What can physical therapy do about my neck and back pain?
Your physical therapist can promote pain relief and tissue healing through modalities. Modalities include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, infrared light, and others. These interventions are research based and clinically effective. Your physical therapist will evaluate for specific limitations and deficits in movement, strength, and posture. This allows development of the most appropriate combination of manual treatment and exercise in the treatment plan. Flexibility, posture, and body mechanics education is incorporated throughout the patient’s care to reinforce long term back health. Your physical therapist can equip you to manage your condition, prevent re-injury and allow return to life’s activities.
What can physical therapy do to help me prepare for and recover after surgery?
Your physical therapist can prepare you for surgery by providing an exercise program that targets the primary muscle groups affected by your condition. Increased muscle strength and flexibility will lead to a shorter and more successful surgical outcome.
Your physical therapist will help you after surgery by increasing range of motion, strength, and mobility. The rehabilitation will also be focused on helping reduce pain associated with your surgical procedure.
I am having difficulty with balance and have had recent falls. What can physical therapy do to help me?
An evaluation will determine your specific deficits and your physical therapist will develop a plan to address these needs. Generally, the treatment plan will involve challenging your balance systems within a controlled environment. Fall prevention techniques will be practiced and discussed. There are various reasons for balance problems and falls. Other medical causes will be examined in conjunction with your doctor.
My heel hurts when I’m walking and running. Can physical therapy help me?
A thorough evaluation will be performed by your physical therapist to determine the cause of the pain. A common condition called plantar fasciitis is a possibility. It can be treated through modalities of infrared light, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and iontophoresis. Each of these will be focused on decreasing pain and inflammation. Your footwear and walking pattern will be evaluated. Appropriate interventions including flexibility and strengthening exercises will be provided. Your physical therapist may discuss other options such as orthotics.
My elbow is sore and hurts during many of my daily activities. Can physical therapy help me?
You may have a condition called lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow. Modalities, exercise and bracing can be helpful. Changes in your work ergonomics and daily activities may also be incorporated.
I have been ill for a while and feel very weak. Is there anything physical therapycan do to help me?
Being on “bed rest” for a prolonged period (more than 4 days) can cause significant muscle weakness. Your physical therapist can provide an exercise program that will help you return to your level of activity before your illness.
I work at a computer desk all day. My neck and shoulders hurt all the time. How can physical therapy help with my pain?
Your physical therapist can decrease the tension in your neck and shoulders with modalities and soft tissue mobilization. Your physical therapist can also educate you on stretching, posture, and proper work space ergonomics. These should all contribute toward long term neck and shoulder health.
I sprained my ankle while playing basketball over the weekend. How can physical therapy help get me back to normal, quicker?
Your physical therapist can help speed your recovery from an ankle sprain by decreasing your inflammation and swelling with modalities and education on compression wraps and braces. Your physical therapist can also start exercises to increase your dynamic ankle stability that will help decrease the frequency and severity of future ankle sprains.
I like to go for bike rides and have started having pain in my knee. What can I do?
Many people experience pain in their knees after long walks or bike rides. In many cases, the pain is caused by improper tracking of your knee cap as you bend and straighten your leg, causing rubbing and inflammation in your knee joint. Your physical therapist can help relieve the inflammation with modalities and an exercise program to re-educate the muscles. Manual taping techniques may also be utilized. If needed, your physical therapist can direct you to a brace to help with the knee cap tracking.
My shoulder is really hurting after playing catch this weekend. What should I do?
The pain in your shoulder is most likely caused from overuse of the specific muscles that make up the rotator cuff. Your physical therapist can help decrease your pain with modalities and improve the integrity of your rotator cuff with strengthening, dynamic stabilization, and endurance exercises.
