<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Physical Therapist Archives - WWSPT.Com</title> <atom:link href="https://wwspt.com/category/physical-therapist/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://wwspt.com/category/physical-therapist/</link> <description>Healing, Function, Recovery, Health</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 20 Aug 2024 22:05:07 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">215146180</site> <item> <title>Vestibular Migraine</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/vestibular-migraine/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/vestibular-migraine/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Nguyen PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 20 Aug 2024 22:03:06 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Migraines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Migraines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4464</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>One type of dizziness caused by migraines is called “vestibular migraines.” During a migraine episode, a person can experience vestibular symptoms, such as vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Episodes can occur with other migraine symptoms like light or sound sensitivity, visual aura, headaches, or dizziness might be the only symptom. Symptoms can vary in […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/vestibular-migraine/">Vestibular Migraine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>One type of dizziness caused by migraines is called “vestibular migraines.” During a migraine episode, a person can experience vestibular symptoms, such as vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Episodes can occur with other migraine symptoms like light or sound sensitivity, visual aura, headaches, or dizziness might be the only symptom. Symptoms can vary in intensity and last from 5 minutes to 72 hours. At WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, WWSPT, we can differentiate between possible vestibular diagnoses based on a patient’s current symptoms and history and a battery of vestibular tests to determine what is causing your dizziness. If we determine vestibular migraines are your issue, there are exercises we can do to address motion sensitivity, dizziness, and balance. More importantly, for migraine management, we can educate you on how to manage your symptoms, identify triggers of the migraines, and prevent future episodes.</div> <div></div> <div><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vestibular-Migraines-COVID19.jpg" /></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div>Dr. Amanda Nguyen, PT, DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, Pennsylvania</div> <div>215-489-3234</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/vestibular-migraine/">Vestibular Migraine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/vestibular-migraine/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4464</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Essential Physical Therapy Screening!</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Gregory Synnestvedt PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:49:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Crystals and Canals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Doylestown PA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy Screening]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SAFE act]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World Health Organization]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4366</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The Importance of Physical Therapy Screening for Risk of Falling and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) Falling can happen at any age and cause a person significant injury. For someone over 65 years of age, falls are especially concerning. The World Health Organization recognizes falls as the second most common cause of unintentional death in […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/">Essential Physical Therapy Screening!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Importance of Physical Therapy Screening for Risk of Falling and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Falling can happen at any age and cause a person significant injury. For someone over 65 years of age, falls are especially concerning. The World Health Organization recognizes falls as the second most common cause of unintentional death in the world (after car accident-related injuries) and states that<strong> “older people have the highest risk of death or serious injury arising from a fall, and the risk increases with age.”</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Physical therapists have long worked with people to figure out what is causing falls or balance problems and how to best reduce the risk of falling and improve balance. The best way to reduce injuries related to falling is to prevent it in the first place. Increased fall prevention awareness in recent decades has led to important new legislation known as the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act, or SAFE Act.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The SAFE Act includes a provision that primary care providers refer their patients to physical therapy for fall prevention evaluation and services if the person has fallen in the last year. Recent economic analysis of how health care is used has shown the cost-effectiveness of physical therapists’ care for fall-related services, mainly through reduced hospital and emergency room admissions.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> More than saving Medicare money, this bill is about improving people’s care and helping prevent injuries and death.</span></p> <p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dr.-Greg-Synnestvedt-Testing.png" alt="" width="796" height="517" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Referral to Physical Therapy for fall-related services is ideal because physical therapists are uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat the most common causes of falling. Balance problems can have many contributing factors, including changes in vestibular function, vision, and cognition, decreased muscle power, reduced endurance, decreased sensation in the feet and joints, and changes in coordination. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate these areas, screen for these issues, and analyze how someone walks and moves in different situations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A <strong>vestibular physical therapist</strong> is particularly well suited to screen for benign paroxysmal vertigo, an issue that can both cause falls and be caused by falls. BPPV is an issue where tiny calcium carbonate crystals that are meant to be in one part of the vestibular system in the inner ear come loose and go into one of the semi-circular canals, which are little tubes that sense turning head movements</span></p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p>1 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls<br /> 2 https://www.apta.org/news/2024/03/12/falls-legislation-safe-act<br /> 3 https://www.valueofpt.com/</p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the crystals move in the canals, they stimulate the inner ear and signal to the brain that the head is turning, even though it isn’t. This typically creates a false sense of movement, usually a spinning sensation called vertigo.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It turns out that not everyone who has BPPV experiences vertigo or even a dizziness sensation. Someone with BPPV may feel more off balance with movement due to the crystals being out of place but report no dizziness. When we test them with video goggles, however, we will see the classic involuntary eye movements, called nystagmus, used to diagnose BPPV accurately. Treating their BPPV through positioning maneuvers that guide the crystals out of the canals will help their balance improve.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new study from a specialty falls and balance clinic in Melbourne, Australia, found that 1 in 4 patients they saw for falls risk who had BPPV had no symptoms of dizziness!</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This is a great example of why we screen people for BPPV when there is a sudden change in balance function or a recent fall–even if they do not complain of dizziness.</span></p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Do-You-Suffer-From-dizziness-copy.png" alt="" width="639" height="800" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, if a patient feels dizzy, this dizziness can also lead to a fall. Treating someone’s dizziness, understandably, will help reduce their risk of falling. This has now been supported by large-scale research. A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that using physical therapy decreased fall risk in patients in the US who had dizziness.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The study found that 7% of adults being evaluated for dizziness had a fall resulting in a medical encounter within a year of experiencing dizziness. Receiving physical therapy within 3 months of the initial dizziness visit was associated with an 86% decrease in the odds of falling.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This underscores the value of physical therapy care—particularly by a physical therapist with training and expertise in treating dizziness—for those who have fallen or feel at risk of falling or for those who are experiencing dizziness. If your healthcare provider recommends you seek physical therapy care due to a fall, following through with the therapy is in your best interest. And if you are dizzy, you can reduce your risk of falling by receiving physical therapy. The physical therapists at WWSPT would be happy to help you reduce your risk of falling and feel more confident in your balance again. </span></p> <p>Dr. Greg Synnestvedt, PT, DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3234</p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 4 </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Susan Hyland, Lyndon J. Hawke & Nicholas F. Taylor (2024) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo without dizziness is common in people presenting to falls clinics, Disability and Rehabilitation, DOI: </span><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2320271"><span style="font-weight: 400;">10.1080/09638288.2024.2320271 </span></a></p> <p>5<span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marmor S, Karaca-Mandic P, Adams ME. Use of Physical Therapy and Subsequent Falls Among Patients With Dizziness in the US. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 2023;149(12):1083–1090. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2023.2840 </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/">Essential Physical Therapy Screening!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4366</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Physical Therapy Technology and Research Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Nguyen PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:02:32 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[acute care]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Combined Sections Metting (CMS)]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[long COVID]]></category> <category><![CDATA[neurology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[orthopedic treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pelvic Floor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VR]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4356</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Boston, Massachusetts, last month. CSM is a yearly conference held over multiple days where thousands of physical therapists worldwide meet and share the latest technology and research. Educational sessions last about two hours each, with endless daily poster presentations. Topics […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/">Physical Therapy Technology and Research Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Boston, Massachusetts, last month. CSM is a yearly conference held over multiple days where thousands of physical therapists worldwide meet and share the latest technology and research.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CMS_Mtg_Classroom.jpg " alt="" width="640" height="800" /></p> <p>Educational sessions last about two hours each, with endless daily poster presentations. Topics included orthopedics, pelvic floor, acute care, neurology, and vestibular. I attended various vestibular courses over the two days I was there. I sat in lectures held by some of the most innovative heads of the vestibular world, like Dr. Susan Whitney (University of Pittsburgh), Dr. Barry Semongal (Imperial College London), Dr. Janet Helmeinski (Rosalind Franklin University) and Dr. Janene Holmberg (Intermountain Healthcare out of Salt Lake, Utah).</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CMS_Boston_2024.jpg" alt="" width="619" height="800" /></p> <p>They spoke about various vestibular topics, such as the latest BPPV research, treatment of different types of BPPV, chronic dizziness, and even appropriate treatment for dizziness from long COVID.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hemanski_Ostroski.jpg" alt="" width="604" height="341" /></p> <p>I learned so much from this esteemed group and was excited to take the knowledge back to WWSPT, where I can share it with my colleagues and use it to treat my patients.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr. Amanda Nguyen, PT, DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/">Physical Therapy Technology and Research Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4356</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Exercise for a Healthy Heart</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/exercise-for-a-healthy-heart/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/exercise-for-a-healthy-heart/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Nguyen PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 2024 12:22:37 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blood Pressure]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Exercise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health Heart Awareness Month]]></category> <category><![CDATA[heart]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Isometric Exercises]]></category> <category><![CDATA[physical activity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4324</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>February is Heart Health Awareness Month!   Valentine’s Day has passed, but it is a good reminder to show the people closest to you love and affection and to give yourself love and care. That includes taking care of Your Body and Your Heart.     As we all know, the Heart is a vital […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/exercise-for-a-healthy-heart/">Exercise for a Healthy Heart</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>February is Heart Health Awareness Month!</h1> <p> </p> <p>Valentine’s Day has passed, but it is a good reminder to show the people closest to you love and affection and to give yourself love and care. That includes taking care of <strong>Your Body and Your Heart.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Heart-Health-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="830" height="547" /></p> <p> </p> <p>As we all know, the Heart is a vital organ in the body. It pumps blood full of oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body. Vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure are good indicators of heart health. They are easy to measure and track with the devices <b>Accessible</b> to us now.</p> <p><b>How can you keep your heart healthy?</b> <b>Exercise </b>is a great way to do it. <b>Cardiovascular exercises </b>like running or brisk walking, strength training, and high-intensity workouts can all help improve and maintain your heart health. They can improve blood pressure and efficiency of <b>Your </b>heart. It is recommended you get 150 minutes of moderate activity a week.</p> <p> </p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Squat-Woman-scaled-e1708103576822.jpeg" alt="" width="803" height="1044" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Some of us cannot tolerate high-intensity workouts and running; thankfully, there are other ways to exercise and get the Cardiac benefits. Recent research shows <b>Isometric exercises</b> and activities are effective in reducing blood pressure. Exercises like planks, knee extension holds, grip holding, and wall squats have proven effective. When you maintain a position for some time, these exercises make you work the muscles longer, making your heart work harder to provide oxygen for the working muscles. The increased load on your heart will make it more efficient and effective over time, thus slowing down your heart rate and improving your blood pressure. Isometric exercises are good for your heart and a great way to improve muscle strength and endurance.</p> <p>Let us know if you need guidance on starting an exercise program or are experiencing pain and discomfort preventing you from moving or exercising. The physical therapists at WWSPT would be happy to help you take good care of Your Body and achieve your goals.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr. Amanda Nguyen, PT, DPT<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/exercise-for-a-healthy-heart/">Exercise for a Healthy Heart</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/exercise-for-a-healthy-heart/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4324</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Exercises to Try for a Healthy Spine</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/exercises-to-try-for-a-healthy-spine/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/exercises-to-try-for-a-healthy-spine/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 14:48:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[alignment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[back flexibility]]></category> <category><![CDATA[back pain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Exercise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Healthy Aging]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LBP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Low BackPain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lumbar spine]]></category> <category><![CDATA[orthopedic treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[physical activity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[posture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4295</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Here are some simple exercises to maintain or improve your back flexibility and decrease back pain. Aerobic exercise: take a short walk daily to interrupt sitting, take long strides, and keep your head and eyes up. When you wake in the morning, do some simple spinal exercises to loosen up the joints and muscles around […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/exercises-to-try-for-a-healthy-spine/">Exercises to Try for a Healthy Spine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here are some simple exercises to maintain or improve your back flexibility and decrease back pain.</p> <p>Aerobic exercise: take a short walk daily to interrupt sitting, take long strides, and keep your head and eyes up.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Walking-long-stride.jpg" alt="" width="501" height="803" /></p> <p>When you wake in the morning, do some simple spinal exercises to loosen up the joints and muscles around the spine. Repeat these throughout the day.</p> <p>Try flexion: knee-to-chest exercises or child’s pose yoga stretches to open the vertebra and stretch muscles. When you stand, bend over and touch your toes slowly several times. This flexes your spine and improves the flexibility of the hamstrings and buttocks.</p> <p> </p> <p>Try extension: Physical therapists call this exercise a press-up, or in yoga, it’s called an upward dog pose. While lying prone (on your stomach), use your arms and hands at shoulder level to press the chest up to arch the back, letting the hips sag toward the ground. Hold this for about 10 seconds, then return to lying flat. Alternately, when you stand, place your hands in the small of the back and lean backward in an arching motion, hold for 5-10 seconds, and repeat at least five times. This is good to repeat throughout the day to offset prolonged sitting.</p> <p> </p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Extention-exercise.png" alt="" width="728" height="561" />Physical therapy is known to be valuable and effective in managing acute and chronic low back pain, and recent studies suggest that therapy could be most beneficial when used earlier in the care process. Ask your primary care provider about coming to see WWSPT’s skilled clinicians and choose physical therapy first in your care.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/exercises-to-try-for-a-healthy-spine/">Exercises to Try for a Healthy Spine</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/exercises-to-try-for-a-healthy-spine/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4295</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Lifestyle changes PTs recommend to prevent or manage Lower Back Pain</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/lifestyle-changes-pts-recommend-to-prevent-or-manage-lower-back-pain/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/lifestyle-changes-pts-recommend-to-prevent-or-manage-lower-back-pain/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:02:49 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[back pain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dynamic stretching]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ergonomic chair]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Exercise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Healthy Aging]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LBP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lumbar lordosis support]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Musculoskeletal Issues]]></category> <category><![CDATA[orthopedic treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[physical activity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[postural alignment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[posture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[spine]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4284</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>What lifestyle changes would PTs recommend to prevent or manage Lower Back Pain (LBP)? Physical Therapists assess lifestyle risk factors that might predispose or aggravate LBP and educate patients about better choices. The most common adjustment is to be aware of sitting with good postural alignment, avoiding slouching, and actively sitting up straight. Sitting and […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/lifestyle-changes-pts-recommend-to-prevent-or-manage-lower-back-pain/">Lifestyle changes PTs recommend to prevent or manage Lower Back Pain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What lifestyle changes would PTs recommend to prevent or manage Lower Back Pain (LBP)?</p> <p>Physical Therapists assess lifestyle risk factors that might predispose or aggravate LBP and educate patients about better choices. The most common adjustment is to be aware of sitting with good postural alignment, avoiding slouching, and actively sitting up straight. Sitting and scrolling on our phones is a good example where slouching is common, i.e., head down, shoulders rounded, and spine flexed. Try sitting up straight and gazing down at your phone instead.</p> <p>Avoid being sedentary. Prolonged sitting is common in many offices or work-from-home settings but is easily corrected with an ergonomic chair and lumbar lordosis support to create an extension of the spine as you lean back in the chair. For those at a computer, using a standing desk intermittently throughout the day is an effective way to decrease time spent sitting. When your work day ends, avoid sitting. Yes, you can lie on the couch and unload your spine!</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/The-big-slouch.png" alt="" width="801" height="535" /></p> <p>Often, people sit slouched without pain, but when they go to get up, they have trouble straightening without pain because the tissues of the spine are overstretched into the flexed or slouched posture and are strained. When this happens, it’s good to do some backward bending and walk with long strides to balance the spine with some extension movements.</p> <p>Driving long distances can cause the same symptoms, so ensuring your vehicle’s seating alignment is the best for your size and height is important. Cars often have lumbar support built into the seat, which you can adjust for comfort. Another trick is to make sure you sit straight, then align your rear-view and side mirror so when you start to slouch, you won’t be able to see your mirrors, and it will be a reminder to use good posture. Luckily, today, our cars remember these settings for us!</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Car-Posture.png" alt="" width="799" height="533" /></p> <p>Use proper body mechanics when lifting objects from the floor. A straight back and bent knees are best to prevent lumbar muscle strains or spinal strains. Proper sit-to-stand movement is very helpful, and I find I need to teach this to patients with any lower leg or lumbar problem. Commonly, people round forward and stay flexed to stand; however, to stand properly, you should look up, erect, and lift with your hips and legs.</p> <p>Walking is good for your back, so take a short walk before or after a meal or lunch break. Other factors that lower the risk for LBP include maintaining good health habits of aerobic exercise training, whether walking daily or getting to a gym 3-4 times a week performing strengthening and aerobic exercise. Keeping your weight in the normal range and avoiding smoking are additional factors that reduce risk.</p> <p>Physical therapy involves patient education, manual therapies, and strengthening exercises that focus on trunk muscle activation and building endurance to reduce pain. Physical therapy is known to be valuable and effective in managing acute and chronic low back pain, and recent studies suggest it is most beneficial when used earlier in the care process. Ask your primary care provider about coming to see WWSPT’s skilled clinicians and <strong>choose physical therapy first</strong> in your care.</p> <p>Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> 215-489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/lifestyle-changes-pts-recommend-to-prevent-or-manage-lower-back-pain/">Lifestyle changes PTs recommend to prevent or manage Lower Back Pain</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/lifestyle-changes-pts-recommend-to-prevent-or-manage-lower-back-pain/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4284</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Swelling is a Normal Body Response</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/swelling-is-a-normal-body-response/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/swelling-is-a-normal-body-response/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cassie Zanolini, PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 21 Dec 2023 01:40:31 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[injury]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[PT Treatments]]></category> <category><![CDATA[surgery]]></category> <category><![CDATA[swelling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4267</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Swelling is the body’s normal response to an injury or surgery. It is your body’s method of preventing further injury and beginning the healing process. When controlled, swelling helps to allow the body to heal more quickly. However, excessive or uncontrolled swelling can hinder healing and lead to inactivity, which can cause muscle atrophy. Therefore, […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/swelling-is-a-normal-body-response/">Swelling is a Normal Body Response</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div></div> <div>Swelling is the body’s normal response to an injury or surgery. It is your body’s method of preventing further injury and beginning the healing process. When controlled, swelling helps to allow the body to heal more quickly. However, excessive or uncontrolled swelling can hinder healing and lead to inactivity, which can cause muscle atrophy. Therefore, it is important to keep swelling managed.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Swelling_injury_surgery-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="450" /></div> <div></div> <div><strong>Here are five tips for managing swelling:</strong></div> <div></div> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><strong>Rest</strong> – Rest can limit swelling and help prevent further damage from occurring. It is important to temporarily stop any activity that appears to cause increased pain or swelling directly.</li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><strong>Ice</strong> – Ice helps to manage swelling by reducing blood flow to the area. Icing a few times per day for 20-minute intervals is most effective. Be sure to cover the ice pack with fabric and avoid icing for long durations to prevent ice burns.</li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><strong>Compression</strong> – Compression wrapping the affected areas applies pressure, which can reduce swelling. Our lymphatic system’s vessels and veins return fluid from our body’s tissues back to the circulatory system. Compression prevents fluid from collecting in the area and promotes fluid return. Compression socks can be used for swelling in the lower legs.</li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><strong>Elevation</strong> – Elevating the affected area above your heart allows gravity to return fluid. Keeping an injured arm elevated overhead or propping a swollen ankle up on pillows while lying down is an effective way to do this.</li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <div><strong>Activity</strong> – Activity might seem like the opposite of rest, but activity (in moderation) can help to work fluid out of the affected area. While too much activity can be counterproductive and stress the area more, moving the right areas can help reduce swelling while keeping joints and muscles ready for recovery. Muscle pumping is a way of using muscle contraction to assist in fluid return. For example, with an ankle sprain, it is common to repeatedly elevate the foot and perform ankle pumps (moving your toes toward you, then pointing them away from you). Your physical therapist can help to prescribe safe stretches and exercises to reduce swelling and improve mobility.</div> </li> </ol> <div>If swelling persists, is excessive, or extremely painful it is important to seek guidance from a healthcare provider. Signs of redness, pain or tenderness to touch, swelling or tightness in the skin, warmth, skin sores, or rashes could indicate a bigger issue known as cellulitis. This is a common skin infection caused by bacteria that affects the middle layer of skin, the dermis. Bacteria can make its way into the skin through a crack or opening. Those at risk include people with a history of peripheral vascular disease or diabetes or those with skin wounds cracked or peeling skin. If swelling does not appear to be related to an injury, this can cause greater concern and may warrant follow-up with your primary care physician.</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div> Dr. Cassie Newnan, PT,DPT<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> 215-489-3234</div> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/swelling-is-a-normal-body-response/">Swelling is a Normal Body Response</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/swelling-is-a-normal-body-response/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4267</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Good Balance and Good Health Go Together</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/good-balance-and-good-health-go-together/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/good-balance-and-good-health-go-together/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:04:23 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[aging process]]></category> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Balanec Awareness Week]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Exercise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4193</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>As a Vestibular specialist, many patients ask me how to prevent another vestibular event or a fall. Good balance comes from a healthy vestibular system, visual system, and proper input from sensory nerves and muscles. These systems work together to help us move and react, maintaining good balance. As we age, the vestibular system changes. […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/good-balance-and-good-health-go-together/">Good Balance and Good Health Go Together</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a Vestibular specialist, many patients ask me how to prevent another vestibular event or a fall. Good balance comes from a healthy vestibular system, visual system, and proper input from sensory nerves and muscles. These systems work together to help us move and react, maintaining good balance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we age, the vestibular system changes. The hair cell neurons of the inner ear reduce in number, and the postural organs of the ear, the utricle and saccule, also decline in function. This can affect postural reactions and coordination involved in maintaining balance. Otoconia from the utricle and saccule also become more likely to break loose from these organs, causing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a condition that we frequently treat in vestibular therapy.</span></p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BALANCE-IN-AGING.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p> </p> <p><b>How can we slow down the aging process to help our balance?</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exercise that includes changing surfaces to challenge your muscles and postural reactions and head movement added to exercise to make your vestibular system work harder can all improve your balance. Your vestibular therapist can teach you <em><strong>How</strong></em> to incorporate these into your regular workout.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maintaining good health is important in aging well. Some health issues affect the vestibular system more directly than others. </span><b>Hypertension </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">affects the inner ear since the ear is susceptible to changes in blood flow. The vestibular system’s microcirculation is reduced by hypertension, which can lead to loss of function in the vestibular system. We tend to focus on the circulation to our heart and brain, but issues from reduced blood flow can also occur in the inner ear organ.</span></p> <p><b>Diabetes Mellitus</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> also affects the microcirculation of the inner ear and the peripheral nerves, sometimes causing peripheral neuropathy. Patients with diabetes are 70% more likely to have vestibular and balance deficits, so properly managing your diabetes with exercise and medication is important for good balance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em><strong>Exercise</strong></em> has positively affected hypertension, diabetes, circulation, sleep, and many other health factors that impact <em><strong>balance.</strong></em> A physical therapist trained in v<em><strong>estibular rehabilitation</strong></em> can examine how your balance systems are working and help you figure out how to exercise and work on your balance safely.</span></p> <p>Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/good-balance-and-good-health-go-together/">Good Balance and Good Health Go Together</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/good-balance-and-good-health-go-together/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4193</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Explaining Low Back Pain Beyond the Diagnosis</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/explaining-low-back-pain-beyond-the-diagnosis/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/explaining-low-back-pain-beyond-the-diagnosis/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Nguyen PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:50:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[back pain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BCWJ]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bucks County Womens Journal]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Exercise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Healthy Aging]]></category> <category><![CDATA[imaging studies]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LBP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Low BackPain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Opioid Epidemic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Orthopedic Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[orthopedic treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Orthopedic Treatment - BCWJ]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[physical activity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4181</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Low back pain, #LBP, is one of the most common injuries people experience and get treated for in Physical Therapy. According to a study published by Georgetown University, nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain, and some 16 million adults are limited in certain everyday activities due to chronic back pain. The […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/explaining-low-back-pain-beyond-the-diagnosis/">Explaining Low Back Pain Beyond the Diagnosis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Low back pain, #LBP, is one of the most common injuries people experience and get treated for in <strong>Physical Therapy</strong>. According to a study published by Georgetown University, nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain, and some 16 million adults are limited in certain everyday activities due to chronic back pain.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LowBackPain.jpg" alt="" width="395" height="330" /></p> <p>The most common diagnoses of low back injuries seen in physical therapy are osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, strains/ sprains, disc herniations, and sciatica. These diagnoses are especially prevalent among people over the age of 40. Often, an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan is needed to confirm one of these diagnoses. However, just because one of these diagnoses is present in the lower back doesn’t mean it is the root cause of pain.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MRI.XRay_-e1507834511461.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="270" /></p> <p>Imaging does not always correlate with symptoms. In a research study published in the <em>American Journal of </em><em>Neuroradiology</em>, researchers took MRI images and CT scans of spines in groups of people ages 20 to 80 years old <strong>without pain</strong>. They found that about 37% of the 20-year-olds and approximately 96% of the 80-year-olds had disc degeneration. Researchers also found that among the 20-year-olds, about 30% had evidence of disc bulging or disc herniation, while 85% of the 80-year-olds had it. While the imaging revealed something abnormal about the participants’ spines, they did not report any pain.</p> <p> </p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MRI-Imaging-e1507834368365.jpg" alt="" width="397" height="270" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>However, some people with one or both of these diagnoses have pain. So, what is the difference if two people have the same diagnosis, but one is experiencing pain, and the other is not?</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Even though two people may have the same diagnoses, their presentation is never identical; no two people have the same medical histories, comorbidities, work conditions, personal activities, and habits. As a result of these factors, different muscles are being used more often than others, which leads to asymmetries of the body. If muscles are weak or inflexible, the other muscles of the body have to compensate for those imbalances, which results in improper movement patterns and pain.</p> <p>If there was no traumatic event like a car accident, odds are the structural change, like the disc bulge, was there long before the pain started. The area could have been irritated with a small movement, but it was enough to cause an exacerbation of symptoms. This is often true when someone suddenly falls or shovels for the first time in the season. The pain may dissipate when this acute irritation calms down, but the same disc bulge or degeneration remains. For some, though, the pain can become chronic and persistent.</p> <p>In Alie Ward’s podcast “Ologies,” the Dolorology episode, she interviews Dr. Rachel Zoffness, a pain psychologist, about chronic pain. She discusses chronic pain as “<strong>a biopsychosocial</strong><strong> phenomenon</strong>.” Pain is influenced by biomedical (i.e., structural changes to the body), psychology (i.e., trauma, depression, mood), and social factors (i.e., environment, accessibility), and all of these factors should be considered when treating chronic pain.</p> <p>Dr. Zoffness also discusses the use of opioids for <strong>chronic pain</strong>. The opioid epidemic has become a major topic because of the many overdose deaths. While these medications can block pain messages effectively, they desensitize the brain to pain and the effects of the drug. The brain gets accustomed to the medication and then demands a higher dose to decrease pain and keep it manageable. In another scenario, the pain signals can return with a vengeance if a dose is missed.</p> <p>Research shows that opioids are ineffective in long-term low back pain, but <strong>exercise </strong><strong>and activity </strong>are effective. For those who have pain with everyday tasks, their brain is very sensitive to pain because of how long pain has been present. The brain is very good about protecting the body, so it sends “danger” messages when doing tasks like unloading the dishwasher, even though they are not dangerous. So small bouts of <strong>exercise and activity </strong>lead to <strong>desensitization </strong>of the body and reteach the brain that these tasks are normal.</p> <p>Addressing the mental state is also important when dealing with long-term pain. If someone is in a bad mood or stressed out, pain can be more intense due to the brain chemicals released when he or she is not feeling good. For instance, when you’re not feeling well, your body feels so much heavier and achy. <strong>Exercise </strong>can release endorphins and dopamine to boost mood and make you feel good.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PT-ad-ortho.png" alt="" /></p> <p> </p> <p>So, what exercises or movements are appropriate for back pain? Physical therapists are <strong>movement</strong><strong> experts </strong>and will be able to evaluate and assess your pain. Many of the diagnoses listed earlier are treatable with physical therapy, but at WWSPT, we don’t just treat the diagnosis; we treat the person. We will evaluate your movement, strength, and flexibility. We will take into consideration your past medical and social history. From that information, we will develop a plan for you to become pain-free and return to your prior level of function.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr. Amanda Nguyen. PT. DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/explaining-low-back-pain-beyond-the-diagnosis/">Explaining Low Back Pain Beyond the Diagnosis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/explaining-low-back-pain-beyond-the-diagnosis/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4181</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Treat Your Tendons Well</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/treat-your-tendons-well/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/treat-your-tendons-well/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Gregory Synnestvedt PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:08:40 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Orthopedic Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[orthopedic treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tendonitis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[tendonitis.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tendons]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tennis Elbow]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4168</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Your tendons have the important job of connecting your muscles to your bones. Without tendons, your muscles would contract but not actually move or stabilize your body. As physical therapists, we often help unhappy people with unhappy tendons become happier. Having healthy and “happy” tendons means they can tolerate the loads put on them by […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/treat-your-tendons-well/">Treat Your Tendons Well</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Your <strong>tendons</strong> have the important job of connecting your muscles to your bones. Without tendons, your muscles would contract but not actually move or stabilize your body. As physical therapists, we often help unhappy people with unhappy tendons become happier. Having healthy and “happy” tendons means they can tolerate the loads put on them by muscles.</p> <p>Like other tissues in our body, tendons respond to the forces and stresses we put on them. If you don’t use certain muscles very often, their tendons will grow relatively weaker and less able to tolerate heavier use. If there is a sudden increase in the use of a tendon beyond what it is used to, it might become inflamed. This is what we call tendonitis.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Man_TennisElbow.jpg" alt="Tennis Elbow" width="700" height="516" /></p> <p><strong>Tendonitis</strong> can theoretically occur anywhere in the body where there is a tendon, but certain tendons tend to take higher loads and more frequent use and are, therefore, more susceptible to injury and irritation. Examples include the knee (patellar tendons), ankles (Achilles tendon), hips (gluteal tendons, hip flexor tendons), shoulder (rotator cuff tendons), and elbows (“golfer’s elbow” and “tennis elbow”).</p> <p>Tendonitis is a pesky injury that can turn into a chronic problem if not treated properly. Let’s zoom in on the tendons of the elbow for an example of what can cause tendonitis and what can help reduce and prevent tendonitis.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tennis-Elbow.png" alt="" /></p> <p>Overuse injuries are unfortunately common at the elbow, and they generally fall into two broad categories: “Tennis elbow” and “golfer’s elbow.” Tennis elbow or “lateral epicondylitis” is a pain in the tendons and where they attach on the outside of the elbow. These tendons would be stressed when hitting a backhanded shot in tennis because muscles whose tendons attach here act to bring your wrist backward and stabilize your hand and wrist while gripping.</p> <p>Golfer’s elbow, or “medial epicondylitis,” is pain on the inside of your elbow, which would be stressed during a swinging or throwing motion. The muscles that provide you with a powerful grip have tendons that attach to the inside of the elbow so that repetitive gripping can once again cause irritation.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Golfers-Elbow.png" alt="" width="486" height="486" /></p> <p>Activities other than tennis and golf can cause or be affected by these types of tendonitis. Activities such as playing an instrument, using garden tools, knitting or crocheting, and typing on a keyboard can all be problematic, especially if you are getting back into these activities after a break or suddenly increasing the amount of time doing these activities. Certain jobs requiring machines or tools, especially those requiring strong gripping and a lot of torque force, can cause tendonitis. Even daily activities such as cooking, doing your hair, or getting dressed can become painful in severe cases.</p> <p>So, what can we do to treat or prevent tendonitis? A useful overall treatment strategy used by doctors of physical therapy is the <strong>EdUReP</strong> model: Education, Unloading, Reloading, and Prevention.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> <p>The first step is <strong>Education</strong> about what the problem is, including what forces on the tendon are causing the inflammation and what activities, postures, or other musculoskeletal factors are contributing to it.</p> <p>The next step is <strong>Unloading</strong> the tendon- give it a break. This often involves lessening, stopping, or altering certain activities that use the tendon. For the elbow, it may involve the use of a wrist or elbow splint to rest the tendons from certain positions or uses.</p> <p>Next, you have to do controlled <strong>Reloading</strong> of the tendon. This is a phase of tendon rehab that is sometimes missed! It is not enough to unload the tendon and then resume normal activity. While this may relieve the pain temporarily, ultimately, the force that the tendon can handle has not been changed, and the tendonitis is likely to recur and become a chronic tendinopathy. To build tendon strength and improve its tolerance to load, the tendon has to be gradually loaded. This means making the muscle and tendon do work – but not overworking them to the point of re-aggravating the tendon.</p> <p><em>A <strong>physical therapist is skilled</strong> at selecting and dosing the exercises that load a tendon and can help you navigate through how much pain and what sort of pains are okay vs. signs of progressing too rapidly. Certain types of exercises are often tolerated better at different stages of tendon rehabilitation. If the tendon and muscles are loaded at a therapeutic level to increase their strength, this will improve their tolerance to load over time and decrease pain associated with loading. Additionally, hands-on therapeutic techniques and stretching can aid in reducing tendon pain during the unloading and reloading stages.</em></p> <p>The final step in the model is <strong>Prevention</strong>. This may include addressing weakness or poor mobility in the surrounding muscle groups and joints that interact with the elbow, such as the shoulder, wrist, and hand. It might also include retraining on how certain movements are performed. Teaching a proper stretching and muscle warm-up to perform before activity can also be useful.</p> <p>If you have pain around your elbow or any joint preventing you from doing what you want, reach out to <strong>Wendy Webb Schoenewald Physical Therapy.</strong> One of the physical therapists will be happy to see if it is tendonitis that is causing your pain and help you through the process of coming back stronger so your pain goes away–and stays away.</p> <p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Todd E Davenport and others, The EdUReP Model for Nonsurgical Management of Tendinopathy, <em>Physical Therapy</em>, Volume 85, Issue 10, 1 October 2005, Pages 1093–1103, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/85.10.1093">https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/85.10.1093</a></p> <p>Dr. Gregory Synnestvedt PT, DPT<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, Bucks County, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/treat-your-tendons-well/">Treat Your Tendons Well</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/treat-your-tendons-well/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4168</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>