Tag Archives: Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists

Physical Therapy for Golfer's Elbow

Golfer’s Elbow

Physical Therapy for Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis Pain)

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s Elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis,  is a painful condition where the tendons that attach to the inside of the elbow become inflamed due to repetitive use of the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow. Golfer’s elbow often occurs with repetitive activities such as swinging a golf club or tennis racket, work or leisure activities requiring twisting and gripping such as shoveling, gardening, and swinging a hammer. Golfer’s elbow can also appear in other sports-related activities such as throwing and swimming. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial epicondylitis) is most commonly seen in men over the age of 35 but can be seen in any population. If these symptoms sound familiar, then going to physical therapy for golfer’s elbow may be just what you need.

Physical Therapy Appointment

What is causing your elbow pain?

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial epicondylitis) affects the group of muscles that are responsible for bending the wrist, fingers, and thumb and that rotate the wrist and forearm. The tendons that connect those muscles to the medial epicondyle (bump on inside of elbow). Tendons are made up of collagen fibers that are lined up next to each other. The repetitive forces pull on those tendons creating pain and tenderness described as Golfer’s Elbow. Without treatment, those tendons can eventually pull away from the bone. Acute injuries to your elbow can create an inflammatory response which can cause redness, warmth, and stiffness in your elbow.

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial epicondylitis) is most often caused by an abnormal arrangement of collagen fibers. This condition is called tendinosis. During tendinosis, the body doesn’t create inflammatory cells as it does during an acute injury. Instead, fibroblasts are created which help make up scar tissue to fill in the spaces between the collagen fibers. This increase in scar tissue can lead to increased pain and weakness in the tissues. Physical and hand therapy is the most common nonsurgical treatment for Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis). Your therapist will perform an evaluation where he/she will ask you several questions about your condition, pain level, and other symptoms you may be experiencing. He/she will perform motion and strength testing on your entire upper extremity. Your therapist will also palpate your arm to determine which tendon(s) may be inflamed. He/she will use special tests designed to deferentially diagnose your condition from others that may have similar presentations to Golfer’s Elbow, such as Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

golf ball on tee

What to Expect from Physical Therapy for Golfer’s Elbow

  • Pain Management: this can include Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy, ice, ice massage, moist heat, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound.
  • Range-of-Motion Exercises: stretches and mobility exercises to help maintain proper movement in your elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand.
  • Strengthening Exercises: progressive resistive exercises to help build strength in your arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. These can include weights, medicine balls, and/or resistance bands. This will also include your Home Exercise Program.
  • Manual Therapy: used to ensure full, pain-free movement is achieved and can include joint mobilizations, manual muscle stretches, and soft tissue massage.
  • Neuromuscular Re-education (Functional Training): used to help you return to your prior level of function for both home and work activities. This will include retraining proper movement patterns with necessary modifications based on the current level of function and patient limitations.
  • Patient Education: used to help retrain patients on proper postural control during everyday activities including dressing, self-care, work, and sports activities. This can include helping return a patient to their specific sport, such as making adjustments to their golf swing or throwing technique.

Once you’ve completed physical therapy for Golfer’s Elbow you’ll want to do everything you can to prevent this from reoccurring. This can occur by maintaining proper awareness of your risk for injury during your daily movements. Key things to keep in mind:

1. Maintain proper form during all repetitive movements both at work and at home.
2. Continue your Home Exercise Program in order to maintain proper strength in your shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand.
3. Use proper posture and body mechanics with lifting or carrying to avoid any undue stress on your joints and tendons.

This information was written by Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists, an outpatient physical and hand therapy group with fourteen locations in the surrounding Plymouth, Michigan area. At Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists, they are committed to using evidence-based treatments in their practice. This means that their therapists utilize the most current and clinically relevant treatments in their approach to rehabilitation. For more information click here.

physical therapy near me

PT&Me Thanks Our Wonderful Patients

This Thanksgiving holiday PT&Me is thankful for our patients. Without their support for our physical therapy clinics we wouldn’t have the continued success that we are so thankful for. Here are some of the ways our patients have thanked us for their recovery and well being through their awesome online reviews:

Advance Rehabilitation – Brunswick, GA (click for location details)
“Love the great, friendly, knowledgeable and caring staff! Highly recommend for your needs!”
– Norma Worley (click for review)

Pinnacle Therapy Services – Overland Park, KS (click for location details)
“I’ve had PT at two of the area hospitals and another private facility, and although I had results from all of them, I feel that Pinnacle goes above and beyond in customer service, attitude and demeanor of all therapists, and most importantly, skills and knowledge of said practitioners. Most recently, I worked with Amy and received superior care. The results I received have been the most long-lasting and beneficial.”
– Shawna Deck (click for review)

Port City Physical Therapy – Portland, ME (click for location details)
“The therapists at Port City Therapy are wonderful! They made my time in therapy both fun and informative. I learned what to do to stay healthy for the future. I actually looked forward to each visit.”
– Carole J. (click for review)

The Center for Physical Rehabilitation – Grand Rapids, MI
(click for location details)
“Very caring and competent. Great to work with. I have used them multiple times. Always pleased.”
– Larry Pieniazek (click for review)

Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists – Jackson, MI (click for location details)
“This is a great facility with a friendly and professional staff. Everyone seems to go above and beyond to address patient needs in a highly personalized manner. That means so much when you are trying to get back in tip top shape. I will definitely recommend to any of my family or friends requiring physical therapy. Thank you guys for your help!”
– Emily A. (click for review)

From all of us at PT & Me we would like to wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!

applied functional science AFS

What is Applied Functional Science (AFS)?

The unique and wholistic practice of Applied Functional Science (AFS) requires extensive education and training beyond the traditional education received by rehabilitation clinicians.

AFS vs. Traditional Therapy

Traditional Therapy
Local Joint Focused

TREATMENTS INCLUDE:
• Focused on correcting the injured joint or muscle
• Therapeutic exercise focused on the muscles around the affected joint
• Manual treatments to improve movement in the affected joint
• Successful treatment evaluated by reduction of pain and improved joint strength

Functional Approach
Whole Body Focused

TREATMENTS INCLUDE:
• Source of pain and cause of pain are rarely the same
• Focused on correcting the underlying cause of the injured joint or muscle
• Therapeutic exercise individual developed based on patient-specific mechanics and affected functional tasks
• Manual treatments utilized to help facilitate normal functional mechanics
• Successful treatment evaluated by restoring pain free function lost due to injury

Body, Mind, and Spirit Do I need a Specialist?
Applied Functional Science (AFS) is a unique approach that uses the collaboration of the physical, biological and behavioral science used to treat patients as a whole. AFS uses biomechanics affected by the everyday forces of life to identify and treat the underlying cause of an injury.

Physical: Functional mechanics of the joints and muscles as they respond to everyday activities

Biological:
Functional application of neuromuscular properties in everyday activities

Behavioral: Why are you here? Incorporating personal driving factors and goals for betterment in your individualized treatment plan

This information was written by Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists, an outpatient physical therapy group with 17 locations in Michigan. Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists was established in 1994 by Jeff Sirabian PT, MHS, OCS, Cert. MDT, CSCS. With over 20 years of experience in orthopedics and sports medicine, Jeff has established a state of the art physical therapy practice with 17 locations to conveniently serve you. For more information click here.

Taking Care of Your Scar

Self-Care: Taking Care of Your Scar at Home

ScarCare_FBsize

Taking care of your scar well is an important aspect of your recovery from surgery. You must follow your surgeon’s order faithfully.This includes keeping it dry and covered as long as your doctor tells you it is necessary. If your scar becomes excessively red or painful, notify your doctor or therapist.

scar

When you doctor tells you it is safe, you will need to start treating your scar at home. This is important because excessive scarring can lead to restricted movement and pain. The best approach to controlling your scar formation is to use your hands to free up skin around your scar. Rubbing Vitamin E oil or cocoa butter into your hands before massaging will also help your skin heal.

This information about taking care of your scar was written by Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists, an outpatient physical therapy group with fourteen locations in the surrounding Plymouth, Michigan area. At Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists, they are committed to using evidence-based treatments in their practice. This means that their therapists utilize the most current and clinically relevant treatments in their approach to rehabilitation. For more information click here.

Plantar Fasciitis

Hamstring Tightness and Plantar Fasciitis

Hamstring Tightness_FBsize

Plantar fasciitis is classically characterized by pain in the central to medial plantar heel. It is thought to be caused by chronic inflammation of the plantar fascia due to repetitive strain and trauma to the fascia. There are many other purported causes including, calcaneal spurs and increased intraosseous calcaneal pressure, among others. Many studies have shown inflammatory and histological changes at the origin of the plantar fascia and surrounding structures that are consistent with repetitive strain and degenerative changes including a thickening of the fascia.

Biomechanics has long been looked at when investigating possible causes of injuries. Alteration of the load-bearing characteristics of the foot has been suggested by several studies to be the underlying problem in plantar fasciitis. Microtears and chronic degenerative changes result from the increased tensile stress placed on the fascia due to the changes in biomechanics. Muscle tightness is one factor that can lead to changes in gait mechanics and load bearing of the foot. Hamstring tightness has recently been investigated as a factor in plantar fasciitis and has been shown to induce prolonged forefoot loading due to increased knee flexion during gait. A rapid progression through the contact phase of gait results from increased knee flexion and in turn increases forefoot pressure. The fascia is a fixed-length ligament, so an increase in forefoot pressure results in increased tension at its insertion on the calcaneus. The increased time spent on the forefoot in gait leads to a chronic traction injury that is localized to the hindfoot insertion of the fascia; which is consistent with the symptoms of heel pain.

plantar

Biomechanical deficits have long contributed to injuries. Only recently has hamstring tightness been shown to have an effect on plantar fasciitis. Hamstring tightness affects every step, resulting in a biomechanical deficit which may contribute to a tensile overload of the plantar fasciitis. Recent studies suggest that all patients with plantar fasciitis should be evaluated for hamstring tightness. Physical therapy treatment for plantar fasciitis should include hamstring stretching.

More information about Plantar Fasciitis can be found in the PTandMe injury center.

physical therapy near me

This information was written by Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists. They are committed to using evidence-based treatments in their practice. This means that their therapists utilize the most current and clinically relevant treatments in their approach to rehabilitation. For more information click here.

May 2016 Events

EVENTS_05-2016_FBsize

Check out our new 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 May 2016!

GEORGIA PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

JEKYLL ISLAND
DATE: May 13th, 2016 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
2016 Turtle Crawl
CLINIC: Advance Rehabilitation Physical Therapy – Brunswick / St. Simons
Advance Rehabilitation Physical Therapy is proud to be a sponsor for the 2016 Turtle Crawl in Jekyll Island. What could be more fun or more worthwhile than running to save endangered sea turtles? Between the triathlon and 5K & 10K races, the new Beach Village will play host to Turtle Crawl Festival. Join GSTC for a celebration of the start of the sea turtle nesting season. Play in field day-style games hosted by the Center, dance with the GSTC mascot Scute during one of several live music performances on the Village Green, and grab a bite from a regional food truck. Enjoy the evening’s festivities while learning about what small changes you can do to make a huge difference in the life of a sea turtle. For event information click here. For more information about Advance Physical Therapy in Brunswick and St. Simons click here.

 

IDAHO PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

BOISE, ID
DATE: May 7th, 2016
Boise Walk for the Cure
CLINIC: Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation – Boise
Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation is proud to be a sponsor for the 2016 Boise Walk for the Cure. For more information about Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation click here.

HOMEDALE, ID
DATE: May 11th, 2016
Boise-Cascade Annual Safety Fair
CLINIC: Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation – Boise
Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation is a proud participant in the 2016 Boise-Cascade Annual Safety Fair. For more information about Intermountain Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation click here.

 

MICHIGAN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

ARMADA, MI
DATE: May 16th, 2016
New Clinic Opening
CLINIC: Plymouth Physical Therapy – Armada
Plymouth Physical Therapy is excited to announce the opening of its 15th location in Armada, MI. The Armada Center is scheduled to open its doors and accept new patients on Monday, May 16th. For more information about Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists you can visit them online by clicking here.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI
DATE: May 13th, 2016
Sport and Fitness Expo
CLINIC: The Center for Physical Rehabilitation – Grand Rapids
Sports & Fitness Expo is a 1 day event being held on May 13th, 2016 at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, MI. This event showcases product from medical, pharmaceutical, sporting goods, toys and game industries. Free admission, open to public, 100+ vendors, food samples, discounted apparel and prize drawings. For more information about The Center for Physical Rehabilitation click here.

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI
DATE: May 12th, 2016
Ford/Sterling Heights Plant Health Fair
CLINIC: Fit2WRK Therapy Partners of Michigan
Fit2WRK provides an integrated approach to ensuring overall client satisfaction. Our industrial specialists will review your own needs and co-develop programs designed to expedite return to work as well as positively impact future injury costs. For more information on Fit2WRK please visit their website here.

 

MISSISSIPPI PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

CLINTON, MS
DATE: May 19th, 2016 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Business Block Party
CLINIC: Arrowhead Physical Therapy – Clinton
Arrowhead Physical Therapy and the other tenants of the Parkway Center are getting together to show off their services to the community. Stop on by the Arrowhead Physical Therapy Clinic to meet the staff, see the clinic and have a great time! For more information about Arrowhead Physical Therapy in Clinton, MS click here.

 

TENNESSEE PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

BOLIVAR, TN
DATE: May 13th, 2016
Physical Therapy Open House
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – Bolivar
STAR Physical Therapy is celebrating 10 years in the Bolivar community. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with an Open House! Join for food and fun, meet our therapists and see the clinic. For more information about STAR Physical Therapy – Bolivar visit their website by clicking here.

NASHVILLE, TN
DATE: May 13th, 2016 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Free Run Well Event
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – East Nashville
Join health and wellness experts discussing and demonstrating ways to enhance your exercise routine and running technique to improve ease, comfort and performance. This free event will provide several approaches including a specific assessment of your running biomechanics through video analysis. For more information about STAR Physical Therapy visit their website by clicking here.

OOLTEWAH, TN
DATE: May 15th, 2016 12:30PM – 3:00PM
Taste of Ooltewah and Harrison
CLINIC: STAR Physical Therapy – Ooltewah
The 2nd ANNUAL TASTE OF OOLTEWAH AND HARRISON that was rained out last weekend will now take place on Sunday, May 15th! Join us and Ooltewah Harrison Education Foundation from 12:30-3:00 at Cambridge Square in Ooltewah for this great event! James Gose, Ooltewah Clinic Director, will be on hand providing free balance assessments and answering any physical therapy questions that you may have. https://www.facebook.com/events/1724699561149707/

 

TEXAS PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

ARLINGTON, TX
DATE: May 12th, 2016 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Physician Mixer Networking Event!
CLINIC: Green Oaks Physical Therapy – Mansfield, North and South Arlington
Please join us for our Physician Mixer at Bar Louie, Arlington Highlands. A fun evening of networking with your peers from the Arlington/Mansfield area. There will be complimentary drinks and appetizers. Door prizes include: Fit Bit, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, golf accessories and more! For more information about Green Oaks Physical Therapy click here.

FORT WORTH, TX
DATE: May 6th, 2016 11:30am – 1:00pm
Green Oaks Physical Therapy 5th Annual Cookout!
CLINIC: Green Oaks Physical Therapy – Fort Worth
Come and experience some Green Oaks Hospitality. Stop by for brisket, ribs & sides. Check out the clinic & meet the staff!! Please RSVP to 817-335-7946 and enjoy some great food and fun. Located at 160 W. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 2, Fort Worth, TX 76104. For more information about Green Oaks Physical Therapy in Fort Worth click here.

FORT WORTH, TX
DATE: May 12th, 2016 1:00pm – 4:00pm
GE Manufacturing Solutions 2016 Health Ahead Day
CLINIC: Physical Therapy of Trophy Club – Trophy Club
Physical Therapy of Trophy Club will be available to GE Employees at the GE Manufacturing Solutions 2016 Health Ahead Day.  Along with others we will go over ways to live a safe healthy and stress free life. For more information about Physical Therapy of Trophy Club click here.

HOUSTON, TX
DATE: May 25th, 2016
National Senior Health & Fitness Day  10:00am – 12:00pm
CLINIC: Action Physical Therapy – Houston
Action Physical Therapy, in Houston, TX is proud to be participating in the 23rd Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day! Join us in Houston’s First Baptist Church – Harbor Room for hearing tests, bone density scans and to meet our fitness trainers! A healthy lunch will be provided for the first 50 attendees. For more information about Action Physical Therapy in Houston, click here.

LAS COLINAS, TX
DATE: May 14th, 2016
Habitat for Humanity Build with Green Oaks Physical Therapy
CLINIC: Green Oaks Physical Therapy – Las Colinas
The Green Oaks Physical Therapy team members from Las Colinas, Fort Worth, and South Arlington are participating in a Habitat for Humanity build. If you happen to be out there come see us and help us with a great cause! For more info on the Dallas area Habitat for Humanity click here. For more information on Green Oaks Physical Therapy, click here.

 

WISCONSIN PHYSICAL THERAPY EVENTS

WAUSAU, WI
DATE: May 03rd, 2016, 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Worker’s Compensation Symposium
CLINIC: Sport & Spine Physical Therapy
No cost to attend! This event is designed to be of interest to anyone who works for or cares for, Wisconsin’s workforce. Employers, HR directors, safety directors, case managers, nurses, physicians and physician’s assistants. Hosted by Sport & Spine Physical Therapy of Weston. Click here for more information or visit their website here.

Click here to print a downloadable events flyer.