How PT can help stroke patients

Recovering from a stroke can often be a long process. Victims will usually start the rehabilitation process right away while they are still in the hospital. This rehabilitation process will differ in length depending on the individual’s stroke. A key member in getting you back in good health condition after your stroke, is your physical therapist.

After your stroke you will begin physical therapy once your doctor says you are ready. The reason why physical therapy is important for stroke patients is because it will help you learn and relearn anything that the stroke would have affected. Physical therapists will first assess the stroke victims strength, range of motion, and endurance. After these assessments they will put together an individual rehab plan to get the patient back in good health.

A physical therapist will start by showing you how to start safely performing the tasks you did prior to the stroke. The patient will be taught things such as how to walk, how to keep your balance, and how to use any walking aids you may need. For stroke patients, it is important to practice certain movements over and over again. These movements include walking up stairs or moving between obstacles. Your physical therapist will practice these moves with you and make sure that you can perform these moves safely in your everyday life. For patients who may still be too weak to hold themselves up, hydrotherapy may become an option for them.

A physical therapist can also provide training to anyone that may be taking care of you. Physical therapists will also provide help to stroke patients who may experience problems on one side of their body. They will try to stimulate the neglected side of the body in an effort to regain strength on the weak side of their body. If you or your loved one is recovering from a stroke, a physical therapist will be your biggest help during the recovery period.

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.

Injuries from Running

by Park Physical Therapy, July 8, 2015

Running is a very common activity for most people and is a great way to get fit and stay healthy. However, many people actually injure themselves from running because they either push themselves too hard or overuse their muscles. As a runner, there are definitely different measures you can take to avoid these injuries and being aware of the most common running injuries is one of the first steps you can take.

1. Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee (also called Patellofemoral pain syndrome) is a common overuse injury and causes irritation in the cartilage right underneath the kneecap. Pain from runner’s knee often flares up from long runs, sitting down for too long, and going up or down hills/stairs. The best way to treat it is by resting your knee. Take extra rest days, lessen the amount of miles you run, and only go as far as you can without having pain.

2. Stress Fracture

A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone that happens because of cumulative strain on the bone. It can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for runners and usually occurs on the shins, feet, or heels. People who overtrain usually get stress fractures and the only way to treat it is by rest. Trying to run through the pain will only make a stress fracture worse and take longer to heal.

3. Shin Splints

Shin splints usually result from small tears that occur around the the tibia (shin). People who change their workout routine too quickly or come back from a prolonged layoff are at risk of getting shin splints. Additionally, people with flat feet are also more likely to get it. The best way to treat it is by resting and stretching your calves. After you take a couple of weeks off to heal, you can gradually increase your running workload.

4. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis are small tears and inflammation of ligaments and tendons in the foot. It usually causes a sharp, tight, and painful sensation at the base of the heel. The common causes of this condition are overuse or improper footwear. The best way to treat it is by resting your feet and massaging and stretching them often.

5. Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel. The Achilles tendon often becomes inflamed when it is overused. When it is under too much stress, the tendon begins to stiffen up and cause pain in that area. It often occurs to those who dramatically increase their training. The best way to treat it is by resting, icing the area, and stretching your calves.
These are usually the most common injuries that runners suffer from. A common theme between all of them is that rest is usually the best treatment. If you think you are suffering from one of these injuries, you should take time off to rest your body and let it heal. If the pain is too severe, you should see a physical therapist or doctor.
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.

Why Park PT is the Best

There are many different options to consider when picking a Physical Therapist. Not all therapists offer the same treatment programs, or have the same equipment. It is important to shop around to see who offers the things you need. Some practices are very limited on the services they offer, which is why Park Physical Therapy may just be the best option for you. With a wide range of services, with a very convenient location, combined with one-on-one care, Park Physical Therapy is simply the best option for physical therapy on Long Island.

One of the many useful services we offer is treatment for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, or TMJ’s. These injuries or disorders can be very frustrating and debilitating, considering that they involve the joint that connects the joint to the skull. There is not a definitive known cause for these disorders, but many believe it is caused by whiplash or even the grinding of the teeth. These disorders can cause the jaw to become locked open or closed, or even clicking or popping sounds in the jaw. Fortunately, Park Physical Therapy offers treatment options for TMJ’s. With therapists available to give you the best care available, you are guaranteed to be treated with the most up-to-date and effective treatments as possible.

Park Physical Therapy also offers sports rehabilitation, a common area of injury. If you are recovering from surgery from a sports injury, or didn’t require surgery but are still recovering, Park Physical Therapy can help. Our therapists have years of training and experience, to ensure that you will get back to your regular routine as soon, and as efficiently, as possible. We also offer balance therapy, something that often deteriorates with old age or injury. We can assist you in regaining your balance to help you get back to everyday life. Park Physical Therapy also offers home care. If you are not able to leave the house for a therapy appointment, we can have one-on-one care arranged for you in your own home.

When choosing the right physical therapist, Park Physical Therapy is the only option. Our services have been benefitting the community for years in the past, and our therapists have been proven time and time again to be the most educated and experienced in the business.

What is Gait Training?

One of the most important services a physical therapist can offer his or her patient is gait training. Gait training can be used on patients who suffer from a variety of injuries. Patients who have suffered from strokes, broken legs, knee replacements, joint injuries, or other injuries can all benefit from receiving gait training from their physical therapist.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need help standing or walking properly, then gait training is something you should consider. The primary goal of gait training is to prevent the patient from falling in the future. By decreasing the chance of falls in patients, the chance of further injury will also be decreased. Physical therapists will recommend gait training to their patients whose walking ability has been negatively affected. You will also be recommended for gait training if your are at risk to become immobile. Instead of being immobile, your physical therapist will help you learn to walk again so that you will become physically active again.

Gait training works by strengthening your muscles and joints and by retraining your legs for repetitive motion. By retraining your legs for a repetitive motion, such as walking, you will begin to develop muscle memory. You will also notice more endurance, better balance, and an improved posture. All of these things will help you walk better and reduce the risk of falling. Gait training will also help you to reduce the risk of other illnesses, such as heart disease and osteoporosis.
If you do find yourself in a position where gait training is needed your physical therapists will give you different activities to help you improve your health. Your activities may involve machines that will help you walk safely. This may include being harnessed into a treadmill so that you do not fall. You will also do trainings that involved walking over objects that are on the ground, standing, and lifting your leg. The exercises that you will do and the duration that you will do them for will all depend on your individual situation.

If you have recently experienced an injury that has affected your ability to walk or stand properly, contact your physical therapist right away and ask them about the many benefits of gait training!

Common Shoulder Injuries

The shoulder is a commonly used area of the body, which means that it is prone to many different types of injury. Injuries to this region can be caused by deterioration, injury, and even disease. Some common afflictions that you probably have heard of include dislocation, separation, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff disease or tear, fracture, and conditions related to arthritis. Treatment can be very different for many of these injuries, but it is best to spot the symptoms early on to ensure that you get the most in-depth treatment possible.

When the shoulder is dislocated, a doctor might have to push the joint back into place. After this procedure, the shoulder may still be impaired. Physical therapy can help extend the shoulder back to it’s full range of motion. Certain exercises can prevent further injuries as well. The joint should be iced several times a day to accelerate the healing process and reduce swelling. A separation, just like a dislocation, can be caused by hard contact with the shoulder, but is a very different kind of injury. It involves the ligament between the shoulder an the collarbone tearing. A sling, ice, rest, and exercises can help repair this, but depending on the severity, surgery might be necessary.

Rotator cuff disease, often a combination of tendonitis or bursitis, can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis or overuse of the joint. This causes the bursa, or a pouch of fluid that protects the joint to become swollen. Aspirin and ice can help treat this, as well as an ultrasound to improve blood flow. Surgery may be necessary if the condition does not show improvement over an extended period of time. A rotator cuff tear, another common injury, can be the result of old age or overuse. The treatment for a tear is very similar to that of rotator cuff disease, but also includes electrical stimulation of the nerves and muscles. As opposed to overuse, a lack of use can cause frozen shoulder. A lack of use can be the result of chronic pain or a rheumatic disease, or even tissue growing that prevents one from moving the shoulder. It can be treated with stretching exercises, cortisone injection, and electrical stimulation. Surgery may also be necessary in this situation if the condition does not improve.

A fracture is also common, but is usually repaired by a doctor putting the bones back where they belong, and putting the arm in a sling. Strengthening exercises are useful in this situation once the joint has healed. Above all, the shoulder is a crucial part of the body. Anything irregular including pain or discomfort, or reduced motion should be addressed immediately. Physical therapy can be a great, non-invasive method of treating shoulder injuries before resorting to surgery. Call a therapist today to see if physical therapy can be the right choice for you.

Parkinsons and PT

   

Parkinson’s disease is a very scary and limiting degenerative disease that affects up to 60,000 Americans every single year. It can cause tremors, stiffness in movement, or moving more slowly than before. While it is best to be caught early on, it is often hard to spot, as it also does not affect most people who will get Parkinson’s disease before they hit their 60’s. There is no known cure, but there are treatments that make the symptoms more manageable, and allow people to live as comfortably as possible.

Physical therapy as well as exercise are great methods of dealing with Parkinson’s disease. Simply going for walks or participating in aerobics can slow the progression of the disease, as well as make a person more fit and capable to perform everyday activities. As far as physical therapy goes, every person is different. Your physical therapist will perform a series of tests to gauge how your strength, posture, coordination, and balance have degenerated with the disease. Then formulating a treatment plan that is right for you. Their main priority is to improve your strength as well as help you perform everyday activities, as efficiently and easy as possible. Simple tasks like getting out of bed can be a challenge with Parkinson’s disease, but a physical therapist can give you advice to make it easier. They can also help you prepare for activities or hobbies you enjoy participating in, by helping improve coordination and balance, or giving you strategies to help you cope.

Parkinson’s disease is no laughing matter. If you think you are experiencing any symptoms, and fall within the criteria for the disease, seek a doctor immediately. The quicker it is caught, the quicker and more effectively it can be managed. Physical therapists can be a huge asset in coping with Parkinson’s disease, so call Park Physical Therapy today and see if a treatment plan is right for you.

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.

Meniscal tears are one of the most frequently occurring injuries of the knee. They are very common in people who play contact sports, but anyone can be afflicted. The meniscus are two rubbery pieces of cartilage in-between where the thighbone and the shinbone meet in the knee. They act as shock absorbers and keep the joint stable. There are many different types of meniscal tears, but it is important to remember that they can happen to almost anyone.

Generally, instantaneous tears happen in athletes. This can happen after twisting a knee or being tackled in a contact sport. Degenerative meniscal tears are more common in senior citizens. The cartilage can deteriorate over time and be more prone to a tear. Almost any sudden shock to the joint can cause the meniscus to tear if they have deteriorated enough.

There are many, often overlooked, symptoms of a torn meniscus. Pain and swelling in the knee, the knee locking or giving way, or a loss of a full range of motion are all symptoms of a torn meniscus. If left untreated, the joint can get worse over time, causing popping, slipping, or locking in the knee, which is why it is crucial to see a physical therapist immediately. Depending on the severity of the tear, an expert can recommend several routes of treatment. The RICE method, or rest, ice, compression, elevation method is among the most common for sports injuries. They might also recommend anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If surgery is necessary, then there are several options. Either the torn tissue is stitched together, or it is cut away. Rehabilitation times may vary, but can take up to three months.

Above all, it is important to remember to never overlook an injury. The earlier it can be treated, the better, as it can only get worse on its own. Call a physical therapist today!


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.