Costs of Injury - It is More Than You Thinkby Steve Berkey 8/30/2009 Physically Obviously, there is the physical factor. It hurts! The initial injury hurts. There is pain for the several days that you nurse the injury before seeking medical care. It hurts when the doctor pokes and prods. It hurts until the pain medication takes affect. Then, in more severe cases, there is the pain from physical therapy and/or surgery. There is also the chance that the injured will always be affected by the injury. Remember the old football injuries from high school? Sometimes former injuries from "the good ol’ days" continue to plague athletes years and decades later. Emotionally Injuries also take an emotional toll on the body, particularly when training for a purpose or for a heart-felt cause. Heath Berkey, a former Marine and current Maryland state trooper, was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. He fought a long, painful battle and is now in remission enjoying a full life. Heath is planning on running in the next Marine Corps Marathon. When asked what motivates him to participate in his very first marathon, Heath said, "I am competing this event in memory of my friend Jeff Reis who lost ... |
Knee Replacement and the Mind-Muscle Linkby Richard A Haynes 8/30/2009 1. Turn off all media outlets. There is nothing more disturbing to a physical therapy session then to have a radio or television that you have to compete with. Though you may be watching something that is important to you, your full concentration cannot be given with one eye or ear to the media outlet and another on to your rehabilitation professional. You will be expected to learn the exercises to complete on your off days from rehab so, getting the lesson down with a full understanding is vital if you want to succeed and see results fast. 2. Keep the animals out of the room. Yes this is a big one. Everyone loves their animals however you will be hard pressed to concentrate on instruction and feel the appropriate muscles working with the dog or cat jumping into the middle of the exercise session. This happens more then you can imagine. To fully concentrate and actually visualize the knee and other muscular structures working, you need to keep your eye on the body part and not on the pet that may jump on that fresh incision. 3. Keep family members ... |
Shoulder Surgery - Do You Really Need It?by Nick Bryant 8/30/2009 Without getting too technical I will explain a little about the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. Your arm has a ball of bone on the end which sits inside a cartilage socket. The four muscles of the rotator cuff move the shoulder but also help hold the joint together. All these muscles run over and under the bones of the shoulder, back and chest so an injury to one of the muscles can be extremely painful. Any swelling to the muscles caused by an injury means that they can catch on bone or other tendons as they move. I tore the Supraspinatus muscle or rather one of its tendons. Because this tendon runs under my collar bone every movement meant that the tendon was being pinched. Trust me. That’s painful. I injured my shoulder by lifting something that was too heavy. After a few days of pain, I took my shoulder to the doctor who referred me to a specialist. He diagnosed rotator cuff syndrome which was confirmed by an MRI scan and I was booked for shoulder surgery. At the time, I was given a steroid injection into my shoulder muscle which reduced the inflammation and pain significantly, but gradually after about four weeks it started to deteriorate again and become more painful. Whilst waiting for my surgery date, which can take ... |
Flex Machine - Post Knee Replacementby Jerry Seaman 8/30/2009 Getting a surgery is a very big step for a person who has been suffering knee problems. But it is a known fact that getting an artificial knee does not mean you can get back into the normal life immediately. You and your new knee must undergo several processes to regain its functions. Part of these processes is the flex machine post knee replacement. You may wonder, "How can a flex machine aid a person who has just undergone surgery?" A Quick Look on Knee Surgery People who are suffering from osteoarthritis are the most common candidates for knee surgery. In their case, a lot of factors have contributed to the reduction of the cartilage that protects the joints. Because of cartilage loss, the joints are more prone to contact. The contact results to extreme pain for the patients. The extreme pain is due to the fact that the knee is under huge pressure while a person is doing the simplest of tasks like bending the knee or even standing up. To relieve the pain and to regain the ability of the patient to move freely again, it is necessary to have the entire knee with artificial ones. Enter the Flex Machines A flex machine is basically an equipment used in a method called continuous passive motion or CPM. CPM is a way for a patient to get used to the artificial knee and at the same time regain the strength of the lower bones and muscles. Center to the ... |
What to Expect During Knee Surgery Recoveryby Steve Butler 8/30/2009 Several techniques of repair and transplant have been developed in the field of knee surgery with varying degrees of success. For meniscal repair, a surgeon attaches sutures to hold the edges together. After serious types of ligament injuries the mobility of the knee joint is restricted. Mild ligament injuries usually heal well. During knee surgery recovery, you will need to commit yourself to a program of rehabilitation and should take care to be free from infection during the post operative period. A total knee replacement or half knee replacement is performed by the surgeon depending on the extent of degenerative damage that your knee has suffered. Half knee replacement is a procedure that is performed if only one side of the knee is damaged. Patients who have undergone this procedure show a quick knee surgery recovery and are able to get to get on with their normal lives within a short period. Most artificial knees will last ten years or more. Subsequent surgical procedures may be less successful than the original surgery. So, knee replacement is advised for older patients who are less likely to need replacements. During knee surgery recovery, you will be given pain relieving drugs and a course of antibiotics to prevent infection from setting in the joint. You can try walking the day after the invasive procedure as a part of knee recovery surgery. The physiotherapist will assist you in recommending a specific exercise routine that you may have to follow for resuming the movement in your knee joints. ... |
Life After a Stroke With a Physical Therapy Programby Rose Windale 7/30/2009 There is life after a stroke! The question is; are you determined to take what’s rightfully yours? Most stroke survivors find it hard to cope with life after the said medical condition, but wouldn’t it be rewarding and empowering if you won over the battle because you persevered and you did not give in? Life is every living things rightful own. It is up to you however if you give up the fight because you feel so useless. Remember that victory over this battle is as sweet as the food Ambrosia. Stroke, may impale half of your body, and alternately you may have to relearn the simple and basic skills, and you may also would have to relearn how to speak again, or even how to tie your shoelaces. The key to this condition is sheer determination. And Physical Therapy Program will help you get there. Truth is most of the skills that you rediscovered is mainly because of your "Will Power" and this in itself is rewarding. You will even have your very own cheering squad for added motivation. Yes, this endeavor requires a lot of hard work, but the reward of it is Respect in its highest form. Thus your story will be told after your time has past. Your name will become immortal in your family tree, and will be a symbol of strength in your clan. And to help you with your condition is the Physical Therapy Program which will lead you to your desired end. This program ... |
Rotator Cuff Therapy to a Pain Freeby Andy Finn 7/30/2009 This is paramount for the shoulder, even more so than any other joint because of the complexity of the rotator cuff structure. Due to the vast range of motion allowed to the upper arm, the shoulder joint is by its own very nature shallow, hence nature has evolved a system of four muscles connecting the top of the arm with the surrounding shoulder bones to prevent the arm from becoming dislodged during any movement. While the deltoid provides the main power to arm motion, the rotator cuff underneath it makes sure to keep it in place. The fact that we use arms all the time in our daily activities does not help for a prompt recovery to begin with. It is common for people affected by rotator cuff inflammation or frozen shoulder to take ages to recover, many months or even a year or more, leading many sufferers to consider micro surgery. This is in most cases unnecessary, because it is possible to reduce the inflammation and speed up recovery with the proper rotator cuff therapy and a set of ... |
Torn Rotator Cuff Symptomsby Andy Finn 7/30/2009 Torn rotator cuff symptoms can show up after an accident or repetitive motions and while they are more common in individuals over 40, they can also affect young people. The most common cause of this condition is repetitive movements, which lead to a progressive wear and tear inflammation of the shoulder joint, whereas the 4 muscles making up the rotator cuff become overworked. The initial symptoms are that of a light dull pain at night that can grow worse and worse if left untreated. As the affected person does not do something about immediately, the situation becomes more complicated. The simple snapping and clicking associated with movements can turn into a nasty condition called frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, that greatly restricts arm movement and impairs the sufferer a great deal in any daily task. Since I suffered from a frozen shoulder I know what it is like not being able to fully lift your arm or steer the car wheel without great discomfort or pain. Rotator cuff symptoms are the final outcome of an inflammation that has not been taken seriously enough from the start. Once started, it will usually last for as long as 3 years if left untreated. Mine lasted 15 months. It is best to avoid a torn shoulder to become frozen by quickly implementing a professional rotator cuff exercise program including stretching exercises. A non steroidal anti inflammatory drug such as aspirin or ibuprofen can alleviate the symptoms only for a short while, and must not be ... |
What is a Frozen Shoulder and How to Recover From Itby Andy Finn 7/30/2009 Frozen shoulder is what is commonly referred to as adhesive capsulitis. As the name implies the tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes sore and stiff due to an abnormal development of tissues, called adhesions, restricting movement. The pain is usually dull and continuous but it grows worse at night, while sudden attempts of full range movements can cause a strong shooting pain. Because of this the person affected will try to carefully avoid any painful movement and in doing so he will facilitate further tissue development in the shoulder joint and further restriction of range of motion. The full process of a frozen shoulder is divided into 3 phases: a freezing phase, a frozen phase and a thawing phase, all lasting few months each. It is in fact unfortunately common for a healing process to fully complete in 1 to up to even 3 years, depending on gravity. The condition rarely strikes people under 40, and it is more frequent with women, though by no mean exclusive. Several health conditions such as diabetes, strokes or rheumatoid arthritis can increase the chances of a frozen shoulder occurring. The impact of a frozen shoulder on a daily life is substantial, greatly limiting daily tasks such as reaching up for something or taking a shower. If the condition is "forgotten" for a moment it sharply gives you a reminder with a strong painful shot at any full range of motion attempt. Prevention by exercises in a full range of motion is the best way to ... |
Massage Techniques For Frozen Shoulderby Rex Taylor 7/30/2009 Did you know that there are massage techniques for frozen shoulder that can help you gain improved range of motion instantly and decrease your pain? Stiffness and pain that limit shoulder motion with adhesive capsulitis is primarily due to painful adhesions that form on the surface of the joint capsule. However in the early stages of this condition, some loss of motion is due to protective muscle guarding and spasm, which can limit the effectiveness of stretching exercises and in most cases actually increase shoulder pain with stretching! What happens is the patient is given a series of stretching exercises by their therapist in hopes to stretch or break adhesions, but because their shoulder may already be in an inflamed state, these exercises only inflame their shoulder more, thereby causing more pain, more inflammation, and more stiffness. Therefore these stretches are not doing what they are designed to do because of the protective muscle guarding. In the early inflammatory stages the patient should use frozen shoulder massage techniques to gain range of motion and allow the irritation to settle down before begin more aggressive with other stretching or ROM movements. When a person is given aggressive stretching exercises by their PT it’s no wonder they soon give up! One way to overcome this vicious cycle of pain is to use specific muscle release techniques. By locating these muscles and applying graduated pressure you can get the spasms to "let go", thereby instantly improving joint motion. Sometimes the outcome is very dramatic and ... |
Swimming Shoulder Painby Tim Allardyce 7/30/2009 Swimming shoulder pain is a common shoulder a powerful sport, offering a full body workout through its powerful strokes, kicks, and techniques. The shoulder plays a large part in this activity, and as a result the shoulder often become injured especially as we get older. Poor stroke technique is also a cause of shoulder pain and injury. The Butterfly stroke is the stroke that put most stress on the shoulder and is therefore most likely to cause shoulder problems. Shoulder Tendinitis and Swimming One of the most frequent shoulder conditions that swimming causes is shoulder Tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendon. In these cases, Tendinitis occurs because of the repetitive pinching of a nerve or surrounding structures caused by swimming. Tendons, or flexible fibers connecting muscle to bone, work with the bones as levers, pulling on the muscles to create movement. Tendinitis, bursitis, and impingement are very closely related and can all be caused by swimming. As people age, their tendons often fray and lose flexibility due to overexertion, stress, health issues, and wear, causing tendinitis. Swimming, and movements such as stirring, or pitching causes our tendons to inflame or tear. In the shoulder, tendinitis occurs when the rotator cuff and/or biceps tendon swells. This will vary in severity due to the extent the rotator cuff is affected. On average, the swimmers I have treated for tendonitis have been 40 years old or older and have led an active lifestyle. Tendinitis is most frequently found in the shoulder. A ball and socket joint, the ... |
How Physical Therapy Restores Your Motion and Strengthby Paul Ciatto 5/15/2009 Physical therapy is concerned with the prevention, treatment and management of movement disorders. It is a treatment that helps you restore your optimal function. Physical therapy is a treatment that is focused on the whole body not just the injury or condition being treated. It involves working with a physical therapist to design a complete physical therapy plan that includes therapeutic exercise. Tests are Performed A complete history of the problem is important to document before performing tests and measures that will thoroughly assess the condition. You may be tested for muscle strength, joint motion, sensory and neurological conditions, coordination and balance tests, and your movement observed. Each body is different from all others; different movement patterns, different alignments, and different muscle memory. Assessment and Treatment The physical therapy treatment is based on the initial evaluation findings along with ongoing reassessment and evaluation. Treatment may consist of a variety of hands-on joint and soft tissue treatment techniques, exercise techniques and pain reducing modalities. Physical Therapy Treatments are designed to help you: * Increase motion and strength * Reduce pain * And most importantly, restore function. Typically an active exercise program is prescribed, where education about recovery and preventative methods help to speed recovery. The physical therapy program will follow specific protocols or individualized treatment plans with the aim of the physical therapy being the return of body strength, function and mobility. It is important to be patient and follow the instructions provided. The best results will be ... |
Over-Pronation, Fallen Arches and Flat Feetby Peter Van Dyke 5/15/2009 Pronation and supination are commonly heard terms, often in association with fallen arches, high arches, flat feet etc. This article explains the meaning of these terms and looks in particular at the problem of over-pronation. You will read about the following: 1) What do the terms Pronation and Supination mean? 2) What exactly is over-pronation? 3) What are the consequences of over-pronation? 4) What can we do to fix the problem of over-pronation What do the terms ’Pronation’ and ’Supination’ mean? To understand the terms ’Pronation’ and ’Supination’, firstly we need to look at the gait cycle - that is the way we walk, or our ’walking pattern’. The gait cycle is broken down into 3 different phases: 1) Contact phase: Firstly the outside of your heel hits the ground. This is entirely normal and it’s the reason why most people’s shoes wear out faster on the outside heel area of the soles. Just after the heel strikes, pronation occurs. I.e. the foot flattens out and the ankle rolls inwards. At the same time, your lower leg rotates inwards from the knee down. The pronated foot is flexible and loose, allowing it to adapt to the ground you’ve just stepped on. Pronation is your natural ’shock-absorbing mechanism’. This contact phase continues until the foot is completely flat on the ground. 2) Midstance phase: The foot is flat on the ground and in this part of the gait cylce your body weight passes over your foot as the body comes forward. This is where your foot supports your body weight. The ... |
Proper Posture - Why Mom Always Says "Sit Up Straight"by Rose Windale 5/15/2009 Yes, that’s what moms always say. So did my fourth grade math teacher while we were wedged in her class for what seemed forever. "Sit up straight". So why do doting mothers and well-meaning teachers tell us this? Sitting up straight primarily has to do with proper posture. Proper posture is when your skeletal structure is correctly aligned when carrying out activities. Having proper posture is necessary when you’re on the move, or merely just relaxing such as lying down. Your posture is the window to your spine. And when the positioning of this particular structure of your body is incorrect, it can cause spine and nervous system problems. But more often, we tend to be unaware of improper posturing we carry out. For instance, slouching. You may think this is negligible. Slouching may seem harmless at first, but in the long run it can spell trouble. So it is forward head posturing. These improper postures hamper the lymphatic drainage in the neck. Consequently, muscles would become strained. Another posturing problem is the forward tilt of the pelvis. This, on the other hand results to anterior weight bearing. Even more so, sciatica, chronic low back pain, muscle and leg weakness could arise. This incorrect posture can further lead to the development of premature spinal arthritis of the discs and the joints. This significant health dilemma can result once this unhealthy posturing habit is not corrected, especially as it causes an unusual spinal weight bearing. These are few of the most common posture ... |
![+ [Physical Therapy]](header.jpg "+ [Physical Therapy]")
|
| |