Health Blog

Arthritis – Dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Aug 15^th  2012 

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis. It is also a form of an autoimmune disease. It is still a mystery as to why the immune system attacks the synovium or the membrane lining of the joints, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Because of this attack, fluids start to build up in the affected joints thus causing pain and inflammation. This can happen throughout the patient’s body.

Physical therapy can be especially helpful to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

All About Neck Pain

Aug 8^th  2012 

There are two types of neck pain that is very common to physical therapy patients.  One is acute neck pain.  This can occur after a sudden force like whiplash or from straining one’s neck due to sleeping in an awkward position.

Minor injuries attributed to acute neck pain normally heal with time.  Non-surgical care such as application of heat or ice packs, chiropractic manipulation and physical therapy can help in this condition.

Hip Pain Prevention

Jul 26^th  2012 

The hip is a major weight bearing joint and it connects the torso to the lower extremities. When you are affected by hip pain, it is difficult to lead an active life. Hip pain affects individuals of all ages and can be incapacitating.

The hips can take a great deal of punishment as illustrated by athletes who put a lot of stress into the hip joints. Overtime, degeneration sets in as the delayed effects of this abuse and hip pain will occur.

Manual Therapy and Low Back Pain

Jul 26^th  2012 

For those seeking lower back pain relief in Springfield, research consistently shows that targeted physical therapy produces better long-term outcomes than rest or pain medication alone.

Low back pain is very common and your doctor has probably told you there is nothing serious about your back pain. It would like likely get better without treatment after a certain period of time which can take 2 to 3 weeks. Usually, bed rest and medication can eliminate low back pain.

Manual Therapy

Jul 17^th  2012 

Manual therapy is a common physical therapy treatment used by physiotherapists, osteopaths, massage therapists, and chiropractors when it comes to treating medical conditions of the musculoskeletal system. It covers a wide range of techniques that are applied to treat a variety of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions.

Cole Racich performing a manual knee mobilization

Manual therapy techniques are used for relieving pain and increasing mobility of the affected joints. These are categorized as stretching like massage and traction, and articulation with small-amplified joint movements.

Dealing with Fibromyalgia

Jul 17^th  2012 

Physical therapy has a variety of techniques that can help patients with fibromyalgia.  It is often a hands-on approach although most patients with this medical condition have tender points throughout the body.  Tender points or trigger points are specific places on a patient’s body that are acutely sensitive to touch.  There are eighteen tender points on the body running from the neck down to the knee.

In addressing fibromyalgia, a physical therapist can use passive and active treatment methods.

Knee Joint Replacement Therapy

Jul 17^th  2012 

There are three common sites for joint replacement procedures and these are hips, knees and shoulders.  When these important joints are damaged by illness or accidents, joint replacement is the best medical course of action to restore body functions.

Arthroplasty or replacement of the knee is a medical procedure wherein the joint cartilage of the knee is replaced with plastic or metal parts.  Early mobilization is vital in building up strength in the quadriceps muscles but it is also important to have a sufficient recovery period after the knee joint replacement surgery before one starts exercising.

Hip Pain and Physical Therapy

Jul 10^th  2012 

Contrary to popular belief, hip pain is not restricted to seniors. It affects individuals of all ages and in worse cases, can be incapacitating. The hip is one of the major weight and stress bearing joints in the body. When the function of the hip is impaired, it is difficult to have an active lifestyle and even affects daily activities. The hips support the entire torso and connect the torso to the lower extremities (the knee foot and ankle).

Fibromyalgia

Jul 4^th  2012 

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes musculoskeletal pain associated with lack of sleep, mood issues, memory loss and fatigue. Women are more prone to develop this condition. Patients who have this condition also tend to have anxiety, depression, tension headaches, TMJ disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.

Fibromyalgia is associated with tender points which hurt when pressed. These tender points are located at the back of the head, front sides of the neck, between shoulder blades, upper part of the chest, at the top of the shoulders, outer part of the elbows, inner knees, and upper part and sides of the hips.