Tag Archives: Injury Prevention

There is Hope for TMJ Pain

July 12, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Head

TMJ is where the lower jaw meets the skull.

The temporomandibular joint or TMJ, is a complex joint located in front of each ear. It is responsible for allowing mouth opening and closing. When the TMJ is not working correctly, you may experience jaw pain, clicking, popping, or locking of the joint. You may also experience headaches, neck pain, sinus pain, dizziness, and ear ringing or pain. TMJ pain or Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) is not strictly limited to the jaw, it can also be influenced by the alignment of the head and neck.

The goal of Physical Therapy treatment for Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) is to provide pain relief using a variety of techniques to improve your range of motion through exercise and manual therapy and to improve posture and muscle imbalance. There may be modifications to your activities or work station that would be helpful as well.

SYMPTOMS
• Face or Jaw Pain
• Ear Pain
• Tinnitis (ringing in the ears)
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Jaw Clicking and/or Popping
• Neck Pain
• Limited Jaw Opening

TREATMENT
Your Physical Therapist will work closely with your Dentist or Physician to establish an individualized treatment plan based on results from a comprehensive evaluation. The most current treatment options will be utilized to ensure the best outcome for decreased pain and improved function.

TREATMENT WILL INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:
• Comprehensive evaluation of head, neck, and jaw
• Education regarding the diagnosis and related head, neck and jaw dysfunction. This includes addressing any of your questions or concerns.
• Individualized program specific to your needs including modalities, joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, postural education, neuromuscular re-education and TMJ management techniques.
• Collaboration between referring physician or dentist to ensure comprehensive and integrated care.

Try Physical Therapy First

July 7, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, General Information

Benefits of Physical Therapy Over Pain Killers and Surgery:

Conservative treatment with physical therapy has no side effects
Treat the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms
The best effect is getting you more involved in a healthy lifestyle
Affordable and covered under most insurance plans

As Physical Therapists We Provide:

Improved awareness
Increase strength and flexibility
Education and exercise designed to prevent future injuries
A program that increases your overall strength and flexibility
Modifications of movement for daily living

DID YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU HAVE…

BACK PAIN
If you are experiencing physical pain going to physical or occupational therapy for a musculoskeletal screening first may result in long term solutions without the use of expensive prescriptions or tests such as MRI’s, and reduces the risk of re-injury.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22614792/

KNEE INJURY
Physical Therapy is equally effective In treating degenerative knee disease. One of the most common orthopedic procedures in the United States — knee arthroscopic surgery — is proving to be an unnecessary course of action for many patients who have a torn meniscus in their knee.
Source: New England Journal Of Medicine: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1305189?query=featured_home&

CONCUSSION
Physical Therapists are key to helping in the recovery from concussion by monitoring the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of an athlete to determine when they are no longer symptomatic.
Source: http://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/post-concussion-treatment-physical-therapy-can-help

We understand that you are concerned with maintaining your health. So ask your medical provider if physical therapy is the right choice for you. By trying physical therapy first, it is likely that you can reduce or remove the need for surgery, as well as remove the risk of dependence on prescription pain killers.

The Most Common Causes of Pitching Arm Injuries

July 5, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Arm, Blog, Sports and Fitness

The most common causes of pitching arm injuries to high school, college and professional pitchers are overload, overuse, lack of proper conditioning and improper throwing mechanics.

• Overload is the result of throwing too many pitches during one outing. Maximum pitch counts for various age groups, or for an individual pitcher’s normal strength and stamina, are effective in preventing overload.

• Overuse is the result of pitching too often and not having an adequate recovery time or a good arm maintenance program (stretching, running, strengthening, throwing) between pitching assignments. Coaches and trainers should be aware that each individual pitcher varies in arm strength, arm fatigue, arm tightness and soreness and require different recovery time needs. Make certain you provide your pitcher with a good active recovery program between pitching assignments.

• Proper conditioning involves the entire body; the legs and core muscles as well as the throwing arm. Coaches should supervise a proper stretching and warm-up procedure that is performed daily before throwing a ball.

• Pre-season is one of the most frequent times for arm injuries. Pitchers throw too much and too hard, too early. Also, they have not ingrained their normal rhythm and often are attempting to learn new techniques or new pitches. Another major factor of injury during pre-season is that pitchers are not working with a normal in-season rotation schedule and do not get enough recovery time from a lot of necessary drill work that involves throwing (pick-offs, defensive plays, etc.).

• Improper throwing mechanics. If a pitcher has improper throwing techniques, with the body or arm, there is a great chance of early fatigue of the throwing mechanism, and of course injury. The more power and force generated, the greater the chance of injury. In a competitive situation, most pitchers will not admit they are fatigued, experiencing minor pain or have a minor injury. It is important that you, a coach, trainer or physical therapist be able to recognize changes in the pitcher’s mechanics, performance, or mannerisms.

This information about common causes of pitching arm injuries was written by University Physical Therapy, an outpatient physical therapy group with eight locations in New River Valley, Virginia. University PT is THE choice for outstanding sports rehabilitation, physical therapy and occupational therapy services. For more information click here.

July 2016 Events

June 23, 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 July 2016!

INDIANA PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN
DATE: July 15th, 2016 7:00AM – NOON
Steel Dynamics Health & Safety Fair
CLINIC: New Horizons Physical Therapy – Jeffersonville
New Horizons Physical Therapy will be participating in Steel Dynamics – Jeffersonville location’s Health and Safety Fair. The fair is open to Steel Dynamics employees and their families and they look forward to seeing you there! For more information about New Horizons Physical Therapy, visit them online at www.newhorizonsphysicaltherapy.com.

MICHIGAN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

MONROE, MI
DATE: July 5th, 2016
Clinic Relocation
CLINIC: Advanced Physical Therapy – Monroe
Advanced Physical Therapy is the leading provider of physical therapy, spine care and sports medicine in Southeast, MI. They are proud to be part of the Monroe community, and are committed to helping you, their friends and neighbors, get through your pain and on with life. Visit them at their new location: Hampton Plaza 1291 N. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI 48162 www.advphysicaltherapy.com.

SOUTHGATE, MI
DATE: July 18th, 2016 7:30PM
Building Better Runners Series (FREE)
CLINIC: Advanced Physical Therapy – Southgate
Join Advanced Physical Therapy at their Southgate location for a FREE talk focused on the Runner’s Core Routine. Come and learn a step-wise approach to strengthening the lower extremity, specific for runners. This “learn by doing” presentation will build on our Glute Activation talk. Come dressed and ready to participate. Coaches are always welcome, as are your athletes. To sign up please call 734-284-6582 to reserve your spot. More info on Advanced PT at www.advphysicaltherapy.com.

TENNESSEE PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

PULASKI, TN
DATE: July 23rd, 2016
Registration Due for 2nd Annual Golf Scramble
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – Pulaski
STAR Physical Therapy – Pulaski is raising money for The American Heart Association through a fun Golf Tournament. The event will be held August 6th but registration for teams is due on July 23rd. For more information or to register call STAR Physical Therapy at 931-292-6311. For more info about STAR Physical Therapy you can visit them online at www.starpt.com.

MT. JULIET, TN
DATE: July 21st 2016, 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Back Pain Talk
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – Mt. Juliet
STAR Physical Therapy – Mt. Juliet South is hosting a FREE talk about back pain and how physical therapy can help at the Del Webb Country Club. Anyone in the Del Webb community is welcome to attend. A question and answer section will be held at the end. For more info about STAR Physical Therapy you can visit them online at www.starpt.com.

VIRGINIA PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

BLACKSBURG, VA
DATE: July 29th, 2016, 2:00PM
Dizziness/ Vestibular Rehabilitation Talk
CLINIC: University Physical Therapy – Blacksburg
Kelly Wilson, PT, DPT from University Physical Therapy – West Blacksburg is hosting a FREE talk at the Blacksburg Public Library to discuss dizziness, vertigo and vestibular issues and how physical therapy can help. For more information about University Physical Therapy visit them online at www.universityptonline.com.

BRAMBLETON, VA
DATE: July 2016
New Clinic Opening
CLINIC: The Jackson Clinics – Brambleton
The Jackson Clinics are happy the announce the opening of their newest location in Brambleton, VA – located at 42365 Soave Dr. Bramleton, VA 20148. For more information about the Jackson Clinics visit them online at www.thejacksonclinics.com.

WISCONSIN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

PLOVER, WI
DATE: July 18th, 2016
New Clinic Opening
CLINIC: Sport and Spine Physical Therapy – Plover
Sport and Spine Physical Therapy is proud the announce the opening of it’s newest location in Plover! Located at 1767 Park Avenue, Suite 200, Plover, Wisconsin. Caitlyn Barr, DPT, will be the physical therapist on site. For more information about Sport and Spine physical therapy visit them online at www.sportspinewi.com.

WAUSAU, WI
DATE: July 19th, 2016, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
WVAM Sports Physical Event
CLINIC: Sport and Spine Physical Therapy – Wausau
Sport and Spine Physical Therapy along with other members of the WVAM are providing physicals for athletic students at the Bone and Joint Clinic at 5200 Hummingbird Road. The Cost for a physical is $25. $20 from each physical will be donated back to the athlete’s athletic department. For more information about Sport and Spine physical therapy visit them online at www.sportspinewi.com.

Click here to print a downloadable events flyer.

What Should I Tell My Physical Therapist?

June 7, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, General Information

If you have never been to a physical therapist before you may have some questions about your care and expectations. Here are some general questions and points about physical therapy you may want to talk about during your initial evaluation.

Talk about the pain you are experiencing.
Go into detail about what sort of activities you have trouble with and where the pain is coming from. The more details you can provide the more it will help your therapist develop a treatment plan.

How did your injury happen and/or when did your pain begin?
Did you have an injury or accident, or did the pain develop gradually over an extended period of time? Whether it’s sports, work or surgical post-op related your PT can guide you to recovery following an injury. As part of physical therapy, they can teach you exercises, stretches, and techniques using specialized equipment to address your pain.

What are your recovery goals?
If you have specific goals in relation to your recovery, let your therapist know. Do you want to be able to run a marathon, or is the goal to cook dinner and be able to reach up into your cabinets? Maybe your goal is to have enough strength to play with the grand kids. Your Physical Therapist needs this information when designing a treatment plan that best suits your needs. Whether you’re a professional athlete who’s suffered an injury or an orthopedic patient who needs assistance following surgery, your recovery starts with physical therapy.

Give your physical therapist you primary care provider’s information.
Good communication between your physical therapist and your primary care provider can help eliminate the need for unnecessary drugs/medications and provide great detail about your medical history. Your physical therapist can help clarify referral guidelines and the decision-making process as well.

Tell your physical therapist about any medications you are currently taking.
Different medications can cause adverse side effects due to physical activity and your physical therapist wants to make sure you are ready for physical therapy. Make sure you have a detailed list of your medications and be ready to discuss them at your evaluation.

Always tell your physical therapist your pain levels and how you feel your progress is going.
Physical Therapy is intended to make changes in your body. As physical therapists make changes to your tissues and mechanics, the stresses on your body will change, and may change where you feel the pain or symptoms. Be open with your physical therapist. If you have any questions about your treatment or want to go over any pain you are experiencing let your physical therapist know and they can go over it with you. Chances are what you are experiencing is completely normal and part of the healing process.

For more information about physical therapy programs and treatment techniques visit our About Physical Therapy section by clicking here.

Need to find a physical therapist? Visit our Find A PT Page

Can Physical Therapy Help Kids with Arthritis?

May 26, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Pediatrics

Did you know that physical therapy can help kids with arthritis? Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), also called Stills disease, is the most common form of arthritis seen in children and young adults.Children commonly complain of joint pain and stiffness, along with an occasional fever.

JRA can impact fine movements and overall mobility if left untreated. While medical therapy is the mainstay of treatment, physical therapy and rehabilitation are essential to restoring full movement and quality of life.

How does physical therapy help?
Physical therapists are trained experts at delivering a variety of treatments to help reduce pain and improve joint movement. A child experiencing pain and dysfunction can feel isolated and left out, unable to participate in group activities with other children. A physical therapist can help the child to improve muscle tone, strength and reduce joint inflammation. This helps children regain the quality of life they deserve; allowing them to live with less pain and enjoy the benefits of unrestricted movement.

This information was written by Oregon Spine and Physical Therapy, a physical therapy group located in Eugene, Oregon. At Oregon Spine & Physical Therapy, your care begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your condition by your physical therapist. This initial assessment will allow the physical therapist to accurately reach a diagnosis and then prepare your appropriate, personal treatment plan. For more information click here.

Exercise May Reduce Risk of Low Back Pain

May 12, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Back, Blog

Low back pain is a common complaint that can last a few days or weeks or become a chronic condition with significant impact on well being. Treatments can vary depending on the cause.Chronic back pain can be difficult to successfully treat and it may take some time to find what treatment works best for each person. Since treatment is not guaranteed to work, prevention is the best option. Back pain is often the result of long term stress on the back such as poor posture, sedentary behavior, or regular strain on the back. Prevention will likely involve a number of different steps to reduce these stresses. However, existing studies have not found clear recommendations for the best methods to go about it.

Researchers wanted to investigate the effectiveness of a number of interventions for the prevention of low back pain. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that exercise alone or in combination with education was most effective for preventing low back pain.

About the Study
The systematic review of 21 randomized controlled trials included 30,850 men and women without low back pain. The participants were randomized to 6 different prevention strategies, including exercise, education, exercise plus education, back belt, and shoe insoles. The control groups received no intervention, minimal interventions, or placebo.

When compared to the control group exercise was associated with:
• Fewer low back pain episodes in the first 12 months (in 4 trials with 898 people)
• Fewer sick days due to back pain in follow up 12 months or longer (in 2 trials with 128 people)
• Reduction in short-term (4 trials with 422 people) and long-term low-back pain episodes (2 trials with 138 people) when combined with education

Education alone, back belts, and shoe insoles did not appear to have any benefit during the trials.

How Does This Affect You?
A systematic review combines the results of several smaller studies to arrive at one result. The benefit of this type of review is that it increases the number of participants which increase reliability of results. However the review is only as reliable as the studies that are included and the method used to combine the results. There were some flaws in every trial that were included in this analysis. For example, many of the included trials had a high dropout rate during the trial which decreases the reliability of their results.

Low back pain is often associated with an imbalance or weakness of certain back muscles. An exercise program will improve your physical fitness, strengthen your back muscles, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Regular physical activity may also help maintain a healthy weight which can also put strain on your back. Choose exercises or activities that you enjoy and will make a regular part of your day. For most people, this could include 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per day.

Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

RESOURCES:
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedics
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org

SOURCES:
Acute low back pain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated March 2, 2016. Accessed March 22, 2016.

Steffens D, Maher CG, et al. Prevention of low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Feb 1;176(2):199-208.

Last reviewed April 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.

PT News

May 10, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, PT News

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

1. What does RICE and MEAT have to do with Physical Therapy?
Written by the Therapy Team at Cornerstone Physical Therapy. located in Canal Winchester, OH

When you hear the words rice and meat, we won’t blame you for thinking about food! In the physical therapy world, the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) has long been the recommended treatment for sports injuries. Read more

2. Slow and Steady Still Wins the Race
Written by the Therapy Team at the Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy – Middleburg, VA

As the days get longer and warmer, we’re more apt to engage in outdoor activities like walking and running. Spring also begins the season for charity 5k races and half marathons―great inspirations for starting a new exercise program. Read more

3. Staying Active During Pregnancy
Written by Jennifer Ryskamp, PTA at the Center for Physical Rehabilitation – Grand Rapids, MI

I wanted to take this opportunity to connect with my fellow women who are currently pregnant, and let you know that you are not alone. I am speaking specifically to those who have historically always been very active and are now finding themselves forced to slow down due to the immensely wonderful and yet altogether difficult task of growing another human being. Read more

Baseball Video Throwing Analysis

May 3, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Sports and Fitness

Slow motion 2-D video throwing analysis for baseball players of all skill levels. The purpose of a baseball video throwing analysis is to break down the act of throwing to screen for abnormalities and deviations that may cause potential damage to the shoulder or elbow. Goals are injury prevention and optimizing performance by instructing players on the most efficient and effective mechanics of throwing. Includes evidence-based strengthening exercises and stretches from a certified strength & conditioning specialist. Provides player with proper arm care techniques, systematic warm-ups, cool-downs, throwing protocols, bullpen guidance and much more.

VIDEO ANALYSIS PROGRAMS TYPICALLY INCLUDE:
• Private Evaluation with a Physical Therapist
• Videography
• Biomechanical Analysis and Grading
• Recommendations on Areas for Improvement

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A VIDEO ANAYLSIS AS A PITCHER:
• Physical Therapy has proven to be immediately valuable in the rehabilitation of injuries and prevention of further damage to the shoulder or elbow
• Video analysis is the only technology available to view each phase of the throwing motion from all possible angles to screen and detect mechanical flaws that are causing injury
• Objective data obtained from the analysis is put through a rigorous grading process (The 8 Cylinders of Pitching) which determines the biomechanical efficiency of the throwing motion
• A structured rehabilitation and prevention program that incorporates the latest evidence-based interventions proven to be effective specifically to baseball players
• A baseball program will rehabilitate and optimize a player’s performance in a safe, scientifically sound manner and maintain good health through their careers.

PT News

April 12, 2016 Teresa Stockton - Blog, PT News

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

1. The Rapid Recovery Blueprint
Written by the Therapy Team at Cornerstone Physical Therapy

Exercise tends to break down muscle fibers while rest allows muscles to recuperate and emerge stronger. The appropriate amount of exercise, followed by recovery leads to an ongoing cycle of improvement over time. Strength and endurance improve, creating a foundation for long-term health. Read more

2. Can We Get Stronger as We Age?
Written by the Therapy Team at the Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy

The answer to that question is – absolutely! After age 40 or so, we all begin to lose muscle strength and bone density, and our hormone production slows. Read more

3. Overtraining Doesn’t Help, It Hurts
Written by the Therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy

Working to achieve a sports or fitness goal can drive many people to overtrain in an effort to get stronger, better, faster. Our PT’s have seen many injuries related to overtraining. Read more