Q: I’ve hurt my back, how long does it take to recover?
A: Seven out of ten people experience low back pain. It can last from a few days to a few weeks, but 80% of people with low back pain recover within 6 weeks. If pain worsens or extends longer than this time frame, you should see a doctor. They may recommend that you see a physical therapist. There are specialized exercises and manual therapy techniques that a therapist can provide to help you recover from your injury.
The April 2011 edition of Triathlete magazine on-line talks about chronic plantar fasciitis and how to treat it (âA Heel Upâ). One of the recommended treatments to resolve chronic plantar fasciitis, or plantar fasciosis, is ASTYM treatment. Here is why:
For years, chronic plantar fasciitis was considered an inflammatory condition and treatments were aimed at reducing the inflammation that was thought to be the cause. However, treatment aimed at reducing inflammation to cure plantar fasciitis had only limited success. That puzzled health care providers until it was recently discovered that almost all cases of chronic plantar fasciitis are caused by degeneration of the plantar fascia (not due to inflammation as previously thought), and treatment should involve stimulating regeneration of the affected tissue. Here is a link to a research article talking about the histologic findings showing degeneration of the plantar fascia in cases of chronic plantar fasciitis: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12756315.
Very few approaches focus on regenerating healthy tissue. However, a good treatment option that regularly stimulates regeneration of strong, healthy tissue and has a high rate of success for plantar fasciitis is ASTYM treatment. You can see what ASTYM treatment is like by clicking here: http://astym.com/video
Q: Can Runners Avoid Shin Splints?
A: Studies show backpacks worn
improperly or that are too heavy can
result in postural changes, muscle strains,
fatigue, and pain. These symptoms can be
greatly reduced by keeping the packs less
than 15% of the child’s bodyweight, using
both shoulder straps and keeping the pack
in the middle of the back. Students with the highest risk of
injury are pre-K through 9th grade, although all students
can be affected. Please contact me for a free evaluation if
you have any questions or concerns.
Q: Have Foot or Heel Pain?
A: Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain
in the heel that typically occurs upon
awaking and after prolonged sitting or
standing. Plantar fasciitis involves pain
and inflammation of a thick band of tissue
that runs across the bottom of your foot,
connecting your heel to your toes. A
physical therapist can teach foot stabilization, stretching
and strengthening exercises to decrease the pain. Some
patients, when appropriate, receive “ASTYM” treatments,
which is a non-invasive manual therapy that works quickly
to rejuvenate damaged tissue. If you have foot or heel pain,
ask your doctor about Certified ASTYM treatments.
Q: Recently, I have been getting dizzy and
have almost fallen a few times. Should I
be concerned and what should I do?
A: A common cause of “dizziness” is Benign
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and
symptoms may include the sudden sense
that you or your surroundings are spinning,
feeling unsteady, or experiencing nausea.
These symptoms usually occur when changing positions
such as looking up or down, sitting up from bed or reaching
down to tie your shoes, and commonly last less than one
minute. You should see your physician if you experience
these symptoms more than once to rule out more serious
illness, but is typically not serious and effective treatments
are available that can be performed by a physical therapist.
Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury when the tough, fibrous band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes becomes inflamed. Causes of plantar fasciitis include physical activ- ity overload, occupations that require increased standing or walking, being flat footed or having high arches, and
improper shoes. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include sharp or burning pain in the heel and bottom of your foot that is worse upon waking, after long periods of standing or getting up from a seated position, and after exercise. First, try rest and ice to decrease the symptoms. If symp- toms persist, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy for exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and strengthen the ankle and foot for improved stability. Night splints help to stretch the heel while sleeping so the plantar fascia does not become contracted overnight. Once symptoms have subsided, shoe inserts, properly fitting footwear and continuing your home exercises will help to maintain flexibility in the plantar fascia.
Vince Frisillo, MPT
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Excel Therapy Specialists
Whiplash is caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, either forward or backward, and often occurs as a result of a car accident or sport-related conditions such as a football tackle. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain and stiffness, dizziness and sleep disturbances. Symptoms can be delayed for 24 hours after the initial trauma, but typically begin within the first few days after the injury. X-rays help to rule out any more serious injury, and your doctor may prescribe pain relieving medications. A physical therapist will initiate range of motion exercises for your neck and shoulders, which has been shown more beneficial than a cervical collar to improve your symptoms. Physical therapy can also help to decrease tightness and soreness through soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and traction as well as improve strength through a clinical and home exercise program. Other treatments include ice, heat and ultrasound to help minimize soreness and tightness in the neck and shoulders.
Vince Frisillo, MPT
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Excel Therapy Specialists
Rotator cuff tendonitis is a common condition referring to the inflammation, irritation and swelling of tendons around the shoulder. The rotator cuff is made up of four small, fragile muscles named supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis, which help the arm attach and move properly in the shoulder socket. When the rotator cuff is injured, such as with overuse, repetitive overhead or tensile overload (such as a sudden pull or jerk), pain results from inflammation to the muscle group. Symptoms typically include generalized pain with reaching above the level of your shoulder, during or after exercise, weakness, popping and difficulty lying on the affected shoulder. Physical therapy is commonly recommended by your physician to provide specific exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff and muscles surrounding the shoulder, reduce pain and inflammation, and help you to return to work or sports related activities.
Vince Frisillo, MPT
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Excel Therapy Specialists
Back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy, with 50-70 percent of pregnant women experiencing it sometime during pregnancy. Several factors contribute to this, including an increase in hormones that causes joints to loosen, poor posture due to a change in your center of gravity as your baby grows, stretching of the abdominal muscles and the additional weight gained during pregnancy your back must support. To help minimize or prevent back pain, wear low-heeled shoes with good arch support and consider a maternity support belt. Sleep on your left side with a body pillow and try alternating heat and ice on the sore area. Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy to develop an individualized exercise program to support and strengthen the back and abdomen, work on postural and lifting mechanics and perform soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques depending on your symptoms to help alleviate discomfort.
Vince Frisillo, MPT
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Excel Therapy Specialists
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the capsule of tissue that envelops the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, causing the shoulder joint to contract and form bands of scar tissue called adhesions. These adhesions cause the shoulder to become stiff and movement painful. The cause for a frozen shoulder is not well understood and can occur without any specific injury. Symptoms include a dull, aching pain, limited shoulder movement, difficulty with overhead or behind the back activities and pain when trying to sleep on the affected shoulder. Physical therapy may be ordered by your physician to increase shoulder joint motion and to decrease the loss of muscle on the affected arm. Physical therapists can help a patient develop a stretching and strengthening exercise program while incorporating heat, ultrasound, and other modalities to help with pain control. The patient must continue to perform the exercises after working with a physical therapist as recovery time can take months.
Vince Frisillo, MPT
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Excel Therapy Specialists
