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Category: New Age Blog

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Frozen Shoulder
By Nirav Shah Arthritis Physical Therapy, New Age Blog, Physical Therapy, shoulder pain physical therapy, Uncategorized , ,

Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is characterized by joint stiffness and pain in the shoulder. It is accompanied by pain that gets worse around the evening time and becomes harder to lift and/or rotate the shoulder. 

There are normally no critical discoveries in the patient’s set of experiences, clinical assessment or radiographic assessment to make sense of the deficiency of movement or torment.

There are 2 categories of frozen shoulder which are divided into primary and secondary capsulitis. Primary frozen shoulder is frequently connected with diabetes, and with a patient that has no known indication of diabetes, he or she may be tested for it as well. Other than diabetes, they can also be from thyroid or Parkinson’s disease. 

Secondary adhesive capsulitis can happen after shoulder wounds or immobilization. Usually, after an injury, the patient is advised not to move the shoulder for a length of time, which may or may not trigger a frozen shoulder and delay recovery time.

There are 3 stages to the frozen shoulder which are comprised of freezing, frozen, and defrosting stages. The 1st st stage can last anywhere between two to nine months in which the pain will be at its peak. 

At the frozen stage (which can keep going for a year) is where the pain will start to decrease with a loss of the shoulder’s range of motion, particularly the forward movement as well as the rotational movement. The defrosting stage is where the patient will encounter a progressive return of movement which can take five to twenty-six months.

Doctors will often recommend NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for the pain and stiffness. However, if the pain gets intolerable, the doctor may use a steroid injection to reduce inflammation which in turn will help with the pain. One thing to note is that studies have shown using steroids along with physical therapy had a greater impact on recovery than the injection alone. 

It is best to get a jump-start on physical therapy as soon as possible to shorten the length of time you have to go through with having frozen shoulder. Your treatment and exercises will vary depending on the stage that you are in. The physical therapist will also advise you to perform specific exercises at home that will boost your recovery. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from shoulder pain, it is strongly advised to check with the doctor early on and to see a physical therapist at Physical Therapy Great Neck, NY. Remember that this is a long process. Give yourself patience and grace as there will be ups and downs. 

Also Read: What Should You Know About Shoulder Injury Rehabilitation?

Bell's palsy
By nxg New Age Blog , , ,

Physical Therapy for Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy is a sudden paralysis of the facial muscles from damage to the cranial nerve. The exact cause of this is not yet fully known however, it can result from different conditions.

Who Can Bell’s Palsy Affect?

It can occur in people who have diabetes, pregnancy, a viral infection, or other neurological disorder that causes paralysis or certain inflammatory diseases.

When a person gets Bell’s palsy, the facial paralysis can go away in a few months but it can last longer. It’s important to check with your doctor first to get the right diagnosis for your treatment and let it heal correctly.

What Can Happen?

It can be problematic with your daily life when you do get Bell’s Palsy. One of the issues is the drooping of the face, leading to discomfort and impediment in speech. Not only that, the mouth can also drool since it’s drooping.

The eye can also dry out because your eyelid may not close properly. Your doctor will then prescribe some eye drops for you to use to keep it lubricated.

These are some of the problems that can get in the way of a person’s social/work life.

How can Physical Therapy help?

Your physical therapist of Physical Therapy New York, NY will work on the affected muscles manually and stimulate the facial muscle using a specific machine as needed. He or she will help you with certain facial movement exercises in order to correct and strengthen your facial muscles. 

You can also do the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist at home as well. Combination with physical therapy and exercise will lead to a quick recovery and less suffering than going through with it blindly for months at a time.

Reactivate Glutes
By nxg New Age Blog , , , , , ,

How to Reactivate Your Glutes?

Glute Amnesia is the inability to contract or activate your glutes. Having inactive glutes can lead to back, hip, and/or knee pain. One of the reasons why that it can occur is because of the lack of the right muscles in the area. 

There is tightness in certain back and hip muscles, and weakness in the deeper core and glute muscle group. This can lead to problems in your lower back and hip area, commonly known as Lower Cross Body Syndrome. 

The hamstrings become the dominant muscle in movement, leading to tight or restrictive hip flexor muscles – which in turn can lead to knee and low back pain because of the muscles connected to them. 

Hamstrings can become dominant because of prolonged periods of sitting and other various reasons. This will interfere with developing the glute muscle – as both glutes and hams are primary drivers of any hip extension action – e.g. squats, deadlifts, lunges, step-ups, pelvic bridges, hip thrusts, etc. When you remove glutes from the equation you end up overworking the hams.

If your hamstrings are tight or short, they will limit hip joint mobility. The compensation pattern we see as a result of this tightness is the toe-touch pattern – which is when more movement is forced to come from your lower back instead of a hip extension. 

You can combat dominant hamstring by ham lengthening movements before moving onto gluteal activation exercises which allows increasing the range of motion in your hips for optimal gluteal exercise. 

1. Hams Stretch: You can begin by laying down on your back. You can grab a towel or a belt around one foot and lifting that leg until you feel a stretch. You can hold this for 20 – 30 seconds, 3 – 5 times. 

2. Choose exercise that will create strength and/or stability in a greater range of motion

3. Active Leg Lower – great for stimulating hams length while simultaneously causing you to engage your core to provide better pelvic stability 

4. Perform at a Doorway: Lay down face up w/ one leg leaning straight up against the wall while the other legs go out through the doorway but start with the leg bent. Extend the bent leg straight down on the floor to start. Then lift the straightened leg towards the other leg. It may not reach all the way.

There are other exercises you can do to increase gluteus activation. Consult with your physical therapist of Physical Therapy Queens, NY to find out if you have glute amnesia or other conditions. 

They will have a better understanding of how your body works, release any other tightness in the area that you may not be able to do take care of by yourself through manual therapy, and will modify exercises to fit your body’s need.

Vertigo BPPV
By nxg New Age Blog , , , , ,

What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)?

Vertigo is when you feel everything is spinning around you or on the inside of your head, which happens abruptly. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It can arise when there is a physical issue inside the ear canal with crystals. 

To look at it closely, there are structures called the otolith organs which have crystals inside to make them sensitive to gravity. The organs utilize these crystal’s positions in regards to gravity to let us know what position our head is at. 

When the crystals get displaced from their main location, they can travel down to the semicircular canal and make us sensitive to changes in our head’s position that can make us feel very dizzy. 

It commonly happens when a person gets out of bed in the morning or looks under the table/bed. Changing sudden head position with rotation can reproduce symptoms.

Vertigo can be debilitating to your daily life if it is left untreated. In some cases, it can be very severe and the person can fall to the floor or lead to vomiting during the episodes. 

If you have been diagnosed with BPPV specifically, it is wise to turn to a physical therapist. He or she will evaluate you and may perform an Epley Maneuver to correct what’s going on inside your ear. It is best not to eat anything 3 – 4 hours prior to your physical therapy in order to avoid nauseating feelings. 

Your physical therapist of Physical Therapy New York, NY will also give you specific exercises to build a tolerance to different head positions and to work on your balance. 

If you do have other symptoms in addition to vertigo such as a really bad headache, loss or weakening of other senses, tingling or numbness in your limbs, please seek your doctor immediately as it may be something more serious. Take note of what happens when you are experiencing these sensations and let your physician know.

Otherwise, you can still go to your doctor to find the right diagnosis. If it is BPPV, it is easily solved with physical therapy in few visits. 

By nxg New Age Blog , , ,

Exercises You Can do While Working in Front of the Computer

It’s important to move your body if you are sitting all day long. Set an alarm for every 50 ~ 60 min to get those stiff joints moving. Sitting for too long can make you susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. Go and get some cup of water, go to the bathroom, and do some stretches.

Wrist flexion/extension Stretch:

Hold your hand out as if to say “stop.” With the other hand, pull the 1st hand toward you and hold the stretch for 20 – 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times With the 1st hand bring in down and pull on the back of the hand and hold the stretch for 20 – 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times

Seated Double-Knee to Chest:

While seated, spread your legs apart and reach down to the floor. Hold the position for roughly 20 – 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times

Seated Upper Back Stretch:

Reach down to the floor with both hands. With the left hand lift it to the side all the way up. Do the same with the right side. Hold the stretch for 20 – 30 sec, 3 times.

Sit-to-stands:

As the name implies, sit and stand from your chair 10 – 20 times. If it is too easy for you, perform a squat instead by not completely sitting but remaining in the air and coming back up.

Calf Raises:

Behind the chair, grab the headrest and lift your heels up and down. If there is no issue with your balance, perform without grabbing onto anything

Jumping Jacks:

It’s important to keep your heart pumping throughout the day. It’s tough when you are sitting all day long. Start by standing with arms to your side and feet nice and square. Then jump and spread your legs wide while at the same time reach your arms up on the side.

Your hands do not necessarily need to touch but close enough. Then quickly jump back to starting position. Begin with 10 – 20 at a time.

Please note that not everyone will be able to perform this exercise. It depends on your current ability and any concurrent joint disorders you may be.

Door stretch:

Since you are constantly looking at the computer, your shoulders can protract and make the chest tight as well. Go by the doorway and put one arm on the wall while you step one foot (the same side forward and slightly turning towards the opposite direction.

You will feel a stretch on your pectoralis muscle. Depending on the angle of your elbow, it’ll stretch different aspect of your chest. Your can start with 90 degrees and work your way up.

If your doorway is small enough, you can perform with both arms at the same time.

Hold the stretch for 20 – 30 seconds, 3 times.

Chin Tucks:

You may also be prone to have a forward head posture. Stand with your back against the wall. Tuck your chin back as if pulling your whole head towards the wall. Remember not to force it too much. It should not hurt. Start by holding for 2 seconds, 10 times. You can work your way up by holding 5 seconds, then to 10 seconds.

Cervical Isometrics:

Press your head gently into your left hand and vice versa and hold for 5 seconds (without letting the head be pushed over). Do the same on the right side. Then use both hands into the back of your head. Repeat the cycle 10 times.

It’s okay not to be able to do the exercises perfectly in the beginning. Remember to listen to your body when doing certain exercises. If you have certain pain or discomfort while doing an exercise, speak to your doctor Physical Therapy Queens, NY before proceeding.

Movement is important in our daily life. Don’t give into a sedentary lifestyle. It’s up to you to let your body function as optimally as you can as long as you can.

Colles fracture
By nxg New Age Blog , , , ,

Physical Therapy for “Colles’ Fracture”

What is “Colles’ Fracture“?

A Colle’s fracture is a break in one of the bones of the forearm near the wrist. The fracture can occur if you fall with an outstretched hand, with the end of your radius bone breaking and getting pushed toward your inner wrist. This fracture is one of the most common but most challenging outpatient fracture. This is most common in people with osteoporosis or elderly women.

Common Signs of a Colles’ Fracture

If you have suffered trauma to your wrist or have fallen onto your hand or wrist, you may have a Colle’s fracture. Common signs and symptoms of a wrist fracture or Colles’ fracture include:

– Pain and swelling in the arm, wrist or hand

– Bruising

– Decreased mobility in the wrist

– Visible lump on the back side of your forearm

Initial Treatment

If you suspect you have a Colles’ fracture, you should seek medical attention right away. Otherwise, it may result in serious complications with permanent loss of arm and hand function.

Because of the pain and swelling that occurs with a fracture, you may wish to put ice on your wrist and hand until you get to your doctor or emergency room.

It is important to have the fracture reduced. Your doctor situates the broken bone or bones manually in the correct position so that appropriate healing can take place. Another option is to have a surgical procedure call open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) when the case is severe.

Once it’s been reduced, it must be immobilized with a cast or a brace and may be required to wear a sling. You may need to visit a physical therapist to learn how to properly wear your sling. It is essential to keep the bones immobilized so that proper healing can take place.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

After about four to six weeks of immobilization, your doctor may remove the cast and be referred to physical therapy. The physical therapist will evaluate your strength, function, range, pain and swelling. If you had an ORIF procedure, the therapist will assess your surgical scar tissue.

Your physical therapist will develop an appropriate plan to improve the impairments and functional limitations that you may have. Your PT may prescribe a specific exercise program after your Colle’s fracture such as:

– range of motion exercises for the hand, wrist, and elbow

– strength exercises that focus on hand, wrist and elbow.

– various treatments and modalities to help decrease the swelling and pain.

– scar tissue massage and mobilization to help improve the mobility of your scar

You should notice that your mobility, strength, and function are improving while your pain and swelling are decreasing after a few weeks of physical therapy. While the fracture should be fully healed six to eight weeks after injury, you may still be limited for up to 12 to 16 weeks.

A Colles’ fracture can be a scary experience as you will have limitations in your basic abilities as well as your recreational activities. Physical Therapy Queens, NY can help you improve your functional mobility to ensure you can quickly and safely return to normal activity.

By nxg New Age Blog , ,

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Our Commitment to the Health & Safety of People

 

At New Age Physical Therapy, the health and safety of our patients is our top priority. We are diligently monitoring updates to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We understand this is a challenging time for us, but want to reassure you that we are committed to using preventive measures such as disinfecting our equipment and exercise tables, washing our hands frequently, using alcohol-based sanitizer, and keeping 1 patient per room for social distancing to prevent the spread of Corona virus, as well as cold and flu.

In addition, we are emphasizing and encouraging proper hand hygiene among our patients, have strategically placed hand sanitizers and wipes throughout our clinic, as well as advising anyone who is sick or having any symptoms to stay home for the required 14-day period. Our therapists and staff are happy to employ the use of gloves upon request or when necessary.

We kindly ask that if you are experiencing any of the common cold or flu-like symptoms, that you allow our receptionist to reschedule your appointment when you are feeling better. We will continue to monitor the latest Corona virus updates and will make any changes necessary to help keep our patients and staff safe and healthy.

By nxg New Age Blog , , ,

Physical Therapy for Hamstring Injuries

Hamstring Injuries

What are Hamstring Injuries? 

There are three hamstring muscles that connect the pelvis to the leg: semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris. These muscles are responsible for straightening the hip and bending the knee.

A hamstring injury can occur when the muscles are being stretched out excessively. This often occurs during high-speed running with sudden starts or changes in direction. Other factors may include sprinting, hurdling, kicking, or heavy lifting.

People with prior hamstring strains are prone to recurring symptoms. Hamstring weakness, increasing age, muscle tightness, inadequate warmup before exercising, and overworking are all risk factors for injury.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help? 

If patients are experiencing pain/discomfort, he/she should avoid aggravating activities like walking or working out. It’s important to not overstress the area before symptoms exacerbate. A therapist may advise you to ice at home 3 to 4 times a day to bring down the inflammation.

A physical therapist of Physical Therapy New York, NY will work with the patient to design an individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s injury, pain, and goals. Each treatment plan may include manual therapy, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and functional training that are safe and appropriate for recovery.

In severe cases where surgery is inevitable, physical therapy can provide consistent postoperative care. Hamstring injuries are quite challenging to overcome because of their high incidence rate, slow rate of healing, and persistent symptoms.

In fact, subsequent injuries from returning to a sport or physical activity are more severe than the original. Because of this, it is essential for patients to comply to a program.

Can This Injury or Condition be Prevented? 

Here are Some Precautions Patients can Take: 

– Warmup before performing demanding activities.

– Gradually increase the frequency and intensity of an activity.

– Perform exercises to strengthen hamstring muscles.

– Listen to the body! Stretch and use ice after a workout if needed.

Physical therapy is one of the most common treatments for hamstring strains, helping to One such physical therapy technique, known as deep stripping massage, can be used in combination with other commonly used treatment.

The impacts of deep stripping massage effects in an improved hamstring length in less than three minutes, increasing flexibility, but do not affect the durability of the muscle.

The use of kinesiology strip, a type of elastic adhesive, has also shown to be effective at recovering muscle flexibility and decrease the chance of pain.

This method is essentially equal to human skin in both thickness and flexibility and is generally used by professionals for managing injuries and the different types of physical ailments.

To give yourself the best chance of stopping hamstring injuries in the first place, it is a great approach to heat up and stretch before any type of physical activity. Improve the strength of your exercise slowly, as going too hard too fast improves the possibilities of muscle injury exponentially.

Stop exercising as soon as you feel you may have hurt yourself.  Finally, concentrate on strengthen exercises to help increase your muscle strength. Healing hamstring damages or the majority of muscle pains for that thing can be much harder than preventing them in the first place.

By holding to the suggestions and recommendations outlined in this article, you can be sure that you are working to the best of your strength while maintaining your safety in mind.

–  Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a long heating therapy that can help increase circulation and extensibility during the injured muscles of your hamstring. Your PT may use this treatment although analysis shows that the use of healing ultrasound in musculoskeletal treatments may not allow the benefit that was once considered.

–  Massage

Massaging the injured muscle can help promote injury mass movement.

–  Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation may be used to achieve various goals during your hamstring rehab. Your PT may use e-stim to improve manage your pain, reduce injury or improve the way your hamstring muscle contracts.

–  Kinesiology Taping

Some physical therapists use kinesiology taping methods to help enhance the way your hamstring muscle functions. It can also be used to reduce swelling and beating around your hamstring muscles. There is insufficient research about the use of K-tape, so consider the use of this modality with your therapist.

–  Gait Training

After difficult hamstring strains, you may be needed to walk with crutches while things are healing. Your PT should inform you how to walk well and how to progress from using an assistive device to walking normally.-

–  Ice

Ice may be utilized during the critical stage of pain to manage swelling and to reduce pain that you are feeling.

–  Heat 

Your physical therapist may use moistened heat packs to help relax your hamstring muscles and to increase muscle extensibility before stretching.

The most significant treatment your therapist can offer you is a healing activity. Your PT will guide special activities for you to do in the clinic, and a home activity plan will possible be appointed for you to do regularly. This assists you get power of your hamstring strain rehab and sets you in the driver’s seat with your responsibility.

Exercises for a Hamstring Strain may Include:

–  Hamstring Stretches

Static and dynamic hamstring stretching exercises can help to enhance the way your hamstring functions. Remember, the damaged tissue creates injury tissue as it is healing, and one of the best ways to improve this tissue is with the action that happens with stretching. While stretching, you should assume a stretch or tear in the injury site, but it should respond to your baseline responding within moments of holding the stretch.

–  Lower Extremity Strengthening Workouts 

After a hamstring strain, your PT may guide strengthening exercises for your hamstrings and the surrounding muscles. Exercises should begin slow and be painless. As your injury improves, you can progress to more intense strengthening exercises.

– Hip and Core Strengthening Exercises

Analysis shows that having your bones and essence tissues strong can be an efficient way to return to normal activity after a hamstring strain. Excellent bone growing and effective inside strengthening may be ordered through your hamstring rehab.

Agility tools including jumping and dancing. As your rehab improves, your PT may have you interlace in extra superior activity tools such as hopping and jumping. Learning to jump and land properly can help protect your hamstrings (and other lower extremity joints and muscles) from injury as you return to active participation in sports.

–  Stability and Proprioception Activities

Struggling to manage suitable balance and lower extremity awareness may be a part of your hamstring strain rehab. This can help assure that your tissues are running properly to retain your bones, knees, and ankles in the right position while walking, jogging, and dancing.

 

See More:

Physical Therapy for Hamstring Injuries

 

By nxg New Age Blog , , , ,

Physical Therapy: Life-Changing Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Physical Therapy New York, NY

Physical Therapy can be the best and life-changing treatment for people who have been suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A TBI is determined when an injury to the brain damages or changes the way it works. Hits to the head, car accidents and falls are the most frequent cases of TBI and many of those injuries are initially determined as a concussion.

It’s typically only when changes in routine or physical capacity appear that a traumatic brain injury is recognized. It’s not only football players and soldiery personnel that can sustain a TBI.

Children under age four are likely to falls and cover injuries during play or as the result of some kind of harm. Even a “mild” injury is a kind of traumatic brain injury.

Indications vary broadly depending upon the location of the injury and the part of the brain that’s affected. Patients may need to relearn how to perform tasks others take for granted.

Physical Therapy Benefits for Traumatic Brain Injury 

Those with a Traumatic Brain Injury may have problems turning over in the area or keeping balance while meeting, holding or walking.

Patients may feel weakness in the neck or limbs and even have difficulties sleeping down in bed. Physical Therapy New York, NY can help traumatic brain injury patients with:

– Increasing Stability, Coordination, and Security

– Improved alertness and attention

– Muscle power, versatility and mobility

– Increased injury levels and less weakness

– More normal movement designs

– A reaction to health, sports and recreational assistance

Traumatic brain injuries can create a wide range of signs. People may become more painful to touch, light and noise. Differences in behavior and emotional answers are simple.

People may have trouble managing their sentiments and experience exciting confusion. The differences may be so dramatic that the patient may not even look like the same person to loved ones.

A traumatic brain injury can occur in a coma from the time of impression. Depending upon the severity of the injury to the brain, patients can need important recovery but still be incapable to respond to their regular work or complete functionality. Traumatic brain injury is more popular than many people think and is ranked as a severe public health problem.

Experienced physical therapists can help with knowledge and credentials for security devices and things to reduce the potential for a traumatic brain injury. They give the best therapy and recovery for your symptoms if a traumatic brain injury occurs. Specific exercise and stretching plans will be increased to help sustain physical capacity, flexibility, variety of movement and coordination.

Read More: 

Tennis Elbow & Physical Therapy!

By nxg New Age Blog , , , ,

4 Ways to Manage Lower Back Pain with Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy New York, NY

When you have an idle lifestyle, there are many difficulties that you might suffer. Lower back pain problem is one of the most basic issues, which can be excruciatingly sensitive. Thankfully, some easy activities can offer relief. Whenever you do them consistently, several exercises can provide you long-term release from regular lower back pain. 

According to a study by the American Physical Therapy Association, approximately two-thirds of Americans experience low back pain, but only 37% seek help from a professional for pain release. And still, there are easy ways essentially anyone can determine constant lower back pain without operation or pain killers medicines.

Stretching

Exercise and right stretching of the tissues in the lower back, stomach, bones and legs is important for those with low back pain. Both exercise and stretching help in managing a normal variety of plan, and give relief for tissues due to lack of treatment, or those that fit because of tissue sensitivity or unsuitable condition.

Exercises for Movement Control 

Movement control exercise aims to retrain the spine’s tissues to maintain and control the spine into different ranges of action and regular daily exercises. Many patients with both important and resolute low back pain have used poor movement patterns that present a big part in their current.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy can be effective for the therapy of joints that lack sufficient versatility and range of action in certain musculo-skeletal conditions. This condition can create trouble, pain, and an adjustment in function, position, and action. Manual physical therapy includes replacing versatility to strong bones and decreasing muscle tension in order to restore the case to more normal movement without effort.

Education

To get relief from lower back pain, patients have the right education for back pain and it’s related therapy. Some portions seem to improve a person’s risk of increasing low back pain. These involve smoking, obesity, older age, physically strenuous or inactive work, female sex, job objection, job-related stress, and mental health problems such as stress or panic. 

These ways will surely help you to manage your lower back pain. If you want to know more about physical therapy treatment, please do visit the clinic of Physical Therapy New York, NY. Expert and experienced therapists will guide you and suggest you proper exercises. 

Read More:

Physical Therapy Can Be as Effective as Surgery for Back Pain