Diagnoses and Dysfunctions We Treat
Low Back Pain
Pain in the low back, or lumbar region of the spine, is the most common movement dysfunction and pain in our society. It has many causes and its treatment is widely varied. Spasms of the muscles, degeneration of vertebrae, compression injuries, disc injuries, radiculopathy/sciatica, facet syndrome, and overuse syndromes are most common causes for this type of pain. Physical therapy treatment is nearly always implicit in the recovery from injury or pain for the back, be it post surgical, improving posture, or returning to work.
Neck Pain
Pain in the neck, or cervical region of the spine, is a very common dysfunction in our society. A primary cause for this pain is “tech neck”, which is a term referring to the common demand for many of us to sit at a computer for hours a day allowing for a forward position of the head and a rounding of our shoulders. This poor posture can lead to a plethora of issues including: muscle spasms, cervicogenic headaches, facet syndrome, disc injuries, and radiculopathy among others. Treatment in physical therapy regularly has to do with improving posture and increasing general awareness of the neck to reduce over-stressing the cervical spinal joints and soft tissues.
Shoulder Pain
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body which also means it is the most prone to injury. Most common causes for shoulder joint pain are related to postural changes that cause impingement on the rotator cuff tendons, resulting in injuries to the rotator cuff over time. Other common injuries involve the labrum of the shoulder joint as well as bicep tendonopathy. Physical therapy treatment of postural dysfunction or overuse injuries prior to progressing into tissue damage regularly result in less pain and more function without need for surgical intervention.
Hip Pain
The hip join is crucial in much of our bodies function as it is the prime actor in providing stability in standing and gait (walking). This joint is a load bearing joint when standing and walking so the forces applied to it are multidirectional and high. Where dysfunction and pain are present the hips ability to move properly are inhibited leading to other joints in the leg to feel painful as well. Common injuries to this joint include impingement, arthritis, labral damage, bony overgrowth, and muscle overuse injuries. Treatment of hip pain in physical therapy is often aiding in providing proper muscle engagement and/or post operative treatment after surgical repair or replacement.
Wrist Pain/Hand Pain
The wrist is a necessary joint for the articulation of the hand for activities of daily living and functional activities such as lifting and gripping. The hand and its multiple digits provide the ability to hold objects and manipulate them to a desired purpose. Most common diagnoses for wrist pain are associated with trauma from stopping a fall with an outstretched arm and/or overuse causing irritation to the median nerve that courses through the carpal tunnel. Common causes of hand pain are varied as this part of our body is used for a wide range of tasks from drinking a morning coffee to doing a push up. As our hands are often our first point of contact for discovering the outside world, they are subject to forces that can lead to injury. Injuries such as cutting or jamming fingers, fracturing bones or damaging tendons often occur.
Physical therapy treatment largely is focused on return to function and improving things like grip strength, reducing overuse pains, and healing movement from fracture recovery.
Elbow Pain
The elbow is a relatively simple joint compared with its nearby relatives of the wrist and shoulder. This joint bends to allow for actions such as picking up and bringing objects closer or pushing things away. This joint also allows for the rotation of the wrist and is where our ability to grip is found. Most common injuries are overuse of the muscles needed for grip or injury to the bicep tendon as well as injury to the ulnar nerve. Common diagnoses are golfers elbow, tennis elbow, bicep tendonopathy, cubital tunnel syndrome or olecranon bursitis. Physical therapy treatment focuses on these muscles, tendons, nerve most often to reduce stress and strain for return to pain free function.
Ankle Pain/Foot Pain
The foot and ankle are important parts of our lower extremities as they are the first point of contact with the surfaces we stand and walk on. The provide necessary information to our brain about where we are in space and therefore impact our balance and ability to walk and remain upright. Dysfunction and pain in the feet/ankle will often lead to issues with walking and balance which can lead to compensation up the chain of movement. Common diagnoses in this area include plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains causing ligament injury or tendon injuries, neuropathy, fractures, achilles tendon overuse or tears, bunions, and heel spurs. Physical therapy is helpful in improving balance and awareness as well as protection of surgery and reduction of pain post operatively. Improving gait (walking pattern) to avoid compensation is also a primary purpose for therapeutic intervention.
Knee Pain
The knee joint is similar to the elbow joint in that is relatively simple in action, but more complex in that it is a weight bearing joint. Most injuries of the knee arise from impact or from poor mechanics of the joints above (hip) and below (ankle). Common injures include ligament damage (ACL/PCL/LCL/MCL), meniscus tears, calf/hamstring strains, baker (synovial) cysts, plica syndrome, and patellar tracking dysfunctions. Physical therapy is effective in the management and treatment of knee pain/dysfunction as well as its varied causes.
Neurological Dysfunction/Pain
The nervous system is one single unit that can be found in every part of our body. It is the driving force behind all of our movement. Evidence of injury to our nervous system has a wide array of symptoms. Physical therapy is often used in treatment when symptoms include spasticity, hyper/hypotonic muscle action, weakness (asthenia), paralysis, gait disturbance/instability, spasm, cramps, and atrophy. Some common neurological diagnoses are Guillain Barré Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), stroke, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, ataxia, polyneuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and muscular dystrophy. Treatment is mostly focused on improving function and quality of life.
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries are a common occurrence, especially among athletes. If you've suffered a sports injury, physical therapy can help you recover and return to your sport. Our physical therapists/assistants work with athletes from age 9 to 99 having a wide range of abilities. We provide a comprehensive approach to sports injury rehabilitation that includes a detailed evaluation, a personalized treatment plan, and a focus on returning you to your sport. Our goal is to help you achieve your rehabilitation goals and return to your sport as quickly and safely as possible. We work closely with our patients to develop a plan that is tailored to their individual needs. Many sports related injures, when treated quickly and effectively, can be resolved in short order so less opportunities are missed.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction/Pain
The pelvic floor is an important support structure that it often ignored. It helps to stabilize our core, support organs, and controls efficiency and elimination of bladder and bowel. When the pelvic floor is not functioning properly, we may start to develop weakness and tissue tension resulting in difficulty eliminating, incontinence, and/or pain during intercourse. Although these symptoms may be common, they are not necessarily normal and can be addressed. Following an evaluation, treatment may include core/pelvic stabilization exercises, relaxation techniques, as well as the use of biofeedback to assist with regaining pelvic floor function to be able to maintain continence and reduce pain to be able to enjoy daily activities with less disruption.
Posture/Ergonomics
Our society is increasingly more dependent on technology. This dependence has created a new host of pains and dysfunctions. When we require our body to remain stationary for hours at a time gravity’s constant downward pull tires out our postural musculature and most will collapse into hunched over position. This can often happen without our awareness leading to bad habits and eventual pain. An assessment of our workstations’ ergonomics and/or general postural awareness and control is imperative to avoid the inevitable dysfunction and pain that follows. Physical therapy is helpful in assessing ergonomics and posture as well as creating new habits to avoid continued exacerbation of pain.
