Physical Therapy for Shoulder Injuries

Published on January 4, 2013 by: Renee Kirbs

Shoulder Injury Rehab Physical Therapy

The shoulder, a bony structure, is made up for the collarbone or the clavicle, the scapula or the shoulder blade and the humerus or the upper arm bone. There are also three shoulder joints, namely, the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular and the glenohumeral joints. A broken shoulder can cause serious health problems including pain. The major injuries to the shoulder are rotator cuff tear and fractures to any of the shoulder bones mentioned above.

Shoulder Injuries and Fractures

Clavicle Fracture

One broken shoulder condition is called the clavicle fracture. It happens when the clavicle receives a direct blow from a fall or accident. Pain and swelling can be felt in the front side of the upper chest. Pain can also be felt when moving the shoulder muscles.  Most often than not, a patient with this condition can feel the fracture through his or her skin and the bone will sometimes protrude.

Scapular Fracture

Another broken shoulder injury is called a scapular fracture and it occurs when the shoulder blade is damaged or injured. Although the scapula is sturdy, high speed vehicular accidents is one of the common causes for this condition. The patient will have reduced motion with his or her shoulder as well as swelling and pain.

Humerus Fracture

The third broken shoulder injury is the humerus fracture. The humerus is the upper arm bone and the fracture can be on the shaft, the upper end or the lower end of the bone. The proximal humerus fracture is a broken shoulder injury near the patient’s shoulder joints. The rotator cuff tendons might be affected with this condition as well. The mid-shaft humerus fracture is mostly associated with injuries to the radial nerve. The third classification is the distal humerus fracture and it occurs near the joint of the elbow.

Shoulder Injury Treatments

A physical therapist can recommend massage therapy to lessen the stiffness of a broken shoulder condition. The massage will also help in improving circulation and blood flow to the tissue injured. As lactic acid will build up in the shoulder, applying direct massage can stimulate the area and relieve any pain or spasms the patient might experience.

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

Stretching exercises for a broken shoulder injury would focus mainly on combating stiffness and restoring range of motion. As the patient’s shoulder condition improves, he or she will slowly gain the full functionality of his or her shoulder.

Strengthening exercises can be done for a broken shoulder as soon as the shoulder starts to heal. The physical therapist can assist the patient perform exercises for improving muscular function, increasing endurance and strength and restoring full range of motion.

Shoulder Injury Treatment Plans

Whether the treatment plan for a broken shoulder is surgical or not, extensive physical therapy rehabilitation might be required for full recovery. As always, a patient should always consult qualified medical professionals for any medical course of action for this type of condition.

Physcial Therapy for Achilles Tendon

Published on December 19, 2012 by: Renee Kirbs

Achilles Tendon Injuries & Recovery

An Achilles tendon injury is a condition that affects the long tendon that stretches from the heel bone to the calf muscles. This tendon allows the patient to extend the foot and to point the toes. Called the calcaneal tendon, it receives load stress when the body is walking and running.

For athletes, the risk of an Achilles tendon injury is very real and a potentially career ending sports injury. In severe cases, too much force applied on the tendon can cause it to rupture ompletely or tear partially.

Achilles Tendon Injury Causes

There are activities that might cause an Achilles tendon injury. Failing to stretch properly before exercising is one, and abrupt increase on physical activity involving this tendon is another. Being flat-footed can be another cause of this condition. The muscles and the tendons get stretched when the arch of the foot collapsed in fallen arches or overpronation.

Popular sports that can cause Achilles tendon injury are volleyball, tennis, basketball, softball, baseball, football, dance, gymnastics and running. When the muscle tenses abruptly, the tendon can be severely affected. This is true when a patient starts to move very quickly without warming-up or stretching.

Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury

Symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury can be felt from mild tenderness, stiffness and swelling to more severe pain along the back of the foot.  Sometimes a popping or snapping noise can be heard during the injury. In cases of complete tear of the tendon, the patient will experience difficulty in flexing his or her foot and in pointing his or her toes.

Healing An Achilles Tendon Injury

Physical therapy treatment approaches to an Achilles tendon injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury, your overall physical condition and what type of exercises you are able to handle.

In mild cases, this injury can actually heal on its own. To help in speeding up the process for an Achilles tendon injury, the patient can avoid putting pressure on the injured leg. Ice can also be applied to reduce the swelling and the pain.  A physical therapist can recommend ice therapy for up to 30 minutes, every 4 hours for 4 days or until the swelling and pain recedes. Strengthening and stretching exercises can also be performed once the patient has recovered from the Achilles tendon injury to prevent any recurrence.

Prevention Is Better Than The Cure

They said that prevention is better than cure. Medical practitioners have recommended several things to avoid an Achilles tendon injury. It is important to always stretch the Achilles tendon and leg muscles before and right after any physical activity. Uphill running should be avoided unless necessary.  Shoes with sufficient support should always be used and it is always best to stop any activity if pain or tightness in the heel or calf is felt.

Physical Therapy for Hip Pain

Published on December 15, 2012 by: Renee Kirbs

Hip Pain Is A Common Ailment

Contrary to popular belief, hip pain is not restricted to seniors. It can affect individuals of all ages at any time through over-exertion, sports injury, accidents and disease. When it happens it can be extremely debilitating. The hip is one of the major weight and stress bearing joints in the body. Impairment in hip function makes it difficult to maintain an active lifestyle or even day to day activities. The hips support our entire torso and are the bridge between the joints in the lower extremities (knee, ankle, foot) and the torso.

Sometimes, biomechanical abnormalities in the lower body manifest over a period of several years, triggering hip pain and knee pain. If an individual is overweight, there is excessive strain on the hip and knee joints while walking and climbing stairs. For example, years of running or even sitting in the wrong posture can cause excessive degeneration of the hip joint, finally take their toll several decades later in the form of excruciating hip pain.

Muscle Strain, Arthritis or Somethnig Else?

Patients everywhere, including Ann Arbor, Michigan, find it difficult to describe hip pain. Determining the location of the symptoms will pinpoint if the pain is from the hip or the lower back. If the pain is in the front of the hip or joint, it is likely that you are experiencing arthritis in the hip joint or have experienced a muscle strain. If the pain is on the side of the hip, it might be caused by the swelling of the bursa of the hip, a sac filled with fluid that allows muscles and bones to move smoothly. If the pain is in the buttocks or back of the hip is a likely sign that the pain is centered in the lower back.

Overusing over a period of time can result in pain, which explains the high incidence of hip pain in athletes. Despite this, some of the common causes of hip pain include sitting too much and driving long distances.

Lifestyle Causes

A sedentary lifestyle in the western world can also cause hip issues. Some cultures require sitting on the floor and squatting, which can result in greater flexibility and movement.

If you have added movement to your lifestyle, changed your sitting posture, tried gentle stretching, your hip should feel a lot better.

What To Do For Hip Pain

If the hip pain persists, call a physical therapist that can create a customized treatment plan to mitigate hip pain and improve or restore your quality of life.

You will discover a lifestyle that incorporates better posture, alignment, and better movement. Contact your therapist to find out why your hips are in pain and learn to take the necessary steps to get rid of the pain.

Physical Therapy for Ankle Sprains

Published on December 13, 2012 by: Renee Kirbs

Ankle Sprain and Physical Therapy

The ankle is the most common site of sprain in the human body. An ankle sprain can happen to you at a time when you least expect it. Normally, it occurs after a sudden unnatural twisting of the foot which can tear the ligaments of your ankle. An ankle injury affects every aspect of your daily life particularly your ability to walk.

The symptoms of an ankle sprain vary depending on the severity. There might be tenderness, bruising, swelling and stiffness. Walking can be painful if the ankle sprain is serious.

Just about everyone has the painful experience of spraining an ankle. The experience is more painful than what you expect and often the recovery time is much longer than you expects. Unfortunately, once an ankle has been sprained, it is at a much higher risk of re-injury. Athletes especially find they experience repetitive ankle sprains as the ligaments stretch further and further. Soccer and basketball players, tennis stars, marathon runners, and anyone else who use their legs for exercise can get caught up in the cycle of injury and recurring sprains. But this cycle can be prevented.

Strength and balance exercises, which can be designed for you, can be effective at reducing the risk of ankle sprains and pain associated with the injury. Strength training utilizing the muscles that turn your foot in (these muscles are called the invertor muscles) and turn your foot out (these muscles are called the evertor muscles) may lower the incidence of ankle sprains.

Depending on your needs, your physical therapist may recommend balance training using a ‘balance board’, which is an excellent way to stabilize and strengthen the muscles in the foot. This can be useful in preventing ankle sprain.

Balance intervention training involves an assortment of strength training exercises. There are physical therapists in Ann Arbor, Michigan which can teach you how to safely conduct these exercises so you eventually can perform them at home.

Combined, all the things your physical therapist can teach you can result in a significant reduction in the risk of injury to the ankle. This is especially valuable for athletes, individuals in jobs that require standing all day and women who spend a lot of time in heels.

Your physical therapist can determine an individualized, effective balance and strength training exercise routine and provide you with an exercise program to continue at home. One of the most important elements in starting a new routine is correct technique. Your therapist will show you how to correctly do the necessary exercises so that your body protects itself without the risk of further injury.

If you want to strengthen your ankle and minimize the possibility of suffering from an ankle sprain, all you need is a simple balance training program from your physical therapist.

Post Surgery Physical Therapy

Published on December 10, 2012 by: Renee Kirbs

Physical Therapy for Post Surgical Recovery

Surgery is often required to repair muscular or joint tears or instability, or other types of problems within affected areas of your body. After your surgery, rest is a crucial part of your recovery. In addition to rest, physical therapy is a necessary means to restore and optimize your affected areas Your physical therapist's fundamental goal is to improve your overall post surgical mobility. In some cases, it is his or her goal to restore your mobility to its optimum, pre-injury and surgical level. In other cases, it is his or her goal to surpass any of your previous mobility levels, which further protects you from the threat of re-injury. While you will perform many of the exercises in your physical therapist's office, it is pertinent that you also follow his or her home exercise plan to experience quicker, long-lasting post surgical healing. There are many types of range of motion exercices that can help to restore and improve your flexibility and mobility. Your doctor will work with your physical therapist to develop an individualized plan of action that helps your body gradually regain the ability to function within your own unique lifestyle, work, and athletic regimen.

Range of Motion Exercises

After a surgery, such as knee or shoulder surgery, your physical therapist utilizes range of motion exercises to help you regain optimal mobility of the affected area. For example, each joint in your body has a normal sphere of motion that allows the joint to effortlessly move from a starting to ending position without pain or discomfort. You can use the natural arm/wrist rotation as a visual guide of this inherent process. After an injury and subsequent surgery, your range of motion will be negatively affected by factors such as torn tissues, contracted ligaments or tendons, weakened muscles, scar tissue or swelling. Therefore, your physical therapist will prescribe personalized exercises designed to help you gradually increase your joint's contraction and expansion capabilities, which ultimately serves to eradicate the threat of re-injury to the joint.

Flexibility/Stretching Exercises

After lower body surgeries, such as knee or ankle surgeries, flexibility exercises are important to restore peak future walking and lifting abilities. Your physical therapist will design a custom flexibility exercise plan for you, using mainly stretching exercises, that targets the affected muscles. Some typical types of exercises to restore lower body flexibility include side and forward lunges, leg cross over stretches, knee to chest bends, and standing quad stretches. If you undergo upper body surgery, such as shoulder surgery, your physical therapist will most likely have you do shoulder and chest stretches, tricep stretches and bicep stretches as part of your individualized recovery plan.

How Range of Motion and Flexibility/Stretching Exercises Improve Your Overall Mobility

Your physical therapist's fundamental goal is to improve your overall post surgical mobility. In some cases, it is his or her goal to restore your mobility to its optimum, pre-injury and surgical level. In other cases, it is the goal of the physical therapist to surpass any of your previous mobility levels, which further protects you from the threat of re-injury. While you will perform many of the post-surgery rehab exercises in your physical therapist's office, it is pertinent that you also follow his or her home exercise plan to experience quicker, long-lasting post surgical healing. For more information you can contact a physical therapist who specializes in post surgery rehab treatment.

Sports Injury Rehab and Physical Therapy

Published on December 10, 2012 by: James H. Hobson

Physical Therapy for Sports Injuries

Playing sports is often a double-edged sword. On the one hand, being active in sports shapes your character to include discipline, tenacity, commitment and hard work in your mental repertoire. Playing sports also gives you physical strength, balance and overall improved health. However, being active in the sport of your choice also gives you the opportunity to injure yourself on a daily basis. While medical doctors are necessary to correctly diagnose your sports injury, physical therapists are necessary to help you manage the pain and restore strength and flexibility to the affected body part. Analyzing some common sports injuries, and the ways in which physical therapists generally treat them, will give you an idea of what to expect during your personalized recovery plan.

Common Sports Injuries Requiring Physical Therapy

Ankle Sprains

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, ankle sprains account for almost half of all reported sports injuries. The ACSM adds that these types of sports injuries generally arise from the inward rolling, or inversion, of your ankle. Resting and short yet frequent ice treatments are usually recommended for the first day or two. Then, your physical therapist will devise a personalized plan of action that usually includes balance training exercises, range of motion exercises, sport and/or job-specific rehabilitation training, and ankle muscle strengthening exercises.

Shoulder Injuries

When you experience shoulder injuries arising from playing sports such as football or baseball, expect your physical therapist to use a device called a goniometer to measure the strength and range of motion of your injured shoulder. He or she will then prescribe range of motion and strength training exercises, and cold therapy treatments to help you recover. Your physical therapist might also use a TENS, or electrical stimulation device, to help you better manage your pain throughout the ordeal. A TENS device is an instrument that uses electrodes to send electrical impulses into the nerves that are alerting your brain of pain in those areas of your body. The TENS device relaxes muscle spasms and temporarily stops nerve pain over the affected area.

Neck Injuries

Physical therapists generally use a variety of treatments to help sports-derived neck injuries, such as falling while skiing. In addition to having you perform exercises to strengthen your neck muscles, your PT might also have you use alternating hot and cold treatments on your neck. He or she might also put your neck in a neck traction device, which expands the openings between each of your cervical vertebrae. This relieves the pressure off of your neck, which in turn reduces your pain.

Strained Back

Sports injuries resulting in strained back muscles require your physical therapist to incorporate a variety of techniques to help you recover from the injury, and avoid further strain. For example, your PT might put together an individualized plan of action that includes spinal manipulation, flexibility and strengthen exercises, and heat and cold therapy. He or she will most likely show you proper sitting, bending, and lifting techniques that correspond to your particular sport, to help you avoid further aggravating your strained back, or re-straining your back at a later date.

Muscle Spasms

Your PT will utilize a variety of exercises to help you recover from muscle spasms you experience while playing sports. Usually, your PT will have your begin all of your treatments on the TENS device to help decrease the muscle spasm pain. The, your physical therapist will help you perform area-specific exercises to help you stretch and strengthen the affected muscles.

Tennis Elbow Injuries

In addition to utilizing the TENS machine, your physical therapist will massage your elbow to reduce pain, stimulate muscle and tendon healing, and increase the blood circulation around your elbow. He or she will also prescribe exercises to help strengthen and stretch the tendons and muscles within your elbow. The physical therapist will also most likely encourage you to alter your swing to avoid repeatedly having to undergo tennis elbow treatments.

Stretching For Better Health

Make Time To Stretch at Work

Published on August 01, 2012 by: Renee Kirbs

An eight-hour work day, especially when associated with sitting in one position, can cause muscle tightness. The simple solution is to stretch your body at regular intervals whether you’re at the office, at home, or outdoors. Here are some tips to remember when stretching.

• Don’t rush. Start stretching slowly. Do not overstretch.
• Breathe normally. Never hold your breath.
• When stretching, hold the stretch for about 15 to 20 seconds and feel the tension in your muscles subside as they stretch.
• Repeat the same stretch 2 to 3 times to improve your muscle flexibility.
• Avoid sudden movements when stretching.
• Enjoy stretching. Use the time to relax.
• Maintain good posture while stretching.
• If you feel any discomfort, pain, tingling, numbness, or loss of strength, stop stretching and contact your physician or physical therapist immediately.

Stretching helps improve blood circulation, release tension, and boost energy. Don't forget to take a few minutes to stretch every day.

Benefits of Stretching

It's simple and easy to stretch your muscles. Regular stretching has several benefits including:

• Improved circulation. Stretching increases blood flow which brings nourishment to your muscles and gets rid of waste products. This helps reduce recovery time for muscle injuries.
• Decreased muscle tension, anxiety, stress, and fatigue.
• Increased flexibility and joint range of motion. You feel refreshed and relaxed after you stretch.
• Improved exercise performance. Stretching before exercise is a good way to increase the effectiveness of exercise.

A Simple Office Chair Stretch

Working in an office usually means sitting in one area for several hours. This ultimately leads to bad posture and low back pain due to tight hip flexors and shortened hamstrings. You can help prevent these aches and pains by performing the following simple stretches:

• Finger and Hand Stretches. Place your hands on your desk, and stretch your hands while spreading your fingers until you feel a stretch. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
• Wrist Stretches. Sit upright in your office chair. Lift one arm and stretch it out in front of you with your palm facing upward. Gently grab your fingers with your other hand. Slowly pull the hand of your extended arm down. Hold 10 seconds. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
• Shoulder Stretches. Lift your right arm and reach behind your head. Place your hand on your upper back making certain your arm is as close to your ear as possible. Use your left hand to gently hold your right elbow while pulling it towards the back of your head. Hold for 15 seconds.
• Spine Twist. While sitting upright in your chair, place your left arm behind your left hip. Hold onto your chair as you twist your upper body to the left. Place your right hand onto your chair to increase your stretch. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise five times with each side.