Archive for the Physical Therapy Category

A cancer diagnosis is never easy. Undergoing cancer treatment typically ravages the body. Physical therapy for cancer treatment and recovery may not be the first healthcare that comes to mind. Rightly so. However, a physical therapist could play a vital role in your recovery. According to the American Cancer Society, (https://www.cancer.org/) the five-year survival rate of all cancers diagnosed between 2003 and 2009 is 68 percent, a 20 percent increase compared to 1975 to 1977. Therefore, we can presume that the number of cancer survivors will continue to increase in the United States. And with more cancer survivors it is

According to the Journal of Athletic Training, ankle sprains are the most common sports-related injury. Since youth sports-related injuries are on the rise, it is a good idea to train ankle stability. When an athlete performs any single sport-specific movement, the ankle and it’s surrounding muscles are put under a great deal of stress. Addressing the ankle, combined with lower leg strengthening allows the area to withstand greater force before injury occurs. Furthermore, this type of physical therapy after sprains aids in speedy recovery and helps prevent re-injury. We have some valuable information for training ankle stability to improve agility and

As standard protocol, most patients will undergo physical therapy (PT) after total hip replacement (THP) or total knee replacement (TKR). However, a study that appeared in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) is turning this notion on its head. The study stated that physical therapy BEFORE joint replacement surgery, A.K.A. “prehabilitation,” may diminish the need for postoperative care by up to 30 percent. Furthermore, savings averaged $1,215 per patient in a skilled nursing facility, home health agency, or other postoperative care. Here are the details regarding the benefits of pre-operative physical therapy for total joint replacement (TJR). Total

Because of the demands people place on their wrists and hands, especially for those who may work on a computer all day or those performing repetitive assembling line work, as many as 1 in 20 Americans may experience Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). It is a common condition of the wrist and hand that can even affect the use of the whole arm. What causes CTS? How is CTS treated? Can CTS be prevented? What are the effects of Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? We have the answers to these, and many other questions about CTS. What is Carpal Tunnel

Anyone who has either played on a team as a kid or has children who participate in sports has experienced the occasional bump and bruise. But did you know that every year around 1.35 million young athletes have a sports-related injury severe enough to send them to the emergency room? What’s more, this number does not include the kids whose parents take them to Urgent Care clinics, or their family doctor for treatment. Youth sports injuries have reached alarming levels. The most common types of sports-related injuries among children are sprains, muscle strains, bone or growth plate injuries, repetitive motion

As more and more children are participating in year-round youth sports leagues, the the rise in single-sport athlete injury has become alarming. What’s more, because many of these kids are not only competing all year but also competing on multiple teams simultaneously the issue becomes even more compounded.  The result? Over-training, which leads to burnout, which leads to detrimental physical effects on developing bodies, which can affect lifelong health. Unfortunately, experts discovered one contributing factor may be parental pressure to compete and succeed.  According to a consensus by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) the emphasis on competitive

  Trigger point dry needling (TDN) is a buzz word that is gaining traction in the physical therapy industry. So, what is dry needling, does it work? Testimonials are the most significant reason that this therapy has caught on with some physical therapists, athletes and other patients. Nevertheless, testimonials are not convincing scientific proof. Here are some facts about TDN. What is Trigger Point Dry Needling? Trigger point dry needling (TDN) is an intervention used to treat myofascial pain syndrome and associated impairments. Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by the presence of one or more symptomatic myofascial trigger points (MTrPs)

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly referred to as tennis elbow, is a painful condition of the elbow joint and forearm which is caused by overuse. While you can certainly get it from playing tennis or racquetball, several other sports or activities, involving repetitive motion may put you at risk. So, what is tennis elbow? How is it treated? Can it be prevented? Is surgery required? Read on for the answer to those questions, and more! What is tennis elbow? Tennis elbow is a form of tendinitis or a swelling of the tendons. Tendons are bands of rugged tissue that connect the muscle

  Have you recently been diagnosed with sciatica? What is it, and can it be cured? At this point, your doctor may have referred you to a physical therapist. How does physical therapy help sciatica pain? The sciatic nerve begins at the low back and runs down through the buttocks and continues to branch out down the back of the leg into the foot. Some of the symptoms you may have been experiencing could range from numbness and tingling, cramping, burning and shooting pain. Many reasons may be causing the inflammation, including Disc herniation, Stenosis, Trigger Points, and Piriformis Syndrome,

If you have been experiencing pain or weakness in your shoulder, it is likely you may have a rotator cuff injury. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), rotator cuff issues are the most common cause of pain and disability among adults. AAOS estimates that over 2 million people in the United States are treated for this common type of problem. Furthermore, the odds increase as you age. What are the rotator cuff tear symptoms and treatments? Luckily, there is a standard of diagnosis and treatment regarding this type of injury. Here is a step-by-step guide. Step 1: