Physical Therapy Archives - Washington Physical Therapy

Are You Experiencing Both Back AND Neck Pain? PT Can Help

Relieve Your Back and Neck Pain with the Help of Physical Therapy!

Back and neck pain are very common problems that many people deal with throughout the course of their lives.

According to the National Institute of Health, back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Even school-age children can have back pain.

Unfortunately, it's not always a straightforward job to locate the exact cause of pain you experience in your neck or back. Pain can also spread to your arms, legs, and head.

Fortunately, physical therapy can help .People often end up paying for costly surgeries to find relief, or falling back on addictive medications that can cause adverse health effects later in life.

However, there is a safer remedy for pain in the back and neck: physical therapy!

How can physical therapy help with my back and neck pain?

No matter what age you are, neck and back pain is absolutely not easy to deal with! The good news?

Physical exercise, regardless of the root cause of pain, has been shown to help with neck pain or back pain. For those trying to prevent costly procedures or dangerous drugs, physical therapy is a completely safe, natural, and effective mode of care.

If you have pain in your neck or back, contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation today and see how physical therapy will help you get back to a pain-free life.

Our physical therapists are trained and waiting for you; they've helped a lot of people, and you're next in line!

What can I expect from a PT treatment plan?

A personalized recovery plan that is tailored to your needs will be developed by your physical therapist.

Since the origin of your back or neck pain may vary, this treatment plan may be different for you than it would be for anyone else.

For example, you might be experiencing pain because of a herniated disc, a degenerative disc disease, whiplash from an auto accident, a sports injury, arthritis or poor posture.

A few conditions that could be the root cause of the pain you’re feeling are as follows:

Strains & sprains: This is a very common issue that sends people straight to a physical therapist. It is not uncommon for athletes to incur sprains and strains to the neck or back regions when engaging in sports that require aggressive overuse of a body part or muscle.
Osteoarthritis: Arthritis is developed due to wear and tear on the facet joints. This causes friction when bending, can result in pinching a nerve root, or in sciatica.
Degenerative disc disease: This condition occurs when there is wear and tear on the discs.
A herniated disc: This condition occurs when the gel-like material of the disc bulges or leaks out.

How can a physical therapist help me?

A thorough evaluation of your physical condition will be done, and a customized recovery plan will be formulated to remedy the cause of your back or neck pain.

To find the root cause of your back or neck pain, your physical therapist will perform a comprehensive examination. To test your range of motion, he or she may use an instrument called a goniometer. It is also likely that they will conduct a strength test on you.

Spinal mobility is assessed along with palpation in order to find sore or tight muscles. Your physical therapist will also ask you to perform some activities in order to find out what your level of functional mobility is.

Your physical therapist will also take a look at your medical history to see if there are any factors that could be contributing to the discomfort you are currently experiencing, such as previous accidents or surgeries.

During this time, you can discuss the things that you are now not able to do as a result of any past injuries you might have sustained.

What else should I know?

There are several common methods of physical therapy for neck and back pain. Physical therapy for these disorders focuses on spinal support systems.

They include tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. Physical therapists typically provide stretches, exercises, and adjustments to alleviate discomfort in the neck and back.

Some therapists also use water exercises to make the therapy even easier. Aquatic therapy is helpful because the buoyancy of the water eliminates the pressure from the cervical and lumbar spine when you exercise.

Passive physical therapy also involves a range of techniques, such as heat or ice therapy, massage therapy, electrotherapy, and ultrasound therapy.

Heat or ice therapy can increase blood circulation to speed up the healing process and reduce swelling and inflammation. Massage therapy will relax your muscles to reduce your pain.

With electrotherapy, electrical waves are sent directly to the sensory nerves to prevent the signs of pain from reaching the brain. Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to reach deep into the tissues and soothe affected areas.

Ready to get started?

Make a call today and learn how we can get you on the road to recovery.

When we have the answer right here; there's no need to suffer from pain any longer! Contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation today.

Source:

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/low-back-pain-fact-sheet

Improve Your Balance Today with Core Strengthening Exercises

Become Steady on Your Feet with the Help of Physical Therapy!

Did you know that strengthening your core muscles is related to the development of better balance? It’s true!

When your core muscles are good, they have a better chance of stopping you from suffering chronic lower back pain and other injuries.

They can even stop you from losing your balance or falling over. A strong core helps hold you in an upright position, particularly as you get older and become more at risk of falling and injuring yourself.

If you are interested to learn more about developing a core routine to strengthen your balance, please contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. Schedule a meeting with one of our licensed physical therapists today!

Have you tried the drawing in maneuver?

To start with, stand up straight. Find the right pelvic position by moving your hips forward and backward until you are relaxed. Then take a deep breath and draw your belly button to your spine. Make sure you don’t hold your breath, because this isn’t a breathing exercise!

You’re supposed to be able to speak, breathe, and walk around your house with your belly button pulled in. It sounds pretty straightforward on paper, but if you’re older, recovering from injury, or out of shape in general, it’s going to be a little difficult at first.

The goal is to build up your core strength until you can keep your belly button for 30 seconds. Then you can move on to some more demanding core exercises.

If you feel any pain at all from this maneuver, stop right away, as it shouldn’t be painful!

As you build up your core, your physical therapist will recommend that you move on to more strenuous tasks and workouts that are better suited to your age and capacity.

They range from bridges and planks for more athletic individuals, to gentler routines (like yoga) for older individuals. Your therapist will also work with you on clear core activities to help you balance.

Improve your core muscles strength and balance with PT!

You don’t need a bunch of expensive gym equipment to start working on your core strength. In fact, here’s a quick exercise that many physical therapists will recommend if you’re just starting out. It’s called the “drawing in maneuver,” or if you prefer the less fancy term, “sucking your gut in.”

Contrary to what many believe, it’s not necessary to go out and buy a ton of expensive gym equipment or memberships to work on your core strength. According to the Mayo Clinic, any exercise that involves the use of your abdominal and back counts as a core exercise.

Here is a fast and easy exercise that many physical therapists recommend to patients who are just beginning to work on theirs. It’s referred to as the “drawing-in maneuver.” We all have probably done it before; ever heard of the phrase “suck your gut in?” This is pretty much the same thing!

What should I know about my core?

Most people believe that when you’re working on your core, you’re just doing abs, but your core muscles are more than just abs! There are two types of core muscles: the inner core and the outer core.

The inner core muscles are attached to the spine. These are the muscles that balance the core and hold it in the correct place. The outer core muscles work together with the inner core muscles when you need to rotate your body to perform much of everyday physical activities.

Core stability has to do with the inner core muscles. These muscles are stabilizing for the spine. Core strength relates to the outer core muscles, and when properly formed, works to help you move about with ease.

Frequent visits with a licensed physical therapist will help you train your inner and outer core muscles for improved balance and movement!

How balance and core strength complement one another in your core muscles

In total, your body has three systems that help regulate and sustain your balance. The first one is the vestibular system, which is responsible for giving your brain the necessary information it needs about how we move, our head position, motor functions, etc.

The liquid in your inner ear functions as part of this system, sort of like a “carpenter’s balance” to keep you level. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling off-kilter or dizzy, it means that the liquid in the vestibular system is off a bit.

The second balancing system is your visual system. Your eyes send informational signals to your brain regarding your position in relevance to the world around you. The third balancing system is the proprioceptive system, which deals with your core and the muscles in that area.

Your proprioceptive nerves are sensory nerves located all over your body. They make you aware of your posture, as well as aware of where you are positioned compared to things surrounding you.

In order to stay properly balanced, all three of these systems need to be in equilibrium. A weak core is one element that can not only throw off this internal equilibrium, but can also make you feel off balance to the point of falling over.

Improve your balance today!

Physical therapy will help if you have a poor core or are struggling with balance!

Your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your condition, determine your physical ability, and build a personalized care plan to suit your needs.

Please contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and arrange a meeting today to get started with a physical therapist.

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/core-exercises/art-20044751

Ready to Gain More Energy and Say Goodbye to Pain?

Better Your Health with These 5 Tips!

If you have recently been dealing with pain and are searching for lasting relief, our physical therapists are here for you. With a personalized physical therapy plan, you can discover highly efficient ways to treat your pain and improve your overall energy levels.

Our physical therapists have the experience to help you actually live a pain-free life. Please contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation today to learn more and arrange your first appointment with us!

Here are five helpful tips that you can use to generate more energy and alleviate acute or chronic pain!

1. Make sure to hydrate

It is recommended that we drink about an ounce of water for each pound we weigh each day! That seems like a lot, but it normally averages out to be around 7-8 glasses.

Drinking enough water will prevent you from dehydrating, and this will allow you to avoid muscle cramps, headaches, fatigue, and constipation.

Water is always the healthiest drink option, so make sure you keep a full bottle or thermos near you at all times during the day.

You will notice that the more water you drink, the less pain you feel, and the more energy you have. The added bonus is that it can help you keep your appetite under control so you’re less likely to gain unnecessary weight.

2. Practice proper posture

If you make improvements with your posture it can make a massive difference with your overall health.

A physical therapy program can help you improve your posture, and this is something you can also carry out long term. Sitting and standing with your shoulders back, chest out, and a straight spine is a good start.

Avoid sitting slumped over a book, desk, or your computer at work! Your physical therapist can guide you towards proper posture habits that will help relieve pain and pressure.

3. Make ergonomic changes to the way you sit

The way you sit can have a massive impact on your pain and energy levels. Your physical therapist might recommend that you change the way you’re sitting to relieve pain.

A lumbar cushion behind your back can help relieve pressure in your lower back region. By avoiding pain, you’ll feel less zapped of energy at the end of the day. Your physical therapist will be able to offer a specialized treatment plan full of tips and exercises to help you adjust your sitting habits at home and in your work environment.

It’s also important to make sure you’re not sitting for prolonged periods without breaks. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome.”

Be sure to take breaks at work and get up to move around!

4. Get moving

Most of us underestimate how critical it is to move around a lot every day. This is something physical therapy will make very clear to you! When you are in pain, it might be instinct to curl up in the fetal position on your side, but that’s the worst option you can choose.

Forcing yourself to get up and walk around a bit every hour is a better choice, even if you just take a simple walk around the room. This can help relieve your pain immensely, and give you an extra boost of energy.

5. Make sure to breathe

Obviously you’re breathing all the time, however, it’s not focused breathing! Your physical therapist will show you how practicing focused breathing techniques can help relieve your pain and give you an energy boost during the day.

Every few hours, make sure you take a moment to yourself to stop, shut your eyes, and breathe. Breathe in deeply through your nose.

Make sure your lungs are as full as possible, and then breathe out through your mouth. Let a bit of air out through your lips by keeping them lightly pursed, and focus on nothing but your breathing for a few minutes.

You’ll be shocked at how much of a difference it can make with your energy and stress levels!

Ready to get started?

Physical therapy is a safe, healthy, non-invasive way to recover from injury or illness and get back to feeling your absolute best. Be sure to use the tips above to add to your customized physical therapy plan for optimum results.

If you’re ready to learn more about how healthy eating and exercise will bring back your energy and alleviate irritating pain, we’re here for you! Call Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation today to arrange a consultation with a licensed physical therapist!

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005

Ready to Relieve Pain the Natural Way? Say Goodbye to Drugs with PT

Kick Pain Management Drugs to the Curb Today!

The world we live in today is heavily medicated. Go to any grocery store or pharmacy and you'll find countless over-the-counter drugs. Doctors also consistently prescribe more extreme pain relievers, including opioids that have been widely abused over the years. Drug abuse is everywhere, and it is an ongoing battle that patients are constantly fighting.

If you've ever experienced an injury, you know it can turn your everyday life upside down. If it's a car accident, a sports-related injury, a workplace injury, or even an unintentional fall, the pain from a sudden injury can make you feel helpless. To fight this, many people resort to pain-relieving medications, such as opioids. However, what many people don't know is how much more damage these drugs do to their body than they realize.

If you're struggling with chronic pain but don't want to pump your body full of addictive drugs, you'll be delighted to discover a better, safer alternative: physical therapy. Physical therapy is a natural and effective approach to chronic pain that can make you feel better in the long-term. Let's look at how this kind of natural treatment will boost your quality of life!

You can choose the natural path to pain relief!

Your physical therapist is going to show you what to do but they don't have to do all the work! In order for physical therapy to be effective for you, you have to make an effort.

Our physical therapists here will take the time to teach you about your pain and the value of maintaining your stretches and workouts at home for long-term relief.

However, at the end of the day, you make the decision to completely partake in your journey to get rid of pain!

How can a physical therapist help relieve my pain?

Because everybody is different, and the pain levels of everyone are different, physical therapy procedures must be as well! Depending on your particular condition, your physical therapy pain treatment strategy may be different from anyone else's.

Your doctor might decide to use massage therapy, heat, ice, ultrasound, or other therapies to relieve your pain and speed up the healing process if you are dealing with pain from a recent injury.

If you are able to get up and exercise comfortably, a physical therapist will recommend simple stretching, walking, swimming, or cycling to assist with the mobilization process.

These kinds of physical therapy are excellent for helping to restore mobility to soft tissues, allowing them to function more freely and comfortably. They are also excellent at keeping arthritic joints mobile and lubricated.

Strengthening exercises can repair and rehabilitate weakened muscles to avoid causing pain. Physical therapy often includes certain exercises to help strengthen your posture, balance, and gait.

Why YOU should choose physical therapy

If you keep up with the news on a daily basis, you’ve most likely heard about the dangers of opioids. These narcotics, which include both illegal drugs and prescription medication, are the cause for at least 115 overdose deaths in America every single day.

The APTA states that clinicians “[…] should consider opioid therapy only if expected benefits for both pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient." Opioids are extremely powerful and can interact with other drugs in a dangerous way. They also lead to abuse and addiction as well.

Steroids are another dangerous class of prescription medication, and pose many risks and dangers to your health. Epidural steroid injections are used to relieve pain, but can cause arthritis in the hips, cataracts, stomach ulcers, elevated blood sugar, and nerve damage stemming from the injection itself.

Even ordinary NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are capable of causing liver problems and bleeding in the stomach, which is worrisome, because many people who don’t even have chronic injuries use these daily.

Physical therapy can prevent you from having to deal with all of these unpleasant side effects. Some cases of severe discomfort might still require you to take medication, but physical therapy helps plenty of patients decrease -- or even eliminate -- their dependence on pain medication.

Our physical therapists will use a combination of treatment techniques to help get your pain condition under control, no matter if it’s from an acute injury, or a wound from a recent surgery.

Physical therapy is a good option for you especially if you’re looking for ongoing chronic pain management that doesn’t include constant drug usage, or if you’re already on other essential medications and you’re worried about how they will interact with your pain meds.

Ready to get started?

It should be clear now that opioids and over-the-counter medications are not the only choice for pain relief.

There are a variety of treatment services available to you via physical therapy. Our therapists are here, waiting for your call!

Contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation today to learn more about our natural options and get back to a drug-free, pain-free lifestyle.

Source:

https://www.apta.org/apta-magazine/2018/10/01/moving-away-from-opioid-reliance

You Don’t Have to Live in Pain – Discover Relief with Physical Therapy

Finally Find the Relief You’ve Been Looking For

Have you suffered from sports injuries or a traffic accident recently? If you have, chances are you're still struggling with the consequences. It's time for a shift if you are dealing with acute or chronic pain and have yet to find relief. To learn more about how our certified physical therapists will get you on the road to a pain-free life, contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation today.

How can physical therapy help me avoid injuries?

The nervous system can still send signals of pain even after the injury has completely healed. A physical therapist can also inform you about sensory re-education for chronic pain, in addition to offering pain relief for you. Sensory re-education reduces sensitivity and desensitizes the nervous system to the affected region.

In order to avoid re-injuring the same position in your body in the future or getting a new injury, your physical therapist will also teach you new ways to move in your daily life. For example, if you regularly lift heavy objects, you're likely to strain your muscles without noticing them until much later. Physical therapists will teach you the best ways to bend and lift without damaging yourself.

Do you have any of these conditions?

According to the APTA, “Studies have established the efficacy of physical therapy in treating and reducing pain as well as preventing chronic pain.”

Here are a few common disorders that, with the help of a licensed physical therapist, can be eased or even removed.

Arthritis: Arthritis is typically mistaken for a disease that one only encounters as they age, but no matter how old someone is, it can affect everyone! Therapeutic exercise services can alleviate pain and enhance the physical function of individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis.
Rehabilitation done before and after surgery: "Pre-hab," or rehabilitation prior to surgery, has become more popular. It has been found to enhance patient outcomes and mechanisms of recovery. Studies also show that beginning physical therapy about a month before a planned procedure can also greatly accelerate the recovery period. During the healing time following a procedure, seeing a physical therapist is often a must to ensure proper alignment of muscles and joints when you learn to move around again.
Lower back pain & sciatica: Sciatica is a condition in which pain radiates down the legs, thighs, and buttocks. It is also normal for some parts of the leg to feel a numbness, burning, or tingling sensation. Exercises and stretches of physical therapy can help ease the pressure put on the sciatic nerve and in turn, minimize general discomfort felt in areas of the back.

What will a PT treatment plan look like?

Certain modalities can also be used in physical therapy to obtain pain relief.

A few are as follows:

Ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound technology can send sound waves deep into inflamed tissues and joints, prevent pain signals from getting to the brain, and is useful for musculoskeletal problems.
Electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation is often used in some physical therapy treatment programs, where currents are sent to soothe affected areas and relieve discomfort.
Direct manipulation. Direct joint manipulation may be performed to enhance functioning and maintain proper alignment.
Massage therapy. Massage therapy is a manual procedure used to improve mobility in confined or limited areas. This is achieved by rhythmic stretching and applying deep pressure to fibrous muscle tissue. Massage therapies are effective in breaking up scar tissue and adhesions caused by inflammation or injury. It also helps increase blood flow and circulation to affected muscles and soft tissues.
Hot and cold therapy. Heat and ice packs may be used to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected areas. In physical therapy, this is a very prevalent treatment tool which can be used to complement other forms of pain relief.

How will physical therapy benefit me?

Physical therapy is aimed at minimizing and removing pain while enhancing mobility and function.

According to WebMD, "Physical therapy is often one of the best choices you can make when you have long-term pain (also called chronic pain) or an injury. It can make you stronger and help you move and feel better.”

Typical physical therapy includes numerous targeted workouts and pain relief stretches. You are presented with these exercises to strengthen the function of your core muscles. To help restore balance and range of motion, some physical therapists use bikes, exercise balls, weights, or other devices.

It may also be part of the recovery plan to use your own bodyweight for pushups and lunges. All exercises are intended to alleviate discomfort, target trouble areas, and relax muscles.

Ready to get started on your PT plan?

It's time to put your foot down if you are dealing with pain that affects your everyday life. Enough is enough. You don't have to deal with soreness, aches, and inflammation day in and day out that stops you from enjoying the things you love!

A licensed physical therapist will analyze your condition, determine any underlying health conditions that you may have, identify the cause of your pain, and clearly develop a personalized care plan for your needs.

To learn more about our pain management and relief options, contact Washington Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation today; our physical therapists are ready to help. Schedule an appointment with us today to find relief!

Ready to Say Goodbye to Opioids? Find Effective Relief Through PT!

Did You Know that Physical Therapy Can Help You Achieve Even Better Results than Opioids?

Another day, another trip to the pharmacy. This is the treadmill that many chronic pain sufferers find themselves walking, month after month and year after year.

Prescription pain medications can only do so much to keep your suffering at bay -- and in the case of opioids, you may find yourself purchasing larger amounts more frequently just to keep up with your ever-increasing tolerance to these powerful drugs.

If you're tired of exhausting your patience, wellness and wallet, maybe it's time you talked to your doctor about switching to physical therapy as your primary pain management strategy.

Physical therapy can help you govern your pain without drugs, giving you a chance to break away from your reliance on opioids.

How physical therapy can help you find effective and long-lasting relief

Instead of emptying your pockets on frequent drug refills that don't even address the source of your discomfort, ask your doctor whether physical therapy might help you wean yourself off of opioids or other medications. (You may need medical supervision to reduce heavy opioid use safely.)

An experienced physical therapist can examine the reasons for your pain and then devise a targeted, personalized pain management plan. Here are just a few of the ways physical therapy can replace all those bottles of pills:

Chronic nerve pain can be controlled with a technique called transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TENS), which uses electrical impulses to intercept pain messages. Cold laser therapy can ease neuropathy symptoms and promote nerve healing.
Chronic muscle spasms respond well to cold laser therapy, massage therapy, and heat/cold therapy.
Chronic headache/migraine pain can be reduced through a combination of massage, cervical spinal adjustment, and lifestyle or dietary changes to help you avoid known headache or migraine triggers.
Severe neck or back pain can be managed through a combination of strength training, stretching exercises, and chiropractic adjustment.
If you suffer from crippling arthritis pain, physical therapy exercises and massage therapy can help you control joint pain and stiffness.

The many perils of opioids

There's no disputing the fact that pain medication is a profitable industry. In addition to the enormous sums spent by consumers on over-the-counter pain relievers, the worldwide market for opioid drugs has been estimated at $25.4 billion -- and it's expected to keep growing.

Opioids prevent pain signals from reaching the brain, enabling them to combat even the most severe pain. Unfortunately, the price of frequent opioid use far exceeds the money you pay for these drugs. The more you use opioids, the more likely your body is to develop a tolerance against them.

As a result, you need to keep taking more frequent and/or more potent doses to achieve the same degree of pain relief. This is a fast, potentially deadly path to addiction.

Don't assume that you're getting a good deal from non-addictive pain relievers, by the way. Milder drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen may not get you "hooked," but their painkilling effects are short-lived, forcing you to keep dosing yourself every few hours.

These medicines can also cause health problems with frequent or heavy use, with risks ranging from stomach bleeding to liver failure.

Find pain relief with physical therapy today

Physical therapy can help you get a handle on your pain so that you don't need opioids anymore. Of course, you should only discontinue high doses of opioids under professional medical supervision (to prevent a potentially dangerous withdrawal).

In the meantime, however, our physical therapist can work with you on treating the biomechanical problems that caused your pain in the first place.

Here are just a few of the physical therapy modalities that can help you conquer your pain:

Exercises can increase your pain-free range of motion, strengthen the muscles that support your body, and increase blood flow to reduce inflammation.
Massage therapy can control painful muscle spasms, help the tissues expel inflammatory substances, and direct more blood and oxygen to an injury.
Laser therapy can ease pain caused by injuries, arthritis, muscular strain, tendinitis, or neuropathy.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses electrical energy to block pain signals to nerves.

Say goodbye to opioids, once and for all!

If you're going to invest time, effort and money into feeling better, do it in a way that actually helps your body for safer long-term solutions.

If your doctor agrees that physical therapy can help you ditch the drugs, contact our physical therapist to schedule an initial appointment and work out a pain management program!

Sources:

Chronic Joint Pain Doesn’t Have to Control Your Life – Find Relief with Physical Therapy

Did You Know An Estimated 54.4 Million U.S. Adults Are Diagnosed With Arthritis?

54.4 million adults living in the United States are diagnosed with arthritis - that equates to about 1 in 4 Americans. Of those, about 27% report experiencing severe joint pain.

If you are one of these adults living day to day with severe joint pain, we can help. Contact Washington Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation today to learn more about how physical therapy can help relieve and manage your chronic joint pain.

Why physical therapy is better than surgery for chronic joint pain relief

According to Harvard Health Publishing,

“Trying physical therapy before opting for surgery may be the better choice. You may be able to spare yourself the expense, pain, and recovery time of surgery, says physical therapist Karen Weber, clinical supervisor at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Centers in Braintree and Quincy, Mass.

There is growing evidence supporting that idea. In the past few years, studies have indicated that physical therapy is just as effective as surgery for relieving pain and restoring function for people with arthritis in their knees or backs.”

Why physical therapy is ideal for arthritis pain

Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility for those with arthritis. It also restores the use of affected joints, reduces pain and strengthens muscles to support the joints. A physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan to improve flexibility, coordination and strength for maximum physical function.

Specifically, a physical therapist will use exercise and manual therapy to treat arthritis. Strengthening exercises and weight-bearing exercises are implemented to improve joint lubrication. This helps reduce the pain associated with arthritis.

A physical therapist will develop a treatment plan that targets all areas of the body affecting the pain. For example, if you suffer from knee pain, the exercise regimen will include proper knee mechanics and the lower back, ankle and hip. Physical therapists also use various manual therapy techniques like joint and soft tissue mobilization to treat the symptoms of arthritis.

Joint mobilization entails the moving of a joint through working with a natural level of resistance. This technique helps stretch and strengthen the tissue surrounding bone and reduces pain and increases range of motion.

Other passive modalities that a physical therapist may use to treat pain from arthritis include ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), cryotherapy or heat. TENS utilizes electrodes to trick the pain from feeling pain.

Ultrasound utilizes heat to help the deep tissues of joints. It helps reduce inflammation and pain. Cryotherapy reduces inflammation and swelling. All around, physical therapy is a holistic treatment for arthritis.

So, what are the different types of arthritis?

There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common type. The cushioning surface on the bones wears away, and bone rubs against bone.

The joints can lose strength, and joint pain is often chronic. With inflammatory arthritis, the immune system goes awry. It attacks the joints with inflammation. This can cause joint erosion and joint pain.

Infectious arthritis occurs when a virus or bacteria enters the joint. Even though antibiotics may end the infection, arthritis can become chronic. Metabolic arthritis is due to too much uric acid in the body. It can build up and cause chronic joint pain.

Passive and active therapies

Once our physical therapist has isolated the underlying cause of your chronic joint pain, we can prescribe techniques to help you start feeling - and moving - more like your old self.

Physical therapy for joint pain may start with passive exercises, in which we move the afflicted joint for you to increase its pain-free range of motion.

Exercises that reduce the amount of weight on the joints can also be extremely helpful. For instance, we may recommend swimming or water walking as a means of exercising the hips and knees without also forcing them to bear your full weight.

Other types of exercises can also help you overcome your joint pain while improving joint function. Strengthening exercises help by reinforcing the muscles and connective tissues that serve the joint. Corrective exercises and neuromuscular re-education can help you maintain a straighter, more symmetrical posture.

Last but not least, physical therapy offers a variety of helpful modalities beyond exercise. We may treat your joint pain with heat, ice, and manual therapies such as massage, just to name a few.

Schedule a consultation with one of our physical therapists today

If you’re suffering from arthritis, it’s wise to consider physical therapy.

Not only is it non-invasive, you may be able to throw away those pain meds. The goal of physical therapy is to help you live an active, pain-free life.

Contact us today to get started!

Sources:

Are Headaches Causing You Frequent Pain? Find Relief with Physical Therapy

Did You Know Physical Therapy Could Help With Headache Relief?

The term "sick headache" might have been coined to describe exactly how you feel today -- and every day. A one-off headache encounter can be distressing enough, but frequent or constant headache pain can completely disable you.

Many of these headaches have underlying musculoskeletal or biochemical causes - which means that they can be corrected through the right forms of treatment. In many cases, physical therapy turns out to be just what the doctor ordered for chronic headaches and Washington Physical Therapy and Rehab can help solve your pains.

Are you experiencing these symptoms?

Stress-related headaches can vary widely in severity, although they're rarely as debilitating as migraines.

They tend to a generalized ache over a broad region of the head, as opposed to attacking a specific area such as the eye (a trademark of another type of headache called a cluster headache).

The tension that brings them on may stem from emotional stress (if that emotional stress creates chronic neck tightness), but it may also be caused by:

Weak neck muscles that become fatigued easily
"Text neck," a strain disorder that occurs if you're always drooping your head forward to look at your smartphone
Repetitive motion or overuse from work or sports activities
Secondary pain problems such as arthritis in the cervical spine

Stress-related headaches that bother you for more than 15 days out of the month for 3 months or more are considered a chronic pain condition.

Physical therapy and headache relief

Our physical therapist can help you get to the bottom of your headache problem.

If your headache is cervinogenic in nature, we may need to work on your neck. For instance:

Our physical therapist can help you identify other migraine triggers and suggest strategies for avoiding them in your everyday life.
If your migraines are the result of a recent concussion, a carefully-administered course of physical therapy can actually help you recuperate from that concussion more quickly.
Corrective exercises and postural/ergonomic changes can help you steer clear of "text neck" and other occupational headache triggers.
Laser therapy and massage therapy can both relax tight neck tissues and speed recovery to injured muscles.
Chiropractic adjustment can correct skeletal misalignment issues that place your neck muscles under unnatural strain. These adjustments can also help to reduce cluster headache attacks.
Exercises that strengthen and loosen your neck muscles can help to ease the stresses that set off your headaches.

What’s causing my persistent headaches?

What is a headache, beyond the simple definition of a pain in the head? There are actually several categories of headaches, each with its own distinct causes and symptoms.

For most sufferers, chronic headaches mean tension headaches. A tension headache can be triggered or aggravated by emotional tension, but the actual mechanism involves physical tension in the muscles of the neck.

Tight or strained neck muscles can go into spasm. When spasms overtake certain tiny muscles near the base of the skull, the resulting tugging action irritates a membrane called the dura mater. The dura mater then responds by flooding your head with a vaguely pounding or aching sensation.

Weak or underdeveloped neck muscles may be naturally vulnerable to tightness and spasms. Accident injuries (including whiplash) can push the skull off-center in relation to the neck, subjecting the neck muscles to abnormal stresses. (A headache that specifically involves the upper cervical spine is termed a cervinogenic headache.)

Even routine postural problems can cause neck strain and tension headaches. For instance, if you stare down at your smartphone for hours each day, you can develop a painful problem known as "text neck" which also promotes headaches.

Other kinds of headaches, while less common, can prove even more debilitating. Cluster headaches are a prime example. These intense headaches strike one side of your face in clusters of attacks. These headaches have been associated with cervical spinal abnormalities.

Migraines are even more notorious for causing nausea, light/sound sensitivity, faintness and vision problems on top of brutal headaches. Migraines sometimes occur as a complication of concussions; they are also triggered by exposure to specific stimuli such as lights, sounds, or foods.

Schedule a consultation with a physical therapist today

You're not doomed to go through life plagued by frequent headaches. If you're ready to free yourself from this burden, give physical therapy a try.

Contact our physical therapist today to learn more about our headache treatment options!

Are You Living With Chronic Low Back Pain? Find Relief Today

Did You Know Physical Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain?

Got low back pain? Then get a physical therapy referral!

Physical therapy is a leading profession involved in the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain.

In fact, low back pain is one of the most common reasons people come to work with a physical therapist.

Researchers in our field have even developed concise and comprehensive practice guidelines to help therapists manage this condition in their patients.

Keep reading to learn how physical therapy treatments with Washington Physical Therapy & Rehab can help you find meaningful relief from your lower back pain!

Do you have back pain?

Did you know that approximately 80 percent of Americans have experienced (or will experience) back pain? That's an unfortunate statistic, especially if you're already one of those sufferers.

Chronic back pain can prevent you from performing the countless daily tasks you need or want to perform.

Even when you're not engaged in activity, your back pain may be keeping you miserable 24/7. But don't assume that drugs can provide more than temporary relief, or that surgery won't create more problems than it solves.

Instead, go with the healthy, natural way to kiss your back pain goodbye -- through physical therapy.

Some facts about back pain

“Back pain” is an all-encompassing term used to describe a vast number of conditions that cause pain in the upper or lower back. Sports-related injuries, poor posture, and car accidents are just a few of the many ways that someone can develop back pain.

The most common cause of back pain is from sustaining an injury. This can happen in one of two ways - from an instant, sudden trauma, or from a repetitive-use injury that develops gradually over time.

Because back pain is so commonplace in the United States, there is a lot of information we have on the topic. Below are some facts about back pain:

Back pain is the number one disability for those under age 45.
In the United States alone, there are an expected 31 million people with lower back pain at any given time.
Back pain runs second, only after the common cold, as the top reason for visiting a healthcare provider in the United States.
Experts place the likelihood of any person to experience some type of back problem in their lifetime at about 80%. That’s four out of every five people!
30-40 percent of all workplace absences are due to back pain.
Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months, and 7.6% reported at least one episode of severe acute low back pain within a one-year period.
More than two-thirds of back strains are caused by lifting and other exertions, such as pulling and pushing.
Most cases of back pain are mechanical—meaning they are NOT caused by serious conditions, such as infection, fracture, or cancer.

1. All physical therapy treatments are safe for all ages.

The risk for low back pain tends to increase with age, but people of all ages can struggle with this broad condition.

Fortunately, physical therapy services that are proven effective for low back pain—including corrective exercises and spinal manipulation—are safe and appropriate for folks from all walks of life.

If a specific service is contraindicated for you, your physical therapist can deliver plenty of other treatments to support your healing.

2. Physical therapy treatment plans are safe, non-invasive, and personalized for your needs.

Based on the current clinical practice guidelines created by the American Physical Therapy Association's Orthopaedic Section, a person presenting with low back pain can be classified into one of several distinct treatment categories, based on a thorough examination.

This type of systematic categorization is cost-effective and beneficial, since it helps patients receive services specifically designed for their needs.

Thanks to their extensive training, a physical therapist can skillfully tease out hidden issues contributing to your back pain condition, such as nerve impingement, movement incoordination, poor core muscle activation, and range of motion limitations.

These are issues that are often overlooked or under-addressed by other professionals—and explains why interventions that just provide symptom relief are often not effective in the long-term.

In other words, if underlying issues like instability or incoordination aren't addressed, your issue is likely to recur!

By addressing the underlying causes of your back pain and then systematically managing these issues with personalized treatment based on research, a physical therapist can alleviate your symptoms and reduce your likelihood of chronic suffering.

3. Physical therapy can help decrease your risk of sustaining a back-related injury or condition.

Low back pain is so common that most people will have it at least once in a lifetime.

It's not always clear what triggers back pain in the first place, and most experts agree that there are usually multiple issues at play, including activity level, occupation, age, family and medical history, and the presence of other health conditions like smoking, obesity, and diabetes.

A physical therapist can work with you to help you identify and modify your preventable risk factors. For example, sitting too much is correlated with lower back pain.

By helping you control your pain and improve your physical function and ergonomic environments, a physical therapist makes it easier for you to increase your physical activity level and minimize the amount of time you spend sitting.

Consult with a physical therapist today

Physical therapists are experts at identifying how low back pain limits a person's participation in daily activities, and how these limitations can be resolved or compensated for.

After all, your progress outside the clinic matters even more than your progress inside the clinic! Our physical therapy team at Washington PT & Rehab always looks for the bigger picture of your condition and will help you modify your daily tasks in a way that will make you feel successful, safe, and confident.

Don’t Let Pain Control Your Life – Find Relief with Physical Therapy

Did You Know Physical Therapy Could Help You Finally Find Relief for Your Chronic Pain?

As you may have already learned the hard way, chronic pain can hurt more than just your body. Conditions that limit your mobility and prevent you from pursuing your favorite activities can make you feel a gut-wrenching loss of control over your own life.

The sheer endless onslaught of pain can also promote serious mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. If you're not living the life you want, you can change that life by changing your approach to your chronic pain problem.

That's where physical therapy can come to your rescue.

Passive and active therapies to help relieve your chronic pain

Once our physical therapist has isolated the underlying cause of your chronic joint pain, we can prescribe techniques to help you start feeling - and moving - more like your old self.

Physical therapy for joint pain may start with passive exercises, in which we move the afflicted joint for you to increase its pain-free range of motion.

Last but not least, physical therapy offers a variety of helpful modalities beyond exercise. We may treat your joint pain with heat, ice, and manual therapies such as massage, just to name a few.

Take control with physical therapy

Simply taking action and trying a new weapon on your chronic pain can make you feel better by giving you back your feeling of control.

You'll feel even better once your physical therapy program starts to tame your pain and restore your mobility. A caring physical therapist provides you with all kinds of tools, beginning with a better understanding of your pain's causes and effects. You'll receive valuable education on how you can use physical therapy for a lifetime of drug-free pain management.

Then there's the physical therapy itself. Strength training, flexibility exercises, massage, laser therapy, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), dry needling, heat or ice treatments, and acupuncture can all work together to reduce your pain and inflammation.

A long-term physical therapy pain management plan can even include techniques to "rewire" your brain. We can show you how to alter your relationship with your pain, enabling you to pursue your exercises and other treatments with more energy and enthusiasm.

As your pain recedes, your mood stabilizes and your sleep quality improves. Best of all, you will feel like you're calling the shots for your life once again.

Did you know chronic pain could have these limitations on your life?

Chronic pain is a lingering source of distress by definition. Pain that goes on for months or years at a time can wreck your life, especially if you know that irreversible damage lies at the root of the pain.

As a result, you may experience any or all of the following torments:

Depression and anxiety. There is a clear, well-established link between chronic pain and equally debilitating mood disorders. One study found that 77 percent of chronic pain sufferers also suffer from depression. Major, long-term depression can have its own negative effects on your health, from sleeplessness and fatigue to difficulty concentrating. The unpredictable or frightening aspects of chronic pain, from its impact on your medical bills to concerns over a serious illness, can also cause intense anxiety or aggravate a pre existing anxiety disorder.
Learned helplessness. Chronic pain can lead to a psychological response known as learned helplessness, especially when your chosen pain-fighting techniques aren't getting results. Eventually you stop even trying to combat the waves of pain and the limitations that they impose on you.
Lifestyle limitations. Your life was a lot more fun, varied and involving before chronic pain came along. Now that you can no longer play your favorite sport, pursue a beloved hobby, play with your kids or work at your job, you feel understandably bored and frustrated.

Physical therapy over surgery for chronic pain

According to Harvard Health Publishing,

Schedule a consultation with your physical therapist

Don't let chronic pain tell you what to do or how to feel. Reclaim command over your life, starting today.

Contact our physical therapist to learn more about our pain-busting methods. You'll be taking the first step toward a happier existence!

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