Tag Archives: Physical Therapy

PT News

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

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1. Time for Summer Athletes to Be Mindful of Their Knees 

Written by John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC, Owner of Mishock Physical Therapy & Associates

As the summer heat starts up more people are lacing up their sneakers, grabbing their I-pods, and hitting the road. Running and power walking outside are very popular forms of exercise and while they both have excellent health benefits, physical problems can still arise. Even running less than five miles a week can cause a person to develop Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) which is also known as “runner’s knee.” Runner’s knee is a common dysfunction that plagues runners of all ability levels. The major symptom of runner’s knee is pain under or around the knee cap (patella). The pain is felt not only when running but also while walking up and down the stairs, kneeling, squatting, and sitting with a bent knee for a long period of time.  Often victims of knee pain find themselves forced to take time off from work, school, and avoid athletic or recreational activities. Read More ->

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2. Fit in Fitness

Written by the therapy Team at ARC Physical Therapy+

It can be hard to find time to workout during the week, especially when we feel as though we’re running in a million different directions as it is. However, the more we move, the better we feel. So, it’s really in our best interest to be as active as possible on a regular basis. Here are some tips to help you incorporate physical fitness into your daily routine: Read More ->

 

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3. The Importance of Sleep for your Body
Written by the therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab

Sleep is more than something you do when you’re tired. Sleep is a vital part of growth, healing, and general well-being. Too often sleep is sacrificed for the sake of watching something on TV, spending time online, or being out with friends, but this sacrifice takes a heavy toll on the body in ways we don’t always recognize. If you’re having trouble sleeping, perhaps it is some of your habits that are preventing you from having the best night ever. Here are a few key things you can do in order to get a proper night’s rest: Read More ->

To Find a physical or occupational therapy clinic near you click here

 

PT for Pregnancy

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ThinkstockPhotos-177416910Pregnancy should be a time of anticipation – not pain. Working together with an OBGYN a physical therapist can create a safe and appropriate exercise routine during pregnancy. See more  from an article featured on TodayinPT.com.

Melissa Gaskill writes; exercise can ease most of the common complaints of pregnancy, complaints that often lead women to a PT. Exercise helps reduce backaches; increase energy; improve mood, posture, and circulation; increase range of motion; and promote muscle tone, strength, and endurance. Exercise can help women sleep better, and may help prevent or treat gestational diabetes. Regular activity, particularly abdominal workouts, also may improve a woman’s ability to cope with labor, make it easier for her to get back in shape after the birth, and decrease the risk of pelvic floor and organ prolapse. Pregnant women should, however, receive clearance from their obstetricians before beginning any exercise regimen. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Physical Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy

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Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication from diabetes, in which nerves are compromised as a result of high blood sugar levels. This condition may present itself in several different ways. Some of the symptoms may include tingling, burning and loss of sensation in your hands or feet. This is the result of nerve damage, also called peripheral neuropathy. Lowering blood glucose levels can help prevent and possibly reverse some of the effects of diabetic neuropathy. Physical therapy is an effective treatment that can help restore balance and sensation that has been lost.

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Aging Gracefully with Physical Therapy

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The human body goes through a number of changes as one grows older. A decline in muscle mass and bone density can lead to muscle fatigue and joint pain. There is good news. Seniors can remain physically active and lead happy, healthy and productive lives with the help of physical therapy. Exercise in a safe, controlled environment under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, goes a long way to improving the quality of life. A physical therapist can design exercise programs that help seniors cope with some of the issues associated with aging which include:

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kinesiotaping helpful for lymphedema patients

Kinesiotaping Helpful for Lymphedema Patients

- Blog, Cancer Related Care, Women's Health

kinesiotaping helpful for lymphedema

In most stages Lymphedema cannot be cured, but it can be managed. The goal of physical therapy for Lymphedema patients is to control pain and minimize swelling. As a result, we have that kinesiotaping can be helpful for lymphedema patients.

Kinesiotaping  has been found to be very effective in combating and controlling swelling and Lymphedema. Kinesio tape works to decrease swelling and Lymphedema by increasing interstitial lymphatic fluid flow and enhance fluid exchange between tissue layers, thus decreasing swelling. The tape will “channel” the exudates to less congested areas through the superficial pathways. The tape gently lifts the skin, causing convolutions and creating channels of low pressure in the congested areas of the extremity. The tape is applied with very low tension to the point that the patient hardly notices the tape is there.

[ Some of the advantages of Kinesio tape are]

  • The patient will have freedom of movement more than with the conventional ace wrap.
  • Able to reduce Lymphedema in the trunk, head and neck – places where compression therapy is difficult
  • It can help soften fibrosis
  • Can be used in combination with and worn underneath compression bandage.
  • The tape does not fall down the patients leg or arm like the ace tends to do as the day progresses.
  • Kinesio tape can stay on for up to 3-5 days at a time instead of having to be reapplied daily.
  • Patients are allowed to shower with the tape on and it won’t come off.
  • The tape is hypo allergenic and very easy on the skin
  • Tape can be applied in a relatively short period of time, thus not consuming a large portion of the patient’s day, to allow them more time to do other necessary daily tasks. The procedure is quick and especially effective when combined with physical therapy treatments.

It is important that Kinesio tape initially be applied by an appropriate medical professional to best utilize its abilities. Physical and occupational therapists can be trained and certified in these taping techniques.  A therapist will typically conduct an evaluation and determine the best course of treatment.  Professionals can use Kinesio taping in conjunction with other modalities and treatment techniques in the clinic or at home.

Patients with Lymphedema  are at a higher risk of developing skin irritation. Kinesio tape is latex free, but if you do have a history of skin irritation you may want to consider opting out of taping as part of a therapy plan.

To learn more about Orthopedic Kinesiotaping visit our treatment technique section here

More PTandMe articles about Kinesio Taping can be found here:

kinesio taping pain relief  remove kinesio tape

Anatomy of a “Bad Knee”

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The knee is a relatively simple joint required to do a complicated job…to provide flexible mobility while bearing considerable weight. While walking down the street, our knees bear three to five times our body weight. When climbing upstairs, that force can multiply to seven times our body weight. That force is borne by compact structures of bone and cartilage, supported by muscles and ligaments. When the knee is overstressed in sports or in everyday activities, these structures can break down — and knee injury occurs.

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Physical Therapy and Automobile Accidents

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MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT FACTS

  • The majority of auto accident injuries affects soft tissues – muscles, tendons and ligaments, which doesn’t show up on x-rays.
  • Soreness and muscle pain from whiplash can signal a soft-tissue injury that may not heal on its own. Neck and back pain commonly doesn’t surface until hours or days after a car accident. The sooner you see a physical therapist the faster you will heal.

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It is not osteoporosis that causes fractures.

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Written By: André Meintjes, M.P.T.,C.F.E., Ph.D.

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We all know someone who has had a bone mineral density test and been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis. This means they have lower than normal bone mineral density and hence their bones may be more fragile. This in itself does not necessarily cause fractures but does need to be addressed.

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direct access to physical therapy

What is Direct Access to Physical Therapy?

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Direct Access to Physical Therapy PTandMe

Tired of waiting to get into your physician for a new injury, nagging back pain, or are you just looking for safe ways to prevent an injury or live a healthier more active life. Your state may have jumped on board to make these personal goals achievable.

Essentially all 50 states and Washington DC have some form of direct access laws. In some states such as Pennsylvania & Tennessee, a patient may be treated only for a certain amount of time before contacting the patient’s physician. While in others (Arizona, Kentucky, etc…) there are no restrictions to access. To learn more about your state’s Direct Access laws click here http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/Advocacy/State/Issues/Direct_Access/DirectAccessbyState.pdf or call your therapist directly.

Direct access laws can aide in your recovery by allowing a patient, to quickly gain access to a Physical (PT) professional who can guide you down the road of recovery. There is no need for just a free consult or examination… start getting treatment on day one! Many may not realize your previous therapist may have completed a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. These advancements in educational requirements have helped provide clinicians that are capable of thoroughly evaluating, examining, and treating a wide range of injuries and disabilities.

Similar to chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and other medical services; your insurance may vary in its coverage available. Despite the law, some insurance companies may have additional restrictions such as the number of visits they may reimburse a year or per injury. Contact one of our clinics to help guide you through the insurance benefits process. Research has shown physical therapy is cost-effective and early intervention prevents more costly treatments later, can result in faster recovery and reduces costs associated with time off work.

The profession of physical therapy is constantly evolving and its scope of practice continues to grow to strive to offer the best standard of care for its patients. Physical therapists and healthcare professionals are doing research every day to discover better treatment methods available. Rehabilitation can cover a wide variety of conditions from fall prevention, sports injuries, pre and post-surgical patients, neck and back pain, shoulder pain, ankle sprains, headaches…. and the list goes on!

Why should you choose a PTandMe partnering clinic for your physical therapy needs? Find out here!

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