Blog: Physical Therapy & Chiropractic

The Sound of Music (in your Hip?)

Snapping hip syndrome, also called dancers’ hip, is a snapping sensation or popping sound heard in the hip while walking, flexing or extending the limbs. This condition can cause discomfort and pain. The good news is that this can be resolved with physical therapy.

Causes

There are several different causes of snapping hip syndrome. These include, but are not limited to:

Extra-articular (outside the joint structure) causes. This occurs on the lateral (outside) or medial (inside) aspect of the knee.
Intra-articular (inside the joint) causes. This occurs when there is a tear or presence of loose bodies inside the joint. This can cause effusion (fluid) buildup. This causes the snapping hip syndrome.
Symptoms

Discomfort in the hip
Stiffness
Pain
Snapping or popping of the hip with some movements
Diagnosis and Treatment

A careful clinical examination and manipulation of the hip joints is completed by a physical therapist. Some of the diagnostic tools include:

Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Treatment of Snapping Hip Syndrome
The treatment of snapping hip syndrome involves a combination of physical therapy, traditional medicine, and at times, surgery.

Physical Therapy: The use of ‘Hydration, Ibuprofen, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation’ (also known as HI-RICE) provides the patient with temporary relief in the acute stages. It is best to consult with a physician before taking any medication to rule out allergies and associated side effects. Expert supervision by the physical therapist is essential for gradual healing of the affected regions.

Traditional Medicine: A physician may recommend prescription medications for pain relief and reduction of inflammation. Corticosteroids injections are commonly prescribed. Talk to your physician about which medication is best for you.

Surgical Interventions: If a structural anomaly is causing the problem, surgery may be needed. In general, surgery is the last resort, when traditional medicine and physical therapy have failed. After surgery, physical therapy plays a critical role in the restoration of strength and flexibility.

If you believe you have snapping hip syndrome, and HI-RICE does not help, reach out to your physical therapist.

Snapping You Back Into Action!

Physical therapy provides exciting possibilities to promote strengthening, healing and rehabilitation of the hip and lower limbs. Here are some of the options in the arsenal of the physical therapist:

Ultrasound to heal connective tissue (tendons and ligaments).
Manipulative therapy that includes stretching and massage.
Resistance training to build the muscle strength.
Cold compress for acute injuries and heat to relax muscular spasms.
Low level laser use for muscle and connective tissue injuries.
Functional electrical stimulation to restore strength in the muscles.
The sooner the therapist assesses the injury and initiates treatment, the better the outcome. Some home remedies that the physical therapist may prescribe include:

Active stretching
Passive stretching
Strengthening exercises
Light aerobics
Don’t let snapping hipping syndrome (or any hip condition) hold you back from freedom of movement.

Call us today, and we will help you snap back into action as quickly as possible. We hope this is music to your ears!

www.ForestHillsRehab.com

Falling, Balance and Physical Therapy - Forest Hills NY

Falling is a common problem amongst the elderly, and it can result in serious injury. It is estimated that one in every three adults aged 65 and older suffer from a fall every year. Fall related injuries range from hip fractures to head trauma. After a fall, patients experience a significant loss of confidence and a fear of falling when walking unaided. Recovery from a fall involves physical as well as psychological elements. It is important for the patient to seek physical therapy for treatment and fall prevention.

Why do elderly patients fall?

Visual problems, muscle weakness and low blood pressure can cause a loss of balance, which leads to a fall. Other reasons include conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and other conditions that affect the nerves.

Occasionally, middle ear problems (vestibular problems) can occur and balance can be affected. The good news is, falls can be largely prevented with the right precautions.

Can Your Body Act as Resistance?

A physical therapist is trained to help individuals improve balance between muscle groups and increase joint stability. The physical therapist will begin with a detailed neuromuscular assessment to identify muscle imbalances and integrity of the nervous system.

The physical therapist will conduct different tests to determine your sense of balance as you sit, stand and walk. The speed and the stability with which you walk are also evaluated. This becomes the foundation for a balance program, in which you can use your own bodyweight as a source of resistance.

Balance exercises such as single-leg standing under the supervision of a physical therapist are beneficial. Different activities to improve balance while walking and changing positions and direction train the body to prevent falls. The objective is to be able to handle different tasks at the same time while staying in an upright position.

Multiple Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an important aspect of fall treatment and prevention. For starters, a physical therapist will assess your footwear and the safety of your home to eliminate factors that could result in an inadvertent fall.

Your therapist will use several techniques including core stabilization exercises and manual therapy to improve balance and stability. Your bodyweight is an excellent source of resistance for your muscles. The therapist will challenge your sense of balance in a controlled environment by shifting your center of gravity. This activates important muscle groups in the neck, trunk, abdomen and hip muscles.

As the body adapts to these exercises over a period of time, the risk for falls reduces. The therapist will also provide you with a simple exercise program that you can do at home, without the need for any equipment or devices.

Visit our website for more information:
www.ForestHillsRehab.com

Don’t Stress Out About Stress Fractures

A stress fracture, also known as a fatigue-induced fracture, consists of one or more small cracks in the bone. It is associated with a pattern of overuse, commonly seen in the lower extremity in athletes.

Causes
Repetitive motion is one the mechanisms that result in a stress fracture. The muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb ground force, which is transmitted to the bone. This overload results in stress fractures over a period. High impact sporting activities that result in this injury include:
1 Track and field activities
2 Basketball
3 Tennis
4 Gymnastics

Symptoms
The main symptom is pain in the extremities which worsens with activity and subsides with rest.

Diagnosis
As with any bone injury, the confirmatory diagnostic test is an x-ray. In some cases, a CAT scan or MRI is requested if the x-ray is not conclusive.

Treatment
The pain stimulus is the body’s natural mechanism to protect itself from severe self-inflicted injury. The rule of thumb for immediate treatment is:
• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
Rest (and limited weight bearing) is an important aspect of stress reduction on the bone and surrounding joints. Shoe inserts also help with shock absorption.

Stress Fracture Injury Prevention Tips
If something is tingling, numb or hurting, it is time to stop what you are doing and seek medical attention. If a stress fracture is ignored, the condition can get worse and escalate to a more serious injury. A stress fracture is an early sign of bone destruction, and it must be treated quickly and proactively. It is generally associated with dull, aching pain in a general area. As it progresses, the pain can escalate to sharp, piercing pain in a localized area. Ignoring a stress fracture will lead to further bone deterioration. This can result in long-term consequences ranging from increased recovery time to joint deformity.
If you are participating in ongoing, repetitive activity or a high impact sport, it is important to rest periodically from the task and do the following:
• Massage the limbs and joints
• Stretch the muscles
• Relieve the pressure by reducing weight-bearing on the affected joints
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication can help with pain relief. A physician may recommend prescription medication for pain relief and refer patients to physical therapy.

No Need To Stress - Your Physical Therapist Can Help

Recovery from stress fractures is a gradual process. Bone fragments need time to heal. The primary objective of physical therapy during the healing process is to prevent further injury. Once the healing process is complete, it is even more important to seek the counsel of a physical therapist. The therapist will design an exercise program geared towards gradual, progressive recovery of full function of the bones, muscles, and joints.

Physical therapy is an excellent choice for non-surgical treatment for mild to moderate cases of stress fractures. Some of the techniques used by physical therapists include:
• Cold compress to reduce swelling
• Strengthening the limbs and joints
• Bracing with splints to reduce load on the affected joints
• Ergonomically designed footwear
• Psychosocial rehabilitation for the professional athlete, looking for a speedy, successful and complete recovery

If you or someone you know has, or is at risk for a stress fracture, give us a call. We’ll be sure to take the stress away.

If you are looking to get out of pain quickly, recover from an injury, surgery, or degenerative condition, give Forest Hills Rehabilitation a call today.

http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com
(718) 520-8480

How to Deal with Chronic Joint and Muscle Pain

All of us have experienced pain and discomfort in the muscles and joints at some point, especially with age. In most cases, the use of over the counter medications, hot/cold packs and rest help resolve the problem.

Muscle and joint pain can be extremely troublesome to say the least. Some cases start with mild discomfort while others can become so severe that simple things like sitting, standing and walking become extremely painful, limiting day to day activities.

Although physical therapy can improve any condition involving muscle and joint pain, certain conditions make ongoing ongoing physical therapy a necessity. These include:

- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain
- Fibromyalgia

Step by Step Improvement

For people suffering from chronic pain and discomfort, physical therapy improves quality of life. Physical therapists design treatment plans to increase range of motion, flexibility and strength, while reducing pain in the muscles and joints.

Relieving pain in the muscles and joints is the primary goal. A careful designed exercise program helps improve blood flow to the affected areas.

The first thing a physical therapist will do is to help you understand your limits, so you don’t hurt yourself by doing too much too soon. Physical therapists using a variety of procedures and modalities to relieve chronic pain in the muscles and the joints. This also helps patients to safely increase strength and mobility while reducing pain.

Procedures include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy and neuromuscular reeducation. Modalities include electrical stimulation, ultrasound and hot / cold therapy. The therapist will use his / her clinical judgement to identify, design and implement the right protocol based on the needs of the patient.

A Scientific, Proven Solution

Physical therapy is a proven solution to chronic muscle and joint problems. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, and has the potential to impact every aspect of life.

Patients require emotional and physical support since the condition can become severely limiting in nature. Patients may experience anxiety, depression, and potential disability as the condition advances.

The good news is - we can teach you what to do, and we are here to help you. Physical therapists dedicate their lives to helping individuals get better, stronger and live life without pain. We want you to experience the full benefits of strength and mobility. We strive to achieve life changing improvements in all our clients. Nothing makes us happier. We want to see that smile on your face when you walk out of our clinic. It’s why we do what we do.

Physical therapy can empower patients with chronic joint/muscle pain and improve the quality of life. Let us show you what we can do or you. To get started, call us today to discover how we can help you deal with chronic joint and muscle pain.

If you are looking to get out of pain quickly, recover from an injury, surgery, or degenerative condition, give Forest Hills Rehabilitation a call today.

http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com
(718) 520-8480

Tennis elbow is not restricted to those who play tennis. It is a condition in which tendon damage causes soreness or pain around the outside of the elbow or the lateral epicondyle. The symptoms of tennis elbow are noticeable when the palm is turned upward. Damage to the tendons in the forearm makes wrist movements and forearm rotation painful and can limit day to day activities.

Tennis elbow is considered a repetitive movement injury. The name is derived from repetitive movements that commonly occur when playing tennis. In fact, any repetitive movement from consistent turning and twisting can cause tennis elbow. Examples include working on an industrial machine, desk job, and other sports. Sometimes, tennis elbow can actually be caused by a direct blow to the tendons of the elbow area.

The Road to Recovery

A physical therapist can help relieve pain and restore motion and strength to the arm, wrist, fingers, and elbow. The therapist can help with recovery as well as injury prevention and future recurrences of tennis elbow.

Your physician may recommend prescription medication to reduce pain and inflammation. The physical therapist will work closely with the physician to improve circulation, promote healing and help restore full function as quickly as possible.

Expect your physical therapist to:

Identify the movement(s) that may have actually caused your injury and help you to avoid them.
Identify weaknesses or joint restrictions and correct them.
Help reduce pain with treatment techniques and modalities like ultrasound, cold therapy.
Prescribe a home exercise program.
Helping You Every Step of the Way…
Exercise and physical therapy is the only long term solution to recover and prevent injury. Once your tendons have started to heal, physical therapy will help you regain strength and endurance. Your physical therapist will assist you during the rehabilitation process every step of the way. Treatment may also include cold therapy to reduce swelling, medications to reduce pain and inflammation and rest.

If you or someone you know has pain in your forearm that interferes with daily activities, ask your physician if physical therapy is right for you. You can also contact us directly and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment right away. (888) 595-7282

We’ll design an exercise program that is geared towards your specific needs, abilities and goals and help you. Don’t suffer with the constant pain and restrictions of tennis elbow anymore. Contact our office today. Our goal is to help you. We’ll be your ticket to a speedy recovery.

http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com

Prehab - The Role of Exercise Before Surgery

If you or someone you know is preparing for an upcoming surgery, the information you are about to read will be very useful. Most individuals are familiar with the thought of rehabilitation after surgery, but the idea of pre-surgical rehabilitation is gaining recognition.

Often, there is a period of waiting involved prior to any surgery. This time is valuable, and it can be utilized to prepare the body for surgery and facilitate a better outcome after the surgical intervention. When muscles, bones and joints are in optimum condition before the procedure, the impact of the inevitable muscle loss and joint stiffness is minimized post operatively. Essentially, the stronger a person is going into surgery, the better the chances of an easier and faster recovery after the surgery.

Individuals who participate in a pre-surgical rehabilitation program tend to regain function and return to their daily lives faster than individuals who do not participate in pre-surgical rehabilitation. Traditionally, a physical therapist helps with post-surgical rehabilitation, but you may be surprised to learn that the therapist can also be your biggest ally during the ‘pre-hab’ process.

Pre-Surgical Rehabilitation 101
It is common for the region that is about to be operated on to be inflamed and weak. With a carefully planned exercise routine, a physical therapist can help reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation to the affected area. This improves mobility and helps with pain relief. This also helps promote correct movement patterns and minimize compensatory movements like leaning and uneven weight bearing.

Improving health and fitness, and being in optimal physical health can go a long way towards the facilitation of post-operative recovery.

These are some simple guidelines to follow with a pre-surgical rehabilitation program:

Start the program at least six weeks prior to the surgery.
Start slowly. This is not the time to aggravate an existing issue or trigger a new one.
If you are physically fit, consider increasing your intensity, frequency, or duration as long as it doesn’t interfere with your current injury.
Yoga is an excellent way to prepare both the mind and body for surgery. The combination of relaxation and soothing movements can be beneficial before and after surgery.
One of the requirements for post-surgical discharge is that a patient is able to complete certain activities. Your physical therapist will collaborate with the surgeon to design your goals and establish benchmarks for recovery. For example, you may be expected to walk a certain number of steps or climb stairs before you are allowed to go home. Once this pre-requisite is met, you can start a home exercise program. Patients who are physically prepared for surgery can leave the hospital sooner and are likely to suffer fewer complications.

Physical Therapy and Pre-hab
A consultation with your physical therapist will involve an evaluation to determine:

Muscle and joint strength
Ability to move and perform day-to-day tasks (climbing stairs, getting in and out of bed)
Degree of assistance required from friends and family members
By working with a physical therapist prior to surgery and creating a pre-surgery rehabilitation plan, you will create a strong foundation for rapid recovery. Similar to the post-surgical collaboration, you can expect your physical therapist to work closely with your doctors to facilitate recovery even before you have surgery.

The physical therapist will help you familiarize yourself with walking aides and other supportive devices like crutches, walkers, or canes should they be needed. You will discover the importance of breathing, proper techniques and range of motion of important exercises that you’ll be doing after the surgery. This will reduce the stress and apprehension associated with discharge and facilitate independence. As your physical therapists, we are committed to keeping you as healthy as possible. If you or someone you know is considering surgery, schedule a consultation with us. 'Pre-hab’ is a great way to speed up rehab and we are here to help you every step of the way.

Phone:718-520-8480
Web:http://www.ForestHillsRehab.com