According to the World Health Organization, Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability, with approximately 1.71 billion people having musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. With numbers like that, it’s probably safe to say that you or someone you know suffers from musculoskeletal pain, discomfort, or disorders. Pain and dysfunction cause many disruptions to daily lives, and that is where physical therapists, THE musculoskeletal experts, step in to get your body back to being pain-free.

A physical therapist is a licensed health specialist in treating musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, physical therapists must complete a Clinical Doctorate degree before obtaining their license. Physical Therapists help not only manage illnesses and injuries to your musculoskeletal system but can prevent them. The first visit to physical therapy begins with a physical evaluation. Evaluations take around an hour and provide physical therapists with the information needed to understand the injury, what’s causing it, and how to develop a treatment plan to fix it. 

What to Expect from My Physical Therapy Treatment Plan:

Physical rehabilitation programs designed by physical therapists improve strength, flexibility, and independence by working to remove pain, injury, and weakness. Physical rehabilitation programs often improve a patient’s ability to function, reduce symptoms, and improve their overall well-being. 

The result is a patient that has returned to the highest level of function and independence possible. 

Physical Therapy Programs from a Physical Therapist May Include:

• Exercises that increase range of motion and strength, improve flexibility and mobility, and increase endurance.
• Pain management.
• Ergonomic assessments and work-related injury prevention.
• Help with obtaining assistive devices that promote independence.
• Fitting and caring for braces, splints, or artificial limbs.

What Makes Physical Therapists THE Musculoskeletal Experts?

Physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts who help patients with pain, stiffness, disease, injury, and rehabilitation after surgery. They can also help people move better and reduce the risk of getting hurt.

Most people think of physical therapy as a practice strictly for injuries, but patients can see a physical therapist to relieve lingering pain, practice injury prevention, and improve overall health and performance. 

Not Convinced that Physical Therapists are Musculoskeletal Experts? 

Here are a few more reasons why physical therapy is an excellent choice for dealing with musculoskeletal pain.

• Physical therapists can improve the tolerance to physical activity, which can have a positive impact on: sleep, mental health, and chronic conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
• Physical therapists can treat multiple health conditions and incorporate “Lifestyle medicine” alongside musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Rather than just treating the injury, physical therapists encourage overall lifestyle changes to prevent failure issues.
• Physical therapists get to know the daily demands of their patient’s jobs and activities, so they can understand how to formulate a plan to best prevent and treat musculoskeletal injuries.

Whether you are in pain because of traumatic injury, overuse, or a disease, physical therapy can help relieve your musculoskeletal pain and reduce the need for surgery and opioids. Physical therapists are musculoskeletal experts and have an assortment of tools to manage and relieve musculoskeletal pain. If you need physical therapy due to musculoskeletal pain, please schedule an appointment to get you on the road to recovery.

 

What is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring?

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) provides physical and occupational therapists with a platform to review and monitor musculoskeletal data when a patient is not in the clinic. Including:

• Pain levels
• Functional level
• Therapy adherence
• Response to treatment

With RTM, physical therapists continue to create and prescribe home programs as part of the treatment plan as they have always done. The difference with RTM however,  is that now our teams can monitor a patient’s performance and response to the home exercise program between clinic visits. RMT provides physical therapists with musculoskeletal data and reports pain levels each time the patient engages with the platform. Additionally, if a patient can’t perform their exercises or follow the instructions correctly, the physical therapist will know and be able to make modifications immediately.

Why Remote Therapeutic Monitoring?

Improved patient compliance with the physical therapist’s instructions and adherence to home programs have long been correlated with better outcomes in physical therapy. Completing the home exercise program is a crucial part of the overall plan to get patients healthy, and RTM is making that easier for both patients and providers.

In 2018, it was estimated that only 35% of patients fully adhered to their plan of care.

We’re looking to change this by engaging patients with a new way to do their Home Exercise Programs!

RTM represents one of the first ways physical and occupational therapists,  can utilize technology to improve communication and drive better outcomes with their patients. RTM platforms are secure and are easily accessible for any patient with access to a smart device or computer.

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) Steps 

• The therapist designs and prescribes HEP
• The patient performs their personalized program at home
• Clinical staff remotely monitors patients’ adherence to their home program and pain and function measures
• The therapist makes any necessary adjustments to the at-home program if needed based on the statistics RTM sends to them

These Easy to Use Apps are Improving Patient Outcomes

How to Know if Remote Therapeutic Monitoring for Physical Therapy is Right for You

RTM is currently available for patients

• Carrying Traditional Medicare Insurance coverage
• Diagnosed with a musculoskeletal condition (surgical or non-surgical)
• Who speak and read in English and own a smart device or computer

We have locations across the United States implementing RMT programs into their treatment plans. Find the one nearest you today for more information about the program they provide.

Additional Resources:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590109521000616?via%3Dihub
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1661624/#b131
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC539473/
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acr.20182

This Valentine’s day we wanted to tell you why we LOVE physical therapy! There are a million reasons, but these really hit close to home.

1. The human body is fascinating

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a machine that works as well or better than the human body. We see people with all kinds of injuries and pain – and for the most part, with a little help from us (okay, sometimes a lot!), the body will heal. The human body has around 640 muscles in 13 major muscle groups, working together to keep you moving. We love diving in to find out where your pain comes from, what caused it, and how we can get everything working smoothly again.

2. We can provide an alternative to surgery

We love that we get to provide an option for patients that might not be ready or are unwilling to try surgical options. Sometimes surgery is needed, and we’ll recommend someone we know and trust, but we love helping people achieve success with non-invasive techniques.

3. We get to make a difference in our patients’ lives

As physical therapists, few things are more rewarding than watching the small victories of our patients as they work towards their ultimate goals. Being a part of those first moments of success, whether it be a few extra degrees of mobility, that first step without pain – whatever the circumstances… those moments are what keep us coming back to the clinic each day. When patients walk through those doors for the first time, we know they are not at their best, but we’re going to work our hardest to get them back and better than ever!

4. We love seeing the impact of our work in the community

It’s hard not to smile when you see a former patient make the team without red-shirting the season. Or when we hear that one of our seniors is independent and expecting visits from their grandkids. Health is something a lot of us take for granted until we don’t have it. Seeing our patients active, happy, healthy, and out in the community is one of our favorite things.

We LOVE our physical therapy family, and we’re not alone.

Our best advocates happen to be current and former patients. Check out the great things they are saying about our PTandMe physical therapy family.  If you’ve been through a rehabilitation program, please consider leaving feedback for your clinic – It really does make a difference.

Reputation Reviews

To find a physical therapy clinic near you click the button below.

If you are looking for better ways to manage your Type 2 Diabetes or are simply trying to get ahead of it by preventing it, read on because we may have some tips for you!

Just under half a billion people are currently living with diabetes worldwide. That number is projected to increase by 25% in 2030 and 51% in 2045. Diabetes is a worldwide health problem characterized by the body’s inability to break down sugar due to the inefficiency of the hormone insulin, which can lead to several complications, including the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people with this condition. Diabetes can affect people of all ages and can be associated with muscle weakness, decreased endurance, balance problems, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and musculoskeletal impairments. “Up to 80% of patients referred for outpatient physical therapy have diabetes or are at risk for diabetes, providing an opportunity for us as physical therapists to intervene.” – JOSPT

Diabetes can affect a person’s ability to move easily due to issues associated with joint mobility limitation and tissue changes, resulting in thicker and stiffer collagen tissues in tendons, skin, and discs, increasing a person’s risk for injury.

One of the best ways physical therapists help patients combat all these underlying issues is, you guessed right, Exercise!

Researchers in the United Kingdom found that exercise reduces your risk of developing the disease by almost 25 percent. So how much exercise is enough? The quantity of exercise is important because the positive effects on blood sugar drop 72 hours after you’ve finished your activity. This means that instead of trying to get your exercise in once a week — such as on the weekend — you should spread out your activities throughout the week. The American Diabetes Association recommends 150 minutes of exercise per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. However, those with peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage commonly caused by diabetes, shouldn’t perform any weight-bearing activities.

The best exercise program for those with type 2 diabetes should include a combination of aerobic, resistance, and endurance training. We can also provide patients with a fall prevention program designed to increase independence with functional activities, functional mobility, and safety awareness while decreasing fall risk.

Here are some of the exercises recommended during physical therapy for Type 2 Diabetes:

• Walking – The only thing necessary to complete this activity is a good pair of shoes and a trail, path, or sidewalk. Taking a brisk walk 3 to 5 times a week will put you on your way to meeting the recommended exercise recommendation goals.
• Stationary Bicycling – This is a low-impact exercise that can help strengthen muscles, and limit joint pain.
• Swimming – This is another activity that puts very little strain on the body’s joints but gives you a whole-body workout at the same time.
• Aerobic dance – Zumba is an example of aerobic dance that encourages you to move around freely! Not only will this exercise your body, but it will give you a chance to connect with others that are looking to improve their health in similar ways to you.
• Resistance band exercises – Using resistance bands will allow you to train in a very different way than usual. Although, to use them properly, consulting with a physical therapist is a good idea. Your therapist can help you learn the safest ways to use the bands. They can also assist you with appropriate exercises for your health and fitness level.
• Yoga – Yoga can improve flexibility & joint health. It can provide a mental boost as well.

Bonus Tips for Safe Exercise

Exercise should be a safe, enjoyable, and positive experience. Here are some exercise tips for individuals with diabetes.

• Check Your Blood Sugar – It’s important to check your blood sugar every 30 minutes during exercise, and four hours afterward to make sure that you’re maintaining proper blood sugar levels.
• Check Your Feet/Shoes – People with this condition are at risk for diabetic neuropathy, which is a type of nerve damage that can mostly occur in the legs and feet. Diabetic neuropathy can lead to serious complications, including ulcers, infection, and bone & joint pain. Make sure to wear clean socks and shoes that fit you well. Look inside your shoes before wearing them to make sure there is nothing in them that might hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable. Always examine your feet before and after activity for blisters, redness, or other signs of irritation.
• Hydration and Snacks – Staying hydrated is essential to avoid any injury. It is also important to have some fast-acting sugary food available in the event of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. This is critical for individuals who are on insulin and have type 1 diabetes.
• Warm-Up/Cool Down – We encourage you to warm up for 5 minutes before starting to exercise and cool down for 5 minutes in the end. If you begin to feel uncomfortable, you should rest for a few minutes and see how you feel. Use the “talk test” to make sure you are not pushing yourself too hard. If you become short of breath and you can’t talk, then slow down. As your fitness level improves over time, you’ll be able to exercise at a higher intensity and chat with others while having fun exercising.

Physical therapy for Type 2 diabetes can help patients address weakness, balance problems, lack of activity, and more. As mentioned before, skipping regular physical activity for more than two days in a row can lead to glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity, so it is important that you maintain your physical therapy appointments and follow our home exercise instructions. We can help you manage your diabetes together and help you live a happy healthy life.

The new year is upon us and we can’t wait to see what surprises 2022 has in store. One surprise no one wants is pain and injury. Avoid this by getting scheduling an appointment with your physical therapist to have your musculoskeletal system checked. As physical therapists, we are uniquely qualified to evaluate physical changes in your body that could potentially lead to pain or injury. By making a routine physical therapy visit, we can help patients prevent issues in the future. You know they say, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

So who can benefit the most from these visits? 

1. Former Patients:

If you have been discharged from physical therapy in the last 6 months or longer, this is a great time to get a follow-up. We can evaluate your previous injury and see if there are any signs of recurrence, go over your HEP to see if it needs to be updated to fit your current needs and check any other ailments that may be bothering you.

2. Athletes:

We work with athletes to help them prevent injuries in their sports before they occur. By going to physical therapy, we can evaluate the demands of your sport, compare that to your current physical capabilities, and create an exercise plan tailored to specific muscle groups. We can also work with teams to develop warm-up and exercise routines designed to improve performance.

3. Seniors over 65:

Seniors over the age of 65 can find themselves losing vision, strength, and perhaps, most importantly, balance. By going to physical therapy for a balance screening, we can identify your risk of falls and prevent them before they happen. The CDC says that 25% of people ages 65 and older fall each year. By going through a fall prevention program, we can help bring that statistic down.

4. Patients Considering Surgery:

Physical therapists work to reduce pain and heal injuries. It works so well in fact that in many cases it has been proven to remove or reduce the need for surgery.  If you’re looking for a conservative plan of care, you’ve come to the right place.  In the event that surgery is needed, we also provide pre-op appointments to help make recovery easier and safer.

We want to help you make this the best year ever by preventing major injuries or pain. We take your safety seriously. We are following all local and CDC guidelines to keep you safe. In-clinic and virtual appointments are available in many of our locations.  Find the clinic nearest you and get your physical therapy visit scheduled!