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Learn how physical therapy can help the following conditions:

How Physical Therapy Can Help Arthritis

Whatever your condition - whether it's Osteoarthritis, Rhuematitis or a related condition - we have physical therapists with expertise treating it. Your physical therapist will work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team (which may include family physicians, internists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, psychologists, dieticians, and other professionals).

The goals of physical therapy in treating arthritis are to reduce pain, to help restore mobility, function, strength,and flexibility, and to prevent unnecessary disability. Physical therapy can also help you learn self-management skills - how to cope with arthritis in your day-to-day life. In addition to giving you a practical strategy for living with arthritis, self-management also yields a sense of confidence, empowerment, and hope.

In consultation with your physician, a licensed physical therapist can tailor a program of therapy and exercise just for you. Here's how it works:

Evaluation.

Your physical therapist will begin by taking a detailed medical history. He or she will observe your general body mechanics, and may ask you to perform a series of simple tests to assess your condition and capabilities. Problems with range of motion, flexibility, strength, posture, endurance, respiratory function, and body mechanics may be discovered during these tests.

Treatment.

Your treatment will depend to a large extent on the precise nature of the condition - whether you have OA or RA or something else. Even so, there are certain common denominators in the treatment of arthritis, such as special exercises for strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Other treatments (or modalities) that may be used by your physical therapist include heat, cold, massage, and hydrotherapy. If necessary, your physical therapist may fit you with othotics, splints, or other devices to allow you to rest inflamed joints. Some of these modalities, such as the application of heat and cold, can be performed at home as long as you have guidance from your physical therapist.

Exercise.

Physical therapists emphasize that exercise for strength, flexibility, and range of motion is the cornerstone of successful arthritis management.

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How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Back

The licensed physical therapist brings a unique perspective to caring for your back: The patient is the most important participant in the healing and prevention process. It is, after all, your back. And whatever treatment you receive from others, it can't overcome treatment you give your back, day-in and day-out.

Your physical therapist will involve you in your care, teaching you to be, in a way, your own therapist. So that as you go about the routine of daily life, you'll be healing yourself, not causing reinjury. It all starts with a careful evaluation.

Evaluation.

Physical therapy places greatest emphasis on this process. Your therapist will take the time to talk with you and perform a thorough physical evaluation to identify the dysfunction that causes your pain.

Therapy.

Your physical therapist will plan a treatment regimen suited to your individual problem, and begin working to restore flexibility and ease discomfort. Treatment may include heat, cold, massage, traction, manipulation and exercises for relaxation, conditioning, and restoring range of motion.

Teaching.

You don't need to become an expert to avoid or overcome injury, but you may need to learn some new habits. Your physical therapist will help you continue therapy on your own with a home program designed to fit your needs.

Aftercare.

The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal life as soon as possible, with the skills you need to prevent reinjury.

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How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Foot

While physical therapy is by definition tailored to the individual's problems and needs, certain procedures are common in dealing with foot and ankle disorders. Typically, your physical therapist will begin your rehabilitation by taking a detailed history and evaluation of your foot and ankle problem. Related problems such as diabetes, arthritis, and vascular disease are assessed during this initial phase.

The second part of your therapy is often gait analysis, in which the physical therapist observes you as you walk or, in some cases, run. The physical therapist will take detailed notes, sometimes using video cameras as a diagnostic tool.

At this point the physical therapist may assess your range of motion - how far and in what directions you can move your foot and ankle, with and without the assistance of the physical therapist. The physical therapist may also perform tests to assess the strength, sensation, and blood circulation in your foot and ankle. Special tests may be performed as needed, including assessments of individual joints and ligaments. The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal activity as quickly as possible, with the knowledge you need to prevent reinjury or disability.

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How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Hip

You may find yourself in a physical therapist's care for rehabilitation after hip surgery, or for a condition related to a lack of balance, poor posture, or pain in the hip joint. Whatever the reason, your physical therapist will start by taking a detailed history and evaluating your condition. Related conditions such as osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and osteoporosis are assessed during this initial phase.

Your physical therapist may then proceed to a "hands-on" evaluation of your condition. He or she may assess your balance, gait, posture, and range of motion. Your physical therapist may also perform tests to assess the strength, sensation, and blood circulation in your hip region and lower limbs.

Physical therapists may choose from an array of interventions, including exercises for stability, balance, posture, flexibility, coordination, strength, and restoration of range of motion. You may also benefit from hip mobilization, massage, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or the application of heat or cold. Your physical therapist will custom-design a program just for you.

Your physical therapist will also want to make sure that your home environment is safe and efficiently laid out, especially if you have limited mobility. There are many techniques and "tricks" that can make life much easier for someone recovering from a hip injury or condition. Your physical therapist wants you to return to your normal activity as quickly as possible, with the knowledge you need to prevent reinjury or disability.

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How Physical Therapy Can Help With Your Elbow, Wrist or Hand

Your physical therapist can help you regain function in your elbow, wrist, or hand as quickly as possible through a combination of manual techniques such as exercise, massage and mobilization, and training to yelp you use your hand for maximal function. Physical therapists emphasize the need to get the affected area moving as quickly as is safe after an injury. The longer a joint remains immobile, the greater the possibility that excess swelling may lead to decreased use of the area.

It is especially important to minimize edema (swelling) in the hand. The hand is so compact, and so intricately constructed with its many small bones and joints, the natural swelling that accompanies an injury can be a serious problem in itself. Moving the hand as soon as possible displaces the fluid that causes swelling. It also lessens the chance that the hand's range of motion will be permanently diminished.

Treatment.

Your physical therapist has many options available to treat your condition, from ice packs and splints to the most advanced technology. Often working in consultation with a physician, your physical therapist will design a treatment regimen tailored to your individual problem, working to restore flexibility and ease discomfort. Treatment may emphasize exercises for relaxation, conditioning, restoring range of motion, strength, endurance, and coordination. Specialized treatments, or modalities, include heat, cold, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and traction.

Prevention.

Many of the problems that physical therapists see every day could have been easily prevented with a little education and awareness. For instance, virtually all-repetitive motion disorders can be avoided through rest breaks, exercise, proper posture, proper technique, use of protective equipment, and properly designed workstations.

Overuse is certainly the most avoidable cause of hand, wrist or elbow problems. Taking regular breaks from your computer keyboard - or your tennis game, or your electric drill, or your sewing machine - for a few minutes each hour can go a long way in preventing common overuse injuries.

Exercise builds strength and increases your mobility and range of motion. Depending on how it is used, exercise can prevent problems or bring them on: the key is proper form and moderation. In addition, correct posture is essential to healthy, harmonious functioning of the elbow, wrist, and hand. The muscles and tendons of the wrist and hand are not designed to carry a great deal of weight. The position and alignment of your body when you carry heavy objects can make the difference between developing a chronic, painful condition and years of trouble-free use.

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How Physical Therapy Can Help Knee Problems

One way to think about your therapist's role is as a coach - a caregiver and mentor to lead you through a course of action toward achieving your goals for your comfort and lifestyle.

It's important to recognize that you, the patient, are the most important participant in the healing and prevention process. They are, after all, your knees. Whatever treatment you receive from others, the treatment you give them, day in and day out, is just as important.

Whether you're currently suffering from a knee injury, or trying to avoid one, your physical therapist has the skills to help. It all starts with a careful evaluation.

Evaluation.

Physical therapy places great emphasis on this process. Your therapist will take the time to talk with you and perform a thorough physical evaluation to identify your knee condition or predisposing factors.

Therapy.

Your physical therapist will plan a treatment regimen suited to your individual condition, and begin working to restore motion and muscular performance.

Treatment.

There is, unfortunately, no quick cure for a knee injury. Physical therapy plays a key role in treating and rehabilitating the knee, but you and your attitude toward recovery are the biggest factor in achieving a successful outcome.

Physical Therapy.

Your licensed physical therapist will design a phased treatment plan with two main components:
  1. Maximum protection, a series of exercises designed to help motion. Activities in this phase might include water walking, swimming, leg presses and mini-squats; and
  2. Return to function and maintenance, an exercise sequence to restore strength. These activities are a functional progression, that is, a gradual return to normal activities using exercises that stimulate the knee stresses of your normal activities.

Teaching.

You don't need to become an expert to avoid or overcome injury, but you may need to learn some new habits. Your physical therapist will help you continue therapy on your own, with a home program of exercises designed to fit your needs.

Aftercare.

The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal life as soon as possible, with the skills you need to prevent reinjury. You probably won't need to visit your therapist again unless you have another injury or pain.

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How Physical Therapy Can Help With Neck Pain and Headaches

Physical therapy always begins with a detailed history and evaluation of the problem. Your physical therapist will take many things into account, including your age, general health, occupation, and lifestyle. If major trauma or disease is involved, your physical therapist will work with you in consultation with a physician.

After a diagnosis has been made, your physical therapist may choose from a range of treatment options, including exercises for flexibility, strength, stability, and restoration of range of motion. Other options include ice, heat, electrical stimulation, traction or mobilization, and massage. Your physical therapist may also analyze your home and work environment in order to ensure that you're not re-injuring yourself.

Some evidence suggests that low-impact aerobic exercise such as swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and stationary bicycling may also be helpful in decreasing neck pain. A physical therapist can design a pain-free exercise program just for you.

Once your physical therapy goals are met, your physical therapist will help you continue therapy on your own with a home program designed to fit your needs. The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal activity as quickly as possible, with the knowledge you need to minimize or eliminate your problem.

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How Physical Therapy Can Help With Your Shoulder Problems

The current thinking can be summed up as "use it or lose it." In the past, for example, you might have been told to keep your arm in a sling for weeks after an injury or a procedure such as rotator cuff surgery. Today, physical therapists make it their top priority to "get you going" again as soon as possible. Why? Because keeping the shoulder immobilized causes the muscles to weaken and atrophy: furthermore, immobilization weakens bones and joint cartilage, and promotes soft-tissue scarring. Your physical therapist has the skills and knowledge to make your recovery as quick as possible and the know-how to strike a balance between rest and function in the healing progress.

Evaluation.

Physical therapy places great emphasis on this process. Your therapist will take a medical history, perform a thorough evaluation to identify the problem, and discuss the findings and treatment plan with you. Pain felt in the area of the shoulder can sometimes be caused by a variety of conditions, including a pinched nerve in the neck and cardiac ailments. If your problem isn't suitable for treatment by physical therapy, your physical therapist will refer you to a physician for treatment.

Treatment.

Your physical therapist, often in consultation with a physician, will design a treatment regimen tailored to your individual problem, working to restore flexibility and ease discomfort. Treatment may include heat, cold, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, or mobilization, as well as exercises for relaxation, conditioning, restoring range of motion, strength, endurance, and coordination.

Exercise - stretching and strengthening - is the key to preventing shoulder problems. If you already have a shoulder problem or pain, it would be wise to consult with a physical therapist before embarking on an exercise regimen. Beyond that, it's important to remember "exercise" is not a matter or high-tech weight-lifting machines or "going for the burn." You can stretch and strengthen during the three minutes per hour that you're not at your computer keyboard...or you can do it at home with light dumbbells, or even with a couple of soup cans for weights. Remember, exercise is like medicine - in the right doses it can work wonders; in the wrong doses it can do more harm than good.

Aftercare and Education.

You don't need to become an expert in physical therapy to avoid or overcome injury, but you may need to learn some new habits or modify your physical activity, whether it involves work, recreation, or both. Once your physical therapy goals are met, your physical therapist will help you continue therapy on your own with a home program designed to fit your needs. The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal activity as soon as possible, with skills you need to prevent reinjury or disability.

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You Can Do Something About Urinary Incontinence

Incontinence, involuntary loss of bladder control..."accidents". These words describe a physical condition that affects an estimated 13 million Americans every day. Both men and women, young and old, can experience some form of urinary incontinence that can make them feel ashamed and isolated.

Worse yet is the feeling of not having control over your own body, the feeling that somehow you can no longer depend on it functioning the way it did before. For some people it seems just too embarrassing to confide in someone about your "problem" even to a health care provider.

The truth is there's no need to feel this way. Physical therapists can help. With the right kind of treatment, you can get your bladder control problem back under control. Different kinds of physical therapy options are available to manage this condition, or, in many cases, regain complete control.

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