Category Archives: Blog

What to Expect from Physical Therapy

October 11, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, General Information

PHYSICAL THERAPY IS INTENDED TO MAKE CHANGES WITHIN YOUR BODY

We will accomplish this in several different ways. First, through the use of manual therapies, such as massage and mobilization of the joints. The goals of change are to:

Stretch short tissues to make them longer.
Strengthen weak tissues to make them stronger.
Improve and correct bad/abnormal biomechanics and asymmetries to alleviate pain and take the stress off the body.

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT WE EXPECT DURING THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROCESS, ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PT

You can expect that you will be sore after the first visit, and most likely the first 2 – 3 weeks until their body gets adapted to PT. Your body is just not used to doing the things that we are going to ask it to do, so there will be a period of adjustment.
The pain WILL move. As we make changes to your tissues and mechanics, the stresses on your body will change, thus altering where you will feel the pain or your symptoms.
The pain WILL change in terms of intensity, meaning that your pain is expected to fluctuate along the 10 point scale, starting between your high and low levels and changing based on your position, activity, and stress on the body.
The pain may also change in terms of the quality of pain. The pain may be: sharp, dull, achy, throbbing, burning, tingling, numbing.
It is important to know that all of the aforementioned statements are completely normal. There is nothing that you will experience that will surprise us. Everything that you experience will be normal. Even if what you feel is not normal to you, it is normal for your condition and what your body is experiencing.
Physical therapy is not an overnight miracle. Improvement takes time. It is important to understand that no one gets better every day from day one until they leave. Everyone will have good and bad days. In the beginning, you will have more bad days than good. As time progresses, this ratio should flip-flop and you should be having more good days than bad.

If you are looking for a physical therapist, we have you covered with over 500 locations nationwide!

This article was written by Life Fitness Physical Therapy, an outpatient physical therapy group with fourteen locations in the surrounding Baltimore, Maryland area. Life Fitness Physical Therapy is focused on improving the quality of life for their patients. They strive to provide individualized, evidence-based care that meets every patient’s unique needs. Their objective for each patient is to restore their function, achieve their goals and have them resume an active lifestyle as quickly as possible. For more information click here.

Physical Therapy: Treating the Cause, Not Just the Symptoms of Pain

October 4, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Events

This PT Month, instead of using prescribed pain killers, try physical therapy first.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE PHYSICAL THERAPY OVER PRESCRIPTION PAIN KILLERS
Physical therapy treats the cause of pain, more often than not leaving patients stronger and more able to enjoy life and function fully. In stark contrast, pain relievers treat only the symptoms – and can leave patients dependent or addicted.

PHYSICAL THERAPY IS THE SMART ALTERNATIVE TO OPIOIDS
More than 40 people die every day from overdoses involving prescription opioids. At least half of opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid.

Wishing everyone a wonderful PT Month!

Information provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. To learn more about the CDC click here.

PT News

September 27, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, PT News

This Month in PT News. Featuring articles from PTandMe partnering clinics!

2. Going in Reverse: When Your Back Impedes Driving
Written by the Therapy Team at the Jackson Clinics – Middleburg, VA

When backing up your car, do you find it difficult to turn around to see what’s behind? Loss of rotational ability in the back is one of the problems we develop as we age. Read more

3. 4 Ways To Improve Your Quality of Life Today
Written by the Therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy – San Antonio, TX

How often do you get home tired from a long day, frustrated with work, traffic, or co-workers? Our blood pressure has increased, stress levels have caused emotional, behavioral, and physical changes in us that otherwise would not be part of our normal calm day. Read more

October 2016 Events

September 22, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Events

Check out our Physical Therapy Monthly Events Calendar! Focusing on events from PTandMe.com participating physical and occupational therapy clinics. Read more to find out what’s happening in your community in October 2016!

GEORGIA PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

FOLKSTON, GA
DATE: October 21st 2016, 5:00PM – 7:00PM
20 Year Anniversary Cookout
CLINIC: Advance Rehabilitation Physical Therapy – Folkston
Advance Rehab is celebrating its 20 year anniversary in Folkston, Georgia with a cookout and live music by local artist Justen Harden
For more information about Advance Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, visit them online at http://www.advancerehab.com.

IDAHO PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

BOISE, ID
DATE: October 18th – 15th 2016
2016 NPI Annual Fall Conference
CLINIC: Intermountain Physical Therapy & Hand Rehabilitation – Boise
Intermountain will have a booth at this year’s event. Stop on by and see how physical therapy brings patients back to their full potential! For more information about Intermountain Physical Therapy & Hand Rehabilitation, visit them online at http://www.intermountainpt.com.

MICHIGAN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

MONROE, MI
DATE: October 4th 2016, 3:00PM – 6:00PM
Monroe Open House
CLINIC: Advanced Physical Therapy – Monroe
Advanced Physical Therapy’s Monroe clinic is celebrating their relocation with an open house! Join us for snacks, drinks and check out the new digs. We’d love to have you as we get to know our new neighbors and friends! First 100 guests will receive a free gift. For more information about Advanced Physical Therapy, visit them online at http://advphysicaltherapy.com.

NEW JERSEY PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

BORDENTOWN, NJ
DATE: October 17th 2016, 4:30PM – 8:00PM
Work Comp Seminar at Villa Mannino Restaurant
CLINIC: Hamilton Physical Therapy Services, L.P.
Attention all work comp case managers and adjusters! Join Hamilton Physical Therapy and Princeton Brain & Spine Care as they talk about the Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Concussions in the injured workers.

AGENDA:
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm — Registration & Vendor Exhibit
5:30 pm – 5:45 pm — Opening Remarks
5:45 pm – 7:30 pm — Clinical Presentation
7:30 pm – 8:00 pm — Q&A Session

For more information contact Jaime Caceres at Hamilton Physical Therapy Services in Hamilton, New Jersey at (609) 585-2333. Also, visit Hamilton Physical Therapy Services online at http://www.hamiltonphysicaltherapy.org.

TENNESSEE PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

NASHVILLE, TN
DATE: October 15th 2016, 8:00AM – 11:00PM
2016 – 2017 Heart Walk at Vanderbilt University Sport Field
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy
Help STAR Physical Therapy reach their goal to raise $5,000 for the American Heart Association. You can help us by donating to our team ($20 donations receive a custom t-shirt) or join the STAR Physical Therapy Heart Walk Team and join us at the event! For more information about STAR Physical Therapy, visit them online at http://www.starpt.com.

TEXAS PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

CLEVELAND, TX
DATE: October 15th 2016, 9:00AM
Walk with a Doc for Hardhats & Little Heads
CLINIC: Cleveland Physical & Occupational Therapy
Cleveland Physical & Occupational Therapy is participating in this year’s Walk With A Doc at the Cleveland High School Track! Bring your friends and family to enjoy a day of fun! Participants will walk on the track with national award winning doctor Dr. Sulaiman, explore vendor booths, receive health and community information as well as meet local fireman and police officers all while getting healthy! Special appearances by Reggie Airman Dixon, Maurice Termite Watkins, and Reggie Johnson. Children will be provided with free bikes, helmets, t-shirts, water bottles, goodie bags and more as part of the Hard Helmets for Little Heads initiative while supplies last. All materials will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please contact Kimberly Hughes at (281) 592.2224 – ext. 206 or at khughes@hcset.com. You can also visit the official event website here: http://walkwithadoc.org/our-locations/cleveland-texas/. For more information about Cleveland Physical & Occupational Therapy, visit them online at http://www.clevelandpt.com.

WISCONSIN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

JEFFERSON, WI
DATE: October 10th 2016, 5:30PM – 6:30PM
JUMP: Great Apple Crunch Fun Run
CLINIC: Sport & Spine Physical Therapy – Jefferson
Sport & Spine Physical Therapy in Jefferson, Wisconsin invites Jefferson community members of all ages to join us in our 4th annual one mile FUN RUN/WALK! Participation ribbons for all children
There will also be refreshments. In the event of inclement weather, it will be canceled with no make-up date. For more information contact Jo Christianson at christiansonj@tds.net. Also, please visit Sport & Spine Physical Therapy online at http://sportandspineclinic.com.

MERRILL, WI
DATE: October 8th 2016, 8:00AM – 1:00PM
2016 Leaf Pile Run 6th Annual 5k Run/Walk & 1k Kids Run
CLINICS: Sport & Spine Physical Therapy & Merrill Physical Therapy
Please join Sport & Spine Physical Therapy, Merrill Physical Therapy and other WVAM members for a fun and festive fall run, to help support Wisconsin Valley Athletic Medicine by participating in the 2016 Leaf Pile Annual Event. All 5k and 1k participants receive a complimentary wristband for same day entry to Helene’s Hilltop Orchard to enjoy a hayride, corn maze, cow train, and the play area. Complimentary beverages from Red Eye Brewing Co. and root beer from Central Beer Distributors. Need more info? Contact Andy at Sport & Spine Clinic at adavis@usphclinic.com or call (715) 693-7727. For more information about Merrill Physical Therapy, visit them online at http://www.merrillpt.com.

At the Gym: Exercising Do’s and Don’ts

September 15, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Sports and Fitness

In this new monthly series we examine the proper ways to exercise at the gym from start to finish. If you have any sudden significant increase in pain, swelling, or discoloration while performing or following exercise, discontinue immediately and contact your therapist at your next therapy session.

SCAPULAR STRENGTHENING

START POSITION
• Lay face down on the edge of the bench with arm hanging downward
• Rolled towel under forehead for support

ENDING POSITION
Arm raised straight to your side no higher than the torso with palms facing down

DON’T
• Arch your back when lifting dumbbell
• Lay with face turned sideways
• Raise the dumbbell too high

EXTERNAL ROTATION – SIDE LYING

START POSITION
• Side lying with elbow at 90⁰ bend
• Support the head and rolled towel under arm holding dumbbell

ENDING POSITION
Side lying with external rotation at the shoulder until you feel an anatomical stop at the shoulder (about 45⁰); keep elbow bent

DON’T
• Create rotation at the torso
• Don’t raise the arm from the towel

EXTERNAL ROTATION – PRONE

START POSITION
• Lay face down with head facing to the side
• Forearm hanging off table with elbow bent to 90⁰
• Bicep is on the bench and supported by a towel

ENDING POSITION
About 45⁰ of external rotation

DON’T
• Externally rotate past 45⁰
• Raise arm from the towel

D2 FLEXION

START POSITION
• Standing with feet shoulder width apart
• Hold handle with arm crossing body to opposite side
• Palm facing body.

ENDING POSITION
• Arm raised slightly above the shoulder (about 120⁰ which is slightly higher than shown) with thumb facing upward
• Creating a “disco” motion

DON’T
• Let thumb face sideways or downward at end of exercise
• Lean backwards or sideways to assist in exercise
• Shrug shoulders

This information about how to exercise at the gym was written by STAR Therapy Services, an outpatient physical therapy group with six locations in Houston, Texas. At Star Houston Therapy Services, their number one priority is the patient. They strive to provide individualized treatment with hands-on, compassionate care. They perform comprehensive evaluations and encourage patient input for treatment planning and goal setting. For more information click here.

View the complete Exercising Do’s and Don’ts series below:

Protect, Stretch & Rest: General Tips

September 13, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Industrial Rehab

These are some general healthy tips to remember during your day-to-day activities.

• If you are doing strenuous, household or outdoor work protect your hands with gloves in order to prevent injury and/or loss of moisture.
• Take frequent breaks or switch to a new activity. Overuse of repetitive motions, such as pressing buttons, can cause tendonitis of the elbow or lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
• If you find yourself sitting at your computer for hours each day, stop each hour and stretch your fingers, arms and the rest of your body to help prevent injury to your bones, joints and muscles.
• If you have pain during your activity, stop. Pain is one of the ways your body is letting you know that you are overextending a particular muscle group.

World Physical Therapy Day

September 8, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Events

World Physical Therapy Day is on September 8th. The day is an opportunity for physical therapists from all over the world to raise awareness about the crucial contribution the profession makes to keeping people well, mobile and independent. This year the focus is on adding years to your life by being physically active! See how a little bit of movement can go a long way!

To learn more about World Physical Therapy Day click here.

Exercise and Bone Health

September 1, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Aging, Blog, Sports and Fitness

Bone is living tissue that is constantly undergoing a process called remodeling. In remodeling, cells called osteoclasts are breaking down old bone, as cells called osteoblasts are replacing it with new tissue. Many factors can affect the remodeling process and leave you with bones that are less dense and more fragile.

Some factors that interfere with bone health and remodeling are:
• Increased age
• Low vitamin D—The body makes vitamin D in response to sunlight. You can also get vitamin D by eating certain kinds of food or by taking a supplement.
• A diet low in calcium
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise—especially weight bearing and resistance exercise

Why Exercise Is Good for Bone Health
Regular weight-bearing and resistance exercise helps build muscle, as well as maintain and increase bone strength. Exercise causes the muscle to contract against the bone. This action stresses or stimulates the bone, and the bone becomes stronger and denser. The 3 main types of exercise are (some activities can be more than 1 type):

Aerobic (Cardiovascular) Exercises to Improve Bone Health
In aerobic exercise, you continually move large muscles in the legs, shoulders, and buttocks. This action causes you to breathe more deeply, and your heart to work harder pumping blood, thereby strengthening your heart and lungs. Examples include:
• Walking
• Jogging
• Running
• Aerobic dance
• Bicycling
• Swimming

Weight-Bearing Exercises to Improve Bone Health
In weight-bearing exercises, your bones and muscles work against gravity, and your feet and legs bear the weight. Your bones adapt to the weight and pull of the muscle during weight-bearing exercise. Examples of weight-bearing exercises include:
• Jogging
• Walking
• Stair climbing
• Dancing
• Soccer

Resistance Exercises to Improve Bone Health (Strength Training)
Resistance exercises use muscle strength to improve muscle mass and strengthen bone. Examples include:
• Weight lifting, using:
• Free weights
• Weight machines
• Elastic tubing

• Calisthenics such as push-ups and chin-ups

Tips for Beginning:
Aerobic or Weight-bearing Exercises to Improve Bone Health
• Warm up for 5 minutes before activity. This can consist of dynamic stretches that involve movement and a light walk.
• Start the activity slowly for the first 5 minutes.
• Slowly increase your intensity so that your heart rate increases. A person doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity can talk. A person doing vigorous-intensity activity cannot say more than a few words without stopping to take a breath.
• Gradually increase your workout until you are working out at least 150 minutes a week at moderate–intensity or 75 minutes a week at vigorous intensity.

Resistance Exercises to Improve Bone Health
• Begin each exercise with light weights and minimal repetitions.
• Slowly (over weeks) increase weight, never adding more than 10% in a given workout.
• Do these exercises 2-3 times a week. Allow for 1 day between each workout for your bones and muscles to rest and repair themselves.
• Gradually increase the number of repetitions to 2-3 sets of 8-10 repetitions with a rest period of 30-60 seconds between sets.
• Although stiffness the day after exercise is normal, if you are in pain, you did too much. Decrease the intensity or the duration of your exercise.

Before starting any type of exercise program, check with your doctor about any possible medical problems you may have that could limit your ability to exercise.

by Mary Calvagna, MS

RESOURCES:
National Osteoporosis Foundation
http://www.nof.org

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
http://www.fitness.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org

Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

REFERENCES:
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx#toc. Published October 2008. Accessed January 21, 2016.

Bone remodeling. University of Washington website. Available at: http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/physremod.html. Updated March 30, 2007. Accessed January 21, 2016.

How much physical activity do adults need? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html. Updated June 4, 2015. Accessed January 21, 2016.

Osteoporosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated October 13, 2015. Accessed January 21, 2016.

Skeleton keys. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History website. Available at: http://anthropology.si.edu/writteninbone/young_old.html. Accessed January 21, 2016.

Last reviewed January 2016 by Michael Woods, MD

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

September 2016 Events

August 25, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Events

FLORIDA PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

JUPITER, FL
DATE: September 22nd 2016, 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Healthfair Event for G4S Employees
CLINIC: Comprehensive Hand and Physical Therapy – Jupiter
Comprehensive Hand and Physical Therapy will be participating in this year’s Healthfair for GS4 Employees. Stop by our booth and meet our talented therapists and ask us questions about any aches or pains that you may be experiencing. We can’t wait to see you there! For more information about Comprehensive Hand and Physical Therapy, visit them online at http://www.comprehensivehandandpt.com.

MARYLAND PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

OCEAN CITY, MD
DATE: September 18th – 21st 2016, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
MWCEA 2016 Workers’ Compensation Conference
CLINIC: Agape Physical Therapy
Agape Physical Therapy will be exhibiting at the MWCEA 2016 WC Conference. Make sure to stop by their booth to see what great services Agape Physical Therapy provides to local businesses and workers’ compensation professionals. For more information about Agape Physical Therapy, visit them online at http://www.agapept.com.

MICHIGAN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

GRAND RAPIDS, MI
DATE: September 22nd 2016, 4:00PM – 8:00PM
CPR Downtown Open House During Artprize!
CLINIC: The Center for Physical Rehabilitation – Downtown Grand Rapids
The Center for Physical Rehabilitation’s Downtown Clinic is hosting an open house during Artprize! Join us for food and fun. Come see our newest location and meet our talented staff. We can’t wait to see you there! For more information about The Center for Physical Rehabilitation, visit them online at http://www.pt-cpr.com.

TENNESSEE PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

MANCHESTER, TN
DATE: September 3rd 2016, 8:00AM – 12:00PM
Manchester STAR Physical Therapy Triathlon
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – Manchester
Join STAR Physical Therapy Manchester for their annual Manchester STAR Physical Therapy Triathlon. It includes a 200 Yard Swim, 14 Mile Bike and 5K Run

Packet pick up: Friday, September 2nd, 6:00AM – 7:30PM
Saturday, September 3rd, 6:00AM – 7:30AM
Pre race meeting: Saturday, September 3rd, 7:30AM

A portion of this years proceeds will be donated to Coffee County school back pack program for underprivileged children who are not getting adequate food after school. Tickets available at http://www.startriathlon.com. For more info about STAR Physical Therapy you can visit them online at http://www.starpt.com.

TEXAS PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

IRVING, TX
DATE: September 16th – 17th 2016, 6:00AM – 6:00PM
Irving Main Street Event
CLINIC: Green Oaks Physical Therapy
Celebrating Irving’s ‘Hometown’ Feel.
This annual street festival in the heart of the Irving Heritage District celebrates the hometown feel of Irving with attractions for all ages. Each year thousands of people attend this family affair, which offers live music, the Manifolds on Main Street Car Show, free rides and activities for children, great food and shopping. Green Oaks Physical Therapy will have a booth set up with info about all of our clinics and the services we provide. We will also have fun giveaways! For more info about Green Oaks Lake Physical Therapy you can visit them online at http://www.greenoakspt.com.

VIRGINIA PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

CHRISTIANSBURG, VA
DATE: September 14th 2016, 12:00PM – 4:00PM
AARP – VCOM Health and Wellness Fair
CLINIC: University Physical Therapy – Christiansburg
University Physical Therapy will be exhibiting at the 2016 Health and Wellness Fair! Please stop by our clinic to see how physical therapy can make a difference in your life! For more info about University Physical Therapy you can visit them online at http://www.universityptonline.com.

PT News

August 23, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, PT News

This Month in PT News. Featuring articles from PTandMe partnering clinics!

1. How Does an NBA Player Overcome Career Limiting Ankle Injury?
Written by Nick Mezyk, DPT, Clinic Director at ProCare Physical Therapy – Johnstown, PA

If you have played sports long enough, you have most likely experienced the following… You’re running down the field, court or track, and you go to make a quick cut. Except you end up crumbling to the ground because you rolled your ankle causing a popping sensation on the outside portion of that ankle. Read more

3. Top Equipment Free Exercises You Should Be Doing
Written by the Therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy – San Antonio, TX

The idea of exercising always conjures up visions of personal trainers, expensive gyms, high-end equipment, and lots of grunting, groaning, and personal torture. That’s never the case when we use the term exercise. Read more