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Relying On Pain Medication For Relief? A Skilled PT Could Help

It’s no secret that pain has an adverse effect on one’s quality of life. Many people make the mistake of relying on medication to alleviate their symptoms, yet pharmaceuticals just mask problems rather than cure them.

Physical therapy is a natural and non-invasive treatment that is both safe and effective. Please contact our office if you are suffering from acute or chronic pain and would like to discover how Premier Therapy Center can help you live a pain-free life without the use of potentially dangerous medicines.

Painkillers are not the best form of relief

Taking pain-management drugs as a way to rid yourself of pain may seem like a good solution in the short-term, but it has many disadvantages in the long-term. Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen can lead to undesirable side effects. For example, taking excessive amounts of aspirin can cause your stomach to bleed and can lead to kidney damage. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can also both cause both kidney and stomach problems.

However, prescription opioids like codeine, oxycodone, and morphine are perhaps the worst. These are habit-forming drugs that can lead to addiction. They are also responsible for an additional number of side effects, including respiratory depression, constipation, anxiety, and nausea. Several people also overdose on opioids each year, either due to addiction or a gradually increased intake in order to relieve pain. Not only does taking meds for pain just mask the problem, it just may cause you another one.

Why is physical therapy the best natural pain relief method?

Due to the agony they are experiencing, even the thought of exercising can make many people grimace. PT exercises, on the other hand, are one of the most effective therapies for chronic pain. You will learn how helpful exercise can be for all types of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain by participating in a physical therapy routine. The following are just a handful of the many conditions that can be treated with physical therapy:

  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Chronic headaches.
  • Neuropathic pain.
  • Disc herniation.
  • Disc degeneration disease.

A physical therapist can provide a wide range of pain treatment alternatives. Manipulation of the joints and bones, movement therapy, massage treatment, microcurrent stimulation, and cold laser therapy are just a few of the frequent methods and modalities used by physical therapists. All of these treatments aid in the relief of pain, the reduction of inflammation, the speeding up of healing, and the improvement of everyday function.

What should I expect with physical therapy?

Working with a physical therapist can help you get back on your feet faster. This is due to the fact that a physical therapistwill treat your complete body after determining the source of your pain. A physical therapist will do an examination to establish the source of your pain and develop a tailored treatment plan to address the specific cause of your discomfort.

At your initial appointment, you will undergo a comprehensive exam process, which includes a full medical history. Selected tests are done to identify movement-related disorders. For a specific diagnosis, all of the collected exam data is carefully reviewed.

Both active and passive treatments are used in physical therapy. Massage therapy, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation are some of the pain-relieving methods and modalities used in passive therapy. Regaining function, enhancing range of motion, and developing strength and flexibility are all goals of active physical therapy. Treatments may include targeted motions, exercises, stretches or aquatic therapy.

Everyone’s treatment plan is different, but you can feel confident that a physical therapist will develop one that is meant just for you and your needs!

If you’re in pain, there is an effective solution that doesn’t include harmful, possibly addictive medication or expensive surgery with long recovery times. All of our physical therapists are seasoned and certified, happy to discuss how our services can benefit you. Our goal is to help you recover and get you back to your optimum levels of function. Contact our office today, and we’ll get you started on a path to help you live your life to the fullest.

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5 Way To Know You Need PT!

Have you ever heard of physical therapy? If you’re in need of it, there are tons of ways your body may be trying to tell you!

Physical therapy isn’t just for rehabilitation or athletes in training. There are many reasons why a person might need the assistance of a physical therapist.

There are five basic indicators that you need to visit a physical therapist. We outline them in this blog, but you can give us a call at Premier Therapy Center in West Bloomfield Township, MI to schedule an appointment as well!

1. You might need PT if you can’t do your normal activities without pain.

You may not be suffering from any specific ailment or pain, but you’ve realized it’s becoming more difficult to accomplish the things you enjoy.

Physical therapy can help you get back to the activities you enjoy, whether it’s due to a chronic ailment like arthritis or general wear and tear on your joints and muscles.

2. You might need PT if you have been sustaining more injuries than usual

Working with a physical therapist would certainly be beneficial if you’re pulling muscles or falling more regularly than you should be! And let’s be real, you really shouldn’t be falling on a regular basis.

Exercises to improve your balance and overall stability can be taught by a skilled physical therapist.

To avoid pulling a muscle or tendon, you may need to learn new strategies to warm up and cool down after your favorite activities.

3. You might need PT if you have sustained an injury from repetitive use

You could be one of the millions of people who spend hours upon hours in the same position, doing the same job.

Even if you’re standing and moving around, repetitive injuries can occur if you lift or pull something in the same way every time. Carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow are both caused by repetitive movements.

A physical therapist can teach simple exercises to treat the problem. A therapist can also educate you how to perform repetitive tasks in a way that avoids future injuries.

4. You might need PT if you’ve just undergone a surgical procedure

Even modest surgery causes your body to struggle to heal and return to its previous state. Physical therapy, regardless of the type of surgery you’ve had, can help you restore strength and flexibility more rapidly.

If you have spent or will spend a large amount of time in a hospital bed, physical therapy is very crucial. During the healing process, it’s critical to keep muscles and joints as flexible as possible.

A physical therapist can also devise a plan to limit the amount of scar tissue that develops following surgery. Physical therapy can assist you in getting back to your normal routine as soon as possible.

5. You might need PT if you have been noticing sharp pain in any areas

Sharp pain, especially if it’s ongoing, may be a sign of a serious injury. It could be a pulled muscle or possibly a stress fracture. The sooner an injury is treated the more likely it will heal quickly.

There is also the chance that an injury will get worse if it is not treated in a timely manner. A physical therapist can do an evaluation and get you started on a treatment program to treat the root cause of your pain.

Choose PT states that a physical therapist may use a variety of methods to treat pain including manual therapy, exercise, and education.

Reducing and eliminating any type of ongoing pain will enable you to more fully participate and enjoy your daily activities.

The benefits of physical therapy

A physical therapist is a movement specialist, educated in analyzing mobility issues with walking, running, jumping, bending, stretching, and almost every other form of physical activity. Our physical therapist�can pinpoint problem areas and create a customized treatment plan aimed at improving those areas.

Through in-office sessions and at-home exercises, patients strengthen their muscles and joints, improve their balance, build endurance, and experience pain relief, all without the unwanted harmful risks of drugs or surgery.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy can help not only with overall wellness, but also prevention.

The purpose of physical therapy remains the same, no matter what you are seeking its services for. Perhaps you are still suffering from the lingering pain of an injury. Perhaps you are recovering from a surgery and trying to get your range of motion back.

Perhaps your joints simply aren’t what they used to be, and you are looking for relief. Whatever the case may be, physical therapists are dedicated to relieving your pain and getting you back to your peak level of physical health.

Call our physical therapy clinic today

Everything from injuries and surgery to repetitive use and even aging may require physical therapy to get you moving as efficiently as possible.

An individualized physical therapy program can also reduce or even eliminate pain. Physical therapy can help people of all ages live healthier, more active lives.

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Are You Curious How Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Overall Wellness?

Everyone aspires to live a healthy, active, and powerful lifestyle – or they should, at least!

However, this type of lifestyle is not always simple to maintain, particularly for people who suffer from chronic pain. Physical therapy, fortunately, is an excellent resource for relieving pain and achieving fitness goals.

Give Premier therapy Centres call today if you want to start living a healthy lifestyle but aren’t sure where to begin. We’ll tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs so you can achieve your objectives using the most effective approaches.

The importance of leading a healthy lifestyle with Physical Therapy

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes effort, but it becomes a lot simpler once you get into the swing of things.

One of the simplest methods to boost your health is to eat nutritious foods (although we know those sweets are hard to kick.) Physical activity is the most difficult part to develop a habit of, especially if you are hampered by chronic pain.

Some people take anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medicines to disguise their symptoms, while others give up on the idea of being active completely. Fortunately, with the help of a physical therapist, you may restore your pain-free, healthy lifestyle and resume your favorite hobbies!

Major benefits of seeing a physical therapist for improved health

Whatever your reason for obtaining physical therapy services, the goal remains the same. Perhaps you’re still dealing with the effects of an injury. You might be recovering from surgery and trying to regain your range of motion. Maybe your joints aren’t what they used to be, and you’re seeking a way to feel better. Whatever the case may be, physical therapists are committed to reducing your discomfort and restoring your physical health to its previous state.

A physical therapist is a movement specialist, educated in analyzing mobility issues with walking, running, jumping, bending, stretching, and almost every other form of physical activity. Your physical therapist can pinpoint problem areas and create a customized treatment plan aimed at improving those areas.

Through in-office sessions and at-home exercises, patients strengthen their muscles and joints, improve their balance, build endurance, and experience pain relief, all without the unwanted harmful risks of drugs or surgery.

What should I expect with physical therapy?

Pain alleviation, strengthening, and functional integration are the three main components of physical therapy. Some people fear physical therapy because they assume it may cause pain and be hard to take part in, however, this is usually not the case!

Physical therapy aims to relieve pain and build muscles, and your physical therapist will ensure that your treatment plan does not cause you any discomfort. This is accomplished using a variety of therapeutic options, including ice and heat therapy, stretching, bracing, and ultrasound.

Movement is also necessary for an active lifestyle. Your physical therapist will build a treatment plan for you based on particular movements that will improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and overall mobility. Many of these exercises will be assisted by him or her, but he or she will also supply some basic ones that you can do at home.

Physical therapy allows you to live the life you want, free of severe limits. This can only happen if you apply what you’ve learned in your therapy to the real world. Your physical therapist is just as committed as you are, and he or she will push you to achieve all of the goals you set out for yourself at the start.

Call our clinic today for help

Every patient is unique, and we recognize that at our clinic. That’s why we tailor each treatment plan to the individual needs of each patient. When you come in for your first visit, you’ll have some diagnostic tests done to help your physical therapist figure out where to start with treatments.

Your pain levels, balance, range of motion, and overall function will all be assessed throughout these examinations. In addition, your physical therapist will inquire about your medical history. Following the collection of all of this information, your physical therapist will develop a specific treatment plan to assist you in achieving your health goals.

If you are looking to improve your health, strength, and physical activity, look no further. We can help you get there – even if you’re dealing with pain. To get started on the path toward a healthier and happier lifestyle, call our office today to schedule your consultation!

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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!

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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The Best Natural Treatment for Arthritis Aches and Pains

Arthritis is a painful ailment that can make a person feel isolated and confined on their path. In order to manage discomfort, many arthritis�sufferers turn to antirheumatic medicines, steroid injections, or joint replacement surgery.

Physical therapy and other natural treatments, on the other hand, have been shown to provide greater results for many people. Contact our office today for more information on how our natural method of pain treatment can help you relieve your arthritic problems. In the meantime, keep reading to learn about the benefits of physical therapy for arthritic pains!

The benefits of manual therapy

Physical therapy entails more than merely performing specialized exercises. Manual therapy is, in fact, an important component of many physical therapy treatment strategies. It is the hands-on component of PT that not only pampers arthritic patients but also helps them to feel better. A large portion of an arthritic patient’s physical therapy session is usually devoted to manual pain management.

In order to relieve hurting joints, other therapy options may include ice and heat therapies, massage, and even the use of special technology.

To treat pain naturally, your physical therapist can alternate heating pads and ice packs. Massage for rheumatic areas increases circulation and gives a relaxing, warming sensation. Ultrasound machines deliver soothing heat to the damaged joints at a deeper level. Whatever approaches and modalities your physical therapist recommends, you may rest assured that your treatment plan was created just for you.

How are painful joints isolated?

Rest can sometimes be the best cure for arthritic joints. However, too much inactivity can actually worsen the problem by weakening the surrounding muscles.

Your physical therapist can help you isolate the painful joint, so you can remain active while finding relief. Bracing provides natural pain relief for your arthritic condition. Depending on where your arthritis is rooted, a specialized neck collar or wrist splint can also provide specialized support for that joint. By isolating the painful area, you will be able to go about your daily life without worrying about the aches and pains you are carrying with you.

Improving range-of-motion with PT

Anyone who has arthritis can attest to the horribly stiff joints that come with it. When you try to move the injured joint further than it can go, you may feel anything from a nagging discomfort to complete pain. Flexibility exercises learned in physical therapy sessions help your joints become more supple over time, while resistance exercises help to strengthen the muscles that support them. Your comprehensive physical therapy session will allow you to attain diminished discomfort and improved freedom of movement by participating in such treatments.

You can learn new ways to move!

It’s not always easy to predict which of your behaviors will cause arthritic twinges and acute aches. Even something as easy as walking around a corner might cause your arthritic shoulder to stiffen and twist in ways you didn’t realize, resulting in a bolt of pain that appears to shoot straight through you. As a result, finding new ways to move is critical in order to prevent some of the unwelcomed uncomfortable sensations that can occur during the day.

Arthritic individuals might learn which motions cause them pain during physical therapy sessions. Their physical therapists can also show you how to minimize unneeded discomfort by demonstrating new joint protection procedures. It could be as easy as carrying a pocketbook with a specific type of strap to relieve pressure on your wrists, or entering the car or bathtub in a different method.

physical therapist can show you how to carry goods with your palms instead of your fingers if you have arthritic fingers. Another typical strategy is to lay objects across the arms rather than carrying them in your hands. During your sessions, you will also learn about the most up-to-date technologies and techniques that may make everyday activities much easier.

Contact us for relief:

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Combat Stress-Related Headaches With Physical Therapy

We’ve all done it: we get that familiar twinge of a headache and go for the Ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol. When it comes to stress headaches, though, a tablet isn’t always enough. A stress headache is characterized by a band of pressure around the head, as well as generalized aching and soreness.

Physical therapy treatments, on the other hand, can help you relax and straighten your posture, which will help you feel better. You’ll not only get rid of your current headache, but you’ll also have a lower chance of getting future stress headaches. Contact our office now to learn more about how our services can help you eliminate stress-related headaches.

Manual therapy: a hands-on approach to headaches:

There are a few headache prevention techniques that can be done at home. A physical therapist, on the other hand, can provide a much more specific approach to addressing headache problems. Altering between cold and heat therapy, for example, is a simple yet effective method. In addition to reducing muscle tightness, the customized compresses and soft electronic pulse wands provide relaxing comfort.

Because soft tissue mobilization relaxes stiff muscles, manual therapy often involves massage for stress-related headache treatment. Massage, as a result of this impact, can provide rapid pain relief and even help to avoid future headaches. In order to alleviate your discomfort, PT massage treatments help to relax the muscles in your jaw, temples, neck, and shoulders.

Patients with persistent tension headaches also report fewer instances of head discomfort when they receive massage therapy on a regular basis. Relaxing the muscles in and around the head aids in preventing painful contractions.

Emotional stress that causes tension in these trigger muscles can also be relieved with physical therapy massage. People who receive therapeutic massages on a regular basis report improved sleep, which leads to less stress throughout the day and, as a result, a lower risk of developing a stress-related headache.

Developing better posture:

It’s no secret that how we stand and sit has a big impact on how much pressure we exert on our muscles. Poor posture compresses muscles and nerves, and many people get a provoked tension headache as a result of these overworked muscles and nerves in the shoulder, chest, and neck area.

Your physical therapist can assess your posture and suggest areas for improvement. He or she will also show you how to move, sit, and stand properly to avoid unnecessary compression.

physical therapist can recommend healthy lifestyle changes in addition to showing chest, back, and shoulder positions. Changes to specific areas of the home and office can have a significant impact on posture. A telephone headset, a raised computer monitor, a modified chair, or even a rubber pad to stand on while cooking or washing dishes are all examples of this.

Help your muscles get stronger:

Even when performing routine tasks, you do a lot of “heavy lifting” with your shoulders, back, and neck during the day. They can quickly become overworked if the muscles in those areas are too weak. Resistance training is used in physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in the neck and upper back.

For many people, stronger upper body muscles are linked to fewer – and less severe – stress-related headaches. Neck strengthening exercises might start with simple chin-to-chest nods and progress to more advanced exercises as your treatment progresses. Free weights and resistance bands can also be used to strengthen shoulder and back muscles.

Better flexibility:

As you go about your day, the more you can move your neck and shoulders, the less strain you place on the primary muscle groups in those areas. This could also help you get rid of some of your stress-related headache symptoms. You will learn particular techniques to extend your neck as well as loosen up your chest, shoulder muscle, and tendon groups by participating in physical therapy treatments. Regularly performing these exercises can help relieve persistent tension headaches.

Call us today for a free consultation

If you’re living with chronic headache pain, contact our office today to learn more about reducing the frequency and intensity of your chronic stress-related headaches.

We’ll schedule an assessment to look over and discuss your specific issues. Following that, one of our physical therapists will create a unique treatment plan tailored to your specific needs in order to help you relax your muscles, sleep better, and combat those painful stress headaches.

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Physical Therapy Can Help You Reduce Joint Pain and Improve Mobility

As we grow older, we may find ourselves thinking the same thing: our joints aren’t what they once were. Perhaps you’re dealing with an injury that makes movement difficult, or you’ve developed osteoarthritis as a result of age-related “wear and tear.” Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain: without aches and pains, you can’t get around as well. Taking painkillers or living a sedentary lifestyle to compensate for daily aches and pains, on the other hand, is not a healthy method to deal with your disease. If you want to live your life to the fullest without being hampered by joint aches and stiffness, consider an all-natural solution: physical therapy.

Causes for joint pain and stiffness

To comprehend how physical therapy may assist you with your joint difficulties, you must first comprehend why they are occurring. Joint stiffness and discomfort can be caused by a variety of factors. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, or the joint may be damaged in an acute sprain or strain, for example. Inflammation can occur, which can be unpleasant and immobilizing.

Soft tissue injury, on the other hand, does not have to happen in a dramatic catastrophe; it can happen gradually over weeks, months, or even years. Chronic tendinitis or bursitis can develop if your chosen sport, career, or pastime leads you to repeatedly overstress certain joints.

Soft tissue discomfort can occur even if you don’t do anything. If you’ve had your arm in a sling for a long period, a condition called adhesive capsulitis, sometimes known as “frozen shoulder,” can cause your shoulder to become unusable.

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of joint pain and stiffness. Age-related degeneration of the cartilage between the bones of a joint is the most common cause of this ailment. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is a painful and debilitating joint illness caused by autoimmune disorders, is another prevalent type of arthritis.

Different pain relieving methods used in physical therapy

As you can see, there are a variety of causes for joint discomfort. Fortunately, there are several types of physical therapy that can help you relieve your discomfort and increase your range of motion by addressing these symptoms.

One of our skilled physical therapists will begin by thoroughly assessing your issue. An investigation of your overall health, daily activities, and the nature of your symptoms will be conducted.

Evaluation of the joint itself and your ability to move it will also be a crucial part of your evaluation, as it can reveal exactly what the underlying problem is. This will lead toward the recommendation of specific types of therapy, such as:

  • Stretching exercises. Stretching exercises help injured muscles and connective tissues heal back to their former length and range of motion. These exercises are also good for keeping arthritic joints from becoming stiffer.
  • Joint mobilization techniques. Joint mobilization techniques can help improve your pain-free range of motion and increase your function. You may also benefit from techniques aimed at breaking up internal scar tissue, which can form over old injuries and cause chronic stiffness.
  • R.I.C.E. RICE stands for “Rest,” “Ice,” “Compression” and “Elevation.” If you are nursing an acute joint injury, your physical therapist will likely prescribe this protocol in order to reduce pain and swelling.

Set up an appointment with a skilled PT today

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Living With Arthritis Pain? Physical Therapy Could Make Your Life Easier

Millions of people suffer from joint pain and stiffness as a result of arthritis. Many arthritis patients take many steps each day to alleviate their stiff and aching joints. Physical therapy can be a useful component of a pain-relieving approach that also allows you to stay active. Contact our office now to learn how a physical therapy program can help you manage or possibly eliminate arthritis pain!

Staying physically active through physical therapy:

While exercise will not cure arthritis, it will help to slow down the progression of the disease and lower the severity of the symptoms.

Maintaining a healthy body weight, as recommended by your physical therapist, can also help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the pressure on your joints. A physical therapist can demonstrate a range of stretches and exercises that can help you relieve pain in your joints.

Physical therapy may also assist you in avoiding the use of excessive amounts of medication to alleviate your discomfort. A physical therapist is qualified to assess your ailment and prescribe the appropriate exercises.

Aquatic therapy is a popular physical therapy exercise for arthritis patients because it provides a pleasant, low-impact workout. Working out in a heated pool may also be recommended by a physical therapist to assist ease the discomfort in your arthritic joints.

Eating the right foods to stay healthy

Nutrition can help to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis. You’ll want to include some specific foods to your diet that can help reduce your arthritis pain, in addition to avoiding MSG, refined carbs, and sugary meals that aggravate inflammation. Some of them are as follows:

  • Ginger. Ginger may be able to help reduce inflammation and alleviate arthritis pain. It also adds incredible flavor to almost any food, including soups, fruits, veggies, and meat.
  • Soy. Soy is high in protein and low in fat, and it is also a great-tasting way to fight inflammation. You can get your soy through tofu, soy milk, or roasted soybeans.
  • Walnuts. Much like the nutrients, you find in fish, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. Walnuts can be eaten alone or added to almost any sweet or salty dish.
  • Broccoli. Broccoli has an ingredient called sulforaphane, which has the ability to slow down or even prevent osteoarthritis. Broccoli is great served hot or cold, in salads, or as a casserole.

Working with a physical therapist:

A physical therapy treatment program can ease the pain from arthritis and help improve your daily life. Working with a physical therapist can help you achieve the following goals:

  • Learning how to correctly use devices. A trained physical therapist can help you learn how to use orthotics, walkers, and any other assistive device correctly. This will help lessen the strain on joints when you move and ensure that you are using the devices safely.
  • Strengthening your muscles. When the muscles that surround and support your aching joints are stronger and more flexible, your arthritis pain will be much less severe. Physical therapy techniques can be used to increase strength, which in turn will relieve pain.
  • Increasing your range of motion. A physical therapy program can help reduce stiffness by keeping both your muscles and ligaments loose. This will lessen your pain and improve your overall range of mobility.

What kinds of arthritis pain relief methods are there?

In order to help relieve arthritic pain, a skilled physical therapist may use a variety of treatment modalities. Massage, for example, can be used by a physical therapist to loosen up the muscles and tendons that surround your arthritic joints. In order to alleviate inflammation, physical therapy treatments may involve the use of ice packs and ice baths.

To loosen up your stiff muscles, your physical therapist may use heating pads or other heat treatments. As determined by your physical therapist, laser or ultrasound treatments may also be used to provide relief.

Getting started with your physical therapy treatment program

A qualified physical therapist can put together an individualized program to help reduce your arthritis pain and keep you as active as possible. Physical therapy is an excellent way to keep your joints, tendons, and muscles working together efficiently. Contact�our office today to see how physical therapy can help you relieve your arthritis symptoms and live a pain-free life!

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Suffering From Back Pain? A Herniated Disc Might Be The Culprit

You know something is wrong with you, but you’re not sure what it is. Strange neck pains, back pain, or extremities symptoms can suggest a multitude of issues, including a herniated disc or several herniated discs.

What are your options if you have a herniated disc? These questions don’t have to add to your physical pain and confusion!

Our physical therapist has provided some useful information regarding herniated discs, their frequent symptoms, and how physical therapy can help you overcome your discomfort.

Herniated discs, defined

“Herniated disc,” “slipped disc,” and “ruptured disc” are all just different ways of describing the same physical problem. Your spinal discs are squat discs of tissue that lie between the vertebrae.

A disc consists of a fluid-filled center called the nucleus pulposus encased in an outer structure called the annulus fibrosus. This arrangement makes the disc both tough enough and spongy enough to absorb shocks.

Unfortunately, that toughness has its limits. Sometimes a disc will lose hydration over time, causing the nucleus pulposus to shrink. The disc loses its height, which stresses the spinal joints and may cause the disc to bulge outward.

Eventually these changes can cause part of the annulus fibrosus to balloon and tear open; this is a herniated disc. Herniated discs can also occur suddenly due to an auto accident, workplace accident, or sports injury that traumatizes the spine.

Symptoms of Back Pain: herniated disc

Herniated discs don’t always cause symptoms, but the symptoms that they do cause can help you troubleshoot the nature of your problem. The most common symptoms include:

  • An inability to walk more than a few steps without pain
  • Pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in a limb (the result of a herniated disc pressing against nerve roots)
  • Back pain that seems to grow worse when you sneeze, cough, stand up, or sit down
  • Neck pain (if it’s a cervical disc)
  • Symptoms that began after you gained a lot of weight (since obesity is a risk factor for disc problems)
  • Symptoms that started shortly after an accident, extreme twisting of the neck or back, or an attempt to lift a heavy object

If your symptoms seem to be soothed by massage, heat, or cold, you’re more likely to have a strained muscle or tendon than a herniated disc.

Ultimately, the most accurate way to confirm a herniated disc is through medical imaging. X-rays can reveal not only the abnormal shape of a herniated disc, but also whether the herniation is pinching a nerve.

Treatment for Back Pain: herniated discs

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for herniated discs. One of our physical therapists will run diagnostic tests at your first consultation to discover the source of your discomfort and confirm that it is really caused by a herniated disc.

Once the source of your pain has been identified, a personalised treatment plan tailored to your unique needs will be developed for you. This usually consists of a sequence of stretches and movements targeted at reducing discomfort, enhancing function, and supporting your body’s natural healing process. As your physical therapist sees fit, further treatments may be offered. These are some of them:

  • Manual therapy
  • Ice and heat therapies
  • Traction
  • Class IV laser therapy
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Education on posture and lifting mechanics

Your physical therapist will also advise you on any lifestyle changes that may be recommended in order to prevent herniated discs from developing again in the future. Physical therapy is one of the safest, quickest, and most effective ways to treat herniated discs. It is a holistic and non-invasive approach that, in many cases, has been able to eliminate the need for harmful drugs or surgical intervention.

A PT can help you feel better, faster

A herniated disc can cause a lot of misery — but don’t panic. Most herniated discs can be treated successfully without surgery. Physical therapy can be instrumental in helping you reduce or eliminate your symptoms.

Our physical therapist can recommend specific exercises to build up the strength in your back or neck. These exercises can counter any atrophy or weakness you’ve experienced due to your herniated disc. They can also reinforce your neck and back, lending these structures extra support and making them less vulnerable to future herniation.

We may also recommend other non-invasive techniques to complement your physical therapy exercises and help you heal.

Contact us today

Are you ready to learn more about herniated discs and get the answers your neck or back needs? Contact�our physical therapist today to schedule a consultation!

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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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