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Physical Therapy is an approach to treating injuries
to the body, with an emphasis on strengthening weakened tissues.
Therapists are trained to reduce swelling and increase range of motion
to injured joints, by utilizing various modalities such as heat,
ice, electrical stimulation and ultrasound. Once this is established,
an individualized rehabilitation program is prescribed and monitored.
Physical therapy can help with a wide range of
injuries and ailments including: back and neck pain, headaches, arthritis
pain, sports- auto- and work-related injuries, sprains and strains,
and post-surgical rehabilitation. The benefits of successful physical
therapy treatment can be enjoyed long-term when adopted with a healthy
lifestyle which would included regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Below are some questions our patients frequently ask. As you work
toward your own recovery, your therapists can answer all of your
personalized questions.
Should I use ice or heat for a swollen joint?
Typically, ice with elevation is the best solution, and you’ll
hear many doctors or therapists suggest the “R.I.C.E.” protocol – Rest,
Ice, Compression and Elevation. So next time your knee is swollen,
use massage to reduce swelling, and Rest, Ice, and Elevate.
What can I do about “knots” in
my shoulders and neck?
If some recent event caused this strain, usually it is relieved
with RICE (see above). If the “knots” are chronic in
nature, it is usually a sign of some underlying joint dysfunction
or stabilizer weakness in which the knots are actually trying
to protect the neck, and will usually not release until the
underlying problem is resolved by a skilled, qualified physical
therapist.
Why does my heel hurt? Do I have a bone spur?
Plantar fascitis and heel spurs are very common in this century
thanks to pavement and hard surfaces. Our lower extremities were
designed to be used on a soft flexible surface. So if you have
an underlying deformity such as flat feet or wobbly ankles, then
you are prone to heel spurs later in life. Walking on a hard
surface with an unstable foot and ankle will create tight calf
muscles. This progressive tightening of these postural muscles
will pull at the heel and can create a bone spur from the tension.
Physical Therapy can help, and will usually include deep
tissue massage to the calf muscles and bottom of the foot, ice,
ultrasound and electrical stimulation, taping of the bottom of
your foot, and applying a resting night splint to reduce the
calf contracture, hence relieving heel tension.
Why do I get cramps when I run and what can I
do to prevent them?
Cramping is typically caused by too much activity/ exercise and
dehydration. When we start to dehydrate, we lose electrolytes.
The best advice is to stay hydrated with electrolyte-filled sports
drinks and to eat foods containing electrolytes (such as bananas,
which are rich in potassium.)
What’s more important when coming
back from an injury, stretching or strengthening?
They are equally important. Strong muscles support your joints,
and flexible muscles allow you to perform without joint strain
or muscle pulls. Check with your physician or physical therapist,
and as your condition improves, incorporate both stretching and
strengthening
I have a bad lower
back and was told that I need to strengthen my abdominal muscles.
Which ab exercises should I avoid to not further strain my back?
People figure just doing sit ups and crunches will cure their aching
back, but unfortunately the answer is not so simple. The first
step is to find the cause of the back problem, which may or may
not include weak abdominals. A qualified physical therapist, chiropractor
or physician can help diagnose your condition and develop a specific
treatment plan to help alleviate your back pain, which may include
abdominal toning. The abdominal muscles do act as a support system
to the lower back and do need to have a certain tone about them
in order to support a healthy back. Sit ups, or modified versions
of sit ups, work the abdominals in a moving fashion. The function
of the abdominals in regards to a healthy back is to act as a stabilizer.
The back and stomach muscles act in a co-contracted state in order
to keep the pressure off the discs, joints, and nerves in the back.
So the best type of abdominal work to do for resolving your “bad
back” is the type
of contraction that mimics the abdominals’ normal function.
Core stabilization exercises, Pilates, and yoga maneuvers mimic
a lot of the different functional holding patterns of the abdominals.
About Bay State
Physical Therapy: Bay State Physical Therapy has 18 locations
serving Boston and the South Shore. We offer personalized physical
therapy in a comfortable setting and appointments are available within
24 hours. Visit us online at www.baystatept.com,
or call 866.2963.BSPT.
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