BACK PAIN
Millions of people each year are affected by back pain. It can be localized to one area or radiate down the legs. Proper posture plays a big part in improving your back pain. As we get older and deconditioned, this can lead to pain in the back, buttocks and legs. Arthritis complicates matters worse by changing the way the back moves. Treatment would consist of relief of associated muscle spasms, strengthening of back musculature, postural corrections and learning how to keep your back strong and safe in the future.
KNEE PAIN
The knee joint is made more stable by the actions of your medial and lateral meniscus. They can be easily torn with twisting activities or falls. Symptoms may include joint line pain, swelling and locking of the knee joint. Patella tracking issues are common in people who have quadriceps weakness, poor leg alignment or do repeated bending and stair climbing. Your physical therapy program will include strengthening supportive musculature, improving your range of motion and functional mobility of the knee.
SHOULDER PAIN
The shoulder is a complex joint system that is easily prone to injury as we get older. Arthritis and overuse can lead to rotator cuff problems that may be easily fixed if diagnosed early. Poor posture may also play a factor in developing shoulder problems. Physical therapy treatment would include increasing the movement of your shoulder joint and strengthening of the shoulder musculature so you can return to normal activities or sports.
FOOT AND ANKLE PAIN
Your foot and ankle bear the force of your body weight with every step you take. In Florida, people like to wear sandals, flip flops or go bare foot. Without proper arch support, people develop tendinitis and bunions. We will evaluate possible causes of foot or ankle pain, alleviate inflammation and follow up with strengthening of the muscles surrounding the joint.
JOINT REPLACEMENT
After decades of use, your joint surfaces may wear away requiring replacement. We recommend any person planing a replacement have a few sessions of physical therapy to learn what to expect after surgery or jump start their strengthening and rehabilitation program before surgery. Although knee and hip replacements are the most common, shoulder and reverse shoulder replacements are becoming more common as people realize this procedure is an option. Pre-surgery plans will involve maintaining range of motion and strengthening the surrounding musculature. Post-op treatment will begin with pain reduction, maintaining range of motion and gradually strengthening muscles that support the affected joint.
HIP PAIN
The hip joint is a ball and socket joint like the shoulder. Bursitis is a common occurrence that is easily treatable. Patients will complain of lateral hip pain with walking and severe tenderness to touch over the hip area. We will address the root cause of your pain and work to eliminate inflammation. As your condition improves, we will strengthen the joint musculature and address body mechanics for daily living, even during participation in sporting activities if appropriate.
ELBOW PAIN
Tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow and golfer’s elbow effects the inside of the elbow. Both may occur due to improper swing or overuse. A thorough assessment is performed to decide what the cause was and determine what muscles are tight and weak. Modalities such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation are used to decrease inflammation, increase circulation and promote healing so you can get you back into your sport as soon as possible.
NECK PAIN
Do you suffer from pain or numbness down your arm, a stiff neck or neck pain? As we get older, we know we get a little shorter. This is because the discs the lie between each of your vertebrae lose fluid and shrink. This may cause pressure on the nerves, leading to pain in the neck and arm. Arthritis also makes the joints stiff, causing you to lose movement and feel stiff. A thorough assessment will be performed to find what specific problems you may have, then a treatment plan is made specifically for you. We will also make sure that you have the knowledge and ability to maintain your progress once you are well.
FRACTURES
Whether you fracture your shoulder, arm, back, hip or ankle therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation. Depending on the bone and how it was fractured, you may need surgery, casting or a brace to realign the bones so they can heal properly. Therapy will also restore strength, balance and coordination to prevent falls and injury.
WEAKNESS AND DECONDITIONING
If you find yourself or your loved one having a harder time getting up from a chair or walking, you may be experiencing muscle wasting or atrophy. This can be caused by some medications or by lack of activity. This weakness could lead to falls and injury if not addressed. You are never too old or out of shape to improve your strength. We will work with you to guide and motivate you to be the best you can be.
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
This is a disorder that affects the nervous system and a person’s ability to move. It develops gradually over time and progressively worsens. There has been a lot of research done over the past 20 years. New medications and brain stimulators can greatly reduce symptoms. We feel this is one of the most underutilized areas of physical therapy. We have seen wonderful results with our patients using new treatment techniques. Early treatment and education will make a difference!
STROKE
When blood flow to the brain is interrupted, tissue damage occurs. Depending where the clot is, different symptoms will occur. This is why some stroke patients will have weakness, others speech problems and others may have cognitive problems. Physical therapy helps people who have muscle weakness or increased muscle tone or spasticity that causes problems with mobility. Treatment plans vary based on the need of the patient.
BALANCE AND VERTIGO
Most people do not realize that the brain, eyes and ears work together to keep you on your feet safely. The trick is finding which area needs the work. Physical therapy will make a difference when proper and thorough instruction is given. Vertigo can be treated by moving the head in specific patterns to move tiny ear particles to the area of the ear they need to be in. Often people are cured in one to two sessions.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Young athletes today need guidance in proper training techniques to prevent repetitive and overuse injuries. Living in the sunshine state, children today play sports year round which leaves little time for healing of injuries. This can cause permanent injuries and affect their ability to obtain scholarships for college. While rehabilitating injuries, we teach young athletes how to maintain their bodies and avoid future injuries.
