Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy

Why Surgery Doesn’t Have to Be Your Only Option

Do you suffer from a painful orthopedic condition such as spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis? Many think surgical intervention is the only way they’ll ever find relief. However, you have another option: physical therapy at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy!

There’s no denying that surgery is a significant decision–and one that brings with it several risks, including blood clots, infections, and more. That’s why most doctors will encourage you to consider your options before booking a surgeon. For orthopedic concerns, that means looking to physical therapy.

In fact, physical therapy is actually a frontline treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, from arthritis to ligament injuries, meaning you absolutely should try it first! Regular physical therapy treatments can help delay your surgery–and, in some cases, avoid it altogether.

If you feel you may be on the path to needing surgery, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. We’ll provide specific information about how our physical therapists can help you avoid or delay surgery.

Conditions That Respond Well to Physical Therapy

People opt for surgery to reduce pain and improve their functionality and mobility. The good news is that physical therapy can do exactly that for several different musculoskeletal conditions, including the following:

Osteoarthritis: People with severe osteoarthritis often resort to total joint replacements to address their symptoms. But if you can begin physical therapy early on, you can slow the condition’s progression.
Partial Ligament Tears: While a full ligament tear typically requires surgical intervention, less severe ligament injuries respond well to physical therapy.
Spinal Stenosis: This condition causes a painful narrowing in the spinal column, but you can manage your pain and mobility restrictions with gentle, targeted exercise.
Degenerative Disc Disease: A common side effect of aging, physical therapy is more beneficial for treating DDD than surgery in most cases.
Herniated Discs: This is another condition that physical therapy can generally resolve more easily than surgery.

Physical Therapy vs. Surgery: Here’s What We Can Offer

The exact details of your physical therapy treatment will vary based on several factors, including the condition or injury, your current health status, and your overall goals. Our team will work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your needs.

Generally speaking, we’ll begin with an extensive evaluation to help us get to the root of your discomfort. From there, we’ll pull from several different techniques to help you manage pain, eliminate restrictions in your range of motion, and improve your overall function.

Ultimately, our goal is the same as any orthopedic surgery: to help you live a rich, active lifestyle, free from pain and immobility. However, we can do it with a few extra benefits:

Lower Costs:
Surgeries are far more expensive than physical therapy. Comparisons in prices estimate that surgery costs at least $2 per year for every $1 spent on physical therapy.

Less Time:
Surgery is a highly invasive procedure that requires lengthy rehabilitation. Healing alone typically takes several weeks, and it can take up to a year before you’ve fully rehabilitated–during which time you’ll be doing extensive physical therapy anyway. Why not skip the extra step?

Decreased Risks:
Surgery brings a host of medical risks, from blood clots to dependency on painkillers. Because physical therapy is non-invasive, the risk is minimal (especially compared to surgery). It also offers drug-free pain relief options.

That said, seeking physical therapy treatment sooner rather than later is essential–this is especially true for degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. It’s also essential you keep active outside of our clinic. Many of these conditions benefit from regular movement, so you’ll want to find an exercise program that suits your needs (something our therapists can help you with).

And if you do wind up needing surgery down the road, you’ll already be prepared for your rehabilitation after the procedure!

Skip The Knife; Try Physical Therapy Instead

If you have a painful musculoskeletal condition, don’t resort to surgery – visit Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy first to find out if physical therapy might be a better solution for you. Call us today to get started.

Say Goodbye to Pain – Get Started with PT Now!

Ready to feel your best again? Come back to Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy and let us help you achieve your wellness goals—book your appointment today!

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Seasonal Recipe:

Healthy Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

1 flax egg (1 TBSP flaxseed meal + 3 TBSP water; let sit for 5 minutes to thicken)
1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 cup coconut sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon Simply Organic Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Simply Organic Ginger

1/4 teaspoon Simply Organic Allspice
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons coconut flour
Raw turbinado sugar for sprinkling optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the flax egg, almond butter, coconut sugar, molasses and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the spices, salt, baking soda and coconut flour and beat again until a sticky dough forms. Using a small cookie scoop, drop the dough onto the baking sheet, spacing the cookies at least 2” apart. Repeat until all the dough has been used. Gently flatten the cookies with your hands and sprinkle with sugar. Bake on the center rack for 11 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Once cool, pack up and/or enjoy!

Join us for Gentle Yoga at Advance NOW!

Email brianna@advanceaquaticpt.com for more info & to let us know you are interested!

Thursdays at 7:15pm in Springfield clinic (registration is required)

Click Here to Email Brianna About Yoga at APAT!

Dance & Movement Class

Dance & Movement Class on Mondays at 7:15pm in Springfield clinic (registration is required)

Email brianna@advanceaquaticpt.com for more info & to let us know you are interested!

Click Here to Email Brianna About Our Dance & Movement Class!

Exercise of the Month

Standing Waiter’s Bow with weights

Start by standing up straight with your arms hanging by your sides and a dumbbell in one hand. Place your other hand on your lower back to monitor your muscle activation. Slowly hinge forward at your hips keeping your back flat until you are at the point where your back will round if you go any further. Allow your weighted arm to hang forward as you hinge. Slowly hinge back up. 3 sets, 10 reps, hold.

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The Perfect Bag of Goodies for Your Workout!

Whether you are graduating from PT or need equipment to work on your home program, these bags have what you need! Available in both clinics, cash/check only.

You Had Surgery–But You’re Still Struggling with Pain!

Many people mistakenly believe that surgery is a cure-all: that once they work through their rehabilitation, they’ll be back to their old selves. While this is true sometimes, other times, people find that they’re still struggling with pain or limited mobility after a surgical procedure.

If this has been your experience, then know that physical therapy may be the tool you need to find lasting relief. Just as the team at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy can help people avoid or delay surgery, we can also ensure your surgery provides you with a successful outcome. What can we do?

Manual therapy helps with pain and range of motion restrictions. These hands-on techniques can gradually help restore your mobility over time.	Functional training will help you relearn movements you thought you’d lost. We can also help improve gait or balance and help you perform day-to-day activities like going up or down stairs more easily.
Mobility exercises take things a step further in terms of restoring your range of motion.	Strengthening exercises will help build muscular strength and endurance to provide support and stability to the affected joint.

If you’re still struggling with pain and mobility after an orthopedic surgery, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll work together to find a plan that suits your needs and goals!

Patient Success

“I had a lot of anxiety about starting PT after a compound fracture of my ankle. But the TLC provided by the team at Advance was just what I needed to recover!”

-Barbara D.

Tip of the Month: December 🎄

Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and getting wrapped up in the fun, festivities, and food is easy. While the joy of the season sparks a feeling of goodwill towards others, it’s also important to remember our physical well-being.

Keep yourself feeling your best to enjoy the holidays by following these three tips:

Remember to Move: Prioritize exercise by taking a 20-minute brisk walk or doing a home workout. Movement can do wonders for your physical and mental well-being.
Eat with Moderation: With tempting holiday treats all around, balance sweets with wholesome meals that include fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Mind Your Posture: Whether cooking, wrapping gifts, or working from home, being aware of your posture helps minimize back and neck pain.

Prioritizing your physical well-being helps you to be present and active in celebrating the holiday season with loved ones!

Here’s to a healthy, happy holiday season and a fantastic new year ahead!

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Boost Your Pain Relief with CBD!

These CBD gummies and creams act fast to target specific joints & help you relax, without the THC! Available in both clinics, cash/check only.

A New Year Means a New You

We all know what happens when the New Year hits! Everybody starts attempting to set goals to improve their lives over the next 12 months.

While there’s never a wrong time to prioritize your health and wellbeing, the beginning of a brand-new year certainly feels like a great time to make significant changes! It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for new ways to become more active, or you just want to put a stronger pulse on your overall health, Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy is here to help you!

We want all of our patients to know that we are behind you 100% when it comes to maintaining their fitness and embarking on a journey to better health.

That’s why we wanted to share some of the best things you can start doing today to get your health on the right track for the New Year!

Aerobic Activities

When it comes to getting fit, exercising more often is truly a no-brainer. Tons of targeted stretches and exercises may help you feel better and get into better shape at the same time.

Aerobic stretches and exercises help increase your stamina. They keep you healthy, improve your fitness, and allow you to have an easier time doing the things you love.

Some forms of aerobic endurance exercises include:

• Biking

• Dancing

• Swimming

• Playing a sport

• Climbing

• Walking, sprinting

Strength Training Exercises

Strength training makes your muscles stronger and also helps to prevent fall injuries. Some common forms of strength-building exercises include:

• Lifting weights

• Using resistance bands during a workout

The beginning of a new year is certainly a wonderful time to set forth expectations about improving our health! If you’re interested in learning more about how you can put your health first, contact Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy today for more information.