therapy, which is also a direct result of restored function and mobility, is the renewed confidence patients experience. People who lose the ability to perform basic everyday tasks and experience pain from being unable to partake in the hobbies and activities they love are oftentimes left feeling vulnerable and dependent on others. Once they go through therapy and slowly go through the process of restoring function to their upper limbs, they slowly gain back the confidence and strength to live independently, as they did before their condition or injury.

Furthermore, while going through the process, the patient gains knowledge about their body, the condition, the injury, and the healing process. This allows patients to fully understand the importance of hand therapy and the importance of taking care of their body. Conversely, the hand therapist in Brooklyn will come to understand the patient and their injury, because even though they may be treating a hundred patients a month, every body, and every injury is different.

Lastly, patients that go through hand physical therapy experience reduced stress, which is caused by pain in the wrist, elbows, hands and shoulder tension. Moreover, not only do people in pain experience stress, they have trouble sleeping and decreased coping abilities. A certified hand therapist understands this and will work with you to relieve pain. Once you’ve started hand therapy, your ability to function will improve significantly.

What Does Hand Physical Therapy Involve?

The first step to a successful road to recovery from hand physical therapy is forming a close patient-therapist relationship. Therapists usually begin the process by assessing their client, their functional deficits and desired goals from the therapy. This allows the therapist to understand what the client wants, enjoys and values, and what they both need to do in order to get them back on track. This allows both parties to set goals collaboratively. The patient, on the other hand, will understand that the process will address their entire lifestyle, body and mind, including social and psychological issues, not just the injury itself.

Next, the therapist will likely start with a few preparatory methods, such as muscle strengthening, range of motion, physical agent modalities and specific hand therapy exercises. Alternatively, the therapist may decide that performing purposeful activities are the better solution. As the patient progresses, the focus of the therapy is broadened into addressing the performance of the client’s desired life activities, tasks and occupations.

The therapist closely monitors the patient’s progress, and chooses activities accordingly in order to ensure they relate to the actual activities the patient will be doing during and after the rehab process. And even though the activities may not be tailored to help with healing the condition or injury itself, they may still be used as a way to help patients return to a healthy psychological state and social well-being while their bodies heal. Adaptations can be made at any point during the recovery process if that’s what the patient desires.

When the time comes, a certified hand therapist may provide adaptive equipment and splints that will help the patient facilitate instead of inhibit participation in everyday activities such as eating, dressing or driving.

However, keep in mind that every hand therapist can have unique treatment methods and approaches to hand therapy, so you shouldn’t expect to get the same treatment everywhere. Also, don’t forget to differentiate between a certified hand therapist and a therapist or practitioner who treats hand, arm and finger conditions, because the difference is more than adding the word “certified”.

For more information on holistic hand therapy services, please visit-

https://evolveny.com/physical-therapy/hand-therapy-brooklyn

Brooklyn's Premier Physical Therapy Clinics-

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of bio-mechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!

Multiple Locations!

1-718-258-3300

EvolveNY.com

Evolve Physical Therapy Announces Parkinson's Disease Community Outreach Event in Brooklyn, NY.

Professional Physical Therapy Clinic in Brooklyn, Evolve Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, Set to Host Community Awareness Rock Steady Boxing Event for People Living with Parkinson's Disease, June 4th, 2019.

With over one million people projected to be living with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the U.S. By 2020, along with approximately 60,000 Americans getting diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, raising general awareness for this debilitating condition has and is currently sparking an uptick in the generation of a myriad of innovative ideas, treatments, and influencing funding into new and existing Parkinson's disease research programs.

One of these creative Parkinson's Disease treatment programs, Rock Steady Boxing, was founded to directly combat the many progressive physically degrading symptoms associated with this terrible condition. Rock Steady Boxing focuses first and foremost on improving an individual's overall quality of living. The program introduces people living with Parkinson's disease to fun, upbeat, and creative exercise and fitness regimens that incorporates professionally boxing training methodologies. The Rock Steady Boxing program offers people living with Parkinson's disease the opportunity to train and improve motor skills with other people living with PD, adding even further to the camaraderie and positive atmosphere of the entire program.

NBC Nightly News Story- https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/boxing-class-helps-those-with-parkinson-s-fight-back-against-the-disease-1349156931984

The owner of Evolve Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation, Louis Ezrick, researched into the Rock Steady Boxing program, took into account the many patients that were looking for “out of the box” PD treatment options, and immediately incorporated this innovative Parkinson's disease treatment program at all three of his physical therapy clinics throughout Brooklyn, NY. Evolve Physical Therapy has since contributed to raising awareness to this special program through local and national major media outlets, community driven events, and was also featured on NBC Nightly News.

Evolve Physical Therapy's last community event was a family appreciation day hosted by NYU doctors at the Sparks for Life Center in Brooklyn, and attracted around 100 interested individuals.

The latest Rock Steady Boxing Parkinson's disease community awareness event hosted by Evolve Physical Therapy is set for June 4th, 2019. It will start at 1 p.m at the Sephardic Community Center, located at 1901 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11223. “Introduction to Rock Steady Boxing for Men & Women with Parkinson’s Disease. All ages and levels of ability are welcome to attend. This event will be led by Lou Ezrick, Dr. of Physical Therapy, and Certified Personal trainers.

“This is a safe and effective exercise program adapted to people of any level of Parkinson’s. It involves exercises for overall fitness such as stretching, strength training, core work, reaction time, balance, and non contact boxing”, stated Lou Ezrick of Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, NY. The Rock Steady Boxing program can reduce progression of associated symptoms, allow people to live a healthier life, make them feel stronger and more empowered over their life, while doing so in an extremely positive atmosphere.

This is a free community outreach event to inform, share, and support those who are living with Parkinson's disease and are looking for new symptomatic treatment options.

For more information and to RSVP,

Contact Linda Eber at 718-954-3154. Linda[at]scclive.org.

About Rock Steady Boxing-

Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) was founded in 2006, by a young onset patient who wanted to challenge his diagnosis of PD. RSB was derived from the founder's personal regimen designed by a professional boxing trainer. Today, there are over 450 RSB programs worldwide.

https://www.rocksteadyboxing.org

About Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, NY-

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of bio-mechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!

First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.

Multiple Locations!

1-718-258-3300

https://EvolveNY.com

Schroth Method Physical Therapy Service for Scoliosis

The Schroth Method and Treating Scoliosis

Do you suffer from daily pain and irritation related to scoliosis? There have been many advances in scoliosis treatment over the years including the Schroth Method. The Schroth Method is a physical therapy technique that can help you to stop the progression of your scoliosis and has even been proven to reduce pain.

At Evolve New York, our team of professional therapists can help you to find relief from your scoliosis today.

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis often appears as a curve in the form of “c” or an “s” shape in your spine. Depending on the severity of your case, there are a few different treatment options.

• Physical Therapy Services (like the Schroth method): Physical therapy is the primary way to regain strength and mobility that may be lost due to scoliosis.

• Bracing: Your doctor may recommend bracing to prevent your spine from curving further.

• Surgery: If you are not able to find any relief from your scoliosis then surgery may be an option that is recommended by your doctor.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Below are a few signs and symptoms of scoliosis:

• Uneven Shoulder Height

• Uneven Hip and Waist

• Pain in or Around Your Spine

How can physical therapy help my scoliosis?

Physical therapy can help to restore your range of motion as well as your mobility. Below are a few types of exercises that can help:

The Schroth Method: The Schroth Method is a series of stretches and exercises that target your scoliosis specifically and can help to reduce the curvature of your spine.

Range of Motion Exercises: This type of exercise can help to improve any limitations that you may have due to pain associated with scoliosis.

Strength Training: Due to the change in position of your spine you may experience weakness in your hips and shoulders. By utilizing strength training exercises, you can build any areas of weakness back up.

Manual Therapy: Manual therapy is a hands-on approach that targets your ligaments and muscle tissue.

Functional Training: By using functional training you can learn how to retrain your body to complete activities.

What is the primary goal of the Schroth Method?

The main goal of the Schroth method is to de-rotate, elongate, and stabilize your spine. There are three main focuses of using this method including: Restoring muscular symmetry, breathing exercises, and posture awareness.

Muscular Symmetry: Depending on how severe your scoliosis is you will need exercises to restore the function in the weak side of your body.

Rotational Angular Breathing: One of the most important steps of the Schroth method is breathing exercises. Angular breathing is used to assist with reshaping your ribcage as well as the surrounding tissues.

Posture Awareness: By focusing on your posture awareness you can learn what positions could make your scoliosis worse.

How can the Schroth Method Help Your Scoliosis?

• It can Improve Your Posture

• Improvement in Core Stability and Strength

• Reduced Pain

• Breathing can Become Easier

• Improved Mobility

Should I utilize the Schroth Method during my physical therapy sessions?

If you have scoliosis and are looking for a method that has shown great results, the Schroth method might be for you. This type of physical therapy can help you to prevent your scoliosis from advancing and it can help reduce the curvature of your spine.

For more information on Evolve Physical Therapy’s Schroth Treatment for Scoliosis, please visit- https://evolveny.com/physical-therapy/schroth-scoliosis-physical-therapy-brooklyn

Feel free to reach out to us today to schedule a consultation. Our team looks forward to working with you.

Call- 1-718-258-3300

Pediatric and Adolescent Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy for Kids and Teenagers in Brooklyn

What Is Pediatric Physical Therapy?

Pediatric physical therapy can best be described as specialized programs created specifically for kids and teenagers of which are suffering from a wide range of developmental issues, recovering from an injury, or living with a disorder or disability.

Physical therapy for children and teenagers is different as sometimes children and young adults may not understand why they are in physical therapy, along with the obvious point that their bodies are still developing and growing. For children, it is important that pediatric development treatment plans are effective as well as fun to keep them engaged and motivated.

Pediatric and Adolescent Physical Therapy: The First Step

For any patient, children included, our first step is to evaluate to best formulate your child’s custom care plan. We will focus on muscle strength, joint mobility, and other areas in order to help your children improve any limited mobilities that they may have.

What can be treated with pediatric and adolescent physical therapy?

There are many areas in which pediatric and adolescent patients may need physical therapy. Some of the following would include: accident or injury, developmental delays, genetic disorders, orthopedic disabilities, limb deficiencies, and any muscle coordination concerns.

How can physical therapy help my child?

Physical therapy treatment can help your children in many ways. Take a look below for a few examples.

• It can help them to increase their endurance

• Assists in building muscle strength

• Can allow them to improve their range of motion

• Promotes a decrease in muscle spasms and pain

• Can lessen any joint inflammations

• Promotes healing of lesions that may have formed

• It can improve walking and increase their general mobility

• Increase their overall ability for daily activities

• And more!
  

Childhood Health Conditions that may Require Physical Therapy as a Form of Treatment

There are numerous injuries and conditions in which a physical therapist can help your child regain mobility as to continue to grow and thrive in their daily lives, regardless of injury or illness. At Evolve, we promote personalized pediatric development and adolescent growth for all of our patients. We’ve highlighted just a few of the conditions that our skilled team of physical therapists in Brooklyn can assist with.

• Cerebral Palsy

• Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Cancer

• Scoliosis

• Chronic Pain

• Developmental Delays

• Cystic Fibrosis

Schedule a Pediatric Physical Therapy Consultation Today! Walk Ins Welcome.

1-718-258-3300

Does your pediatric or adolescent child need physical therapy for a chronic condition or injury?

At Evolve, we believe our patients are like family. We want to see your children continue to overcome obstacles associated with health conditions, and be relieved from any chronic pain they may be experiencing.

Physical Therapy Services for Children at Evolve

If your child is suffering from an illness or injury they may need to take part in physical therapy sessions to fully find healing from their pain. At Evolve, we value a holistic approach that focuses not only on the problem itself, but any contributing factors as well.

Contact us today to schedule your first consultation free of charge. We look forward to meeting and working with your family. Let us help you and your child reach all their developmental goals!

Schedule a Pediatric Physical Therapy Consultation Today! Walk Ins Welcome.

1-718-258-3300

Click the link below to find out more about Evolve’s specialized physical therapy treatment programs for kids and teenager-

https://www.evolveny.com/physical-therapy/pediatric-physical-therapy-brooklyn

About Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, NY-

Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better! First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.

Multiple Locations!

1-718-258-3300

https://EvolveNY.com

Running Therapy and Gait Retraining

Physical Therapy for Runners

At Evolve, we utilize running therapy and gait retraining to help you recover from injuries and to improve athletic performance. Our programs are geared towards helping you improve in the following areas: Standing, walking, and running.

Over the years running and gait technologies have greatly advanced. This allows for our skilled physical therapists to better target your injury, and help you during each step of your recovery process. Whether you’re an experienced athlete looking to improve your running form, or you have an injury, we’ve got you covered.

The Running & Gait Evaluation Process

The first part of running therapy and gait training is to have your physical therapist perform an initial evaluation. This allows them to create a customized physical therapy treatment plan to help you achieve all your goals. There are different evaluations used depending on if you are having physical therapy to treat an injury, or improve athletic performance and running form. Let’s take a look below.

The following may be included in your running and gait analysis physical therapy evaluation:

Running History Review: During your initial evaluation, your physical therapist may ask you questions about your running and athletic history. Including discussion about different training methods that you use and any previous injuries that you may have had.

Orthopedic Exam: This exam will focus on the movement of your muscles, joints, and tendons in relation to your running and gait.

Observational Analysis: You will run on a treadmill while being recorded so that your therapist can analyze what needs to improve in your running form. This allows us to pinpoint any areas that may need improvement.

What can be observed during gait analysis:

• What part of your foot is hitting the ground first

• Your turnover rate: How many times your feet hit the ground per minute

• How your body flows during movement and if it is the same on each side

• How hard does your foot strike the ground when you put it down

• How your ankles, hips, and knees are angled as you move

• And we will also look at how long each of your strides are

When might you need running therapy and gait retraining?

If you are a runner, you may have already suffered from one of the injuries below. By taking part in running and gait training you can heal, and learn how to reduce the occurrence of these injuries by learning more about proper running form and pain relieving exercises.

Common Running Injuries

• Runners knee: While runners knee is a common occurrence for runners, it can affect others as well. It can be brought about by overuse, problems with your feet, unbalanced muscles, and even taking a direct hit to your knee.

• Achilles Tendonitis: This injury is often caused by the overuse of your Achilles tendon. It can occur after intense runs, or as a result of sports.

• Hamstring injuries: Some of the most seen hamstring injuries are pulls and muscle tears. It can vary in severity and is most common in athletes.

• Plantar fasciitis: This is pain in the heel and can also vary in terms of severity.

• Stress Fractures: Jumping and long distance running can eventually lead to stress fractures. These are a common sports related injury.

Are you a good candidate for running therapy and gait training?

If you have recently been in an accident that has affected your ability to walk, stand, or run, or you have a sports injury, running therapy techniques and gait training can be beneficial for you. At Evolve, our number one priority is patient care. Our team will work with you to get you back in tip top shape.

Find out more about Evolve’s Running and Gait Therapy Services!

https://www.evolveny.com/physical-therapy/running-and-gait-therapy-brooklyn

Contact us today to learn more about our running and gait physical therapy treatment plans. Leave us your contact information and we'll make sure to get you scheduled for your first one-on-one visit with a physical therapist completely free.

Call- 1-718-258-3300

Parkinson’s disease can be conquered!

Parkinson’s Disease and Physical Therapy

“Do not hold a patient’s coat as long as he can put him on by himself”, says the main advice to a family whose member is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Despite numerous medical achievements, there are still conditions which cannot be avoided regardless of the quality of one's life.

These would include degenerative diseases, and among them is  Parkinson’s.

What are the early and most common signs of Parkinson’s disease?

It is essential that we always pay attention to everything that would seem out of the ordinary. In patients with Parkinson’s we often have non motor signs appearing before motor symptoms, sometimes 5 to 10 years earlier.

These would include symptoms like hyposmia, when patient has a deficiency in sense of smell, anxiety, depression, and sometimes even dementia. However, motor signs are the ones we will be more focused on, because that is our sphere of intervention.

As a physical therapist, one of the most common questions I get from patients is how can they stop their hands from shaking. And I think most of you will agree that it is the first thing that came on your mind when the word “Parkinson’s” was mentioned. Mainly, we mean shaking, or tremor of the hands when they are still. It is an involuntary, quivering movement occurring at rest, and can sometimes be extremely mild and often difficult to diagnose. It is very important for you to know that this particular symptom characteristically appears when you do not move.

So, your next question may be “Well, should I move more often then?”

The answer is – yes. From a physical therapist standpoint, active movement and exercise is and will be your best friend during your journey towards feeling better. Especially when It comes to Parkinson’s disease. My team and I here at Evolve can offer you not only standard physical therapy treatment, but something much more exciting, believe me!

How can physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease help me

We did talk about the most recognizable symptom, but there are far more issues we can address in our profession as physical therapists. Meaning those that disrupt motor skills even more, and prevent you from functioning properly in the activities of your daily life.

Bradykinesia and Rigidity represent major symptoms in this condition, and manifest as slowness of movement and stiffness of the muscular system. Both have a great impact on a patient’s life. By conducting various aspects of physical therapy treatment such as ones we offer at Evolve your symptoms can be surely be eased, but only if there is a continuance of exercise. Exercise is your best friend, always remember that!

Early treatment by means of physical therapy and rehab is crucial, because besides taking medication, this is the only way you can try to stop the progression of the disease. In that area we can help.

What does Parkinson rehabilitation look like?

At Evolve physical therapy in Brooklyn, in order for us to start with your treatment session we must conduct certain tests by evaluating your balance, overall postural status when standing still, sitting and turning around, as well as flexibility and even joint mobility.

Joint movements through passive range of motion will help you retain flexibility in muscles and prevent shortening, while active movements keep away further progression and complications.

The priority should be on exercising and maintaining good coordination and posture while walking, or performing functional movements. For that, preventing rounded shoulder posture is the key, as well as shifting the center of gravity to be more behind. This will help with the characteristic “skiing position” as I like to call it, when patients appear to be tilted in front while walking.

Reduction of muscle hypertonia is also important, and for that we use techniques like massage, cryotherapy, and thermotherapy.

We discussed the tremor in hands, and to fight it, one must move them. Remember this – active movement reduces trembling. Holding objects with both hands will also help, providing a more secure grip and stability of the hand. As we always say here, nothing can come over night. Going slow is essential, and it will give you a strong foundation. Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?

Find out more about Parkinsons Disease and Physical Therapy in Brooklyn.

How can Rock Steady exercise for Parkinson’s help you?

Do you remember when I mentioned that we have something more exciting to offer other than regular physical therapy? Well, our Rock Steady exercise program gives you the opportunity to fight Parkinson’s in a more, should I say, active manner. What can be more active than fighting it – literally!

By incorporating the elements of boxing into your exercise and rehab program, you can benefit not only because It’s good fun and extremely entertaining, but it can significantly change the outcome of regular rehabilitation sessions.

How can Rock Steady Boxing make a change?

It makes a huge upgrade to your hand-eye, and overall coordination, it reduces tremors, and gives you better stability and postural control. You will get a chance to learn how to execute punches, move your feet rhythmically, improve your speed, and increase your strength.

The Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s program offers an opportunity to anyone willing to face their condition head-on. Apart from this being so unusual to anyone trying to make a connection between it and Parkinson’s disease, boxing as a method of treatment has shown tremendous results on the psychological side.

It is a lot easier when you have someone next to you who shares similar problems, and will gladly work as hard as possible to make themselves feel well again. This improves one’s motivation as well as self-determination, which are an invaluable asset alongside their willpower. If we check the boxes right here together, then all you have left to do is to sign up by clicking here- Rock Steady Boxing classes.

Find out more about Parkinsons Disease and Physical Therapy in Brooklyn.

Read more about Evolve Physical Therapy’s Rock Steady Boxing Classes Featured on NBC Nightly News!

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nyc-physical-therapy-clinic-evolve-ny-hosts-rock-steady-boxings-innovative-parkinson-training-program-300734541.html

After Pregnancy Physical Therapy

Postpartum Physical Therapy Services

Exercising during and after pregnancy is exceptionally important, and every pregnant woman should invest her time doing so when under the supervision of her physical therapist and personal trainer.  Movement is the very essence of health and is beneficial to everyone. Just as a professional athlete needs to stay on top of his game year-round, future moms have to take extra care of their health status in order to be able to endure one of the most demanding and beautiful periods of their life.

Running through the basics - what can I expect during pregnancy?

Carrying a baby causes loads of changes, and a lot occurs due to physiological hormonal fluctuations in your body. In the beginning, everything is gradual, then it speeds up dramatically. In the final trimester, you can tell every difference from week to week.

All of this means changes in all tissues, but most important for us as physical therapists, connective and muscle tissue becomes more soft and flexible, so it can adapt to extra weight and distension happening in your abdominal area. It all sounds quite normal, and it absolutely is. However, things involving pain in the back and joints tend to happen as well,  and are often also categorized as "physiological" and transitory. Pain is not something you should tolerate, especially during and after pregnancy while stress is out of the question. My team here at Evolve physical therapy in Brooklyn can assure you that there is much that can be done to make your pregnancy as painless as possible.  

Physiotherapy for Back Pain

The lower back and joint system are where the pain is most likely to occur while carrying a baby. This usually happens around the 5th month, followed by an increase in body weight. Some of the other contributing  factors would be:

• Sitting a lot, or sleeping in a non-physiological position

• Laxity of ligaments in pregnancy

• Increased pressure on lower extremity nerves caused by the enlargement of the uterus

• Distension of the deep abdominal wall

Of course, not all of these problems happen to every single pregnant woman. But still, the main rule I always follow in this particular case is that exercise is our best friend in ensuring a more comfortable postpartum period. In that case, I suggest we get down to working out!

Relieving postpartum back pain is one of our main goals here at Evolve. You can expect one of our therapists to lead you through an individual postpartum workout plan consisting of carefully selected exercises to cover every critical region.

Strengthening your core is something your body will be most grateful for because weakness in the abdomen automatically means weakness of the spine stabilizing system. With nothing to hold your vertebrae, lower back pain is imminent. However, that is something we can and will change.

Our next stop will be mending the abdominal separation, also known as diastasis recti abdominis. During pregnancy as your abdomen distends, and connective tissue or linea alba that connects left and right side of the rectus abdominis muscle becomes stretched and become thinner. This allows the abdominal muscles to stretch as well and make room for the baby. Sometimes this separation in your abdomen spontaneously retreats after giving birth, but there are cases that demand physical therapy treatment. This is where we jump in, offering you the opportunity to try out our postpartum rehab program at Evolve!

Manual therapy as a Healing Approach

Manual therapy consists of applying specific techniques and skills such as joint manipulation and mobilization, as well as methods by which a physical therapist evaluates and treats soft tissues and bone structures. The primary goal of manual therapy is to reduce pain, increase mobility and eliminate inflammatory changes. This will, of course, result in better blood circulation in that region as well, ensuring much quicker convalescence in your postpartum period!

Manual therapy techniques can be used as a multi-modal approach, and we should always strive to combine them with other kinesitherapy and proprioceptive techniques. Many elements of this healing method require certain expertise, and that is why you should consider consulting one of our team members here at Evolve physical therapy.

How can strength training help me in the postpartum period?

Just when you think you're out of the woods you realize that there are loads of things waiting for you on the other side, and it's not going to be easy getting them back like they used to be. Like I said in the beginning, exercising at this point may feel over overwhelming after all you've been through, but it is your one-way ticket to feeling and looking healthy and functional once again. It will benefit you greatly, and help you to do the following:

Reestablish normal breathing patterns: In the postpartum period, paradoxical breathing can occur and gentle, steady breathing exercises and kinesitherapy is just what you need to get back on track.

Strengthen your deep pelvic floor: In order to prevent unpleasant incontinence episodes, muscles of the pelvic floor should always remain on top of their function and serve as a steady foundation for your urogenital tract and pelvic organs. To ensure all of this, we offer you to join us at Evolve and follow a workout plan devised by one of our team members that will help you in cases like this.

Improve stability of your lower back: We already talked about the importance of spine stability through pregnancy and it is equally important for it to stay stable and healthy after your postnatal rehabilitation. Again you can consult one of our therapists, and enroll in our postpartum rehab program that can be designed according to your needs!

Work with the Evolve Team for Physical Therapy After Pregnancy

There is absolutely no need for you to feel additionally exhausted and in pain because of a few bumps on the road. With the right amount of attention and work, everything can become the way it used to be. So come and join us so that we make sure you fully enjoy your newest phase of life. Oh and, congratulations!

Prehabilitation for Sports Related Injuries

How to Prevent Sports Injury Through Prehabilitation Services

It is known that exercising enhances both physical and mental health, but the real question is – when do its effects actually start making a change in your body? The answer is a quite relieving and studies have shown that as little as one carefully planned and dosed training session can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack! That is, if you remain consistent and attend your workouts continuously.

Here at Evolve, we can give you the opportunity to prevent things like this from happening. Whether it’s a heart condition, or a common sports related injury like tears or muscle pulls, by conducting prehabilitation exercises you can lessen your chances of an injury. Better safe than sorry, believe me!

Why would you need prehab?

Unlike rehabilitation which represents physical therapy after a certain injury or operation, prehab consists of well-structured and supervised exercises that ameliorate the outcome of a surgery, or lower the risk of training accidents of players on the field. That kind of preparation can be beneficial to your recovery, whatever situation you’re in. Leave your excuses at home, because here at Evolve physical therapy in Brooklyn, we can give you a variety of choices for you to better the odds when it comes to your health.

The Benefits of Prehab Exercises

Physical therapy prior to intense exercise or any other medical procedure can be a crucial step in preventing injuries. I always say that in order for a professional athlete to endure the enormous stress they put on their body daily, they primarily need to be functional and have a healthy postural status. Same goes for everyone else, even if they aren’t in that kind of situation. Whether you need surgery, or you just want to participate for your overall well-being. I myself, along with my team of highly experienced physical therapists here at Evolve, can guide you through a wide range of exercises that will help you prevent accidents such as:

Prehab for Knee Injuries

Injuries of the knee joint are one of the most common among professional athletes, and in many cases very dangerous because they can easily end their career. However, they can happen to anyone, even if they don’t play a professional sport. At Evolve we like to do things strategically and that means approaching the issue from every possible angle, in order to prevent these knee injuries. Our primary goal is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee, meaning every one that produces knee flexion and extension - mainly quadriceps and biceps femoris muscle, along with other muscles that contribute to overall stability of the joint. The goal is that after you go through our treatment you will be able to easily perform every movement in the knee. We want to make sure that your full range of motion has been restored, and that it remains stable throughout every activity.

Prehabilitation for Cycling Injuries

Prehabilitation is a fantastic method for preventing injury while cycling. Cycling is a beautiful sport, and I personally love it very much. However, there is one thing we should all have in mind when we think of going cycling - it is a highly repetitive sport. In order for us to be able to keep pedaling on and on, we have to engage in this sort of activity well prepared. That means strengthening and conditioning muscles that stabilize joints and take all the impact of those high repetitions. Mainly we mean your hips, knees, and wrists. Not only do they need good support, but you must also be aware of all the other complications that can occur because of an uncomfortable, non-physiological position when sitting on a bike. Our team can conduct different training and physiotherapy sessions that will prevent pain in your cervical and thoracic spine, prevent injuries of ligaments surrounding lower extremity joints, and most importantly to help you be able to enjoy cycling as long as possible without feeling any discomforts!

Shoulder pain, Muscle Tears, Pulls and Other Sports Related Injuries

Shoulder injuries are one of the most common ones in sports that mainly require usage of the arms, such as basketball or baseball. Basketball players often have problems with shoulder pain when lifting arms above their head, and why wouldn’t they feel pain when this puts the shoulder joint in a very non-anatomic position? On the other hand, baseball players need to have strong enough posterior muscles of the shoulder joints, in order to avoid tearing of ligaments, glenoid labrum, and more. Besides these, all the other sports carry their risks, but let’s stick to most common cases.

If you feel pain, or if you suffered a muscle tear in the past, you shouldn’t let it happen to you again. There are ways we can help you ensure that you don’t. By performing functional movement patterns as an element of carefully planned and supervised physical therapy, you can achieve the proper posture, stability and overall functionality. Whether we talk about shoulder prehab exercises, or exercises that give you stability and strength in every other critical joint. Undergoing prehabilitation therapy like we offer here at Evolve might just be the missing element for you to have complete enjoyment when participating in sports activities.

What are the main goals of prehabilitation?

Sometimes the external forces that affect our body in various physical activities can be inevitable and dominant, and there is just nothing we can do to stop an injury from happening. This is very common with contact sports. However, I think that in many cases we alone are most responsible for our injuries. All too often we engage in activities while being inadequately prepared!

When I say inadequately, I mean we usually skip the warm up. In my opinion, this is a terrible decision. A moderate warm up will increase the blood flow through our muscles and make them more flexible, decreasing the risk of an injury. Simply put, a 10-minute

Investment of your time can save you weeks of taking painkillers!

Your muscles need to be well conditioned for every specific type of sport. If you jog every morning and then suddenly you decide you want to play football, you will have a major risk of hurting yourself. Every sport has its demands, and if you doubt your strength or overall stability that’s needed for it, undergoing prehab won’t bring you any harm.

Last but not least, you can always give your muscles a nice good stretch whenever you can. Whether you just finished working out, or right before you hit the pillow. Remember, everything you do to contribute to your overall well-being makes you maybe one step ahead of an unpleasant surprise. If you would like to learn more about our prehab services, feel free to give our team a call today.

What is Prehabilitation Therapy?

What is Prehab?

Prehabilitation, or prehab, is a combination of aerobic exercises, strength training, and individual treatment plans to prepare a patient who is about to undergo surgery or for athletes.

These exercises benefit your body by getting it ready for the stresses that a surgery can cause. Establishing an exercise routine prior to your surgery is a vital component of your recovery, and you can often start as early as six weeks prior to your procedure. However, your therapist will come up with an individualized plan just for you.

Prior to creating your customized prehab plan, you will have a full body evaluation from your physical therapist. This allows them to formulate a plan to address and correct any areas of muscle weakness.

If you want to avoid any unnecessary pain or injury after a surgery, prehab is the way to go.

Additional Benefits of Prehabilitation Therapy

While prehab is an excellent choice for surgical candidates, that is not the only area that this type of treatment can be beneficial for. If you are an athlete or even an occasional sports player, these exercises can help you too. The movements utilized in prehabilitation methods can help reduce the likelihood of injury during physical activity.

Learn more about our prehabilitation services at Evolve here.

https://www.evolveny.com/physical-therapy/prehabilitation-therapy-brooklyn

The Importance of Prehabilitation Exercises

If you have a health condition where you are looking to avoid surgery, or you know you are having surgery, prehab can help. This physical therapy treatment can allow you to have the best possible results after surgery, or even assist you with avoiding any unnecessary surgeries.

Prehab therapy can help with the following surgeries and more.

• Hip and knee replacement

• Joint replacement

• Orthopedic surgery

• ACL repair

• Rotator cuff repair

Speed up Your Recovery Time with Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation exercises have the ability to help prevent injuries before they happen, as well as provide the possibility of a greater outcome post-surgery.

Having physical therapy before your surgery can help in the following ways:

• You will regain your strength faster and increase recovery speed

• Shorter hospital stays

• It will mentally prepare you for your surgery

• It may decrease the possibility of high risk side effects from surgery

• An increase the overall outcome of your surgery

Contributing Factors of a Prehabilitation Plan

Prehab is not limited to just a physical therapy plan. While this is a vital part of your prehabilitation treatment, there are other areas of your health that your doctor may want to adjust prior to surgery. These may include: Changes to diet and lifestyle, breathing and meditation exercises, aerobic exercises, and potentially changes to your medication.

Should you consider prehab Therapy?

Almost everyone that is about to have surgery can benefit from a prehab plan. Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist who can give you an evaluation to determine what course of action would be best for you. Depending on your current pain status, and the type of surgery you will be having, your therapist will customize a movement routine that will help to alleviate pain and promote a positive surgical outcome.

Click here for more information about prehab therapy in Brooklyn

If you are currently an extremely active individual, or maybe not so much, you can gain something from working with a physical therapist prior to surgery. At Evolve, we can help you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Call-1-718-258-3300

Evolve Physical Therapy-
Evolve Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation services the New York community. We evaluate, heal, and strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives.

3 Convenient Locations in Brooklyn- Marine Park, Mill Basin, Park Slope

1-718-258-3300

www.EvolveNY.com

Rock Steady Boxing NYC Family Appreciation Day!

Rock Steady Boxing Family Appreciation Day Hosted By: Evolve Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation and Sparks of Life Center for Parkinson’s.

Join us at 1:00 pm for fun energy flowing Rock Steady Boxing Class followed by an educational presentation and open discussion about the latest Parkinson’s therapies at 1:45 pm. Leading the discussion will be the following experts from NYU:

Dr. Alon Mogilner, Neurosurgeon and Director of Neuromodulation

Dr. Michael Pourfar, Movement Disorder Specialist

Be sure to RSVP by Tuesday February 26th as there are limited seats available. A light kosher lunch will be served.

RSVP by reserving general admission tickets online or calling 718.258.3300, emailing info@evolveny.com with your full name and a phone number and the number of people in your group that will attend.

We welcome all interested in learning or supporting those with Parkinson's to attend.

Date and Time

Sun, March 3, 2019

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Location

Mayan Yisroel

3315 Avenue N

Brooklyn, NY 11234

More info:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-steady-boxing-family-appreciation-day-tickets-57035417469

About Evolve Physical Therapy:

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better!

Schedule Free Consultation Today!

Call- 1-718-258-3300

https://www.evolveny.com/contact

Manual Therapy- A Physical Therapy Technique

Manual Therapy for Pain Relief

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual Therapy is a very effective hands on approach that is used for the treatment of muscles, ligaments, and joints. A physical therapist can target any areas of pain or discomfort that you may have with specialized movement and exercises that are utilized to strengthen weak muscle groups and improve your mobility. People who suffer from back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches and orthopedic conditions can benefit from this hands-on method.

How can manual therapy be utilized to help manage chronic pain?

Get your life back with Manual Physical Therapy at Evolve!

Soft Tissue Mobilization: This type of treatment was created to improve mechanical movement as well as to restore a patient's range of motion. Depending on what areas of the body have been affected during your accident or injury, your therapist will apply various amount of pressure to break down any adhesion that may have formed.

Joint Mobilization: If your joins are limiting your range of motion, your physical therapist may use this method to help improve your mobility. The motions used in joint mobilization will strengthen surrounding tissue of the affected joints and can allow you to gain a normal range of motion as well as decrease pain.

Strain and Counterstrain: This method is commonly used to target and treat muscle spasms that occur in the body. Erase pain and reduce spasms with this hands-on technique.

Muscle Energy Techniques: Treat dysfunctional joints with this type of treatment that uses muscle contractions to relax and lengthen your muscles. It can also normalize the motion of your joints.

You can learn more about Evolve’s manual therapy services here.

Can this method help you with daily muscle and joint pain?

Are you dealing with everyday pain in your muscles and joints? Manual therapy may be the right choice for you. At Evolve, we want to help you begin your journey to healing and teach you how to fight back against daily muscle and joint pain. Schedule a consultation with us today!

Could you reap the rewards of manual therapy?

If you are still unsure about the wonderful benefits of manual therapy, here are a few other conditions that this type of treatment has been proven to help.

Hip & Knee Replacement: Have you recently had a hip, knee, or even joint replacement? Manual therapy can assist you with promoting regular muscle and joint movement, and it can help you get back to your daily routine faster.

Arteritis/Osteoporosis: Do you suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis? The methods used in a manual therapy treatment plan can help you to cope with pain management.

Headaches: Do you suffer from frequent headaches? People who get tension headaches and migraines can also benefit from manual therapy services.

TMJ: If you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction, a condition that limits the movement of the jaw, you may be a great candidate for manual physical therapy. Our therapists can assist you with pain management for your TMJ.

Fibromyalgia: Chronic pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. While there currently is no cure, a skilled physical therapist can help you to improve mobility and to reduce daily pain.

Manual Therapy Services You Can Rely on with Lou Ezrick, Evolve

These conditions along with many others can benefit from the hands-on approach used in manual therapy practices. If you or someone you know has chronic joint or muscle pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today to start reducing pain and regain your mobility.

Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics-

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!

Multiple Locations!

1-718-258-3300

https://EvolveNY.com

Sports Physical Therapy- Common Sports Injuries

Sports Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation for Popular Sporting Injuries

As an athlete, it is important that you can get back on the field as soon as possible after an injury. Here at Evolve, my team and I specialize in many sports physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Below we’ve highlighted a few of the ways that we can assist you during your recovery.

Sports Physical Therapy Services

We offer a few different specialty services to help you recover from your sporting injuries. Below are a few examples:

Prehabilitation: I’ve seen the benefits of prehabilitation exercises for athletes. While it was previously primarily beneficial prior to having surgery, over the years it has developed into a popular functional fitness and injury prevention technique.

Manual Therapy: My team and I can use manual therapy as a hands-on method to target the weak muscles in and around your injury to reduce pain, and promote better mobility.

Deep Tissue Massage: As an athlete, you put a ton of stress on your body during training and games. My team and I can provide a deep tissue massage to reduce pain and promote healing.

Running & Gait Training: As an athlete, having proper form while running is extremely important. My team and I can help you to improve your function and enhance your performance.

Common Sports Injuries

If you are an athlete, or simply an avid sports player, chances are you may get injured. Here are a few of the most common sporting injuries that we see come through our doors here at Evolve.

Football Injuries and How to Treat Them

As a full contact sport, injuries are very common for football players. Whether you have over exerted yourself at practice or you take a hard tackle, a lot of these injuries requires physical therapy services. At Evolve, my team and I can help you develop a treatment plan to get you back into your best shape if you are suffering from any of the following injuries.

Knee Injuries: Knee injuries are very common in the football world. As a football player, having a knee injury can land you off the field for a long time. My team and I want to help you heal from your injuries faster. By utilizing our knee physical therapy services, we can help you with exercises that promote recovery, balance, and holistic healing.

Shoulder Injuries: Another popular injury among football players is shoulder injuries. These can include labrum and joint injuries. Our team can address any muscle tears and we can help you to restore shoulder function and mobility through our physical therapy services for shoulder injuries.

Overuse Injuries: Back pain is a frequent complaint from football players. If you are experiencing back pain this may be a sign of overuse from intense training. The kind of pain caused by overuse can be targeted by icing or with stretching and physical therapy exercises.

Basketball Injuries and Treatment Methods

While basketball isn’t a full contact sport, it is skill likely that at some point you may have an injury. The Evolve team and I can help you recover from the following injuries through our sports physical therapy services.

Ankle Injuries: Injured ankles are very popular among basketball players. It is essential to play this sport that you fully recover from any ankle injury. A few of the frequent ankle injuries that we see are dislocations, fractures, sprains, tendonitis, or post-surgical recovery. With years of experience in the field, my team and I can help you recover from ankle injuries by using specialized sports ankle physical therapy methods.

Knee Injuries: Some of the most common knee injuries that we’ve seen from basketball players are ACL tears and MCL tears, fractures, and tendonitis. In more severe cases your injury may require surgery before you can start physical therapy. Our goal is to help you through a customized exercise and physical therapy treatment plan specific to your injuries. We want to see you regain the strength and mobility that you may have lost due to your sports injury.

Shoulder Injuries: Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder injuries. As a frequently used part of the body for basketball and activities related to daily living, you will want to recover from this injury as soon as possible. Let us help you start to find healing today.

Hand & Wrist Injuries: Injuries of the hand and wrist are also common with basketball players. If you’ve injured your hand or wrist you will be out of luck with basketball until the injury heals. Don’t spend unnecessary time on the sidelines. While the duration of every treatment plan is different, both hand physical therapy and wrist physical therapy has been proven to increase recovery times.

Common Injuries and Their Treatment Plans for Baseball Players

Baseball is a sport that sees its fair share of injuries as well. If you are a professional player or are a frequent player in pickup games, you may find that the stress put on your body can eventually result in injury. Below are some of the most common baseball injuries that my team and I can help you with our specialized physical therapy for baseball players here at Evolve.

Rotator Cuff Injuries: The overall goal for physical therapy with a rotator cuff injury is to improve the function of each muscle that surrounds your shoulder. By building and strengthening these muscles you will find that you can increase mobility.

Tennis Elbow: Tennis elbow happens when the muscles around your elbow have been overused. It can cause pain and inflammation. By using sports physical therapy exercises you can start to reduce any pain and inflammation that has occurred.

ACL Injuries: If your ACL has been damaged due to an injury our team can help. A physical therapy treatment plan for a torn ACL may include, gait training, strengthening exercise, range of motion exercises, balance exercises and more.

Wrist & Hand Injuries: As a baseball player, full wrist and hand function is imperative. Here at Evolve, we can help you with strengthening and range of motion exercises to start helping you heal from wrist and hand injuries.

Treating Soccer Injuries with Physical Therapy

Soccer is another sport that includes likely chances of injury due to the speed and nature of the sport. If you have been injured during a game or have noticed pain after a grueling practice, we are here to help. Below are some examples of the frequently seen injuries of those who participate in this sport.

Ankle & Hamstring Strains: My team and I can help you with pain management for ankle and hamstring strains by teaching you exercises that can help you regain your normal range of motion. Our team can help you get back in the game faster and in your best shape yet.

Overuse Injuries: An overuse injury is also a common one for soccer players. By utilizing prehab exercises, you can help to prevent these kinds of injuries from occurring.

Soft Tissue Injuries: A soft tissue injury can occur when an excessive force is put on your soft tissues. To recover from a soft tissue injury, we can assist you with manual therapy, range of motion exercises, and more to help you fully recover and get back to the game you love.

Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services with Evolve

Do you have a sports injury that is keeping you from being able to return to the sport you love? Here at Evolve, my team and I want to see you make a full recovery. Reach out to us today to learn more about our physical therapy and rehabilitation services for sporting injuries. You can schedule your first consultation free of charge. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Benefits of Occupational Physical Therapy for the Workplace

The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for the Workplace

An Occupational Therapist (OT) helps to access people suffering from physical or even mental illness. Your OT will work with you to evaluate your injury, formulate a therapy plan to help you reach your goals, and assist you with exercises and treatment during the duration of your injury.

Occupational therapists often treat a large variety of work related injuries. Some of the most common of which are: Tendon inflammations, nerve disorders, and sprains. With the use of occupational therapy your therapist can help you recover from your injury and regain any skills that you may have lost along the way.

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Occupational Therapy Services

Outpatient occupational physical therapy services can assist you if you have had hand, elbow, or wrist trauma, tendonitis, neurological trauma, concussions, and other work and sports related injuries.

Some of the following are commonly used services to assist in individual therapy treatment plans.

• Using physical agent modalities

• Training in adaptive techniques

• Therapeutic exercises

• Therapeutic activities including task simulation

• And more!

Common Careers That See Frequent Workplace Injuries

1. Construction Workers: Due to the responsibilities of the job, construction workers often operate heavy machinery and do a lot of lifting. This type of movement can often result in injury that may require occupational therapy.

2. Subway Workers: General upkeep and maintenance of the subway system can take its toll on you as well. Not to mention put you in some dangerous situations that may result in injury.

3. Taxi Drivers: As a driver, there is always the possibility of getting into a wreck or a car accident.

4. Sanitation Workers: Workers in the sanitation field face the risk of physical injury on the job, and the possibility of an accident caused by reckless drivers that attempt to pass their trucks.

5. Factory Workers: Factories are not always the safest place to be employed. Whether you get injured while working with required machinery, or have health complications due to extreme environments, there is a possibility that you may need occupational therapy for your injury.

6. Nurses: Lifting and moving patients along with other physical day to day routines may cause you to get injured on the job as a nurse.

7. Police Officers: Officers are always on the move. Besides the dangerous aspects of their job, they also may be injured during a chase, or other daily duties, resulting in a sprain or worse.

8. Firefighters: As another job that requires a lot of movement and high risk conditions, firefighters may also be subject to injury while on the job.

9. Transit Workers: As driving requires prolonged periods of time sitting, holding a wheel, and potentially accidents; transit workers are common patients we see for occupational physical therapy.

10. Office Workers: Sitting at a desk all day long is by far healthy for anyone. From bad posture to carpal tunnel, office workers are also common patients at Evolve Physical Therapy in NYC.

Have You Been Injured on The Job? Physical Therapy and Workers Compensation Claims

An injury at work can often mean that until your recovery, you will be out of a job for some time.

As if your injury was not stressful enough as it is, now someone has to cover for you while you focus on regaining what you may have lost. Luckily, a lot of these industries with frequent on the job injuries often have plans in place for you if you have been hurt at the workplace. Some may even cover the cost for occupational physical therapy treatments .

At Evolve, we can work with you and your employer to help get you back on the job as soon as possible.

To learn more about our occupational therapy services, don’t hesitate to give us a call today- 1-718-258-3300

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Brooklyn’s Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics in NYC

Evolve Physical Therapy treatment programs- active release therapy, Parkinsons disease boxing training, running and gait physical therapy, pediatric and adolescent physical therapy, Schroth Method for scoliosis, hand physical therapies, TMJ therapy, soft tissue therapy, injury prevention therapy, manual physical therapies for different parts of the body, suffers from neck tension, muscle tightness, tight calf muscles, post surgery recovery and care, carpal tunnel, pre-hab physical therapy, occupational physical therapy programs, aquatic physical therapy, pain management, spine programs, sports physical therapy, return to work programs, and much more.

Call to schedule an appointment: 1-718-258-3300

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How Can Physical Therapy Help with Pain and Discomfort Caused by Scoliosis?

Evolve NYC Physical Therapy Scoliosis Treatment

Have you struggled with finding the right treatment plan for your scoliosis? At Evolve, we want to see you find relief from any discomfort caused by your condition. If you or someone that you care about are looking for innovative physical therapy treatment methods that can help alleviate your pain, you’ve come to the right place.

Schedule a Consultation!

Call- 1-718-258-3300

What is Scoliosis?  

In simple terms, scoliosis is a condition that causes your spine to move to the side and turn. When viewing your spine on an x-ray, it may appear to have an “s” or a “c” shape. Scoliosis is a medical condition that is often detected during a physical examination and cannot be prevented. However, there are many fantastic physical therapy treatments and plans that can assist in increasing your function and mobility.  

Common Symptoms of Scoliosis

While scoliosis can sometimes be pain free for some individuals, for others that is simply not the case. Below are some of the many ways that this condition may cause you irritation or discomfort.

• Scoliosis can alter your alignment and posture

• Pain can occur with certain movements or activities

• You may notice that you have an uneven hip or waist line

• Pain can occur in the following areas: spine, shoulders, pelvis, and hips

• Your shoulders may appear to be uneven

Combat Scoliosis Pain with Advanced Physical Therapy Treatment Options

There is a wide variety of options out there for treating your scoliosis. Some of these would include: surgery, bracing, and physical therapy. However, a physical therapist can provide an individualized physical therapy treatment plan at any time during the many phases of your Scoliosis. We can complete a full evaluation to access how the condition is affecting your body, your overall range of motion, and any other limitations that may be present.

Here are just a few of the innovative approaches that we implement with physical therapy for the treatment of scoliosis:

The Schroth Method:

This ingenious method will directly access spinal movement and muscle tightness that is caused by scoliosis. Each exercise will be tailored to benefit the unique spinal curvature of each patient. The goal of these types of exercises is to help alleviate pain and stop the curve progression of your spine and make scoliosis more manageable.

Strength Training:

At Evolve, we use strength training exercises to help build the muscles surrounding your spine back up. This type of training will be completely customized to fit the needs of your specific condition.

Range of Motion Exercises:

We can also develop and implement a plan consisting of simple range of motion exercises to help prevent, or treat any limitations caused by your scoliosis.

Manual Therapy:

Our team of dedicated physical therapists in NYC can also manually help you restore motion to joints and affected tissue. By using our hands to direct you, we can help you retain any movement patterns that you may have lost. Manual therapy has been proven to also reduce pain in those damaged tissues.

The types of treatment listed above are just some of the many options out there for reducing pain or tightness caused by scoliosis. At Evolve, we understand that each body is different. We will evaluate your individual condition to form the right treatment plan for you.

Alternative Treatment Methods for Scoliosis

If you are suffering from scoliosis it may be recommended that a brace be worn in order to prevent your condition from worsening. Wearing a brace can limit the progression of spinal curves. If your scoliosis is severe, your health professionals may even recommend considering spinal surgery or fusion to lessen the curve of your spine.  

Are you suffering from pain or dysfunction caused by scoliosis?  

Here at Evolve, we provide the most up to date treatments and techniques for treating pain and discomfort caused by scoliosis. Our dedicated team of therapists will work with you to implement a custom physical therapy plan to help you start seeing results, and improve your mobility. We will provide expert treatment and advice for you during any phase of your scoliosis condition.

Click here for more information about physical therapy for Scoliosis

Contact us today today to start creating your customized healing plan.

Call- 1-718-258-3300

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About Evolve NY Physical Therapy-

NYC's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics-

There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE.

We use the science of bio-mechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!

Schedule a Consultation Today!

Call- 1-718-258-3300

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NBC Nightly News Covers Rock Steady Boxing at Evolve NY Physical Therapy

Evolve NY Hosts Rocksteady Parkinsons Boxing, Tapped for NBC Nightly News TV Section; Set to Air Oct. 20, 2018 6:30p.m.

Dynamic Physical Therapy Network in NYC, EvolveNY, Adds Special Boxing Training Program for People Living With Parkinson's Disease; Receives Recognition in form of section on NBC Nightly News Oct 20th, 2018 at approximately 6:30-6:45 pm.

Evolve NY Physical Therapy has had Certified Physical Therapists in NYC treating patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease for over 25 years. As such, Evolve Physical Therapy has proudly partnered with Rock Steady Boxing at the beginning of 2018 to provide a one of a kind exercise program based on the training regiment of professional boxers at their Brooklyn, NY location that is specifically aimed at treating people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.

What is Rock Steady Boxing?

Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) is a unique exercise program that adapts pro boxing techniques for people with Parkinson’s disease and has helped thousands of people across the country regain strength, mobility and hope.

Lock in Your Position at Evolve NY’s Rock Steady Boxing Class Today!

Call: 1-718-258-3300

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the movement.  Common symptoms include tremors, rigid movements, slurred speech, and slowing of movement that can make a simple task like getting out of chair frustratingly time-consuming.

The statistics from the Parkinson’s Foundation are staggering:

• Nearly one million will be living with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the U.S. by 2020, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease (or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

• Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year.

• More than 10 million people worldwide are living with PD.

• The incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with PD are diagnosed before age 50.

• Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson's disease than women.

Why Rock Steady Boxing at Evolve NY?

It is estimated that 1-1.5 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, with as many as 60 thousand new cases being diagnosed each year. The Rock Steady Boxing program provides an opportunity to drastically improve physical condition, mobility, renewed hope, quality of life, and also adds the sense of community for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

NBC Nightly News will air the Evolve NY and Rock Steady Boxing Section on Saturday,  October 20th at or around 6:30-6:45 p.m.

Read Evolve NY’s Major News Story- NBC Nightly News Covers

Rock Steady Boxing at Evolve NY

For more information on Evolve NY and Rock Steady Boxing Classes for People Living With Parkinson’s Disease, please visit- https://www.evolveny.com/rsb

Evolve NY Rock Steady Boxing Class Information:

Location: 3319 Avenue N  Brooklyn, NY 11234  

Class Times/ Rate: Tuesday / Thursdays 10:30-12:00pm or  3:00-4:00 PM
                                 Sunday 1:00-2:00    

Lock in Your Position at Evolve NY’s Rock Steady Boxing Class Today!

Call: 1-718-258-3300

About EvolveNY-

Evolve NY Physical Therapy- NYC's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics in NYC.

Proudly serving residents in Brooklyn, NY; with patients seeking high quality, personable, and professional physical therapy services from all over NYC, Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island.

EvolveNY- 3 Convenient Locations 1-718-258-3300

https://EvolveNY.com

Is Active Release Therapy Right For Me?

Active release technique (ART) is a popular treatment method used to improve range of motion and flexibility and help correct soft tissue restriction. It's one of the fastest growing treatment methods in physical therapy and sports rehab practices today. Active Release Therapy provides practitioners with an effective tool to help treat muscular pain syndromes and stiffness, therefore improving athletic performance. Elite athletes around the world understand the benefits of regular ART sessions and oftentimes rely on them to help combat the day-to-day aches and pains associated with the repetitive stresses of sport. It can also be a solid treatment option for the average joe who enjoys physical activity but suffers from feelings of tightness and pain associated with exercise.

Where to Find Certified Active Release Technique Providers?

The medical providers who typically achieve certification in ART treatment are chiropractors, physical therapists, physicians and massage therapists.  Finding a practitioner who uses ART as part of their toolbox is as simple as searching “active release therapy near me” or “active release technique Brooklyn, NY” via google. Here you will find a list of the certified practitioners in your area and where to find them.

How do I know if I can benefit from Active Release Therapy?

Some of the signs that you may benefit from ART treatment include stiffness in the elbow, neck, hands, knees, ankles, shoulders, or lower/mid back. You may also be a good candidate for this type of treatment if you experience difficulty performing exercises, have painful or swollen joints, demonstrate limited range of motion, or have the sensation of tight muscles. Many musculoskeletal disorders can be improved with the use of ART therapy. It would be beneficial to schedule a consultation with your nearest physical therapist to find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment.

How Does Active Release Therapy Work?

The aim of ART treatment is to “break up” or loosen thickened scar tissue that forms adhesions to the surrounding soft tissue. It can also be used to help prevent scar tissue formation. Thickened scars and soft tissue adhesions limit joint range of motion causing muscular tension and pain. The physiological purpose of these adhesions is to stabilize an injured body region by generating stiffness in the surrounding tissues. The problem here is that immobilization is usually not the right way to approach the soft tissue injury as it may lead to an increase in pressure on the joint itself. As a result, nerves may become trapped between layers of restricted  muscle, fascia, and skin. This tension usually leads to pain and loss of muscle function/performance. ART therapy uses mobilization techniques to reverse this process and help improve mobility. The treatment itself is not typically a pleasurable experience, however most people are able to overlook this because of the relief they tend to feel afterwards.

What Are the Benefits of Active Release Therapy?

There are many potential benefits of receiving ART treatment including increased flexibility, improved range of motion optimal muscle function, and reduced pain levels.

Increased Flexibility/Range of Motion – This is accomplished by producing relaxation of the muscles and reducing any adhesions that may be found. This is especially beneficial for people who sit at a desk all day at work and feel resultant discomfort or for people who are very active during their work day and experience symptoms of muscle overactivity. Improving flexibility and range of motion will lead to improved athletic performance and decreased pain/discomfort while performing activities of daily living.

Improvements in chronic pain – Chronic pain is considered one of the main sources of dysfunction in older adults and well as people in their 20’s and 30’s. Although significant variation exists among specific diagnoses, one of the main hallmarks of chronic pain is inflammation, which can be soothed using ART techniques.

Performance enhancement– ART promotes quicker muscle recovery, thus decreasing soreness and the rest time required between training sessions or competition. For this reason, It is one of the most popular recovery tools utilized by elite athletes today. It improves blood flow to working muscles and injury sites which will help decrease pain and speed up the healing process. Enhancing your range of motion will also allow you to to move more freely and through a more natural trajectory at the joints involved.

Injury Prevention- ART helps restore normal muscle function and decreases strain on joints, which may help prevent injury during physical activity and normal daily tasks like bending down and lifting. Many athletes utilize this treatment to help upkeep their bodies during the season and prepare it for the upcoming season. By preventing the laying down of scar tissue, we are preventing adhesion formation and therefore

What sets ART apart from other soft tissue treatments?

ART is an aggressive soft tissue modality that utilizes a combination of manual pressure/massage with active movement from the patient. This combination of therapies is effective in treating soft tissue adhesions, myofascial trigger points, and joint pain. People who receive ART treatment report significant improvements in stiffness, flexibility, pain, tenderness, recovery, and performance as compared to massage on its own.

What can I expect out of Active Release Therapy?

Since ART is a very precise form of treatment, it can sometimes feel painful or overly aggressive. It's important to be thoroughly examined by your physician or physical therapist before you begin this type of treatment to ensure that you are a good candidate. Some people may experience significant improvements after just one ART session, but everyone’s body will respond differently to the onset of this treatment. Experiencing mild pain and soreness after a treatment session is normal in the beginning, however your body will eventually adapt to this pressure as time goes on. If you are feeling severe pain during treatment, please let your healthcare practitioner know, however moderate discomfort is normal. Please note that healthcare providers who utilize ART treatment should be certified in the use of active release techniques.

For more information on active release therapy, please visit: https://www.evolveny.com/active-release-therapy/

What is BPPV and How Can PT Help it?

By Nick Mazzone PT, DPT, CSCS

What is BPPV?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder of the vestibular system in the inner ear. This system is responsible for coordinating head and eye movements and plays a large role in balance. Dysfunction occurs when calcium carbonate crystals break loose and fall from their original resting position in the utricle (see photo below) into one of the semicircular canals, which typically sense movements of the head. Once this occurs, the brain receives a signal that the head is moving, even though this is not the case. This false signal causes uncoordinated movements of the eyes when the head is moved into a specific position (depending on which canal the crystals lands in). This leads to the sensation that the room is spinning around you, which is known as vertigo. In BPPV, the symptoms typically go away within 30 seconds or so.

What causes BPPV?

 In more than half of all BPPV cases, the exact cause is unknown (AKA idiopathic). Head trauma, infections, and issues with blood flow are some of the known causes of the condition. Sometimes something as simple as a sinus infection can cause symptoms of vertigo due to congestion in the middle ear, which may place pressure on the structures of the inner ear causing dysfunction.

How do we treat BPPV?

 Physical therapists are trained to treat the symptoms of vertigo by using positional maneuvers that are aimed at returning the dislodged calcium carbonate crystals to their original resting position. The most common intervention used to treat BPPV is known as the Epley maneuver. This technique consists of passive movement of the patient’s head into multiple provocative positions. This maneuver will cause your symptoms, so be ready to feel the vertigo come on.  Once the symptoms subside in that particular position, it is said that the crystals have moved on to a different portion of the canals. The head is then repositioned to catch up with the new position of the crystal. At the end of the technique, the crystals should return to their original position in the utricle. Patients are typically symptom free after 1-2 sessions when the Epley is performed. Your physician or physical therapist will explain to you that you should not drive after this treatment and should plan ahead to secure yourself a ride home. You may also be given a home exercise program to help take care of any remaining symptoms.

 Click here to find out more information about vestibular physical therapy, or call

Check out this video that shows an alternative exercise for treating BPPV that can be performed at home. It is particularly helpful for those who have periodically recurring symptoms and would like to expand their treatment options.

Nick Mazzone received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University. He has a strong background in strength and conditioning and aims to bridge the gap between strength training and physical therapy. Nick believes that a lifestyle centered around physical fitness and mental well-being are vital to one’s successes and happiness. For this reason, he educates his patients on pain science and helps empower them and motivate them to reach their goals every day. You can find him at Evolve Physical Therapy in Mill Basin, Brooklyn, NY. To view some of his other content, visit drnickmazzonedpt.wordpress.com.

 

Resources

 Main photo retrieved from http://www.acceleratedhealthcentre.com/concussion

Photo of Epley maneuver retrieved from https://www.healthdiseases.org/epley-maneuver/

Photo of inner ear congestion retrieved from http://www.greathillsent.com/blog/date/2013-12-01.html

Photo of anatomy of the outer, middle, and inner ear retrieved from https://www.medcor.com/anatomy-of-the-ear/

Photo of vestibular organs retrieved from https://virginiavisiontherapycenter.com/signs-and-causes-of-vestibular-dysfunction/

Vestibular Rehabilitation for BPPV (n.d.). Retrieved from https://wwspt.com/pt-treatments/vestibular-rehabilitation/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo/