Popular Physical Therapy Methods

10 Nov 2017 Physical Therapy , , , , , ,

Whether it’s a short-lived pain from a sporting injury or long-term pain from conditions like arthritis, pain can be difficult to live with and manage. From helping arthritic pain and bursitis, to the recovery from broken and fractured bones, and sprains and strains, physical therapists are highly educated healthcare experts in the movement and function of the human body, called kinesiology.

Physical therapists have a special aptitude for assessing the human body and helping restore it back to optimal performance after injury or surgery. Many people experience pain at some point in their lives, whether it is acute or chronic. Physical therapy has been known to improve function for patients experiencing hip, knee, shoulder, and lower back pain. It may also be an effective method in reducing pain for patients with conditions such as tendonitis.

Armed with cutting edge equipment and a huge background of knowledge, PTs can help diagnose and treat many common conditions and disorders affecting movement and function, which often disrupts and affects someone’s ability to live their life normally. Often, doctors turn to physical therapy methods to try and relieve pain and restore function, before turning to surgery as a last resort.

Therefore, armed with cutting edge equipment and a huge background of knowledge, physical therapists can help diagnose and effectively treat many common problems, and most importantly improve or restore mobility, relieve pain, and reduce the need for surgery and prescription drugs.

Physical therapy is an essential part of total patient care, especially when recovering from injury or surgery. Having a good quality of life depends on our health, and if people are in constant pain and suffering, life can be difficult to navigate. That’s why physical therapists can make all the different in your treatment and recovery process. Attitude and motivation are two important psychological factors that often affect the outcome of a situation. PT’s are trained to encourage their patients, helping them reach their goals, whether they are long-term or short-term.

Physical therapist’s work with their patients on a one-on-one basis, track their progress through treatment, and really make a difference in their lives, by getting them back on their feet, and lifting their spirits, encouraging the patient to keep moving forward. Whether the patient’s problem is a result of injury or disease, the physical therapist is a rehabilitation specialist with one goal in mind: helping patient’s recover by restoring optimal function and mobility, and preventing further disability.

Your PT will complete a full evaluation before making an accurate diagnosis.

Therapeutic exercise and functional training are the cornerstones of a physical therapy treatment plan. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, in order to promote proper movement and function, physical therapists will work with individuals to prevent loss of mobility by developing fitness and wellness oriented programs, for healthier and more active lifestyles.

Popular physical therapy methods include:

  • Ice and heat therapy: Ice is best for swelling and inflammation, while heat is best for muscle spasms and tightness
  • Manual Therapy:  Manual therapy includes dry needling, cupping therapeutic taping, and other techniques such as soft tissue mobilization and IASTM. These techniques can be helpful in restoring tissue mobility, improving muscle and joint function, decreasing inflammation, improving stability, and facilitating weak muscles.
  • Exercises: Exercise is a main go-to strategy to treat and prevent pain. These aren’t just exercises like you do at the gym, PT exercises are specially chosen and specifically tailored to help treat the patient’s specific problem. These exercise techniques are hand-picked to help patients move better by strengthening certain muscles, and addressing any imbalances that may exist.

To learn more about the popular physical therapy methods, call us in East Tucson at (520) 784-6570, Northwest Tucson at (520) 382-8201, or Oro Valley at (520)382-8180, or request an appointment online.

Is Your Pain Stemming from Arthritis?

26 May 2017 Arthritis , , ,

Though pain is never pleasant, it’s an important signal our bodies use to warn there’s something wrong. Usually, what’s wrong is that you have an injury of some kind, or in some cases your body can even be misfiring pain signals.

When you have an injury – in the case of arthritis, an injury to your joints – the damaged tissues release chemicals that alert nearby sensory nerves. These nerves carry the message up your spinal cord to your brain. Your brain processes the message and sends a signal to your motor nerves to take action.

So how do you know if your symptoms are caused by arthritis or something else? While joint pain and stiffness are the most common terms used to describe arthritis, the warning signs are quite specific. Here’s what you need to know to get the right diagnosis, and the best treatment.

Symptoms of arthritis include:

  • Joint pain and tenderness
  • Inflammation in and around the joints
  • Restricted movement of the joints
  • Warm, red skin over the affected joint

Technically, pain is considered chronic when it lasts three to six months or longer, but arthritis pain can last a lifetime. The symptoms of arthritis depend on the type that you have and the location. While there are multiple types of arthritis, the two main types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, which often gets worse with age and is caused by wear and tear. This type of arthritis affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint. This makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs, called osteophytes. Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling. The outer covering of the joint called the synovium is the first place that becomes affected. This can then spread across the joint, leading to further swelling and a change in the joint’s shape, and may cause the bone and cartilage to break down. Unfortunately, people with rheumatoid arthritis can also develop problems with other tissues and organs in their body.

Tips for relief from the painful symptoms of arthritis:

1. Exercise: Light to moderate physical activity is often one of the best things for the body. Remember to stay hydrated and don’t overdo it. You can often get a specific exercise plan catered to your specific needs or condition, made up by your healthcare professional.

2. Use hot and cold therapy: This often depends on the type of tightness or swelling involved, but it’s best to speak to a doctor or physical therapist about the proper ice or heat therapy to stick to.

3. Eat a healthy diet: Believe it or not, there is a whole list of different types of food that are known to either cause or reduce inflammation in the body.

4. Manage your weight: Simply put, the less weight and pressure put onto bones and joints, the better.

If you’re living with chronic pain due to arthritis, it may be time to take a closer look at your symptoms and explore treatment options. For more information about arthritis and other painful joint conditions, call Tucson Orthopaedic Institute at our East Tucson office at (520) 784-6200, Northwest Tucson office at (520) 382-8200, or Oro Valley office at (520) 544-9700. To request an appointment, you can call or use our secure online appointment request form.

Common Sources of Shoulder Pain

28 Apr 2017 Shoulder Pain , , ,

The shoulder has a wide and versatile range of motion. However, when something goes wrong with your shoulder, it prevents your ability to move freely, and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that has three main bones: the humerus (long arm bone), the clavicle (collarbone), and the scapula (also known as the shoulder blade). These bones are cushioned by a layer of cartilage. There are two main joints. The acromioclavicular joint is between the highest part of the scapula and the clavicle. The glenohumeral joint is made up of the top, ball-shaped part of the humerus bone and the outer edge of the scapula. This joint is also known as the shoulder joint.

A number of factors and conditions can contribute to shoulder pain. The most prevalent cause is rotator cuff tendinitis. This is a condition characterized by inflamed tendons. Another common cause of shoulder pain is an impingement syndrome where the rotator cuff gets caught between the acromion (part of the scapula that covers the ball) and humeral head (the ball portion of the humerus).

Shoulders get their range of motion from the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is made up of four tendons. Tendons are the tissues that connect muscles to bone. It may be painful or difficult to lift your arm over your head if the tendons or bones around the rotator cuff are damaged or swollen.

You can injure your shoulder by performing manual labor, playing sports, or even by repetitive movement. Certain diseases can bring about pain that travels to the shoulder. These include diseases of the cervical spine of the neck, as well as liver, heart, or gallbladder disease. You’re more likely to have problems with your shoulder as you grow older. It is especially common after age 60. This is because the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder tend to degenerate with age.

Other causes of shoulder pain include several forms of arthritis, torn cartilage, or a torn rotator cuff. Swelling of the bursa sacs (which protect the shoulder), or tendons can also cause pain. Some people develop bone spurs, which are bony projections that develop along the edges of bones.

To learn more about shoulder pain and what could be causing it, call Tucson Orthopaedic Institute at either the East Tucson office at (520) 784-6200, or the Northwest Tucson office at (520) 382-8200,

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