Category: Aches & pains

Physical Therapy Clinic in West BloomfieldBlogAches & pains
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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains

You Can Rid Your Body of Aches and Pains – Without Opioids!

You don’t need to have a history of addiction to become dependent on opioids – in fact, many people who become addicted have never had any issues with drug dependency in the past. Fortunately, physical therapy can help provide the same pain relief in a much safer, healthier, and natural way.

As stated by the APTA website, “The White House has announced that APTA is among the organizations that have joined a public-private partnership to combat opioid usage and prescription drug abuse, and that the association will reach out to the public and its members to deliver the message that pain can be effectively managed through conservative, non drug approaches.

Physical therapists can help individuals manage pain, and greater use of physical therapy could make a real impact on the tragic levels of drug abuse in this country—abuse that often begins with a prescription for pain medication.”

If you are ready to find relief without the side effects of opioids, contact us today.

Why you should avoid opioids

It’s crucial to understand the differences between opioids and over-the-counter medications. There aren’t many serious health hazards when people use over-the-counter drugs to relieve pain. When it comes to pain relievers, Advil, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen are generally okay to use in moderation if you’re recovering after a vehicle accident.

But with severe pain, from a more serious injury you may have sustained during the accident, prescription-strength medications may be issued. However, with severe pain comes severe medication, as well. Opioids are the most commonly used medication for pain management across the United States. Even though they are commonplace, they contain some shockingly harmful facts:

  • Opioids are a highly addictive substance and are the most commonly abused prescription medication.
  • Opioids are a highly dangerous class of substances. Heroin is among the opioid category, as well as prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and more.
  • More than 2 million people in the United States become addicted to pain medication every year, many of the medications being opioids.
  • About a quarter of heroin addicts began their addiction through prescription opioid dependency.

These facts, while disturbing, cannot be ignored. They paint a bleak picture regarding prescription pain medication use across the United States, to the point where experts believe it has become an epidemic.

You don’t need to have a history of addiction to become dependent on opioids – in fact, many people who become addicted have never had any issues with drug dependency in the past. Fortunately, physical therapy can help provide the same pain relief in a much safer, healthier, and natural way.

Choosing physical therapy over medication

The goal of physical therapy is to improve function and reduce pain. Both active and passive modalities are used to help reduce pain.

Physical therapy is effective for avoiding unnecessary surgery and for developing a dependence on opioids. This is why physical therapy is often the first point of entry in the healthcare system for pain management.

Pain education is an important component of physical therapy intervention. A physical therapist will educate you on the source of your pain and give you tips on how to manage your daily activities in order to reduce or eliminate pain.

All around, physical therapy is a much safer avenue than opioids. If you’re suffering in pain, say “no” to opioids and “yes” to physical therapy.

It is important to note that opioids and over-the-counter drugs are very different. When people turn to over-the-counter medications to help ease pain, there aren’t many significant health risks. For the most part, Advil, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen are safe to use in moderation if you are trying to find immediate relief when recovering from your car accident.

But with severe pain, from a more serious injury you may have sustained during the accident, prescription-strength medications may be issued. However, with severe pain comes severe medication, as well. Opioids are the most commonly used medication for pain management across the United States. Even though they are commonplace, they contain some shockingly harmful facts:

  • Opioids are a highly addictive substance and are the most commonly abused prescription medication.
  • Opioids are a highly dangerous class of substances. Heroin is among the opioid category, as well as prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and more.
  • More than 2 million people in the United States become addicted to pain medication every year, many of the medications being opioids.
  • About a quarter of heroin addicts began their addiction through prescription opioid dependency.

These facts, while disturbing, cannot be ignored. They paint a bleak picture regarding prescription pain medication use across the United States, to the point where experts believe it has become an epidemic.

Benefits of physical therapy for chronic pain

A physical therapist utilizes a number of different pain management methods, such as deep tissue massage, manipulation of bones, manual therapy, cold laser therapy, microcurrent stimulation, movement therapy and exercise. Exercise may involve walking on a treadmill or specific exercises to strengthen the muscles.

Keep in mind that just 30 minutes of exercise a day will help you with pain management. The exercise plan that a physical therapist will devise for you will be focused in strengthening the muscles, increasing endurance, developing more flexibility in the joints and muscles, and creating stability in the joints.

Physical therapy is a multifaceted approach to pain reduction. The body is urged to manufacture natural pain-relieving chemicals and repair itself through exercise, massage, and manipulation. With physical therapy, both tissue and bone will rebuild.

Deep tissue massage improves the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. Cold laser therapy is used to alleviate pain, inflammation, and endorphin release. Microcurrent stimulation produces alpha waves, which naturally enhance dopamine and serotonin levels and relieve pain. A physical therapist will collaborate with you and your doctor to develop an effective pain treatment plan.

Get started today

You can say “no” to opioids with the help of physical therapy. Chronic pain can make you curl up in bed and turn to opioids for pain management. It’s important to note that physical therapy can be implemented to treat all types of neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal pain.

A physical therapist uses the fundamental sciences of biomechanics, pathology and kinesiology to formulate a specific exercise treatment plan for patients.

It can help alleviate pain due to osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathic pain, headaches and more!

Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our physical therapists – and say goodbye to opioids today!

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains, Physical Therapy, Stretching

9 Good Reasons To Stretch More Often

When is the last time you gave your body a good, long stretch?

Stretching should be a part of your everyday routine if it isn’t already. A nice stretch is the best way to start your day, regardless of who you are. Stretch has a lot of advantages, and it’s absolutely fine if you don’t know where to start!

A physical therapist can explain why stretching is beneficial to you as an individual and how it can help you enhance your overall quality of life. Please contact our office for further details and to set up an appointment, and in the meantime, read this list of 9 reasons why stretching can benefit you!

Reason #1: Stretching cuts back on your stress.

Every one of us carries stress in our bodies. When you are under a lot of stress, your muscles constrict, making you feel tense and on edge. Stretching generates natural endorphins, which help you relax, improve your mood, and lower your stress levels.

Reason #2: Stretching improves your flexibility.

Improving your flexibility and range of motion is a common objective in physical therapy. Better flexibility comes with a slew of advantages. It boosts your physical performance and lowers your risk of injury. Furthermore, as you grow more flexible, your body uses less energy to do daily tasks.

Reason #3: Stretching allows for better blood circulation.

One of the main purposes of a stretching program is to increase blood flow to the extremities. Blood helps you stay healthy by transporting oxygen to your cells.

This aids in the effective functioning of your organs by promoting cell proliferation. Stretching also decreases your heart rate, allowing your blood pressure to return to normal and relieving stress on your heart. Stretching can also help to enhance blood circulation, which can help to lessen soreness after a workout.

Reason #4: Stretching decreases muscle soreness.

Stretching before and after a workout gives your muscles plenty of time to relax and loosen up. Stretching promotes blood flow to the muscles, as previously stated. This transports oxygen and a variety of essential nutrients to the muscles, reducing discomfort after an exercise.

Reason #5: Stretching increases your stamina.

After a strenuous workout, a good, long stretching session might actually boost muscle stamina. Stretching boosts blood flow to painful muscles while also relieving weariness. Stretching helps to maintain oxygen flowing to your muscles, which helps to keep muscle weariness at bay.

As a result, your muscles will be able to “hang in there” for a longer period of time before becoming fatigued!

Reason #6: Stretching improves your cholesterol.

Stretching sessions can help to reduce cholesterol in your body, as long as you’re also following a heart-healthy diet. This can help you avoid heart disease. Stretching has even been shown to reverse the effects of hardening arteries due to cholesterol.

Reason #7: Stretching decreases your risk of injury.

You may believe there is little risk of injury if you work in an office. However, what about when you have to bend over, pick up, and carry a 20-pound package of office supplies? This might easily result in a pulled or strained muscle, causing weeks of agony and requiring physical therapy to recuperate. Stretching on a daily basis will considerably reduce the likelihood of an occurrence like this occurring.

Reason #8: Stretching can improve your posture.

Stretching every day can help posture by lengthening certain muscles that have a tendency to tighten up when we sit in a chair for work all day. Focusing on your lower back, chest, and shoulders will aid in keeping your spine properly aligned. Stretching also relieves aches and pains, which can cause you to want to slouch.

Reason #9: Stretching boosts energy levels

The best reason to stretch first thing in the morning is for this reason alone. A few excellent stretches, done correctly with deep breathing, will provide you with the energy boost you need to get your day started. Take a quick “stretch break” if you start to feel lethargic at work during the day.

Contact us today:

If you’re excited to start stretching but don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help! Contact our office today to set an appointment with a physical therapist to learn more about how adding stretching to your daily life will benefit you.

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains, Physical Therapy

Bounce Back To a Pain-Free Life With Physical Therapy

Are you in serious acute or chronic pain? Perhaps you’ve had an issue with your back or hip for a long time. Maybe you’re healing from an unforeseen sports injury, or you’re still coping with the effects of an automobile accident. No matter what the case may be, physical therapy can help you with any problem you’re having. If your pain is interfering with your everyday activities, please contact our clinic as soon as possible to book a physical therapy session.

Our physical therapists are experts in human mobility, and our practice uses a variety of drug-free, non-invasive, and successful strategies to help our patients in a variety of ways — far beyond symptom treatment.

Physical therapy treatments are effective in helping patients restore the healthy, joyful, and active lifestyle they desire and deserve for five reasons:

1. Physical therapists are able to identify hidden factors contributing to a patient’s pain.

Your discomfort will not be “masked” by a physical therapist. Our therapists uncover and address underlying issues that are contributing to your current health and putting you at risk for chronic problems.

Shortened muscles, scar tissue, range-of-motion limits, muscular activation issues, poor ergonomics, and body mechanics, and postural abnormalities are all common causes of chronic pain. If factors like these are left unaddressed, your symptom relief would likely be temporary at best.

Through services such as patient education, work-conditioning programs and other techniques previously mentioned, a physical therapist can address both symptom and cause of your pain condition.

2. You don’t have to worry about side effects with physical therapy.

Physical therapy treatments, unlike many drugs and invasive procedures, have a very minimal risk of side effects. They’re also still quite good at reducing pain, swelling, inflammation, and other symptoms associated with a patient’s disease. Physical therapy approaches involve minimal downtime and may be tweaked to ensure that everyone, from infants to elders, is safe to utilize.

3. Physical therapists work with their patients to help them achieve their full functional mobility, capacity, and performance.

A physical therapist helps patients improve coordination, core stability, endurance, agility, and any other physical skills that they can carry over into their sports, work, hobbies, and everyday life.

This is essential for young active people who are looking to improve performance, as well as the older population who are looking to avoid age-related debility.

In other words, our physical therapy team can manage your injury or disease now as well as help prevent injury in the future.

4. Attending physical therapy treatment means you won’t need opioids.

The current national opiate abuse epidemic implies that these potentially dangerous medicines are regularly overprescribed. For the treatment of many types of chronic pain, the CDC recommends physical therapy before narcotics.

Furthermore, physical therapy treatment procedures are “evidence-based,” which means they’ve been put to the test in scientific research studies to prove their safety, efficacy, and usefulness.

5. Physical therapy treatments are customized for the patient.

A typical physical therapy treatment plan is completely personalized for each individual patient. The major emphases of any treatment plan are to address the patient’s particular goals, resolve their impairments, and improve their recovery, functional independence, and long-term health. These aims can be achieved with the use of physical therapy strategies such as:

  • Neuromuscular re-education, such as balance training.
  • Modalities, such as ultrasound, kinesio taping, dry needling, orthotics and prosthetics fitting, electrical stimulation, or diathermy.
  • Manual therapy, such as massage or joint mobilizations.
  • Therapeutic exercises.

After undergoing a thorough examination with your physical therapist, you’ll receive an individualized treatment plan that will aim to accelerate your healing. This plan is modified to meet your specific needs and lifestyle, and it relies on your feedback throughout the process, giving you an active role in your recovery.

Call our office today

We know you’re tired of dealing with chronic pain, day in and day out. Are you prepared to find long-term relief, once and for all? Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our professional physical therapists and get started on your road to recovery!

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains, Back Pain, Sciatica

Is a Herniated Disc The Culprit of Your Back Pain?

Chronic back pain is one of the most common reasons patients come to see our physical therapist. In fact, it’s the most common cause of pain in the United States. Back pain can be caused by a variety of medical disorders, but herniated discs are the most common cause.

It is estimated that about 60-80% of people will experience some level of lower back pain in their lives, and many may experience the issue due to a herniated disc.

Herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, but they are most common in the lower back. Other terminology for a herniated disc that physical therapy patients may be familiar with include “protruding disc,” “ruptured disc,” and “bulging disc.”

Nevertheless, the treatment for a herniated disc remains the same. While they can be very painful, our licensed physical therapists can help patients of all ages find fast relief and learn to manage their pain with regular physical therapy appointments.

Signs you may have a herniated disc

Symptoms associated with a herniated disc may vary, depending on where the injured disc is located. Some of the most common symptoms people experience with a herniated disc include:

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning in the back, buttock, legs, and/or feet.
  • Weakness in the legs.
  • Pain when bending or twisting.
  • Pain that intensifies when bending, sitting, coughing, or sneezing.

You may have a herniated disc if you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms. Physical therapy, fortunately, can help relieve pain caused by a herniated disc or any other type of back discomfort.

To treat the discomfort before it worsens, we recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our physical therapists as soon as possible.

Reasons for herniated discs

When you are young, your spinal discs have a high water-content level, made up of almost 80% water. However, as you age, the water content in your spinal discs lowers. This causes the discs to become less pliable, thus increasing the risk of tears or other defects.

Spinal discs are soft, rubbery cushions that sit between the bony vertebrae that help to support the spine. They’re made up of a thick cartilage outer ring and an interior gel-like substance that acts as a shock absorber. Your spinal discs assist in protecting your spinal cord and the delicate nerves in your back by allowing you to bend your back easily.

If the cartilage in your spinal disc somehow tears or develops a defect, the inner gel-like substance, also known as the “nucleus,” can break through. This bulging or herniation can then put pressure on the nerves, resulting in intense pain. In fact, even small amounts of pressure on your spinal nerves can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.

Herniated discs in the lower back can be especially painful because they press against the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. The sciatic nerve is made up of many spinal nerve branches that run down the leg from the spine. Pain can spread from the buttocks area, down the back of the leg, and into the shin and foot if the sciatic nerve is pinched. Fortunately, physical therapy can help to alleviate the discomfort produced by this illness.

Some of the other common causes of herniated discs include:

  • Traumatic injury.
  • Repetitive twisting movements.
  • Heavy or incorrect lifting.
  • Excessive body weight or obesity.
  • High-impact sports.

How does physical therapy decrease herniated disc pain?

Physical therapy is a pain treatment option that is both safe and non-invasive, and it is meant to help patients of all ages heal from the inside out.

Our expert physical therapists can ease back pain, reduce inflammation, boost blood flow, and restore range of motion by applying tailored physical therapy treatments.

A physical therapist’s active treatments address joint mobility, stability, flexibility, strength, and posture. To strengthen the back muscles, a physical therapist will teach you core stabilizing exercises.

To improve and condition the body, you’ll also participate in body muscle exercises. In addition, you will be taught flexibility exercises and proper strengthening techniques by a physical therapist.

If you have back pain, know that you can turn to physical therapy for help. A physical therapist will do a comprehensive exam and review your medical history to determine if you have a herniated disc. Once a proper diagnosis is made, a physical therapist will then create and implement a personalized treatment plan targeted to the affected area.

Get to the root of your pain today

If you’re living with back pain, know that you’re not alone. There are treatment options available to help you! Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable and highly-trained physical therapists, and learn more about how our services can benefit you.

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains, Physical Therapy

Don’t spend your life taking medicine to control the pain. Try physical therapy!

Our bodies are amazing machines. Not only do they have the ability to heal and repair themselves, they can adapt to nearly any situation. That includes the types of things we put into them. Temporarily taking medicine to control your pain as you recover from an injury or surgery can be a viable part of your treatment plan. However, taking these medications on a regular basis, over a long period of time creates dependency and fails to address the underlying problem. Fortunately, physical therapy can reduce dependence on pain medication while restoring the body’s function. Call our office today to find out how a physical therapist can help.

How Pain Medication Works

There are two basic types of pain medication – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics. While NSAIDs are aimed at reducing inflammation in a particular part of the body, thereby reducing pain, analgesics (including opioids) work by blocking the pain receptors in the brain. Whenever you are hurt, your body produces natural opioids. These travel to the brain where they join with opioid receptors to reduce pain levels throughout the body. When you take prescription opioids, you are flooding the brain with these chemicals that quickly bind to the opioid receptors and keep pain signals from reaching your brain. This is a great short-term solution immediately after surgery when pain levels are high and physical activity levels are intentionally low. However, there is the risk of dependency even in short-term courses of medication.

Dependency vs Addiction

We often throw around the words “dependency” and “addiction” interchangeably. However, they are very different processes in the body. Remember how your body has an incredible ability to adapt to nearly any situation? As your brain is flooded with synthetic opioids, it adapts to having that level of opioid readily available. Your body produces less opioid on its own while your brain begins to depend on high levels for relief. Soon, you require higher and higher doses of the painkiller to receive the same benefit. The body also begins to feel more pain as the underlying problem worsens. Addiction refers to the compulsion to use a drug, despite its negative effects.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Regardless of the pain source, prescription painkillers fail to address the structural problems at the root of your discomfort. Physical therapy is the process by which you regain your ability to move. As this happens, you experience less pain and require fewer prescription pain medications to find the same amount of relief.

A physical therapist will begin by taking a full history, including the amount of painkillers you are currently taking. Next, they will evaluate your body’s function and movement. Once they identify areas that require physical therapy, the physical therapist will create a treatment plan designed to help restore your mobility, flexibility and strength. Over the course of your physical therapy experience, they will give you non-drug pain relieving methods such as ice, heat, electrical stimulation, massage, ultrasound therapy, and more. They may prescribe specific stretches to do at home or at work along with strengthening exercises to incorporate into your day. The better you adhere to their treatment plan, the more your body will adapt to your new norm, the better the result.

If you are ready to end your relationship with pain and pain medicine, call our office today to schedule your free consultation. Our physical therapist is ready to get you back on your feet and pain free.

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains

Do You Wake Up Feeling Sore? The Culprit Could Be Your Mattress

Imagine waking up after an 8-hour nap feeling completely refreshed. When you slowly awaken, you attempt to sit up… only to be greeted by a backache. When you walk, the aches in your shoulders and neck become more noticeable, but when you stand up, the dull ache in your hips and legs takes over. What in the world is going on? After a good night’s sleep, how can you feel so achy?

The answer is more simple than you think: it’s possible that your mattress is to blame.

If you don’t believe us, keep on reading to find out how your mattress affects your morning aches and pains. If you’re living with chronic back pain that just won’t quit, contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment with a skilled physical therapist!

Why does my body ache in the morning?

A 2008 study found that 1 in 15 to 20 cases of chronic pain can be attributed to sleep problems. One of the biggest causes of chronic pain is something called “long-term malpositioning.” In short, your body is in the wrong position for too long! Bad posture, poor workstation positioning, even sleeping on the wrong mattress and pillow can force your body into positions your back, hips, shoulders, neck, and head are not meant to be in. The result is morning achiness, even if you have adequate sleep at night.

How does my mattress affect my quality of sleep?

The amount of support you need from your mattress will be determined by your preferred sleeping position. If their hips rest on top of the mattress, people who sleep mostly on their backs will feel low back pain. If their knees are below their hips, side sleepers can feel aches and pains in their hips and low back. Since their shoulders are resting behind their hips, stomach sleepers can wake up with back pain. Although properly placed pillows can help with morning aches and pains, they cannot replace a mattress that supports your natural sleeping position!

You may need to start searching for a new mattress!

While the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years, the way you feel in the morning is a better indicator that it’s time to replace what you’re sleeping on!

If your mattress was once comfortable but now seems to be at the root of your aches and pains, it may be time to replace it.

Physical changes like injuries, surgery, and weight change can also change your body’s position as you sleep, necessitating a faster change in your mattress.

The best way to find out is to visit a physical therapist to receive a full assessment of your body and areas that are lacking in support. Our clinic’s physical therapists can take a look at the position you’re sleeping in as well as any areas that are plaguing you, and give you helpful tips to get a good night’s rest!

How can a physical therapist help me improve my sleep quality?

It might seem strange to consult a physical therapist for aches and pains that may be caused by your mattress, however, their expertise may be just what you need!

As experts in posture and movement, a physical therapists can assess your body’s position while you sleep and make recommendations for the type of mattress that best supports your body.

They will also assess your posture and movement for any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your morning aches and pains. The physical therapist may develop a physical therapy treatment plan aimed at improving your posture, strengthening your body, and improving your sleep.

Contact our clinic today

We’re here to support you and make sure you’re getting the best possible quality of sleep there is. With a little bit of work with a physical therapist and a little bit of time, you can say goodbye to morning aches and pains and hello to a restful night’s sleep! Contact�Premier Therapy Centers today to schedule your first appointment, and rest assured (no pun intended!) that we’ll have you sleeping like a baby in no time at all.

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains

Looking For a New Treatment Method for All of Your Aches and Pains? Try Physical Therapy.

It’s no secret that the older we get, the more our bodies experience random aches and pains. A long, tough day at work, an evening spent rough-housing outside with the kids, an unexpected injury — any one of these could cause random pains that never seem to leave you alone!

As we age, our bodies have a harder time hearing and coping with injuries. Something that might have only taken you a couple days to bounce back from as a kid or teenager might now take weeks (or months) to recover from once you’re over the age of 40. That can be a scary, intimidating thought.

Although many people turn to pain medication to cope with their age-related discomfort, this isn’t the only option, and it’s also far from being the best! There are tons of drawbacks to relying solely on medication to manage your pain. Medications don’t provide solutions, they’re more like bandaids we slap on top of our pain symptoms. Not to mention, many forms of pain medication are highly addictive and can harm your health over time.

This is why the best treatment method for solving your aches and pains is physical therapy. Contact our office today to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy and how treatment can help you as you age.

Physical Therapy Can Relieve Your Pain

According to ChoosePT, 116 million Americans have chronic pain each year. Physical therapy is an inclusive, comprehensive treatment method that is safe and noninvasive. It’s specialized to address your acute or chronic pain, wherever it might be occurring in your body. By working with a licensed, trained physical therapist, you’ll be able to find out a true diagnosis for your pain rather than only have your symptoms treated.

Physical therapists use several treatment methods, as well as combinations of stretching, massage techniques, and chiropractic adjustments that are successful in targeting pain sources. The goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of discomfort you’re experiencing. As you work with your physical therapist to overcome your chronic pain condition, he or she might also give you stretches and exercises to continue doing at home on your own for extra relief.

What Kinds of Physical Therapy Methods Are There?

There are several different techniques your physical therapist might use to provide effective pain relief. These include, but are not limited to, the following methods:

  • Hot & Cold Therapy: Different types of pain will benefit from different ratios of hot versus cold therapeutic support, and you should always consult with your physical therapist for specific guidelines. Your therapist might instruct you to use a hot compress or an ice pack, to help alleviate pain as a result of fatigue and overuse. Taking warm or cold baths can also be helpful for this purpose.
  • Acupressure: Acupressure and acupuncture are two words that often get mixed up when it comes to treatment! Acupressure is a physical therapy technique that can actually be done at home with simple supplies. Foam rollers with pressure points are a great example of at-home acupressure care. Talk to your physical therapist about obtaining the proper supplies to do this at home.
  • Yoga & Regular Stretching: Engaging in a regular yoga routine or spending time everyday stretching can help to alleviate tension and pain. As part of your physical therapy treatment, your therapist will guide you through basic stretches and exercises that can help to alleviate pain. He or she will also provide you with guidelines regarding practicing those activities at home, which will allow you to keep making progress even when you’re not in the clinic.
  • Dry Needling: Dry needling is a technique physical therapists might use (depending on state laws) for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. This technique uses a needle without medication or injection and inserts it through the skin into areas of the muscle. This provides relief from discomfort and pain.
  • Manual Therapy: Manual therapy is just one of many forms of therapy a physical therapist can tap into in order to mobilize soft tissues and joints. This particular form of treatment assists with reducing inflammation, decreasing restriction, and increasing your range of motion through soft tissue massage, mobilization, and manual traction.

Ready To Experience True Pain Relief?

It is essential to rest, avoiding unnecessary pressure on your injured body part, and stay hydrated when you have an injury. This is how your body can begin the healing process. However, if your pain is lasting for longer than a few weeks without relief, or if it comes and goes in waves, it’s time to see a therapist. For support in overcoming your aches and pains, contact your physical therapy office in West Bloomfield Township, MI to set up a consultation. We’re happy to see you and help you get on the path to recovery.

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains, Nutrition

How Proper Nutrition Can Help With Aches and Pains.

Many people know that good nutrition is the pathway to good health. But, many don’t realize that good nutrition can also help with those aches and pains. Combine good nutrition with physical therapy for those aches and pains, and it’s a powerful duo.

Nutrition and Physical Therapy

“A systematic review and meta-analysis in the 2017 European Journal of Nutrition found that a Mediterranean-style eating pattern exerts a protective effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is associated with smaller gains in BMI and waist circumference.

Nutritional interventions are alone useful tools to improve overall health outcomes in patients, and specifically reduce inflammation. Low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress underlie chronic osteoarthritis. Patients with poor nutrition habits who undergo physical therapy may notice a decrease in pain within as little as 4 days with the right diet. You will note a decrease of inflammation, a decrease of edema, an improved metabolic profile, a decrease of nociception, and improvements in function. When you combine nutrition with therapeutic exercise it is a powerful combination that sets you up for success and with this valuable health skill.”

Nutrition and the Physical Therapist

Every physical therapist knows that nutrition plays a critical role in the healing process from musculoskeletal injury. The phases of healing include inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Keep in mind that excess inflammation will cause cell damage to healthy tissue. To take control of inflammation, a physical therapist will advise that patients increase the consumption of omega-3. This nutrient can be found in avocado, almonds, fish oil, olive oil and pecans. A physical therapist will also advise you to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet. That’s because these foods are rich in antioxidants and contain pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The phases of proliferation and remodeling are centered on preventing atrophy and enhancing soft tissue repair. Musculoskeletal injuries are related to the inability of a muscle to synthesize protein. As a result, strength is decreased. Incorporating protein into your diet will help prevent muscle atrophy. A physical therapist is a good resource to learn more about good nutrition.

Although a physical therapist is a movement specialize, a physical therapist can provide basic food nutrition information to help you make healthier lifestyle choices. A physical therapist can help you develop an individualized nutrition plan. It’s part of their holistic treatment plan.

Most people see a physical therapist for pain without realizing that good nutrition can help alleviate their pain. For example, it has been found that good nutrition combined with physical therapy has helped patients with osteoarthritis, neuropathy, spinal pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and more. Good nutrition is always part of a physical therapist’s treatment plan, and it is effective.

If you’re seeing a physical therapist at Premier Therapy Center, let them know about your daily diet. They will educate you about food and give advice on what foods are important for healing and decreasing pain. And the good news is that you won’t have to eliminate your taste for nutrition. There are plenty of tasty foods that are healthy for you to enjoy.

By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains, Health and Wellness, Hip and Knee Pain, Physical Therapy

Do You Take a Pain Reliever Every Single Day? See How Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Hip and Knee Pain.

Are your hips and knees in pain when you wake up? Are you pain when you go to bed? Are the activities you do between sunrise and sunset impacted by chronic hip and knee joint dysfunction? You don’t have to give up hope of living with less pain—nor become reliant on the medicine cabinet, either.

At our physical therapy clinic, we have an experienced physical therapist staff who can help you find more ease, strength, and confidence in your day-to-day-life. We believe, like the American Physical Therapy Association and other organizations, that conservative treatment options like physical therapy are just as if not more effective for pain relief than medications and surgery. Contact us and find out how we can help, and read more to learn what we do every day for our patients in hip and knee pain.

5 Ways a Physical Therapist Can Help You Reduce Your Hip and Knee Pain

1. A physical therapist has advanced training in manual skills that improve joint health.

When you see a physical therapist for hip or knee pain, he or she may use joint mobilizations or manipulations to help promote healing and attract circulation to the inner joint surfaces. These techniques have also been shown to reduce pain and improve joint alignment…and they feel good, too! When complemented with services like massage and Active Release Technique, physical therapy can help you get physical and mental relief.

2. Physical therapy features non-invasive modalities to help relieve pain and heal injured tissues.

You don’t have to rely on over-the-counter or prescription painkillers to ease those achy, stiff, swollen joints! Physical therapy modalities that have been shown to ease pain, reduce spasms, increase circulation, and promote healing include electrical stimulation, diathermy, cold laser therapy, dry needling, and therapeutic ultrasound.

3. Physical therapy improves the strength and range of motion around your joints.

Increasing muscle strength and mobility of the connective tissues around your joints (including the tendons, muscles, fascia, and joint capsules) will help your joints feel better and move better. This can also help you improve your functional activity tolerance, which is essential for work, leisure, and simple daily function.

4. Physical therapy is where you can learn how to move more efficiently and safely.

Many of the impairments you and your physical therapist work to correct—including weakness, poor posture, and limited range of motion—may have been caused or worsened by things you’re unknowingly doing. This includes sitting too much, using poor body mechanics, breathing improperly, and having an ineffective ergonomic set-up at work. A physical therapist can educate you about ways to move in more energy efficient and safe ways to enhance the overall effects of your care and reduce the risk of re-injury.

5. A physical therapist can get you moving again.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, exercise is one of the best ways to manage hip pain and knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. By implementing some or all of the above interventions in a customized treatment plan, a physical therapist can help you get back to regular exercise in a way that is safe and effective for you, based on your current abilities, goals, and needs. This is especially helpful if you’re currently on a fat loss journey, since being overweight is a major risk factor for knee and hip pain.

Do You Have Painful Hips or Knees?

Tired of spending every day in pain? Contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist and heal from the inside out.

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By manish 0 Comments Aches & pains, Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

Aches and Pains in the Morning? Find Out What Might Be Causing Them.

A Troubleshooting Guide to Morning Aches and Pains

Do you leap out of bed excited at the thought of experiencing another morning — or do you just lie there, afraid to move because of the pain you’re likely to feel? Aches and pains are never welcome, but they can really dash your spirits when they plague you from your first waking moments. It helps to understand why these discomforts are occurring in various parts of your body, and how you can put a stop to them through safe, drug-free methods such as physical therapy.

Where Does It Hurt?

Each area of the body has its own particular vulnerabilities to different kinds of morning pain. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide to help you figure out what’s going on.

  • Jaw pain– Does your jaw feel stiff and achy when you wake up in the morning? You may be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw as you sleep, a problem known as bruxism. This habit is associated with emotional and physical stress.
  • Neck pain– If you feel like someone tried to twist your head off during the night, you may have the wrong kind of pillow for your individual needs. Incorrect head and neck support can leave you with agonizing stiffness.
  • Back pain– Pain can afflict any part of your back first thing in the morning. If you can barely move in the morning or never get quite comfortable at night, you may be using the wrong kind of mattress for your back.
  • Hip pain– If you experience hip pain that feels like it’s coming from within the joint and is at its worst upon awakening, suspect osteoarthritis. If the pain feels like it’s on the outside of the hip and bothers you more at night, suspect bursitis.
  • Heel pain– If taking those first steps in the morning is torture for your heels, but the pain then recedes as you walk around, you probably have chronic inflammation of the arches called plantar fasciitis.

Physical Therapy Can Help You Have Nicer Mornings

Morning pain and overnight pain are closely related. Issues such as chronic lower back pain may nudge you into wakefulness many times each night, creating a twinge with every little body motion. By the time you have to get up, you feel even more pain than you did when you went to bed.

Physical therapy can help you reduce those morning aches and pains. An experienced physical therapist knows how to evaluate your symptoms in detail, see how they correspond to your sleep quality (or lack thereof), and identify the underlying causes.

This understanding allows for the creation of a physical therapy program aimed at eliminating or controlling those causes. For instance, we might determine that your back needs a firmer or softer mattress, or that your neck could benefit from a contoured cervical pillow. Other time-tested physical therapy modalities can help you strengthen your back, tame bursitis, relieve plantar fasciitis, or control osteoarthritis symptoms. We can even educate on stress-busting techniques to help your jaw, as well as which sleep positions are most likely to ease joint discomfort.

Awaken to the Benefits of Working With Our Physical Therapist

From conquering chronic pain sources to improving your “sleep hygiene,” you’ll find that physical therapy can help you ease morning aches and pains in a number of ways. Don’t sleepwalk through life in a haze of chronic pain — wake up and contact Premier Therapy Centers�for an evaluation!