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The Best Treatment Method for Solving all of Your Aches and Pains

September 20, 2019 admin Leave a comment

When you wake up in the morning, do you feel achy and stiff? Does it feel as if your body is being weighed down by a pile of bricks? It is normal to wake up with aches and pains from time to time – perhaps you overdid it at the gym the day before, perhaps you had a long day running around doing errands, or perhaps you’re coming down with a common cold.

While these are normal reasons for the occasional aches and pains, persistent pain (especially first thing in the morning) could be indicative of an underlying condition. If you notice painful sensations in the morning, with no apparent rhyme or reason, contact us for assistance. We’ll help determine the cause of your pain and get you started on the best treatment plan for your needs.

What could be causing my aches and pains?

If your doctor has diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues, physical therapy may be the next step. It is a common and effective treatment plan for pain relief that most doctors will suggest. Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physical therapist:

Injury.
Tendinitis.
Bursitis.
Osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Gout.
Lupus.

All of these conditions can cause aches, pains, and stiffness. Physical therapy treatment plans for these conditions will focus on helping you achieve a greater range of motion in your affected joints or limbs, in addition to providing pain relief. These work to improve overall function and help you get back to your normal mobility.

Why is my pain worse in the mornings?

Sometimes your joint tissues can become irritated from overuse throughout the day, without you even realizing. When you fall asleep, you are almost completely immobile for several hours, which can cause inflammation of the tissues to grow thicker and further irritate the affected area. As a result, you wake up in the morning feeling stiff and achy. In most cases, this feeling will begin to ease quickly, after you get up and walk around. This is because movement causes the inflammation to become liquid-like, allowing pain to lessen. A simple remedy to avoiding achy morning wake-up calls is hydration. Staying hydrated allows your body’s tissues to function at their normal pace, whereas dehydration slows down your chemical processes. This will keep your tissues from becoming overly inflamed, easing irritation.

How can I keep my joints limber?

Your physical therapy regimen will be dependent upon your specific symptoms and/or diagnosis. However, many physical therapists will also suggest at-home remedies, in addition to your specialized treatment plan. Here are some tips that your physical therapist will likely share with you on your journey toward wellness:

Eat a nutritious diet. Consumption of brightly colored fruits and vegetables can help alleviate pain. These healthy foods have more antioxidants and vitamins, which fight off the inflammation that leads to pain and irritation. A better diet also helps you to get better sleep and helps your body receive more benefit from exercise – thus, adding to the endless cycle of benefits.
Maintain proper posture. Proper posture is a great way to avoid unnecessary aches and pains. If your work requires you to sit at a desk for long hours, or if you stay sedentary for long periods of time every day, try to get up every half hour for some light stretches. Relieve joint pain by moving around and keeping your circulation going. Try to avoid slouching or hunching at your desk, making sure that your spine is straight and your shoulders are back.
Sleep! Getting a good night’s sleep creates an endless cycle of benefits, especially when it comes to physical therapy. Sufficient amounts of sleep will increase your ability to exercise effectively, which in turn will help you sleep better at night. Your sleep and exercise habits go hand-in-hand, and the results of one will always affect the other.

The best treatment method:

Anyone can see a physical therapist, no matter your age, medical history, or physical abilities. Some people tend to avoid physical therapy out of embarrassment, but we are here to tell you that there is no need for that! Your physical therapist will never judge you; rather, they will provide you with encouragement, support, and the necessary resources for relieving your pain and regaining your function.

Your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment plan that will work best for your specific needs. This will consist of gentle exercises and stretches to target your painful areas, in addition to any other methods or modalities your physical therapist deems fit for you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about physical therapy – the best treatment method for solving all of your aches and pains!

Aches and Pains, Arthritis Pain, Physical Therapy

Find Help for Your Arthritis Pains Today

September 10, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Have you been diagnosed with arthritis? If so, you know how debilitating it can be. Arthritis is a joint disorder that causes them to become inflamed, and it affects millions of people every year. In fact, it is the most commonly reported chronic illness across the nation. When the joints become inflamed, it can lead to pain, stiffness, and lack of mobility. There are over 100 different types of arthritis that can be split into two categories: monoarthritis (where only one joint is affected) and oligoarthritis (where multiple joints are affected.) The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, which develops from “wear and tear” of cartilage, and rheumatoid arthritis, which develops from overactive immune systems.

It is no secret that arthritis can greatly limit one’s life. In fact, some people become so affected by arthritis that they are unable to work and are forced to go on disability. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, or you think you may be experiencing arthritic symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact us today and schedule a consultation. We’ll help get you started on the best treatment plan for your needs, equipped with the safest, healthiest, and most effective methods of treatment for arthritis pains.

I think I might have arthritis… what should I do?

First and foremost, if you believe you may be suffering from arthritis, you should contact your primary care provider. He or she will provide a thorough evaluation, looking for signs of disease, such as inflammation and/or deformity. They will review your symptoms, and may administer any blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid tests, or x-rays as they deem necessary. If you are diagnosed with arthritis after these tests, your doctor will create a treatment plan for you, in relation to the location and severity of the condition. This treatment plan may include rest, exercise routines, and medications as necessary.

It is very likely that you will also be referred to a physical therapist to help guide you through your exercise routines, in order to measure progress and make sure that you are completing your physical activity in a safe and correct manner. Early diagnosis can be helpful in avoiding joint damage and disability, so it is imperative that you contact a doctor as soon as you think you may be developing arthritic symptoms.

What next?

Unfortunately, there is not a known cure for arthritis yet. However, there are several ways to help manage the pains of arthritis, and in some cases, you may even be able to eliminate it altogether. Physical therapy is a proven aid in arthritic pain relief, without the use of harmful pain-management drugs. According to the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins,

“Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis. Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.”

After your initial evaluation, your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment plan around your specific needs. This will aid in the improvement of your strength, range of motion, and mobility. Your treatment plan will focus on the affected area(s) of your body, in addition to any other areas that may be contributing to the pain you are feeling.

Treatment plans will likely consist of manual therapy treatments and targeted exercises, in order to improve joint and soft tissue mobilization. Additional treatment methods may be added as your physical therapist deems fit, including deep tissue massage, ice and heat therapies, electrical nerve stimulation, or ultrasound. These all work to reduce pain and inflammation, in addition to increasing blood flow and mobility.

If you are suffering from arthritis pains, don’t wait any longer – find help today. We will help you get your life back on track.

Health and Wellness

Improve Your Overall Health with These 5 Stretching Benefits

August 20, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Stretching is a very important part of physical therapy. In fact, most physical therapists will incorporate some sort of targeted stretches into the treatment plans they create. While strength and endurance exercises are also undoubtedly important parts of physical therapy, stretching can benefit anyone, whether you are an athlete or someone trying to manage their aches and pains. Stretching helps increase flexibility, which can ease pain and make other treatment methods much easier. For more information on how stretching can benefit you, contact Rehability Physical Therapy today!

The top 5 benefits of stretching:

Stretching has a lot of benefits that we don’t always think about. Some of these benefits include:

Relieving areas you might not have considered.

Sometimes we forget how interconnected our bodies are. It is obvious that if we experience back pain, we should stretch out our backs. However, sometimes stretching your legs during physical therapy can provide unexpected relief to your back, as well. In fact, your hamstrings, upper thighs, and hips can all play a big part in creating lower back pain relief. Likewise, improving your posture through stretching your torso can provide the kind of support you need to keep your spine from compressing, which helps you avoid shoulder and neck pain. Essentially, stretching different parts of your body can provide relief to places you may not have considered!

Enhancing circulation.

Stretching can reduce stress, but that isn’t the only reason it’s good for your heart and your musculoskeletal system. In fact, stretching plays a key role in almost every aspect of your physical abilities. Tight muscles constrict available oxygen supply, essentially robbing themselves of the nutrients they need. Stretches help reverse the process. When you stretch frequently, you’ll also get the benefit of increased blood flow to your joints and throughout the body.

Improving performance.

This point is especially true for athletes. The more you condition your muscles, joints, and ligaments, the greater advantage you’ll have in your sport. For example, bodybuilders recover from their reps much quicker when they stretch as a cool-down. Golfers can achieve a longer reach by increasing their range of motion in their hips and shoulders. Swimmers can even out their strokes by perfecting their balance through stretching. If you are an athlete, stretching can play a crucial role in your performance.

Increasing range of motion.

Range of motion consists of how well your joints can move in all directions. This influences every movement you make! If you have a constricting condition, such as arthritis or an injury, your range of motion can be hindered. Whether it’s turning your head to see behind you while driving, or bending your knee freely while running, range of motion is crucial for both daily life and for fitness pursuits. Stretching can help reduce stiffness and increase flexibility, therefore improving your range of motion.

Avoiding injuries.

When muscles are tight or tense, the likelihood of injury increases. This occurs because that particular part of your body isn’t working at its peak performance, even though you might be. When you stretch, you’re loosening up your muscles, in addition to increasing range of motion and improving balance, which all factor into injury prevention. All of these factors can prevent you from making the types of moves that lead to injury, whether it’s coming down too hard on one foot, twisting your back further than you should, or taking a fall due to lack of balance.

Find relief today:

In addition to the benefits above, there are many other ways that stretching can help you live your best life. If you are looking to add stretches to your daily life, contact us for assistance! We will schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated physical therapists, so you can discuss which stretches will be best for you – whether it be dynamic, static, pre-activity, or post-activity. Contact our Belgrade, MT office today to get started on the first steps of your treatment plan and learn more about how targeted stretches will benefit you!

Headaches

Say Goodbye to Your Stress-Related Headaches, Once and For All

August 10, 2019 admin Leave a comment

According to the International Headache Society, headaches are the third most common pain complaint throughout the world. While headaches can be debilitating, physical therapy can, fortunately, help manage the pain and sometimes eliminate it altogether. Our physical therapists are highly trained and dedicated to helping you relieve your headaches. For more information on headache relief and how you can benefit from our services, contact Rehability Physical Therapy today!

Why am I experiencing a tension (stress-related) headache?

Tension headaches are some of the most commonly treated headaches by a physical therapist. They occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and they can happen at any age. Stress-related headaches generally start at the back of the head and progress to the top of the head and eyes, sometimes accompanied by facial pain along the jaw and cheeks. This type of discomfort has been compared to having hair pulled or wearing a very tight hat. These types of headaches can occur as a result of:

Increased stress.
Depression.
Anxiety.
Fatigue.
Poor posture.
Neck or jaw problems.
Arthritis.

I don’t think I have a tension headache… what else could it be?

Any type of pain that occurs within the head can be referred to as a “headache.” Most headaches will resolve on their own without medical intervention; however, severe or recurrent headaches that interfere with one’s quality of life should most certainly be evaluated further. The challenge lies in identifying which type of headache you’re experiencing and then devising a treatment plan accordingly. Physical therapists are adept at diagnosing different types of headaches and can develop pain relief strategies for stress-related headaches.

There several different types of headaches that can be treated with physical therapy. These include, but are not limited to:

Stress (tension).
Migraine or sinus.
Cluster.
Rebound.
Exertion.
Post-traumatic.
Hypertension.
Hormone.
Caffeine.

How can physical therapy help me?

At your initial visit, your physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your physical abilities, in addition to reviewing your health history. He or she will ask you a series of questions to determine the type of headache you’re experiencing. After your physical therapist determines what type of headache you’re dealing with you’ll work together to develop a treatment plan for meeting your physical health goals.

During your first visit, you can expect to undergo some of the following:

Inquiries about the location of the pain, in addition to any other symptoms you are experiencing.
Tests of your muscle strength and sensation.
Questions regarding previous injuries to your neck, head, jaw and/or back.
Examination of your posture while engaged in different activities.
Manual therapy to ascertain the mobility of joints and muscles in your neck.
Measurements regarding the range of motion of your shoulders, neck, and other relevant parts of the body.

What are some different treatments provided by physical therapists?

Your physical therapist may suggest any combination of specialized treatment services, including but not limited to:

Strengthening exercises.
Stretching exercises.
Heat or ice compressions.
Muscle energy techniques.
Muscular releases.
Body mobilization.
Soft tissue mobilization.
Cervical traction.
McKenzie-based therapies.

With all treatment plans, you can expect to receive education that will supplement your in-office experience.

The mission of physical therapy:

While the end goal of physical therapy is pain relief, there are some important steps along the way that your physical therapist will help you with, in order to decrease pain and improve function. These include, but are not limited to:

Strength improvement. You’ll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control your neck and upper back, in order to improve posture and increase your ability to stand or sit comfortably for longer periods of time.
Neck improvement. Using manual therapy, your physical therapist will stretch the muscles in the back of your neck to relieve pain and increase movement.
Posture improvement. Your posture throughout the day greatly impacts your likelihood for pain and stress-related headaches. Your physical therapist will teach you methods of improving your posture in order to function more comfortably in your daily life.

If your headaches are limiting your daily life, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Without physical therapy intervention, they may get worse and may not go away on their own. Schedule your consultation today to get started on the path toward relief and discuss how our personalized treatment plans can help you get back to your life!

Back Pain

Stand up to Lower Back Pain – Find Relief Through Physical Therapy

May 20, 2019 admin Leave a comment

Lower back pain is a very common sensation that affects 60-70% of people across industrialized nations. It can also greatly limit many aspects of your daily life. For example, working, doing the activities you love, spending time with friends and family, or even just relaxing can be difficult if you are ached by lower back pain. It is the leading cause of inactivity among adults, and it can result in other health issues if left untreated. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 149 million days of work are lost due to lower back pain.

If you are suffering from lower back pain, it is important to find relief as soon as possible. Contact Rehability Physical Therapy today to find out how our services can ease your pain and get you back to comfortably living your life.

PT treatments for lower back pain:

The role of a physical therapist is to help patients alleviate pain and regain function. This is done by promoting healing to the affected area and using targeted exercises to restore function and movement. Then you come in for a consultation, your physical therapist will provide you with an extensive evaluation, discovering what form of treatment will be best for your condition.

There are two specific categories of physical therapy – passive therapy and active therapy:

Passive physical therapy

Passive therapy works to manage pain. The main goal of passive therapy is to alleviate pain altogether so the rest of your treatment program will be easier. Lower back pain may impede your physical abilities due to the pain you are experiencing, so passive therapy works to alleviate that pain in order to improve your physical abilities. Passive therapy can include any combination of specialty treatments, including, but not limited to:

Manual therapy.
Massage.
Ice and heat therapies.
Dry needling.
Ultrasound.
Hydrotherapy.
Electrical stimulation, such as TENS Units.
Iontophoresis.

Active physical therapy

Active therapy focuses on targeted exercises and stretches in order to improve function in the affected area. Many active physical therapy treatments are designed so the patient can perform them on their own, after their PT sessions are over. Once your lower back pain has subsided enough that your physical therapist believes you are ready for active physical therapy, he or she will set up an exercise plan specific to your needs. This may include any combination of strength training, stability training, and stretching. These exercises will help provide support to the painful area and will guide you further in your recovery process. Active therapy is geared toward helping you regain your muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

What to expect from your visit:

At your initial consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a thorough physical evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs. You will also discuss your medical history, lifestyle, and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing.

Once your evaluation is complete, your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment plan for you, beginning with passive physical therapy and leading into active physical therapy. You may also be given exercises to do at home, during your time away from treatments. This is all done in order to reduce pain, avoid further injury, and provide you with the quickest recovery time possible.

If you’ve been suffering from aches and pains, don’t suffer any longer – stand up to your lower back pain today. Contact our Belgrade, MT office to schedule an appointment and get started on your path toward recovery and relief!