A common, painful condition affecting the lower portion of the spine. Low back pain is caused by injury to a muscle (strain) or ligament (sprain). Common causes include improper lifting, poor posture, lack of regular exercise, fracture, ruptured disk, or arthritis. Often, the only symptom is pain in the lower back. Most low back pain goes away on its own in two to four weeks. Physical therapy and pain relievers can help. A few cases may require surgery.
Physical Therapy: Patients suffering from most types of low back pain are often referred for physical therapy for initial conservative (nonsurgical) treatment option before considering other more aggressive treatments, including back surgery. The goals of physical therapy are to decrease back pain, increase function, and teach the patient a maintenance program to prevent future back problems. Common forms of physical therapy include passive physical therapy (modalities) and Active physical therapy.
Pain in the neck and shoulder that varies in intensity, and may feel achy or like an electric shock from the neck to the arm.
Physical Therapy: When treating neck pain, the primary focus of physical therapy is to improve the neck's strength and flexibility. These goals are best achieved through active exercises designed to work the neck and surrounding muscles, gradually increasing the workload over time. The type and amount of exercises can vary, and sometimes exercises are included to work other areas of the body as well.
Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy helps people with Achilles tendinopathy reduce pain in the affected area, and restore strength, flexibility, and mobility to the injured tendon and eliminate swelling when present.
Shoulder pain caused by connective tissue (a tendon) rubbing on a shoulder blade. Impingement syndrome is caused by inflammation from repetitive shoulder activities. Injury and aging are other causes. Pain may be consistent and increase with lifting or reaching movements.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can successfully treat shoulder impingement syndrome. Your physical therapist will work with you to devise a treatment plan that is specific to your condition and goals. Your personalized treatment program may include patient education, pain management, range of motion, manual therapy, muscle strengthening, functional training.
An injury to the tissue connecting the kneecap to the shin bone (patellar tendon). The patellar tendon helps the muscles extend the knee. This injury is most common in athletes who frequently jump, such as when playing basketball and volleyball. Knee pain, swelling, and stiffness are common symptoms.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can be highly beneficial to those suffering from patellar tendonitis. With a wide range of treatment types to choose from, physical therapy can offer help with increasing your range of motion, strengthening weak thigh muscles to reduce the strain on your patellar tendon, providing more muscular balance, reducing muscle spasms, increasing balance and coordination.
Trochanteric bursitis may affect the hip's outer area, or the outside part of the upper leg, from the hip to the knee along the thigh. Symptoms include pain on the outside of the hip that's worse with activities such as standing, walking, or running.
Physical Therapy: The main goal of physical therapy is to reduce pain and irritation at the side of the hip so you can get back to performing normal activities without limitations. Trochanteric bursitis is treated on an outpatient basis in outpatient physical therapy. Physical therapy for trochanteric bursitis typically involves- therapeutic exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the hips; manual therapy to reduce tension, tightness, and spasm in the hip muscles; thermal therapy with cold packs to reduce inflammation at the hip; patient education, including postural awareness to avoid positions that can increase hip irritation and activity modification to avoid activities that will worsen symptoms.
A painful condition in which connective tissue rubs against the thighbone. Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when the connective tissue (ligament) extending from the pelvic bone to the shinbone becomes so tight that it rubs against the thighbone. Distance runners are especially susceptible to it. The main symptom is pain between the hip and knees that worsens with activity.
Physical Therapy: During Physical Therapy the following treatment strategies are focused on range of motion, muscle strength, manual therapy, functional training.
A condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. The condition occurs more commonly in people with diabetes and in people who've kept their arm immobilized for a long period of time. Symptoms may start gradually and resolve within one or two years.
Physical Therapy: Your physical therapist's overall goal is to restore your movement, so you can perform your daily activities. Once the evaluation process has identified the stage of your condition, your physical therapist will create an individualized exercise program tailored to your specific needs. Exercise has been found to be most effective for those who are in stage 2 or higher.
An irritation of the tissue connecting the forearm muscle to the elbow. Tennis elbow can be caused by repetitive wrist and arm motions. Pain is the primary symptom. It usually occurs on the outside of the elbow and sometimes in the forearm and wrist.
Physical Therapy: Specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles attached to the injured tendon will help with the healing process. The goal of therapeutic exercise program is to promote muscle endurance and improve resistance to repetitive stress. Following a well-structured program will help you return to daily activities and sports.
An inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. The inflamed tissue runs across the bottom of the foot. Symptoms include stabbing pain near the heel. Pain might be worst in the morning.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can treat plantar fascitis. When you are diagnosed, your physical therapist will work with you to develop a program to decrease your symptoms. Your treatment may include: assessment of your gait, stretching and strengthening exercises, icing, gait training, Graston Technique.
The quadriceps, the muscles at the front of your legs, is often larger and more powerful than your hamstring muscles. When you do an activity that involves running, the hamstring muscles can get tired more quickly than the quadriceps, putting them at greater risk of a strain.
Physical Therapy: The primary objective of physical therapy and the rehabilitation program is to restore the patient's functions to the highest possible degree and/or to return the athlete to sport at the former level of performance and this with minimal risk of re-injury.
An injury that occurs when the ankle rolls, twists, or turns in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold the ankle bones together. A sprained ankle causes swelling, pain, and limited range of motion.
Physical Therapy: Ankle sprain recovers fast. The time it takes to heal an ankle sprain varies, but results can often be achieved in 2 to 8 weeks. Your physical therapist will work with you to design a specific treatment program that meets your needs and goals.
Hip flexor strain occurs when you use your hip flexor muscles and tendons too much. As a result, the muscles and tendons become inflamed, sore, and painful.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help you with the right exercises to reduce strain on the muscle and get you back on normal function.
