Compartment Syndrome

Compartment syndrome develops when swelling or bleeding occurs within a compartment in a limb. If blood flow to the muscle and nerve cells are disrupted, it can increase pressure on the capillaries, nerves, and muscles in the compartment. Compartment syndrome usually occurs in the front compartment of the lower leg, but can also occur in different compartments of the leg, arms, hands, feet and buttocks. Compartment syndrome is classified as being either acute or chronic. Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency, usually due to a traumatic injury, and must be addressed immediately to avoid irreversible consequences, such as limb loss. Chronic compartment syndrome develops over time, usually due to excessive or inefficient exercise exertion.

A classic sign of compartment syndrome is intense pain through the stretching of the muscle or a tingling or burning sensation on the skin and the muscle. Numbness or paralysis are late signs of compartment syndrome and usually indicate permanent tissue injury.

Compartment syndrome usually occurs after a major injury such as a broken bone, a car accident, or any trauma to the particular area. It can be caused by a fracture, a badly bruised muscle, crush injuries, reestablished blood flow after blocked circulation, constricting bandages such as casts, and the use of anabolic steroids.

The symptoms of Chronic Compartment Syndrome can be improved through physical therapy. A physical therapist will play an important role in the treatment of the condition whether or not it requires surgery, and he or she will work with you to design an individualized treatment program based on your condition and your personal goals. A typical program will combine range-of-motion exercises, manual therapy, muscle strengthening and ice and heat therapy. Your physical therapist will also educate you on proper footwear, avoiding certain activities, and modifying your lifestyle.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

National Physical Therapy Month

By celebrating National Physical Therapy Month annually in October, we are reminded that taking care of our body is vital to our health. The goal of this month is to raise awareness of how important physical therapy can be to your well being. Physical therapy is a way to improve mobility, decrease pain, and promote an overall healthy lifestyle.

Physical therapy is an excellent alternative to having surgery or taking medicine as this form of treatment uses individualized treatment plans and can help to promote your fitness and energy levels.

Your physical therapist will use a combination of techniques to promote an overall healthier lifestyle. He or she will combine stretching techniques with core stabilization to increase flexibility and mobility. Using stretching techniques throughout the day will help to keep your muscles and joints mobile to increase your health.

Physical therapists treat a wide spectrum of different diagnosis, including (but not limited to) patients with sports related injuries, skeletal injuries such as sprains, strains and fractures, stroke victims, and other neurological conditions.

Physical therapy uses multiple techniques to increase the health of your joints, muscles, and bones, including therapy, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, low-level laser, functional stimulation, and exercise.

Senior citizens, adults and children can all obtain health and lifestyle benefits from visiting a physical therapist.

National Physical Therapy Month is a great time for physical therapists to educate both their patients and the public on the excellent benefits of their trade. It is truly amazing the amount of diseases and conditions it helps to improve. With the year coming to an end, adding physical therapy to your lifestyle will lead you into 2016 with a healthy mind and body!

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month where we focus our attention at the national level on early diagnosis and raising funds for research for a cure.

Since the year 2000, breast cancer deaths have gone down each year. However breast cancer is still the second highest cause of death in women. 1 in 8 women are expected to have invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Because of early detection and continued research, more women are surviving each year.

It is difficult to prevent breast cancer from occurring due to a large genetic component but through regular breast cancer screenings, it can help with early detection and a better prognosis. For women between 20 – 39, breast exams should be done by a professional once every three years. For women over 40, breast mammograms should be done once a year or as indicated by your doctor. Also, at home screenings at least once a month can help prevent the cancer from escalating.

If you have a family history of breast cancer, speak to your doctor on what your course of action should be. A doctor will be able to tell you what breast cancer screenings are right for you as well as the frequency.

Aside from screenings, there are many ways you can help support this cause. You can participate in breast cancer walks which not only promote healthy living, but helps unify breast cancer survivors and advocates everywhere. These walks raise money through donations to further help the cause.

You can also purchase products from businesses that are making donations to the cause. Many businesses will sell limited edition products where profits are donated to breast cancer research during the month of October. You can also make direct donations to breast cancer research foundations.

Awareness and financial support are the biggest ways that as a society, we can see the incidence of breast cancer continue to go down. With your support, we can see real change.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

Posture Related Problems and How to Prevent Them

Posture issues are extremely common in today’s world. Whether incurred from a physical trauma or from a lifetime of poor habits, bad posture can have serious health ramifications. Aches and pains in your muscles and joints, as well as persistent fatigue, are common ailments due to poor posture, with more serious ailments including osteoarthritis, depression, and difficulty breathing.

The first area to consider is your work environment. If you work in an office, sitting at your desk for hours on end can wreak havoc on your back. To start, be conscious of how you’re sitting! You want to make sure you are sitting back and not slouching. If you look ahead while in this position, the monitor needs to be at eye level; if it isn’t, your monitor height needs to be adjusted. A chair designed for spine support rather than a straight backed chair is optimal. In addition, it is important you take breaks away from your desk whenever possible. Little changes such as conducting phone or conference calls standing up or walking to other offices or cubicles to send a message rather than using e-mail can have a huge impact on your health. If possible, consider purchasing a standing desk. This will do wonders for your spine as well as help burn more calories throughout the day.

If you are overweight or obese, your weight can have a huge impact on your muscle strength. Maintaining good posture is more laborious due to being overweight and can turn your default sitting position into a slouch. Losing weight via proper nutrition and exercise will exponentially help your posture.

An important area to examine when looking to correct your posture is your sleeping environment. It is extremely important that your sleeping arrangements are conducive to your health as we spend a large percentage of our lives in bed. Your mattress should be firm, not soft, as this will help provide the most support. Sleeping on your side is the optimal position for your spine, followed by sleeping on your back. Do not sleep on your stomach! When sleeping on your side or back, you’ll want to ensure that the pillows are not under your shoulders, but only under your neck and head. Also, placing a pillow between your knees as you sleep on your side can help your hips stay aligned.

There are many daily activities we can do that will improve our posture as well as prevent posture issues down the line. By keeping these in mind, we can look forward to a pain-free retirement.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

Physical Therapy After Total Knee Replacement

Effective rehabilitation goes hand in hand when a total knee replacement surgery is your only option. Physical therapy is the crucial component that can make the outcome of your surgery a success.

A physical therapist will examine your lifestyle and rehabilitation needs in order to provide a personalized movement exercise regimen. He or she will assist you in going through each healing stage, with the first being the regaining of motion at the knee joint. While you must initially keep your knee as straight as possible, you will regain the ability to bend throughout the physical therapy process.

The next step involves the physical therapist assisting you through the stages of improved walking. In the beginning, you will need the assistance of a walker or a cane, but over time the physical therapist will help you improve your walking and posture so you will be able to walk on your own.

The physical therapist’s overall goal is to re-build your strength and increase your flexibility. This will help you heal as well as increase your comfort during the process.

If your lifestyle before surgery involved sports or physically demanding work, it is important to communicate this information to your physical therapist, as he or she will be able to tailor the sessions in order to get you healed enough to return to these activities.

The physical therapist will create an exercise regimen for you to complete at home in order to assist with pain relief as well as to continue the healing process when not in a session. It is important to follow the physical therapist’s recommendations as missteps can lead to setbacks in the healing process.

After a physical therapist has assessed your physical condition in conjunction with your lifestyle factors, he or she will provide you the most efficient and effective recovery.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

Vistibular Physical Therapy in Massapequa Park

Although it may not sound like a common practice, vestibular rehabilitation is one of the most important treatments when improving balance and symptoms from vertigo and other conditions. Park Physical Therapy in Massapequa practices this type of therapy and can improve the quality of everyday life for those suffering from various dehabilitations.

Vestibular physical therapy can improve various aspects of everyday life if performed correctly. A person suffering from a balance disorder such as vertigo can find it difficult to go about their day with any sense of normalcy. Vertigo can give the illusion of the room spinning, affecting everything from balance to posture. After an evaluation of a patient’s current abilities, the professionals at Park Physical Therapy can tailor a personalized vestibular therapy program aiming to improve posture, decrease the sensation of nonequilibrium, and improve visual focus, among other benefits. Patients with long-term, unresolved disorders can benefit greatly from this type of treatment.

Vestibular physical therapy can help various disorders and go a long way in improving balance and combating symptoms of vertigo. The professionals at Park Physical Therapy provide optimal care to every patient, treating them like their own, and their vestibular physical therapy can change a patient’s life.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.