mayfield-physical-therapy

TIRED OF NECK PAIN AND BACK ACHES? IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY.

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 17:05:32 GMT

Is your back and neck pain preventing you from living your life to the fullest? If so, you aren’t alone.

Studies show that up to 90% of people experience either back pain or neck pain at least once in their lives. Though back pain and neck pain is very common, this doesn’t mean it’s a condition you should take lightly.

Left untreated, some of the conditions that cause neck and back pain can lead to long-term health issues or mobility limitations. Fortunately, physical therapy can help!

At Mayfield Physical Therapy , you’ll gain access to a personalized physical therapy treatment plan that will tackle your painful symptoms head on.

If you’re ready to live a life without neck and back pain, contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed physical therapists.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY FIRST PHYSICAL THERAPY APPOINTMENT?

Physical therapy is a pain treatment and relief strategy that is safe, natural, and successful for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

During your first appointment with a physical therapist, you’ll undergo a comprehensive physical exam. This will help your therapist determine the root cause of your neck and back pain. A strength test may also be performed, using a goniometer to measure your current range of motion.

In order to determine the quality of your current functional mobility, you may be asked to perform different exercises and physical movements.

Your physical therapist will likely ask you to share any relevant medical history, if you have a chronic pain condition, or if you have a history of recurring injuries. This information will help your therapist determine the nature and severity of your condition.

Once your evaluation is complete, your physical therapist will get to work creating a personalized treatment plan that targets the cause of your back or neck pain and focuses on providing relief.

PASSIVE AND ACTIVE THERAPIES

Physical therapy treatment for back pain and neck pain focuses on the structures that support the spine. This includes the tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. In order to achieve the most effective pain relief possible and prevent injury in the future, your treatment plan will include both active and passive forms of physical therapy.

An active physical therapy plan usually involves specific exercises, stretches, and adjustments, designed to relieve and eventually eliminate your pain. Aquatic therapy is a form of active therapy that is commonly recommended for patients who struggle to exercise without pain.

When you’re in chest-deep water, only 20% of your weight is supported by your spine. This makes it much less painful and easier to exercise your back and neck muscles.

Passive physical therapy also includes different modalities, such as ice and heat therapy, massage therapy, ultrasound, or electrotherapy. Massage therapy is used to relieve muscle tension and pain. Ice and heat therapies help reduce swelling and pain, while also increasing blood flow to the affected area to promote healing.

Electrotherapy involves sending electrical impulses to the sensory nerves in order to alter pain signals. Though the name of this treatment technique can sound intimidating, electrotherapy isn’t painful. Instead, it feels like a mildly warm sensation that reduces pain and relaxes muscles.

A LOOK INTO YOUR PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PLAN

No two pain conditions are exactly alike, which is why our physical therapists create a specific treatment plan just for you. Some common causes of back and neck pain include:

Improper posture. Poor posture can cause unnecessary strain on the back and neck, which can result in pain and discomfort.
Sprains and strains. When these injuries do not heal properly, it can lead to painful symptoms and even chronic pain in the future.
Osteoarthritis. You can think of osteoarthritis as the “wear and tear” that develops on the facet joints (which cause friction when bending). This can also result in a pinched nerve root, which can cause sciatica.
Sudden traumas or injuries. Sudden damage to the neck or back, such as a sports collision or car accident, may result in back or neck pain.
Disc herniation. A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like material of the disc bulges or leaks out.
Degenerative disc disease. Degenerative disc disease occurs when there is significant “wear and tear” on the spinal discs.

Fortunately, physical therapy has been proven to help with back and neck pain, regardless of its root cause. If you’re suffering from back or neck pain, call Mayfield Physical Therapy today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life. Our physical therapists are certified and experienced, and they are eager to help you succeed.

FINALLY, SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR ACHES AND PAINS

Disruptive pain in your neck and back doesn’t have to be a part of your life. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn how we can get you on the path to recovery.

Our team is looking forward to meeting you, and helping you start living a life uninhibited by pain.

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5 METHODS FOR REDUCING PAIN AND INCREASING ENERGY

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:54:56 GMT

Are aches and pains disrupting your daily routine? If you’re in need of fast-acting pain relief so you can get back to living your life, physical therapy can help.

In physical therapy, you’ll gain access to a customizable treatment program that will provide pain-relief and help combat fatigue.

Our highly trained physical therapists have successfully treated a wide range of conditions and can both relieve your pain and prevent it from happening again. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today for more information about the health benefits of physical therapy, and in the meantime, check out our helpful hints below.

1. STAY HYDRATED.

Did you know that proper hydration involves drinking around one-ounce of water for each pound of your body weight each day? Dehydration causes some serious negative effects on the body, including headaches, muscle cramps, and overall fatigue.

Try to start carrying a reusable water bottle with you as you move throughout your day. You’ll likely begin to notice that consistent hydration leads to increased energy and less severe pain symptoms. Drinking enough water each day can also help keep your appetite under control, which may help you avoid gaining extra weight!

2. PRACTICE BREATHING EXERCISES.

It is important to take some moments throughout your day to focus on your breathing. Focused breathing can help ease your chronic pain and may even provide you with that extra energy burst you need to continue on with your day.

Take a few minutes every few hours to pause, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your lungs as much as possible. Then, exhale through your mouth, keeping your lips slightly pursed to push the air out. For a few minutes, focus just on your breathing and you’ll be shocked at how much of a difference it can make.

Deep breathing exercises can be especially beneficial to those who experience anxiety.

3. AVOID A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE.

Moving is an essential aspect of any physical therapy program, as it helps relieve painful symptoms and improves your overall function. When you are in pain, it may seem tempting to rest or lie down all day, but safe exercise actually helps relieve pain at a much quicker rate than rest alone.

By getting up and moving around every hour or so, even by just taking a walk around your room or workplace, you are helping to decrease your pain and boost your energy. You don’t have to go to the gym or lift weights in order to feel the benefits of movement – practicing easy movements like walking or light swimming every day can usher in numerous health benefits.

4. ADJUST THE ERGONOMICS OF YOUR DESK.

When it comes to your pain and energy levels, the way you sit can be extremely influential. By avoiding an uncomfortable and painful seated position, you’ll be less fatigued at the end of a long day.

Your physical therapist may also suggest that you make some simple changes to your work environment to help you further reduce any aches and pains. A lumbar cushion, for example, can help reduce the amount of strain in your lower back as you sit.

5. MAINTAIN PROPER POSTURE.

Improving your posture can make a tremendous difference in how you feel overall. In physical therapy, you will receive a treatment plan that focuses on improving your posture now, and also equips you with the information and resources you need to maintain good posture in the future.

Simply standing and sitting with shoulders back, chest out, and spine straightened (instead of slumping over) is a great start. Your physical therapist can help you develop good posture habits that can relieve discomfort and pressure, giving you more energy to go through the day.

CONTACT MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY TODAY TO GET STARTED!

Physical therapy is an excellent way to recover from old injuries, aches, and pains. Your physical therapist will employ a variety of powerful therapeutic techniques to relieve your pain and help you regain the energy you need to conquer your daily routine.

If you’re ready to start living an energized, pain-free life, use the tips above and contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today . Our team is looking forward to helping you!

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PREPARING FOR SURGERY? TRY PRE-HAB TO SPEED UP YOUR RECOVERY PROCESS.

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 16:47:49 GMT

If you’re having surgery, you’re probably already aware that rehabilitation is a critical aspect of the recovery process. Patients benefit from post-surgical rehab because it helps them get back on their feet and restores their full range of motion.

What most people don’t know, however, is that pre-surgical rehabilitation (pre-hab) can significantly speed up your recovery time after surgery.

Pre-hab is the process of working with a physical therapist to prepare your body for surgery, whereas rehab refers to physical therapy treatment after surgery. Physical therapy pre-hab has been demonstrated to speed up recovery times and even enhance surgical outcomes.

If you want to return to your normal routine as soon as possible after surgery, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today. Our team of dedicated staff will prescribe you an individualized treatment plan that will help you heal faster and prepare for your impending surgery.

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRE-HAB AND REHAB

PRE-HAB

Participating in a pre-hab treatment program with a physical therapist helps you get a jump-start on the recovery process and can help you have a more successful surgery. Your physical therapist will prescribe you exercises and therapeutic modalities that reduce inflammation and increase strength, which will give your body’s natural healing response an advantage as it recovers from an intense surgery.

Just seeing a physical therapist a few times will improve your overall health, so you’ll have more strength stored up to help you recover after undergoing your procedure. Working with a physical therapist in pre-hab will prevent you from feeling extremely weak after your surgery, since you will already have some built-up strength to make the process much easier on yourself.

REHAB

Whereas pre-hab strengthens your body before surgery, rehab strengthens your body after surgery.

It’s very natural to experience some pain and discomfort after surgery. You may find that certain motions become very challenging to perform, and that you need to limit your physical activity for a period of time after your procedure.

However, it’s critical to make sure you’re still getting the movement you need after surgery so you can regain your full range of motion and make a full recovery. This is where rehab comes into play.

Rehab is a must following surgery. Your physical therapist will teach you how to move safely after your surgery, in ways that will prevent reinjury, fight inflammation, and keep painful adhesions from forming. Physical therapy will also help you gain strength so you can return to your desired routine quickly following surgery.

WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT FROM PRE-HAB?

Pre-hab has been proven time and time again to be highly beneficial for patients who undergo surgical operations. In fact, a study published by the Arthritis Foundation, showed that patients who engaged in pre-hab had much better outcomes following surgery.

Engaging in a pre-hab treatment plan with a licensed physical therapist prior to surgery also gets patients out of the hospital faster. For example, a medical study involving knee replacement patients concluded that the patients who went through pre-hab treatments before their knee surgery were able to meet the requirements to get out of the hospital much quicker than those who did not go through any physical therapy prior to surgery.

In order to make the transition out of in-hospital care, knee replacement patients must demonstrate that they can successfully walk a certain distance and climb a set number of stairs. Meeting these standards is easier for patients who have worked with a physical therapist prior to surgery. Physical treatment has made their bodies stronger, which allows them to recuperate from trauma at a much faster rate.

GET A JUMP START ON YOUR RECOVERY BY CONTACTING MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY TODAY

The health benefits of pre-hab are undeniable. If the date of your surgery is approaching faster than you thought it would, call Mayfield Physical Therapy today to take advantage of our strengthening pre-hab services.

Our team of dedicated movement experts will help you improve your strength before your surgery, so you can have a smoother post-operative outcome and a speedier recovery time. Don’t approach such a monumental health journey alone, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to gain access to the supportive and knowledgeable team you deserve.

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BETTER BALANCE STARTS AT THE CORE: HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR STABILITY WITH PT

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:39:14 GMT

Are you familiar with the connection between core strength and better balance? When the core muscles around your trunk are strong, you are less likely to experience harmful chronic conditions, including lower back pain, balance and gait disorders, and general injuries.

A stronger core also helps to keep you upright – especially as you age and face a much higher risk of falls and fall-related injuries.

If you believe you need to work on your balance, but don’t know where to start, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today. Our team of knowledgeable physical therapists can create a personalized core routine for you that improves your balance for years to come.

THE INNER AND OUTER CORE MUSCLES

What’s the first thing you picture when you hear the words, “core strength”? If you’re like most people, you might think of the abdominal muscles or “abs.” This is the part of the core we generally hear the most about in fitness culture, but there’s much more to this complex muscle group.

There are two separate groups of core muscles: the inner core and the outer core.

The inner core muscles surround your spine and work to stabilize your core. The outer core muscles work with the inner core muscles to help you move your body from point A to point B – or, in other words, help you perform most physical tasks.

The idea of “core stability,” is tied to the inner core muscles, while the idea of “core strength,” is connected to the outer core muscles. Physical therapy will assist you in strengthening both your inner and outer core muscles in order to improve your balance and mobility.

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CORE AND BETTER BALANCE?

In your body, there are three systems in your body that help to control and maintain your balance: the visual system, the vestibular system, and the proprioceptive system.

The visual system refers to the relationship between your eyes and brain that exists to help you see. Your eyes send messages to your brain about your position in respect to the environment around you, which helps you navigate the world and maintain your balance

The vestibular system refers to the liquid in your inner ear that keeps you level by acting as a sort of “carpenter’s balance.” If you consistently feel dizzy, ask your doctor or healthcare provider about your vestibular system’s functionality.

The proprioceptive system is the one that directly relates to your core. The sensory nerves that run throughout the body are known as proprioception nerves, and they help you become more conscious of your posture and the space around you.

In order to maintain optimum balance, equilibrium in all three of these systems is vital. A weak core is one element that can make you feel off-balance and cause dangerous falls down the line.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM SEEING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST?

Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan for you, that takes into account your current fitness level, health goals, medical history, current pain symptoms, and more.

If your balance has prevented you from staying as physically fit as you used to be, know that our therapists will meet you wherever you are. There are many beginner core exercises that your PT can recommend to you, including the “drawing in maneuver.” This exercise is also referred to as simply “sucking in your gut.”

In order to perform this exercise, you’ll be asked to first stand up straight and find the proper pelvic position. This is done by rotating your hips forward and back to find the comfortable “middle” position. Then, draw your belly button in toward your spine. Don’t forget to breathe throughout this exercise. This movement is not designed to be restrictive, and you should be able to breathe, talk, and slowly walk around with your belly button drawn in.

If you’re at a lower fitness level, older, or recovering from a painful injury, the “drawing in maneuver” may be a little difficult at first, but it will help you gently build up your core muscles.

As you progress through your treatment plan, your physical therapist will likely recommend that you move on to more strenuous exercises. This may range from gentler workouts, such as a yoga routine, to planks, bridges, and various bodyweight exercises.

READY TO BEGIN IMPROVING YOUR BALANCE TODAY?

Strengthening and stabilizing a weak core has many health benefits, including fall prevention, a lower risk of injury, and better balance.

If you’ve been struggling to maintain your balance, or feeling the adverse effects of an unhealthy core, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn about your treatment options. Our team is excited to help you get started on your journey to better balance.

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SEARCHING FOR RELIEF FROM SCIATICA PAIN? TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY TODAY!

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 16:28:25 GMT

Is your sciatica pain holding you back from your daily routine? At Mayfield Physical Therapy, we understand how pesky sciatica symptoms can be. Fortunately, treatment with a licensed physical therapist can help.

If you’re looking for a way to return to the active lifestyle you love, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn about our powerful personalized treatment plans.

HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE SCIATICA?

The term, “sciatica,” describes a set of painful symptoms caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve. A herniated or bulging spinal disk is typically what causes the sciatic nerve to become compressed or pinched.

Some of the most common symptoms of sciatica include leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs. Sciatica pain can range from mild to severe and can be treated with the help of a physical therapist.

Your physical therapist will confirm whether you have sciatica using a thorough physical examination. In order to pinpoint the source of your sciatica, a CT scan or an MRI may be used.

Multiple studies have concluded that working with a physical therapist often produces better and faster pain-relieving results than relying on pain medications or surgical treatments.

Once your sciatica has been diagnosed, your physical therapist will work with you to treat and relieve your pain. Your therapist may focus on the following areas to promote pain-relief:

Improving your range of motion.

Increasing your strength and endurance.

Improving your flexibility using stretching exercises.

Educating you on the proper way to stand, bend, pick up items, and twist.

Examining your posture

A physical therapist has access to many forms of advanced treatment modalities to heal your pain and ensure your sciatica stays away.

WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT CAN I EXPECT IN PHYSICAL THERAPY?

To relieve your sciatica pain and symptoms, a physical therapist may employ a variety of treatments. Active treatments include motions, stretches, and specific exercises, aimed at reducing pain and accelerating healing.

Your physical therapist will walk you through different motions in our clinic that you can also do at home to manage your pain when you need it most. If your therapist determines that weak muscles are contributing to your pain, you will likely be given corrective exercises for core strengthening.

You may also be prescribed strengthening exercises that target your hip muscles, abdominal muscles, and glutes. All of the exercises you participate in will help strengthen the spinal column (including your tendons, ligaments, and supporting muscles) while also keeping the spine in proper alignment.

Stretching exercises in physical therapy are used to treat muscles that are stiff and inflexible. Stretching the hamstrings is an important aspect of a physical therapy treatment plan for sciatica relief. Your physical therapist may also recommend an aquatic exercise program for low-impact movements that are easier to perform in the water.

Massage therapy, ice and heat therapies, electric therapy, and ultrasound are examples of passive treatments. All of these therapeutic techniques aid in the reduction of pain, the stimulation of blood flow, and help speed up recovery.

Massage treatment is commonly used to treat sciatica, since it relieves pain by loosening up back muscles that may be pushing on the sciatic nerve. Ice and heat therapies are also commonly used in PT treatment plans, as they help ease pain, relax muscles, and reduce inflammation.

FIND RELIEF TODAY AT MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY!

You can treat your sciatica today with physical therapy. PT is a non-invasive and multifaceted way to treat sciatica that tackles the root cause of your pain. Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan just for you, based on the nature and severity of your condition.

At Mayfield Physical Therapy, our goal is to help you live a pain-free life without the use of harmful drugs or surgery.

If you’re suffering from sciatica, contact our clinic today to schedule a consultation with one of our talented physical therapists. We’ll help you get back to living the pain-free life you deserve.

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PHYSICAL THERAPY: YOUR PATH TO NATURAL, DRUG-FREE PAIN RELIEF

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:21:50 GMT

Did you know that 66% of the United States adult population, or more than 131 million people, use prescription drugs everyday? Some prescription drugs can be helpful, and are important for treating a variety of illnesses, but the national opioid epidemic should encourage us all to think twice about relying on prescription medication for pain-relief.

Fortunately, physical therapy offers a natural and completely safe way to treat pain. If you’re tired of suffering from chronic pain, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to discover how we can help you access a natural form of long-lasting pain relief —without any of the harmful side-effects of prescription drugs.

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE PHYSICAL THERAPY OVER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?

We’ve all seen the serious dangers of opioid medications broadcasted in the media. Every day, around 115 Americans die from overdosing on opioids, which include both prescribed and illegal drugs. Opioids are not only extremely powerful, but they also have the potential to mix dangerously with other medicines and are intensely addictive.

Steroids, another type of prescription painkiller, also come with their own set of risks. Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to ease chronic pain , but they can also cause unwanted side effects such as cataracts, arthritis in the hips, high blood sugar, stomach ulcers, and nerve damage.

Even common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can induce gastrointestinal bleeding and liver issues in some cases.

Furthermore, these classes of medications only provide temporary pain relief. Taking prescription drugs may help you get through your day, but they can not tackle the root cause of your pain, which means you’ll be forced to rely on them indefinitely.

The good news is, all of those risks, worries, and unpleasant side effects can be swept aside with physical therapy treatments. Though some cases of severe pain may still require pharmaceutical intervention, a physical therapist can help many patients lessen their dependence on painkillers and potentially eliminate the need for these prescriptions entirely.

Our highly educated physical therapists employ a combination of therapeutic techniques to treat a huge range of painful conditions. Whether you’re suffering from an acute injury, a post-operative wound, or a chronic pain syndrome, you can find relief in physical therapy.

HOW DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY WORK?

At Mayfield Physical Therapy, our team of dedicated physical therapists will create an individualized treatment plan for you— based on your exact needs.

Your treatment plan will vary based on the nature of your condition; for example, if your pain is being caused by an acute injury, you may be prescribed massage therapy, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, and other modalities to relieve pain and speed up your body’s natural healing process.

Once you can move and exercise without pain, your physical therapist may prescribe you gentle stretches, walking, cycling, swimming, or other activities to assist improving your body’s range of motion. These exercises will help your soft tissues move without pain and keep stiff or arthritic joints mobile and lubricated.

In addition to healing damaged muscles and joints, strengthening exercises can also help you maintain proper posture, which eases pain caused by spinal nerve compression.

Physical therapy works. Multiple studies and patient testimonials prove its efficacy; in fact, an 11-year study of chronic pain sufferers showed that regular exercise resulted in decreased pain.

Achieving success in physical therapy isn’t just the work of the physical therapist — it also depends on you. At Mayfield Physical Therapy, our team will take the time to educate you on the source of your pain and the importance of following your new regime given to you by your therapist. All of this will provide you with the tools you need to enjoy living a pain-free life and avoid future injuries.

FAST, NATURAL PAIN RELIEF IS POSSIBLE. CALL US TODAY TO GET STARTED.

Is a chronic health condition or painful injury preventing you from sticking to your daily routine? Prescription drugs are not your only option; you can find fast-acting, holistic pain-relief in physical therapy that lasts for years to come.

Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated therapists and get started on your drug-free road to recovery.

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SUFFERING FROM PAIN & INFLAMMATION? THE VILLAIN COULD BE YOUR DIET!

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:15:24 GMT

If you’re suffering from chronic pain or inflammation, good nutrition can help you find relief. Eating the appropriate foods can help your body recover from a variety of ailments! Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet is an important aspect of any physical therapy routine.

Inflammation and chronic pain can be minimized by eating well, reducing stress, and exercising regularly. Contact our office now to schedule a consultation with one of our physical therapists to learn more about how our nutritional services might help you!

WHAT CAUSES INFLAMMATION?

As an immunological response to trauma or sickness, inflammation is a normal aspect of the body’s healing process. Inflammation and pain generally go hand-in-hand, so if you’re in pain, something in your body is definitely inflamed. The immune response is initiated in order to start the healing process when you have an infection, a wound, tissue damage, or an accumulation of toxins in your body.

Without inflammation, injuries would not be able to heal completely; however, if the inflammatory response goes on too long, it can cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a cause for worry, and your physical therapist will want to help you get it under control. Without treatment, chronic inflammation can lead to much worse outcomes, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.

Rest and medicine are two of the most common treatments for persistent inflammation. Traditionally, primary care physicians would advise you to reduce your physical activity. A lack of exercise, on the other hand, can make you worse off in the long term than learning simple stretches and exercises from a physical therapist.

Additionally, drugs can have a variety of negative side effects and may be habit-forming. The good news is that dietary treatment for pain and inflammation is completely natural!

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET

Many individuals who follow an anti-inflammatory diet report fewer chronic pain and inflammation symptoms. Switching to a diet that compliments the removal of pollutants can assist speed up the healing process as the body purifies itself during the inflammation phase. An anti-inflammatory diet has three basic components:

Cook less red meat. It is best to avoid red meat altogether in an anti-inflammatory diet, but if you must add some in there, it should be very scarce. One small piece of steak, one time per week, should be your maximum limit. The proteins in red meat require extra work from your kidneys to process; therefore, eating a lot of it will slow down your healing process. The good news is that chicken and fish are just fine for an anti-inflammatory diet. Enjoy them with all of those servings of vegetables!
Eat more whole grains. In order to strengthen your body’s immune response as much as possible, you’ll want to try and avoid simple carbs and sugars completely. That means no pastries, no donuts, and no white bread.
Consume less dairy. Dairy products should also be extremely limited, so be mindful of serving very little cheese or milk with anything. Whole grains such as barley, oats, brown rice, and wheat are best when practicing an anti-inflammatory diet.
Include more vegetables. One of the best ways to reduce inflammation is to increase your veggie intake. This diet is most successful if you eat up to nine servings a day, with the vegetables preferably served raw. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli are some of the best options. It is okay to substitute fruits for a couple of your servings, in order to break it up, but vegetables should be your main ingredient for the most part.

CALL OUR CLINIC FOR AN APPOINTMENT

If you stick to the diet listed above, you should see your pain and inflammation symptoms start to significantly reduce@ You can also combat chronic inflammation by maintaining a healthy body weight, getting daily exercise, and learning how to manage your stress.

To learn more about how we can help you abide by a strict nutrition plan to decrease inflammation and boost overall wellness, contact our office today. One of our physical therapists would be happy to set up a consultation and speak with you!

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DEALING WITH LOWER BACK PAIN? HERE ARE 3 TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR DISCOMFORT

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:08:56 GMT

Do you have back discomfort in your lower back? If you have, you are aware of how debilitating it can be. It may appear simple to take medication to relieve pain, but with prescription medication overuse becoming a national epidemic, many people with lower back pain are looking for a more straightforward alternative.

According to a study published in BMC Health Services, physical therapy has been shown to minimize total health costs associated with pain management and to prevent habit-forming reliance on prescription medications.

In fact, your physical therapist will not only help relieve your lower back pain during your sessions, but they can also provide simple pain-relief strategies that you can carry into your daily life.

Our clinic has put together some of the best pain-reducing techniques that you can undertake both at home and during physical therapy. Keep reading to learn what they are, and give us a call when you’re finished to set up your physical therapy appointment.

1. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR HAMSTRINGS.

While not typically considered by back pain patients, your hamstring muscles can influence whether or not your lower back joints become over-stressed. To compensate for the tightness in the backs of your upper thighs, your lower back has to work extra hard. Stretching your hamstrings lengthens those muscles, which can assist to relieve pain in your lower back, especially if it’s in spasm.

A physical therapy session can assist you in identifying precise stretches for your hamstring muscles and explaining how the two muscles interact. In the meanwhile, try bending over twice a day and reaching for your toes. Reach down without straining, and avoid locking your knees. If you experience any pain during the workout, stop and consult your physical therapist about other hamstring lengthening activities.

2. ALTERNATE BETWEEN ICE AND HEAT REMEDIES.

Using hot and cold compresses or packs alternately on your lower back can assist to relieve pain. It is not required to switch every time if you prefer one remedy over the other, but alternating the two extremes can often help provide a broader variety of benefits.

Heat increases circulation, and when your body receives more blood, your body’s healing properties are activated in the bloodstream. Hot compresses and packs also help to relieve pain by blocking the painful “signals” that go from your lower back nerves to your brain. Cold packs, on the other hand, can help by numbing pain, stopping spasms, and reducing swelling in the affected area.

These ice and heat therapies will be applied by experts during physical therapy. Your physical therapist can also advise you on the best heat and cold treatments for your ailment. Ice packs and heating pads, in general, are fantastic all-around solutions because they are effective, affordable, and widely available.

3. FIND A NATURAL BALANCE BETWEEN YOUR REST AND EXERCISE.

In some circumstances, bed rest is a popular first-line treatment for lower back pain . This is especially true if the pain is caused by an injury or re-injury. Resting while applying ice packs is a tried-and-true method of lowering swelling in the first few days. Moving around, on the other hand, is a much better treatment for persistent lower back pain than lying down. Physical activity releases endorphins, which have antidepressant and pain-relieving qualities.

Of course, before talking with your physical therapist, you should not overdo your workouts! Keep it easy by going for a small walk or doing some housework to limber up your back and produce those beneficial endorphins. Wear a brace to support your lower back as you move if it helps to relieve your pain.

Physical therapy is a useful form of exercise. It provides the benefits of exercise as well as the supervision of an expert to ensure that you are employing the right technique and remaining wise. Your physical therapist will be able to advise you about moves that could cause re-injury and will work with you on both flexibility and strength.

These exercises are meant to build up the muscles that support your spine, in order to ease pain on your lower back. They also help provide greater range-of-motion as you work through that back stiffness.

READY TO START ELIMINATING YOUR PAIN?

Contact our office now to book a consultation if you’re not sure where to start when it comes to addressing your lower back discomfort. You can begin learning how to make basic modifications that will reduce the severity and frequency of your lower back pain episodes during your first session. Our caring physical therapists will be there for you every step of the way, ensuring that you achieve all of your objectives on your path to long-term pain relief!

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9 GOOD REASONS TO STRETCH MORE OFTEN

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 16:00:41 GMT

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU GAVE YOUR BODY A GOOD, LONG STRETCH?

Stretching should be a part of your everyday routine if it isn’t already. A nice stretch is the best way to start your day, regardless of who you are. Stretching has a lot of advantages, and it’s absolutely fine if you don’t know where to start!

A physical therapist can explain why stretching is beneficial to you as an individual and how it can help you enhance your overall quality of life. Please contact our office for further details and to set up an appointment, and in the meantime, read this list of 9 reasons why stretching can benefit you!

REASON #1: STRETCHING CUTS BACK ON YOUR STRESS.

Every one of us carries stress in our bodies. When you are under a lot of stress, your muscles constrict, making you feel tense and on edge. Stretching generates natural endorphins, which help you relax, improve your mood, and lower your stress levels.

REASON #2: STRETCHING IMPROVES YOUR FLEXIBILITY.

Improving your flexibility and range of motion is a common objective in physical therapy. Better flexibility comes with a slew of advantages. It boosts your physical performance and lowers your risk of injury. Furthermore, as you grow more flexible, your body uses less energy to do daily tasks.

REASON #3: STRETCHING ALLOWS FOR BETTER BLOOD CIRCULATION.

One of the main purposes of a stretching program is to increase blood flow to the extremities. Blood helps you stay healthy by transporting oxygen to your cells.

This aids in the effective functioning of your organs by promoting cell proliferation. Stretching also decreases your heart rate, allowing your blood pressure to return to normal and relieving stress on your heart. Stretching can also help to enhance blood circulation, which can help to lessen soreness after a workout.

REASON #4: STRETCHING DECREASES MUSCLE SORENESS.

Stretching before and after a workout gives your muscles plenty of time to relax and loosen up. Stretching promotes blood flow to the muscles, as previously stated. This transports oxygen and a variety of essential nutrients to the muscles, reducing discomfort after an exercise.

REASON #5: STRETCHING INCREASES YOUR STAMINA.

After a strenuous workout, a good, long stretching session might actually boost muscle stamina. Stretching boosts blood flow to painful muscles while also relieving weariness. Stretching helps to maintain oxygen flowing to your muscles, which helps to keep muscle weariness at bay.

As a result, your muscles will be able to “hang in there” for a longer period of time before becoming fatigued!

REASON #6: STRETCHING IMPROVES YOUR CHOLESTEROL.

Stretching sessions can help to reduce cholesterol in your body, as long as you’re also following a heart-healthy diet. This can help you avoid heart disease. Stretching has even been shown to reverse the effects of hardening arteries due to cholesterol.

REASON #7: STRETCHING DECREASES YOUR RISK OF INJURY.

You may believe there is little risk of injury if you work in an office. However, what about when you have to bend over, pick up, and carry a 20-pound package of office supplies? This might easily result in a pulled or strained muscle, causing weeks of agony and requiring physical therapy to recuperate. Stretching on a daily basis will considerably reduce the likelihood of an occurrence like this occurring.

REASON #8: STRETCHING CAN IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE.

Stretching every day can help posture by lengthening certain muscles that have a tendency to tighten up when we sit in a chair for work all day. Focusing on your lower back, chest, and shoulders will aid in keeping your spine properly aligned. Stretching also relieves aches and pains, which can cause you to want to slouch.

REASON #9: STRETCHING BOOSTS ENERGY LEVELS

The best reason to stretch first thing in the morning is for this reason alone. A few excellent stretches, done correctly with deep breathing, will provide you with the energy boost you need to get your day started. Take a quick “stretch break” if you start to feel lethargic at work during the day.

CONTACT US TODAY:

If you’re excited to start stretching but don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help! Contact our office today to set an appointment with a physical therapist to learn more about how adding stretching to your daily life will benefit you.

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6 COMMON CAUSES OF JOINT PAIN AND HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 15:48:34 GMT

Are you having trouble keeping up with the basic demands of your day job? Do you have more trouble getting around your home than you once did? Do you look for excuses to withdraw from some of your favorite activities simply because it hurts to move, or you’re worried about injuring yourself? You’re probably suffering from joint pain, and you’re not alone.

Joint pain can turn even the most routine tasks into dreaded chores, or make them totally impossible to perform at all. Although you might be worried, joint pain is not something you can put off until later. You need to address this issue before it gets so bad that you risk sustaining an injury. Fortunately, you can get much of the help you need through physical therapy. Our physical therapist can help you optimize your mobility without drugs or surgery, so contact us today !

CAUSES OF JOINT PAIN

This kind of joint pain is commonly caused or worsened by the following six conditions:

Rheumatoid arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by abnormal immune system responses that attack the linings of joints, producing bouts of swelling, pain, stiffness, and joint damage.
Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a progressive, usually age-related degeneration of the cartilage that normally cushions a joint’s bone ends.
Degenerative disc disease – Age-related bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and other spinal changes can cause serious joint pain in the neck or back.
Musculoskeletal imbalances – If your muscles suffer from uneven development, you may be unable to sustain symmetrical posture. This can create muscle spasms and trigger points that refer pain to the joints.
Excess weight – The heavier you are, the more pressure your weight-bearing joints must withstand. These pressures can lead to premature joint deterioration and joint tissue strain.
Non-ergonomic working conditions – An improperly-positioned workstation or other awkward workplace arrangements can force your body into stressful, painful positions.

If you know for a fact you’re dealing with any of the abovementioned conditions or pain problems, it’s a good idea to see a physical therapist as soon as possible. If you aren’t sure whether or not any of them apply to you, a physical therapist can still help to determine what the underlying cause of your pain is.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN BATTLE YOUR PAIN

Most cases of joint pain will respond to conservative, non-surgical forms of care. Unfortunately, not all such forms of care are equally useful. You’ve probably figured out for yourself already that pain-relieving drugs only go so far to ease your symptoms, and they do absolutely nothing to address their causes. The result is that you’re left dealing with the effects of chronic pain, off and on, for years.

Physical therapy can help your joints function more normally, improve your musculoskeletal health, and provide you with a greater range of motion safely and naturally. A few physical therapy options include:

Stretches to increase your joint flexibility
Strength training to build up the strength in your joints’ supporting tissues
Walking, swimming, or cycling exercises to keep your joints moving
Lifestyle/ergonomic recommendations to help you perform daily tasks more comfortably
Massage, as well as heat and ice therapy to control joint pain and inflammation without drugs

It isn’t just annoying; it can be debilitating and even pose dangerous threats to your health and safety. If, for example, you can’t reliably turn your head to see traffic, you could easily end up in an auto accident. That’s horrible! Stiff joints that affect stance and gait can increase your risk of falls as well, which is especially dangerous for the older population.

If you believe that simply buttoning your shirt, cooking a meal, or writing a check may be beyond your abilities at this point in your life, medical help is required. Your joint pain needs to be slowed and reversed so you can continue to live the life you want!

SAY GOODBYE TO ACHING JOINTS…

Joint pain may feel like it runs your life, but it doesn’t have to. If you want to get your old routine back, it’s time to contact a professional. Call a physical therapist at our clinic today to learn more about ow our customized treatment programs can help you get back to a normal, pain-free way of living. Call our office today!

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COMBAT STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 15:41:57 GMT

We’ve all done it: we get that familiar twinge of a headache and go for the Ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol. When it comes to stress headaches, though, a tablet isn’t always enough. A stress headache is characterized by a band of pressure around the head, as well as generalized aching and soreness.

Physical therapy treatments, on the other hand, can help you relax and straighten your posture, which will help you feel better. You’ll not only get rid of your current headache, but you’ll also have a lower chance of getting future stress headaches. Contact our office now to learn more about how our services can help you eliminate stress-related headaches.

MANUAL THERAPY: A HANDS-ON APPROACH TO HEADACHES:

There are a few headache prevention techniques that can be done at home. A physical therapist, on the other hand, can provide a much more specific approach to addressing headache problems. Altering between cold and heat therapy, for example, is a simple yet effective method. In addition to reducing muscle tightness, the customized compresses and soft electronic pulse wands provide relaxing comfort.

Because soft tissue mobilization relaxes stiff muscles, manual therapy often involves massage for stress-related headache treatment. Massage, as a result of this impact, can provide rapid pain relief and even help to avoid future headaches. In order to alleviate your discomfort, PT massage treatments help to relax the muscles in your jaw, temples, neck, and shoulders.

Patients with persistent tension headaches also report fewer instances of head discomfort when they receive massage therapy on a regular basis. Relaxing the muscles in and around the head aids in preventing painful contractions.

Emotional stress that causes tension in these trigger muscles can also be relieved with physical therapy massage. People who receive therapeutic massages on a regular basis report improved sleep, which leads to less stress throughout the day and, as a result, a lower risk of developing a stress-related headache.

DEVELOPING BETTER POSTURE:

It’s no secret that how we stand and sit has a big impact on how much pressure we exert on our muscles. Poor posture compresses muscles and nerves, and many people get a provoked tension headache as a result of these overworked muscles and nerves in the shoulder, chest, and neck area.

Your physical therapist can assess your posture and suggest areas for improvement. He or she will also show you how to move, sit, and stand properly to avoid unnecessary compression.

A physical therapist can recommend healthy lifestyle changes in addition to showing chest, back, and shoulder positions. Changes to specific areas of the home and office can have a significant impact on posture. A telephone headset, a raised computer monitor, a modified chair, or even a rubber pad to stand on while cooking or washing dishes are all examples of this.

HELP YOUR MUSCLES GET STRONGER:

Even when performing routine tasks, you do a lot of “heavy lifting” with your shoulders, back, and neck during the day. They can quickly become overworked if the muscles in those areas are too weak. Resistance training is used in physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in the neck and upper back.

For many people, stronger upper body muscles are linked to fewer – and less severe – stress-related headaches. Neck strengthening exercises might start with simple chin-to-chest nods and progress to more advanced exercises as your treatment progresses. Free weights and resistance bands can also be used to strengthen shoulder and back muscles.

BETTER FLEXIBILITY:

As you go about your day, the more you can move your neck and shoulders, the less strain you place on the primary muscle groups in those areas. This could also help you get rid of some of your stress-related headache symptoms. You will learn particular techniques to extend your neck as well as loosen up your chest, shoulder muscle, and tendon groups by participating in physical therapy treatments. Regularly performing these exercises can help relieve persistent tension headaches.

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

If you’re living with chronic headache pain, contact our office today to learn more about reducing the frequency and intensity of your chronic stress-related headaches.

We’ll schedule an assessment to look over and discuss your specific issues. Following that, one of our physical therapists will create a unique treatment plan tailored to your specific needs in order to help you relax your muscles, sleep better, and combat those painful stress headaches.

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THE BEST NATURAL TREATMENT FOR ARTHRITIS ACHES AND PAINS

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:36:36 GMT

Arthritis is a painful ailment that can make a person feel isolated and confined on their path. In order to manage discomfort, many arthritis sufferers turn to antirheumatic medicines, steroid injections, or joint replacement surgery.

Physical therapy and other natural treatments, on the other hand, have been shown to provide greater results for many people. Contact our office today for more information on how our natural method of pain treatment can help you relieve your arthritic problems. In the meantime, keep reading to learn about the benefits of physical therapy for arthritic pains!

THE BENEFITS OF MANUAL THERAPY

Physical therapy entails more than merely performing specialized exercises. Manual therapy is, in fact, an important component of many physical therapy treatment strategies. It is the hands-on component of PT that not only pampers arthritic patients but also helps them to feel better. A large portion of an arthritic patient’s physical therapy session is usually devoted to manual pain management.

In order to relieve hurting joints, other therapy options may include ice and heat therapies, massage, and even the use of special technology.

To treat pain naturally, your physical therapist can alternate heating pads and ice packs. Massage for rheumatic areas increases circulation and gives a relaxing, warming sensation. Ultrasound machines deliver soothing heat to the damaged joints at a deeper level. Whatever approaches and modalities your physical therapist recommends, you may rest assured that your treatment plan was created just for you.

HOW ARE PAINFUL JOINTS ISOLATED?

Rest can sometimes be the best cure for arthritic joints. However, too much inactivity can actually worsen the problem by weakening the surrounding muscles.

Your physical therapist can help you isolate the painful joint, so you can remain active while finding relief. Bracing provides natural pain relief for your arthritis . Depending on where your arthritis is rooted, a specialized neck collar or wrist splint can also provide specialized support for that joint. By isolating the painful area, you will be able to go about your daily life without worrying about the aches and pains you are carrying with you.

IMPROVING RANGE-OF-MOTION WITH PT

Anyone who has arthritis can attest to the horribly stiff joints that come with it. When you try to move the injured joint further than it can go, you may feel anything from a nagging discomfort to complete pain. Flexibility exercises learned in physical therapy sessions help your joints become more supple over time, while resistance exercises help to strengthen the muscles that support them. Your comprehensive physical therapy session will allow you to attain diminished discomfort and improved freedom of movement by participating in such treatments.

YOU CAN LEARN NEW WAYS TO MOVE!

It’s not always easy to predict which of your behaviors will cause arthritic twinges and acute aches. Even something as easy as walking around a corner might cause your arthritic shoulder to stiffen and twist in ways you didn’t realize, resulting in a bolt of pain that appears to shoot straight through you. As a result, finding new ways to move is critical in order to prevent some of the unwelcomed uncomfortable sensations that can occur during the day.

Arthritic individuals might learn which motions cause them pain during physical therapy sessions. Their physical therapists can also show you how to minimize unneeded discomfort by demonstrating new joint protection procedures. It could be as easy as carrying a pocketbook with a specific type of strap to relieve pressure on your wrists, or entering the car or bathtub in a different method.

A physical therapist can show you how to carry goods with your palms instead of your fingers if you have arthritic fingers. Another typical strategy is to lay objects across the arms rather than carrying them in your hands. During your sessions, you will also learn about the most up-to-date technologies and techniques that may make everyday activities much easier.

CONTACT US FOR RELIEF:

Of course, each patient is different when it comes to the best type of physical therapy and related natural treatments for arthritis. A large part of your treatment prescription depends on the location and severity of your condition. A physical therapist on our team can give you a careful assessment and determine which methods will be best in providing you with natural pain relief. Contact our office today to secure an appointment and get started on the path toward natural, safe, and effective relief!

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5 TIPS TO GET MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN YOUR ROUTINE

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:31:02 GMT

It may feel like you’re on a never-ending hamster wheel in your hectic life, requiring you to accomplish as much as possible. It is critical, however, for everyone to realize what physical activity is and is not attainable through simple effort. It’s critical to recognize that your willpower has limits.

It’s difficult enough to get through your to-do list in the limited hours you have in the day without being exhausted. Instead, you’ll need to use methods and tips to stay interested, motivated, and active in your quest to complete everything – since no one can do it all alone!

Below we’ve listed out five simple ways to stay active and involved throughout the day as you’re juggling your various tasks and responsibilities! After you read through these, give us a call to learn more about physical therapy and how it can help you achieve your goals and feel your best.

TIP #1: ADDRESS YOUR PAIN ISSUES FIRST.

Pain is one of the most prevalent reasons why individuals stop being active. Whether it’s a long-standing ache or the mere fear of pain, it’s enough to cause folks to slow down or sit out of their favorite activities entirely.

Nearly 40 million Americans admit to experiencing acute chronic pain, which is linked to a variety of other health issues. Physical therapy treatments, fortunately, are a straightforward approach to manage or perhaps entirely eradicate discomfort. Hands-on therapy from a physical therapist, as well as more specialist therapies like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, can all aid with pain relief.

Physical therapy treatments have also been shown to help you lead a more active lifestyle by restoring muscle and joint function.

TIP #2: GET ENOUGH SLEEP!

“In order to function at your best, you need a good night’s sleep!” We’ve all heard this. Do we, on the other hand, always listen to this piece of advice? The majority of us don’t!

Despite the fact that sleep is clearly crucial for the body’s normal functioning, around one-third of the US population has sleep disorders.

Physical therapy can assist you in getting better sleep, which will allow you to be more active throughout your waking hours.

Physical therapists are trained in areas that are critical to sleep, such as pain modulation, tissue healing, cognitive functioning, and cardiovascular health. A physical therapist can also provide suggestions for how you can integrate sleep health with overall wellbeing.

TIP #3: FIND WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF TO MEET YOUR GOALS!

There are a variety of products on the market that will encourage, inspire, and track your physical activity. Research shows that utilizing such products may have a favorable impact on your levels of activity. The key to success is to establish daily, weekly, or monthly goals that are easily tracked within the tool and to follow consistent strategies, such as:

Writing down your goals. A common goal that people set for themselves is 10,000 steps per day. However, it is worthwhile to check with a medical professional, in order to avoid overextending yourself.

Using the tool every single day. Consistency creates habits, which by nature are notoriously difficult to break.

Engaging in activities that you enjoy. While tools come with limitations — namely the activities that it measures — it is extremely helpful to choose a tracker based on the activities you enjoy. If you are doing something that interests you, it will be easier to maintain over time.

Encouraging your friends and family to use the tool with you. Many trackers have interactive features that let you compare your progress to that of others. Because most of us benefit from having a workout partner, this type of informal comparison can be a powerful motivation. You’ll also have someone to hold you accountable for achieving your objectives.

TIP #4: TAKE FIDO FOR A WALK.

It is true that a dog is a man’s best friend – and your dog likely won’t back down from the opportunity to be your exercise companion. The arrival of a new pet, particularly a dog, is an effective way to get owners moving. Physical activity is necessary for a dog, even if it is simply a short walk every day. This can help owners remain accountable for getting their daily exercise in, as well.

TIP #5: CLEANING YOUR HOUSE UP!

Cleaning your house employs a variety of muscle groups, in addition to keeping you active. Every step you take and inch you vacuum contributes to your fitness. Squeeze your glutes and abdominal muscles as you trail from room to room for increased effect.

CALL OUR CLINIC FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Contact our office now to learn more about how physical therapy can help you keep fit and healthy, or simply wish to enjoy life more. We’ll be more than pleased to help you get started on the path to better health and fitness!

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RELYING ON PAIN MEDICATION FOR RELIEF? A SKILLED PT COULD HELP

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:21:25 GMT

It’s no secret that pain has an adverse effect on one’s quality of life. Many people make the mistake of relying on medication to alleviate their symptoms, yet pharmaceuticals just mask problems rather than cure them.

Physical therapy is a natural and non-invasive treatment that is both safe and effective. Please contact our office if you are suffering from acute or chronic pain and would like to discover how our physical therapists can help you live a pain-free life without the use of potentially dangerous medicines.

PAINKILLERS ARE NOT THE BEST FORM OF RELIEF

Taking pain-management drugs as a way to rid yourself of pain may seem like a good solution in the short-term, but it has many disadvantages in the long-term. Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen can lead to undesirable side effects. For example, taking excessive amounts of aspirin can cause your stomach to bleed and can lead to kidney damage. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can also both cause both kidney and stomach problems.

However, prescription opioids like codeine, oxycodone, and morphine are perhaps the worst. These are habit-forming drugs that can lead to addiction. They are also responsible for an additional number of side effects, including respiratory depression, constipation, anxiety, and nausea. Several people also overdose on opioids each year, either due to addiction or a gradually increased intake in order to relieve pain. Not only does taking meds for pain just mask the problem, it just may cause you another one.

WHY IS PHYSICAL THERAPY THE BEST NATURAL PAIN RELIEF METHOD?

Due to the agony they are experiencing, even the thought of exercising can make many people grimace. PT exercises, on the other hand, are one of the most effective therapies for chronic pain. You will learn how helpful exercise can be for all types of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain by participating in a physical therapy routine. The following are just a handful of the many conditions that can be treated with physical therapy:

Osteoarthritis.

Fibromyalgia.

Chronic headaches.

Neuropathic pain.

Disc herniation.

Disc degeneration disease.

A physical therapist can provide a wide range of pain treatment alternatives. Manipulation of the joints and bones, movement therapy, massage treatment, microcurrent stimulation, and cold laser therapy are just a few of the frequent methods and modalities used by physical therapists. All of these treatments aid in the relief of pain, the reduction of inflammation, the speeding up of healing, and the improvement of everyday function.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Working with a physical therapist can help you get back on your feet faster. This is due to the fact that a physical therapist will treat your complete body after determining the source of your pain. A physical therapist will do an examination to establish the source of your pain and develop a tailored treatment plan to address the specific cause of your discomfort.

At your initial appointment, you will undergo a comprehensive exam process, which includes a full medical history.

Selected tests are done to identify movement-related disorders. For a specific diagnosis, all of the collected exam data is carefully reviewed.

Both active and passive treatments are used in physical therapy. Massage therapy, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation are some of the pain-relieving methods and modalities used in passive therapy. Regaining function, enhancing range of motion, and developing strength and flexibility are all goals of active physical therapy. Treatments may include targeted motions, exercises, stretches or aquatic therapy.

Everyone’s treatment plan is different, but you can feel confident that a physical therapist will develop one that is meant just for you and your needs!

If you’re in pain, there is an effective solution that doesn’t include harmful, possibly addictive medication or expensive surgery with long recovery times. All of our physical therapists are seasoned and certified, happy to discuss how our services can benefit you. Our goal is to help you recover and get you back to your optimum levels of function. Contact our office today, and we’ll get you started on a path to help you live your life to the fullest.

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MANAGING CONSTIPATION IS NOW EASY WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 15:13:46 GMT

Have you been suffering from the frustrating symptoms of chronic constipation? This condition can be difficult or embarrassing to discuss with your doctor at times. Constipation, however, is a very common gastrointestinal disorder. In fact, more than 2.5 million people seek treatment for constipation in the United States alone each year. So, if you’ve been struggling with the inconvenient symptoms of chronic constipation, you’re not alone! Pelvic floor physical therapy at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH can provide you with the relief you seek. Please make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members by contacting our clinic today. Chronic constipation relief is just around the corner!

WHAT IS CHRONIC CONSTIPATION?

Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Chronic constipation can last several weeks or longer and is characterized by fewer than three bowel movements per week.

The following groups are more likely to suffer from chronic constipation:

Those aged 65 and up
Women and expectant mothers
People who are sedentary or unable to exercise due to a spinal cord injury or physical disability

Our physical therapy staff at Mayfield Physical Therapy uses a variety of tools and modalities to successfully treat chronic constipation.

WHAT TREATMENT CAN YOU EXPECT IN PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Our physical therapists at Mayfield Physical Therapy are experts at treating chronic pain and constipation. We can identify the type of constipation you are experiencing and create an individualized treatment plan to meet your specific needs.

It’s possible that you’re suffering from “slow transit constipation” or “functional constipation.” Slow transit constipation can be caused by a colon problem or by stress and overactivity in the pelvic floor.

When attempting to pass stools, the pelvic floor muscles contract rather than relax, resulting in functional constipation. This makes stools extremely difficult to pass. Depending on the severity of your constipation, you may be prescribed:

Abdominal colon massage training
Toileting postures and patterns
Pelvic floor muscle training
Myofascial release

If you’re looking for relief from constipation, Mayfield Physical Therapy is here to support you!

WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE?

“Urinary incontinence” is a technical term for leaking urine. It is a common condition in the older population, but it can happen throughout the lifespan for a number of reasons. Though it is common, it is not something that should be ignored. And pelvic health physical therapy can help!

Stress incontinence is one common type of incontinence. This occurs when there is an increase in pressure on the bladder and the muscles aren’t able to hold back the urine. This commonly occurs with activities such as exercising, lifting heavy objects, laughing, coughing, or sneezing. This is the most common type of bladder control problem in younger to middle-aged women.

Fortunately, urinary incontinence can be controlled and/or cured with the help of physical therapy. If you have been struggling with urinary incontinence and you are looking for help, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed therapists.

WHY AM I EXPERIENCING STRESS INCONTINENCE?

There are several possible causes for urine leakage. It can be caused by a urinary tract infection, a vaginal infection, an upper respiratory illness with a cough, or constipation. These leaking episodes are typically brief and may resolve themselves once the underlying issue is resolved.

Certain medications may even temporarily impair bladder control. If your urinary incontinence persists, it could be the result of a larger underlying condition, such as:

Weak pelvic floor muscles
Tight pelvic floor muscles
Overactive bladder muscles
Damaged bladder nerves, typically from diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s
Damaged pelvic floor nerves, due to injury, childbirth, or surgery
Difficulty getting to the bathroom in time, due to conditions such as arthritis
Pelvic organ prolapse
Blockage from an enlarged prostate
Prostatitis
Benign prostate hyperplasia

If any of these conditions sound familiar, don’t hesitate to contact Mayfield Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment. Our team can provide you with relief and connect you with a specialist if necessary.

CONTACT MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR RELIEF!

At Mayfield Physical Therapy, we know that living with constipation and stress incontinence can be limiting – and even embarrassing at times, especially when it occurs during a social setting. Our licensed physical therapists are dedicated to improving your pelvic health, so you can get back to living your very best life.

When you arrive for your initial consultation, one of our physical therapists will perform a physical examination to determine the strength of your pelvic floor. Your physical exam, along with an evaluation of your medical history and discussion of your symptoms, will help in determining the best route for your treatment plan.

If you are struggling with constipation or stress incontinence and you are looking for help, contact us today to schedule an appointment. One of our Mayfield Heights, OH physical therapists will get you started on the path toward relief!

LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS PAIN? PHYSICAL THERAPY COULD MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

Sat, 20 May 2023 15:07:12 GMT

Millions of people suffer from joint pain and stiffness as a result of arthritis . Many arthritis patients take many steps each day to alleviate their stiff and aching joints. Physical therapy can be a useful component of a pain-relieving approach that also allows you to stay active. Contact our office now to learn how a physical therapy program can help you manage or possibly eliminate arthritis pain!

STAYING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE THROUGH PHYSICAL THERAPY:

While exercise will not cure arthritis, it will help to slow down the progression of the disease and lower the severity of the symptoms.

Maintaining a healthy body weight, as recommended by your physical therapist, can also help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the pressure on your joints. A physical therapist can demonstrate a range of stretches and exercises that can help you relieve pain in your joints.

Physical therapy may also assist you in avoiding the use of excessive amounts of medication to alleviate your discomfort. A physical therapist is qualified to assess your ailment and prescribe the appropriate exercises.

Aquatic therapy is a popular physical therapy exercise for arthritis patients because it provides a pleasant, low-impact workout. Working out in a heated pool may also be recommended by a physical therapist to assist ease the discomfort in your arthritic joints.

EATING THE RIGHT FOODS TO STAY HEALTHY

Nutrition can help to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis. You’ll want to include some specific foods to your diet that can help reduce your arthritis pain, in addition to avoiding MSG, refined carbs, and sugary meals that aggravate inflammation. Some of them are as follows:

Ginger. Ginger may be able to help reduce inflammation and alleviate arthritis pain. It also adds incredible flavor to almost any food, including soups, fruits, veggies, and meat.
Soy. Soy is high in protein and low in fat, and it is also a great-tasting way to fight inflammation. You can get your soy through tofu, soy milk, or roasted soybeans.
Walnuts. Much like the nutrients, you find in fish, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. Walnuts can be eaten alone or added to almost any sweet or salty dish.
Broccoli. Broccoli has an ingredient called sulforaphane, which has the ability to slow down or even prevent osteoarthritis. Broccoli is great served hot or cold, in salads, or as a casserole.

WORKING WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST:

A physical therapy treatment program can ease the pain from arthritis and help improve your daily life. Working with a physical therapist can help you achieve the following goals:

Learning how to correctly use devices. A trained physical therapist can help you learn how to use orthotics, walkers, and any other assistive device correctly. This will help lessen the strain on joints when you move and ensure that you are using the devices safely.
Strengthening your muscles. When the muscles that surround and support your aching joints are stronger and more flexible, your arthritis pain will be much less severe. Physical therapy techniques can be used to increase strength, which in turn will relieve pain.
Increasing your range of motion. A physical therapy program can help reduce stiffness by keeping both your muscles and ligaments loose. This will lessen your pain and improve your overall range of mobility.

WHAT KINDS OF ARTHRITIC PAIN RELIEF METHODS ARE THERE?

In order to help relieve arthritic pain, a skilled physical therapist may use a variety of treatment modalities. Massage, for example, can be used by a physical therapist to loosen up the muscles and tendons that surround your arthritic joints. In order to alleviate inflammation, physical therapy treatments may involve the use of ice packs and ice baths.

To loosen up your stiff muscles, your physical therapist may use heating pads or other heat treatments. As determined by your physical therapist, laser or ultrasound treatments may also be used to provide relief.

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IS A HERNIATED DISC THE CULPRIT OF YOUR BACK PAIN?

Wed, 10 May 2023 15:02:05 GMT

Chronic back pain is one of the most common reasons patients come to see our physical therapist . In fact, it’s the most common cause of pain in the United States. Back pain can be caused by a variety of medical disorders, but herniated discs are the most common cause.

It is estimated that about 60-80% of people will experience some level of lower back pain in their lives, and many may experience the issue due to a herniated disc.

Herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, but they are most common in the lower back. Other terminology for a herniated disc that physical therapy patients may be familiar with include “protruding disc,” “ruptured disc,” and “bulging disc.”

Nevertheless, the treatment for a herniated disc remains the same. While they can be very painful, our licensed physical therapists can help patients of all ages find fast relief and learn to manage their pain with regular physical therapy appointments.

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE A HERNIATED DISC

Symptoms associated with a herniated disc may vary, depending on where the injured disc is located. Some of the most common symptoms people experience with a herniated disc include:

Numbness, tingling, or burning in the back, buttock, legs, and/or feet.
Weakness in the legs.
Pain when bending or twisting.
Pain that intensifies when bending, sitting, coughing, or sneezing.

You may have a herniated disc if you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms. Physical therapy, fortunately, can help relieve pain caused by a herniated disc or any other type of back discomfort.

To treat the discomfort before it worsens, we recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our physical therapists as soon as possible.

REASONS FOR HERNIATED DISCS

When you are young, your spinal discs have a high water-content level, made up of almost 80% water. However, as you age, the water content in your spinal discs lowers. This causes the discs to become less pliable, thus increasing the risk of tears or other defects.

Spinal discs are soft, rubbery cushions that sit between the bony vertebrae that help to support the spine. They’re made up of a thick cartilage outer ring and an interior gel-like substance that acts as a shock absorber. Your spinal discs assist in protecting your spinal cord and the delicate nerves in your back by allowing you to bend your back easily.

If the cartilage in your spinal disc somehow tears or develops a defect, the inner gel-like substance, also known as the “nucleus,” can break through. This bulging or herniation can then put pressure on the nerves, resulting in intense pain. In fact, even small amounts of pressure on your spinal nerves can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.

Herniated discs in the lower back can be especially painful because they press against the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. The sciatic nerve is made up of many spinal nerve branches that run down the leg from the spine. Pain can spread from the buttocks area, down the back of the leg, and into the shin and foot if the sciatic nerve is pinched. Fortunately, physical therapy can help to alleviate the discomfort produced by this illness.

Some of the other common causes of herniated discs include:

Traumatic injury.
Repetitive twisting movements.
Heavy or incorrect lifting.
Excessive body weight or obesity.
High-impact sports.

HOW DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY DECREASE HERNIATED DISC PAIN?

Physical therapy is a pain treatment option that is both safe and non-invasive, and it is meant to help patients of all ages heal from the inside out.

Our expert physical therapists can ease back pain , reduce inflammation, boost blood flow, and restore range of motion by applying tailored physical therapy treatments.

A physical therapist’s active treatments address joint mobility, stability, flexibility, strength, and posture. To strengthen the back muscles, a physical therapist will teach you core stabilizing exercises.

To improve and condition the body, you’ll also participate in body muscle exercises. In addition, you will be taught flexibility exercises and proper strengthening techniques by a physical therapist.

If you have back pain, know that you can turn to physical therapy for help. A physical therapist will do a comprehensive exam and review your medical history to determine if you have a herniated disc. Once a proper diagnosis is made, a physical therapist will then create and implement a personalized treatment plan targeted to the affected area.

GET TO THE ROOT OF YOUR PAIN TODAY

If you’re living with back pain, know that you’re not alone. There are treatment options available to help you! Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable and highly-trained physical therapists, and learn more about how our services can benefit you.

SOURCES:

BOUNCE BACK TO A PAIN-FREE LIFE WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 14:52:31 GMT

Are you in serious acute or chronic pain ? Perhaps you’ve had an issue with your back or hip for a long time. Maybe you’re healing from an unforeseen sports injury, or you’re still coping with the effects of an automobile accident. No matter what the case may be, physical therapy can help you with any problem you’re having. If your pain interferes with your everyday activities, please contact our clinic as soon as possible to book a physical therapy session.

Our physical therapists are experts in human mobility, and our practice uses a variety of drug-free, non-invasive, and successful strategies to help our patients in various ways — far beyond symptom treatment.

Physical therapy treatments are effective in helping patients restore the healthy, joyful, and active lifestyle they desire and deserve for five reasons:

1. USING ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE DAILY FUNCTIONS

To compensate for functional restrictions caused by arthritis and keep you safer as you go about your day, you may need adaptive equipment or another home modification item. While adaptable gadgets might be extremely cost-effective, having more of them than you need or not knowing how to utilize the ones you have properly, is pretty much a waste of time, money, and effort.

A physical therapist can show you a selection of adaptive gadgets that will help you in your daily activities. We can also ensure that you understand how to operate it properly and tweak any equipment so that it suits you properly. Custom orthotics, braces, splints, walkers, crutches, canes, bed canes, long-handled sponges or reachers, benches, and other devices may be used.

2. TEACHING YOU THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES AND STRETCHES

Exercise is an important part of any successful physical treatment program, especially for people with arthritis. But how can you work out if you’re in excruciating pain?

A physical therapist can teach you exercises and stretches that are appropriate for your current abilities while also managing your discomfort with other treatments. Physical therapy exercises are tailored to your specific needs, whether you want to heal tissues, reduce pain and inflammation, develop strength, improve range of motion, lessen excessive tension on an injured joint, or do all of the above.

Your physical therapist can also show you how to modify your home workout program in real-time to make you feel more successful and safe.

Remember that cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, is one of the most effective non-pharmaceutical ways to relieve arthritis pain. Allow your physical therapist to show you how to incorporate more aerobic exercise into your everyday life in a safe manner so that you can get the most out of this healthy activity.

3. USING NON-INVASIVE PAIN-RELIEF MODALITIES

Our physical therapy team uses a range of non-invasive modalities that can enhance the healing effects of exercise and manual therapy techniques. These may include:

Electrical stimulation, including TENS
Cold or hot therapy, including cold packs or paraffin wax
Cold laser therapy
Kinesiotape
Therapeutic ultrasound
Dry needling

4. TRYING JOINT MOBILIZATIONS TECHNIQUES

Arthritis is characterized by persistent inflammation and cartilage destruction in the joints, which can result in painful bone-on-bone contact. Joint mobilizations in physical therapy can help relieve pain caused by this damage while also improving joint alignment and mechanics for longer-term comfort.

Other manual approaches, such as soft tissue massage and mobilization, may be prescribed by your physical therapist, and you may be taught self-myofascial release exercises to relieve muscular tension, break up uncomfortable scar tissue, and improve healing circulation.

5. PROVIDE YOU WITH PATIENT EDUCATION

Joint replacement surgery is on the horizon for some arthritis patients. When alternative conservative therapies have been attempted, this more invasive method may be the best “last resort” option for restoring function and easing suffering.

If this is the case for you, know that physical therapy is an important part of your post-operative recovery and is frequently recommended by orthopedic surgeons. A physical therapist can teach you how to obey any activity limitations or precautions prescribed by your surgeon, in addition to assisting you through rehabilitation exercises throughout your healing stages.

We invite you to think of us if you’re preparing for or recovering from a joint replacement surgery so you can make sure your outcomes turn out well!

CALL OUR OFFICE TODAY

We know you’re tired of dealing with chronic pain, day in and day out. Are you prepared to find long-term relief, once and for all? Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our professional physical therapists and get started on your road to recovery!

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PUTTING AN END TO YOUR HIP AND KNEE PAIN NATURALLY

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:43:28 GMT

To aid in complex movement, the hips and knees have a multitude of tendons, muscles, and joints linked together. It can be tough to perform daily tasks if you have an injury (and consequent discomfort) in a specific location.

Physical therapy, fortunately, can assist you in a variety of methods to permanently resolve your hip and knee pain. To learn more about how a qualified physical therapist may help you manage your pain, call our office right now .

COMMON CAUSES OF HIP AND KNEE PAIN INCLUDE

The knees and hips are frequently affected by a variety of disorders. Repetitive motion, acute damage, or chronic disease can all cause these problems. The following are the most common causes of hip and knee pain:

Meniscus tears. One of the most frequent knee injuries is patellar tendonitis. A torn meniscus can cause pain, edema, and stiffness ranging from minor to severe. This syndrome can develop as a result of a sudden injury or repeated motions. If you participate in a sport or pastime that requires a lot of turning and twisting of your legs, you’re more likely to tear your meniscus. A torn meniscus can be treated non-surgically by a physical therapist.

Bursitis. Bursitis occurs when a small sac of fluid, known as the “bursa,” becomes inflamed. This is often caused by overuse or repetitive injuries. Bursitis can occur in a variety of locations in the body, including the hips and knees. Physical therapy can aid in recovery and the reduction of pain.

Arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that results in the inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints. This condition can cause knee and hip pain if it develops in those joints. A physical therapist can teach you correct posture and proper movement techniques to protect your joints and relieve arthritic pains.

Sprains and strains. Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched beyond its limits, while strains occur when a muscle or tendon is beyond its limits. It is also possible for ligaments to rupture, which can cause pain, bruising, and limited mobility. A physical therapist can help you recover quickly while showing you exercise techniques to reduce pain.

The other signs and symptoms that need to have an evaluation sooner than later include:

New and/or persistent swelling
Regression of function (loss or difficulty with activity and/or mobility previously performed)
Loss of motion in a joint
Weakness (new or worsening)
Limping or inability to bear weight
New or persistent sleep disturbance related to injury/condition

As physical therapists, we understand the clues the body is telling us and use this information to identify the severity of the condition and how long it will likely take to resolve fully. Waiting to see or hoping it goes away can complicate things and make a small problem become bigger and/or several different problems.

Our goal at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH is to help improve your aches and pain to do what you love without limits!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH PHYSICAL THERAPY SESSIONS

Understanding the messages your body tells you is essential to ensure optimal recovery. We can help interpret them for you and guide you back to health! Physical therapy should start immediately following most injuries to ensure the fastest recovery possible.

We will start with an injury evaluation and a comprehensive assessment to identify all the factors contributing to your condition. This will consist of a thorough history to understand the type of symptoms you have been experiencing and any previous injuries or pains that affected your health and function.

Our physical therapists will interpret this information to identify the source of your problems and develop a therapeutic program to resolve them. These treatments will include targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and other strategies for the fastest possible recovery.

At Mayfield Physical Therapy our team will work with you from start to finish. We can help interpret the clues your body is giving and guide you on resolving your condition once and for all!

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH US TODAY

Physical therapy treatments can help you stay as active and pain-free as possible. To cure your specific ailment, one of our highly-trained physical therapists will build a personalized treatment plan for you.

To schedule an evaluation with a skilled physical therapist , call our office today. Also, learn how physical therapy can help you eliminate your hip and knee discomfort!

SOURCES:

RESOLVING ACHES AND PAINS BEFORE THEY BECOME SEVERE

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:23:39 GMT

Do you think your aches and pains are too mild to be anything that needs therapy? Are you putting off getting the help you need because you feel your condition is just a normal part of getting older? Our physical therapists will resolve your aches and pains at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH before they take over your life!

Pain is a complex topic that confuses a lot of people. Chronic Pain is often thought of as an alarm that needs to be listened to, but too often, people pay attention to the intensity of their pain, which is not always the most reliable alarm.

Too often, people use just the intensity of pain to decide whether or not to seek help. There are several other, more objective, and reliable ways to identify the severity of the condition and whether or not help is needed.

Identifying the underlying reason for your aches and pain is where our physical therapists excel. We understand how to identify and interpret the clues your body is giving to choose the most effective pathway for resolution. We encourage everyone to be assessed sooner than later at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH.

Request an appointment today with one of our pain specialists, and let us help resolve your issues once and for all!

WHAT DO THE CLUES YOUR BODY IS GIVING YOU MEAN?

Physical therapists are considered experts in musculoskeletal evaluation and treatments in healthcare. This means we specialize in identifying the source of pain and/or injuries to muscles, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, nerves, and bones. We are skilled at helping to clarify the body’s messages and use these clues to identify the most efficient and effective way to resolve your condition(s) thoroughly.

One of the most apparent clues our body gives us is pain. Pain is our body’s way of alerting us to a potential problem or an actual problem. Unfortunately, pain is not always straightforward.

Pain is often divided into two main categories, acute and chronic.

Acute pain: This type of pain begins suddenly and is typically sharp in quality. Acute pain might be caused by many different events or circumstances, like surgical pain or a specific traumatic event like falling and breaking a bone, getting in an accident, or rolling your ankle while playing sports.

Too often, people wait far too long to seek help, hoping it will go away. But the normal healing cycle is typically completed in weeks, so pain that has persisted for months needs to be addressed.

Although the physiologic impulse is similar in most people, interpreting what those impulses mean varies greatly. How we describe this impulse and what that description means are very different. In other words, the nerve sending an impulse in the body is identical among all humans.

In addition, multiple studies have shown that pain intensity is affected by emotions, psychological states, nutrition, sleep (or lack of sleep), culture, and many other factors. For one person, their tolerance to pain is high, and for the other, it is low.

The duration of pain is a more reliable way to identify if the condition warrants an assessment and possibly treatment. Pain that comes and goes and is only present occasionally is not as big of an issue as pain that persists and/or lasts longer than a few days or a couple of weeks.

Chronic Pain: This type of chronic pain lasts beyond the expected recovery period and/or occurs with a chronic health condition (i.e., fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc.). Some people describe their pain as constant, but in reality, most people experience cyclical pain (i.e., hills and valleys).

If you have had pain for more than 10-14 days and/or the pain worsens, it is crucial to get evaluated sooner rather than later. Although pain helps narrow down the tissue(s) involved, several other clues can help direct interventions for healing and recovery.

The other signs and symptoms that need to have an evaluation sooner than later include:

New and/or persistent swelling
Regression of function (loss or difficulty with activity and/or mobility previously performed)
Loss of motion in a joint
Weakness (new or worsening)
Limping or inability to bear weight
New or persistent sleep disturbance related to injury/condition

Our goal at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH is to help improve your aches and pain to do what you love without limits!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH PHYSICAL THERAPY SESSIONS

At Mayfield Physical Therapy our team will work with you from start to finish. We can help interpret the clues your body is giving and guide you on resolving your condition once and for all!

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

At Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH, our physical therapists are experts at treating all musculoskeletal-related injuries. We have successfully interpreted the clues your body gives and guided your back to health and well-being!

Call today to request an appointment with one of our specialists, and find the relief you have been looking for!

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WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN VISITING A PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:15:17 GMT

Have you been told you need physical therapy? Do you have an upcoming surgery and want to set up your physical therapy sessions ahead of time? At Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH, our physical therapists are up to date on the most effective treatment options for a wide range of symptoms, injuries, and conditions.

Our physical therapy is based on treating the whole person and addressing your pain and/or injuries. We will give you the tools and education to resolve your condition and prevent future pain and/or injuries. We are dedicated to helping improve your overall health and well-being.

Our mission at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH is to help you resolve any aches and pains preventing you from remaining active and enjoying life. We are highly skilled at getting to the root of your problem and finding solutions that provide immediate and long-term relief!

Request an appointment with one of our physical therapists today!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY APPOINTMENT

Our therapists use a whole-person, results-driven approach. Every session is tailored to your specific needs and based on your current situation to ensure you resolve your chronic pain , weaknesses, restrictions, and functional limitations as soon as possible.

Rather than contributing to the current medical system’s limited view of treating your symptoms with medication or surgery, we focus on determining the root cause of a problem. Your Mayfield Heights, OH therapists provide patient-centered care.

You can do a few things to prepare for your first session. For example, we ask all patients to bring the following to the first session:

Please go online, fill out our intake forms, or print the documents and complete them to bring with you at your initial evaluation.
Please wear or bring comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily and provide access to your problem areas.
If you intend to use insurance, please bring your insurance information so we can make a copy of your card for our records.
Please bring any referrals, prescriptions, and test results from your referring physician, Nurse Practitioner, or physician assistant.
In case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim, bring any case manager or insurance adjuster’s contact names, phone numbers, and claim numbers.

At your initial visit, our physical therapists will start by conducting an evaluation that includes a thorough history and comprehensive physical examination. Our experts understand the body’s interconnectedness and are skilled at identifying impairments and functional limitations that are contributing to your specific situation.

When you arrive at our Mayfield Heights, OH physical therapy clinic, you can expect the following:

Upon entering the clinic, you must register at the front desk. Our administrative team will need your insurance information and any other paperwork you may have brought with you (i.e., referral, X-ray or MRI report, and other medical reports).
Next, we will take you to a private room for your initial evaluation with one of our physical therapists. Our therapists conduct a thorough assessment to understand your problem(s) and provide you with the best possible solution(s).
Based on your medical history and physical examinations, your physical therapist will devise a therapy plan for you. This will include an explanation, education, and some treatments to get you started on your road to recovery.
Your Mayfield Physical Therapy therapist will discuss your goals and work with you to create a therapy plan to help you recover as quickly as possible and achieve meaningful, lasting results.

If you are in pain, have an injury, or are recovering from recent surgery, our specialists at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH will address these issues, prioritize your needs, and get you back to doing what you love!

HOW IS PHYSICAL THERAPY DIFFERENT AT MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Physical therapy at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH is a safe and effective treatment option for people who want to avoid taking medications or having surgery. We are movement experts with advanced training to help you improve your quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement-based exercises.

Our therapists play a vital role in preventing, controlling, and reversing injuries, old and new. At Mayfield Physical Therapy our goal is to assist you in achieving your health and rehabilitation objectives, so you can return to living the life you desire. Every program is tailored to your specific requirements.

We believe in individualized treatment regimens for each and every patient that includes treatments like:

Manual therapy, including joint mobilization and soft tissue work (i.e., deep tissue massage, trigger point release, and myofascial release techniques)
Mobility and strengthening exercises
Balance and coordination drills
Gait training
Modalities like electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, lasers, and any other research-backed treatment

Our physical therapists assess and treat many sorts of pain and injuries. We can discuss your options and help you decide if physical therapy is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about how PT can help you and make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

Our goal at Mayfield Physical Therapy is to consistently provide life-changing results to anyone in Mayfield Heights, OH who needs help with pain, injury recovery, or to prevent future injuries. We are committed to helping you at every stage of your recovery!

Call today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you feel good again!

SOURCES:

LOOKING TO IMPROVE YOUR STRENGTH & MOBILITY AFTER A STROKE? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP.

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 14:05:22 GMT

Are you looking for a physical therapy clinic where you receive a comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program that enables you to reach your highest level of independence? At Mayfield Physical Therapy, our therapists are the leaders in post-stroke rehabilitation!

A stroke can affect multiple aspects of who you are, regardless of your age, resulting in intellectual and physical disabilities, personality changes, balance issues, and more. It is critical to maximize recovery by relearning (or learning) skills for daily living.

We specialize in stroke rehabilitation at Mayfield Physical Therapy. Hands-on and equipment-based exercise, as well as counseling, are part of our comprehensive physical therapy and speech therapy services, which help patients maximize their physical and cognitive abilities. Contact our Mayfield Heights, OH clinic today to get started on your recovery!

WHAT IS A STROKE?

Stretching has numerous advantages for helping your body stay healthy. One of the most important is stress reduction.

Everyday life presents numerous challenges, and the resulting stress can be stored in your muscles. Tightness, spasms, and chronic discomforts such as headaches and neck pain result. Stress also causes your body to release “fight or flight” hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

These imbalances can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses and other diseases. Another dangerous side effect of chronic stress is hypertension.

Stretching on a regular basis allows your body to release pent-up stress. By relaxing and loosening your muscles, you can keep your blood pressure under control, avoid chronic muscle pain, and keep your immune system prepared for anything.

HOW WILL MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME RECOVER?

It’s critical that you stretch properly before and after your workout.

A physical therapist can design an exercise program tailored to your specific needs. Physical therapy can help you make the most of your activities, whether you’re playing tennis, training for a mini-marathon, or simply walking around the neighborhood.

A physical therapist can advise you on which stretches are best for your current physical condition and the activities you’re involved in.

It’s also critical to ensure that you’re doing the right exercises in the right order. You should consult with a physical therapist to determine which stretches are best for you.

Physical therapy can assist you in getting the most out of your workouts and improving your overall health.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP STROKE SURVIVORS

There are several types of stretches that can be done before and after a workout.

It’s critical to understand which types are best for you and when to use them in a workout.

Ballistic. Ballistic stretching is characterized by bouncing movements that push muscles beyond their normal range of motion.
Dynamic. These are non-held active movements that cause muscles to stretch. These are frequently performed to prepare your muscles for movement.
Static. This entails holding a specific stretch for 10 to 20 seconds. This type of stretch should be done after a workout and should feel comfortable.

HOW WILL STRETCHING AFTER MY WORKOUT HELP ME?

After a workout, you may be tempted to immediately relax.

However, even a few minutes of stretching post exercise is essential. There are several specific advantages to stretching after your workout. These include:

Relaxation. Slowing down gradually benefits both the body and the mind. When you stretch after a workout, you allow yourself to gradually wind down.
Reduces pain and the likelihood of injury. Muscles that remain tight after a workout are more likely to be injured. According to PT in Motion, the right kind of stretching exercises can help to reduce pain throughout the body. Loosening your muscles will also lower your risk of injury.
Lactic acid elimination. When you exercise, you produce lactic acid. This substance can cause muscle aches and fatigue. Stretching can help reduce the amount of lactic acid in your system.

HOW WILL STRETCHING BEFORE MY WORKOUT HELP ME?

Always begin your workout with a series of stretching exercises.

Stretching for 5 to 10 minutes should suffice for most activities. It is, however, critical to stretch all of the muscles you will be using.

When you stretch properly before your workout, you will gain several specific benefits, including:

Improved performance. Increased blood flow, flexibility, and range of motion will all improve overall performance.
Better flexibility and range of motion. Stretching correctly will loosen your muscles and tendons. This will improve your workout flexibility and range of motion.
Increased blood flow. When blood flow to your muscles is increased, this prepares them for strenuous activity.

GIVE OUR MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH OFFICE A CALL TODAY!

At Mayfield Physical Therapy, our team of physical therapists is experts at treating stroke-related balance and gait limitations. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists. We’re looking forward to helping you regain your independence.

SOURCES:

DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY ACTUALLY WORK?

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:59:47 GMT

Have you been suffering from chronic pain that has made you feel lost or helpless? If you’ve visited your doctor, chances are they’ve prescribed you pain medication for a limited time, recommended surgery, or referred you to a physical therapy for treatment.

Many people who have never seen a physical therapist for pain relief are skeptical about the efficacy of treatment at Mayfield Physical Therapy Mayfield Heights, OH. But don’t worry, we’re not offended! Our therapists take pride in demonstrating to patients the natural and safe nature of physical therapy, as well as all of its various properties for making a person feel better.

If you’re wondering whether physical therapy is a good option for you in your search for pain relief, take a look at this blog! Our clinic is here to assist and serve our patients in any way possible, and we want you to feel confident in selecting us for treatment!

WHY SURGERY ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST PAIN-RELIEF OPTION

Surgery is sometimes unavoidable, especially in emergencies and life-or-death situations! When it comes to injuries, accidents, or chronic pain conditions like arthritis, however, physical therapy is often the best first step.

Physical therapy is a pain management and relief method that is safe, natural, and effective for patients of all ages and backgrounds. It has been shown in various research studies to be effective for relieving chronic joint pain, muscle aches, and movement restrictions, and it may even help you cut back on your medication (under the supervision of your doctor, of course!).

HOW DO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS ALLEVIATE PAIN?

So, surgery isn’t always the best option. You understand. However, you may be wondering how physical therapists can relieve pain without the use of drugs or surgery. So don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few examples of how Mayfield Physical Therapy therapists can assist you in finding relief and improving your overall physical wellness.

WE CAN ASSIST YOU IN INCREASING YOUR STRENGTH.

If you have back pain, structural changes such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis may be to blame. The stronger your back muscles are, the more effectively they can compensate for these changes. You can maintain a straighter posture with less pain if your back is stronger. Bridges, lying lateral leg raises, and partial curls are common back strengthening exercises. A physical therapist has an exercise for every part of your body that hurts!

WE CAN TEACH YOU TARGETED STRETCHES AND EXERCISES YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN.

Tight, rigid muscles can either cause pain or exacerbate existing pain. Stretching muscles causes them to limber up, reducing pain and improving movement. Muscles that are loose are also less likely to sustain new injuries.

WE CAN MANAGE YOUR PAIN IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

Modalities that use heat and cold, for example, have distinct healing and pain-relieving properties. A physical therapist may use either technique or both techniques simultaneously (in sessions of 15 to 20 minutes each). Heat increases circulation, allowing inflammatory substances to leave the tissues and relaxing tense muscles.

Cold therapy is particularly effective as an immediate treatment for acute injuries or when dealing with a severe muscle strain. The cold soothes the nerves and reduces inflammation and swelling.

The following are some of the more common physical therapy techniques used during treatment:

Hands-on therapy
Soft tissue mobilization
Targeted stretches and exercises
Ultrasound therapy
Electrical stimulation
Vibration therapy
Graston technique
Cupping
Dry needling
Kinesio taping
Myofascial release
Spinal manipulation

Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who can design a personalized physical therapy plan in which these various techniques complement one another for maximum effectiveness.

At your first appointment at Mayfield Physical Therapy, your therapist will assess your condition, ask you about your medical history, and determine if you have any physical limitations, such as being unable to lift heavy items. They’re going to want to know!

Then, based on your needs and abilities, they’ll design a personalized treatment plan just for you. Your treatment plan will be adjusted as time goes on, but your ultimate goals will always be at the forefront of your therapist’s mind. You’ll notice progress as your strength, flexibility, mobility, stamina, range of motion, and endurance improve.

START FEELING BETTER TODAY WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY!

Are you contemplating medication or surgery for chronic hip, back, or knee pain? Are you recovering from a serious injury that is preventing you from doing the things you enjoy? Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH is your key to a healthier life. Physical therapy is effective. All we ask is that you come to your appointment with an open mind and a desire to feel your best. Call us today to make an appointment, and let us help you feel better!

CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY PREVENT OR DELAY SURGERY?

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 13:51:58 GMT

Are you struggling with persistent pain that worsens when you try to do anything and wonder how physical therapy could help? Have you been told you have “bone on bone” arthritis and your only solution is surgery? At Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH, our physical therapists can often help you postpone or avoid surgery, but when that’s not possible, we can make sure you put yourself in a position to have the best possible outcome!

If you are trying to avoid surgery and wonder if physical therapy can prevent or delay surgery, the simple answer is yes!

Most orthopedic-type surgeries are not urgent or emergencies. Although traumatic situations can be emergencies, most times, there is a significant period of time between diagnosis and surgery.

Far too often, people mistake their symptoms for signs to rest or avoid the activities causing them pain. Even more frequent is the number of people that ignore aches and pains, thinking they will go away on their own, only to discover those early warning signs were the body’s signals to get help. Unfortunately, rest, avoidance, and trying to ignore or push through pain only lead to a bigger, often more complex, problem.

At Mayfield Physical Therapy, in Mayfield Heights, OH, our physical therapists will weed through your symptoms and identify the root cause of your particular situation. We will give you the tools to prevent, delay or prepare yourself for surgery.

Request an appointment today with one of our specialists, and let us help you figure out what the best decisions are for yourself and help you get back to doing what you love, no matter what you decide!

WHY TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY BEFORE SURGERY

Although surgery has become increasingly common, especially for orthopedic conditions, it is still a significant decision that should be discussed and thoroughly investigated before surgery.

Pain is a challenging fact of life. For some people, the pain intensity seems so strong that surgery is the only option. This desperation can lead people to surgery only to discover their pain persists, and in some cases, it is even worse. People often overlook that recovery after surgery can be as challenging as dealing with the limitations before surgery.

Although modern medicine has made significant technological advancements that have improved diagnostics and surgical procedures, there have also been significant advancements in treatment approaches to prevent or delay surgery.

One major advantage of physical therapy before surgery is that there is no risk. In some cases, the symptoms you are feeling are not consistent with the diagnosis, and until you clarify what exactly is going on, you risk a negative outcome from surgery. The best scenario is you prevent or delay surgery, and the worst is you need the surgery you are told you need.

At your Mayfield Heights, OH physical therapy clinic, our physical therapists are up to date on the most advanced strategies and use cutting-edge treatments proven to resolve the pain, restrictions, weaknesses, and functional limitations associated with most orthopedic conditions.

We can help guide you through the signs and symptoms that confirm or deny your diagnosis and whether or not you can prevent or delay surgery.

COMMON CONDITIONS THAT RESPOND TO PT AS WELL AS SURGERY

Physical therapists are considered musculoskeletal experts in the medical community. More and more research has demonstrated the importance of physical therapy in preventing unnecessary surgeries and helping people reduce the risk of future surgeries. Our education and training are designed to identify conditions that respond to physical therapy.

Physical therapy has been shown to help with acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Through targeted manual therapy , exercise, and patient education, our physical therapists have proven successful in assisting people in reducing their pain and restoring their functional abilities.

When physical therapy outcomes are compared to surgical results for certain conditions, the research shows physical therapy is effective in some cases and more effective in other cases. The conditions where physical therapy is as effective as surgery include the following:

Non-obstructive meniscus surgery
Long-term outcomes for herniated disc surgeries
Rotator cuff repairs
Carpal tunnel surgery

Degenerative joint disease is a gradual process. In most cases, you can take steps to avoid or at least postpone the need for a major surgery like a total knee, hip, or shoulder replacement. Restoring and maintaining the joint range of motion and strength of the surrounding muscles supporting the joint are the keys to success.

There are certainly times when surgery is the best option, but delaying surgery with physical therapy is a viable option. In addition, attending physical therapy at Mayfield Physical Therapy before surgery (pre-hab) can help people be prepared for an upcoming surgery and the rehabilitation they will need to ensure a positive outcome after surgery.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT AT MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY IN MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH TODAY!

Our physical therapist team will comprehensively evaluate your condition to provide you with a program tailored to your specific needs and goals. In most cases, you can delay surgery or prevent it entirely.

Regardless of whether you need surgery, your Mayfield Physical Therapy physical therapists can help ensure you get back to doing what you love!

SOURCE:

DO YOU HAVE HIP AND KNEE PAIN? TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY!

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 13:45:44 GMT

Do you have debilitating or uncomfortable Hip and Knee Pain ? We understand how frustrating this can be, especially if you feel like you’ve tried everything and your pain isn’t going away.

The knees and hips are vital and complicated body parts. These areas of your body contain many tendons, joints, and muscles that work together to allow you to move normally. However, if these areas are damaged in any way, or if you experience pain in them, you may find it challenging to carry out your normal activities.

Physical therapy, fortunately, can help relieve knee and hip pain! Call Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights, OH to learn more about how a trained physical therapist can assist you in unlocking long-term pain relief.

WHY AM I HAVING HIP AND KNEE PAIN?

There are numerous conditions that can impair knee and hip movement. These issues can be caused by a traumatic injury, a chronic disease, or repetitive motions performed as part of a job, sport, or hobby.

Strains and sprains – These are both common injuries that can occur in a variety of ways. Strains happen when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. When a ligament is stretched or torn, it causes a sprain. Ligaments may even rupture, resulting in bruising, limited mobility, and pain. A physical therapist can demonstrate exercises that will aid in your recovery. They can also teach you how to move properly in order to avoid further pain or injury.
Meniscus tears – Meniscus tears, unfortunately, are one of the most common types of knee injuries. This injury causes swelling, stiffness, and varying degrees of pain. You’re also more likely to sustain this injury if you pivot and twist your legs aggressively, especially if you’re an athlete. Without surgery, a physical therapist can provide safe and effective treatment for a torn meniscus.
Bursitis – Bursitis occurs when the “bursa,” a small sac of fluid, becomes inflamed and painful. This condition, like many others, is caused by overuse or repetitive injuries. Bursitis can affect any part of the body, including the elbows, knees, and hips. Physical therapy relieves bursitis pain and speeds recovery.
Arthritis – Arthritis, also known as “osteoarthritis,” is a condition that causes inflammation and irritation of the tissues surrounding the joints. This condition can cause pain in your hands, knees, and hips, among other places. A physical therapist can teach you proper posture and movement techniques to keep your joints healthy and your arthritis from interfering with your daily activities.

FIND THE HIP AND KNEE PAIN RELIEF YOU DESERVE WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Your pain may feel overwhelming, but a physical therapist can help you relieve it regardless of your condition. Your movement specialist will assess your condition, medical history, and pain levels to create a personalized program tailored to your specific needs. Continue reading to find out how a physical therapist can assist you in reducing and relieving hip and knee pain.

Manual Physical Therapy: Hands-on techniques are frequently used in physical therapy to relieve hip and knee pain. Stretching exercises or a variety of massage techniques could be included.
Ultrasound Therapy: Ultrasound therapy can be used in physical therapy to provide soothing heat to deep tissues. A licensed physical therapist can also use ultrasound technology to easily identify specific areas of pain.
At-Home Exercises: Did you know that you don’t always have to do physical therapy exercises in a clinical setting? Physical therapy techniques can be incorporated into a home exercise program that can become a regular part of your day.
Laser Therapy: Laser therapy for pain management has grown in popularity recently. It can improve cell growth and reproduction, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation.

ARE YOU READY TO BEGIN YOUR RECOVERY? CALL MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY RIGHT AWAY!

Your physical therapist can examine your entire body, pinpoint the areas of your hips and knees that are causing you pain, and create a personalized treatment plan for your specific condition.

Learn how physical therapy at Mayfield Physical Therapy can help reduce or even eliminate knee or hip pain today. You deserve to be able to resume your favorite activities without having to worry about your hips and knees limiting you. So, what are you holding out for? One of our highly skilled physical therapists can help you find relief. Set up your one-on-one evaluation with our Mayfield Heights, OH office today to get back on track to recovery.

DON’T LET YOURSELF BECOME AN OPIOID STATISTIC – DISCOVER NATURAL RELIEF TODAY

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 13:40:41 GMT

RELIEVE YOUR PAIN NATURALLY WITH THE HELP OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

You’ve got so many things you want or need to do today – but they’re going to have to wait until you get your pills. A prescription opioid is powerful drug that can cause pain to subside for hours at a time.

Unfortunately, they can also cause serious new problems in your life, from the risk of overdose to the stifling grip of addiction. If you’ve been depending on opioids just to make everyday life tolerable, it’s time to find a safer, healthier, less frightening alternative.

Thankfully, physical therapy can help you govern your pain without drugs, giving you a chance to break away from your reliance on opioids.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME FIND RELIEF?

Physical therapy can help you deal with your pain so you don’t need opioids anymore. Of course, only high doses of opioids should be discontinued under professional medical supervision (to prevent a potentially dangerous withdrawal).

In the meantime, however, our physical therapist can work with you to address the biomechanical problems that caused your pain in the first place.

Here are just a few of the physical therapy modalities that can help you conquer your pain:

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses electrical energy to block pain signals to nerves.
Laser therapy can ease pain caused by injuries, arthritis, muscular strain, tendinitis or neuropathy.
Massage therapy can control painful muscle spasms, help the tissues expel inflammatory substances, and direct more blood and oxygen to an injury.
Exercises can increase your pain-free range of motion, strengthen the muscles that support your body, and increase blood flow to reduce inflammation.

Physical therapy may not help you to feel that immediate relief in the same way pain medication would, but it will help you to feel gradual improvements in your experience of the pain so that you can eventually start to live your life free of discomfort.

A physical therapist can also help you discover relief through:

Targeted massage: Your physical therapist can identify the area that may be causing the pain and utilize massage techniques to reduce tension in that particular area, thereby helping to alleviate pressure in your joints and reduce pain.
Hot and cold therapy: The combination of hot and cold therapy can help to reduce swelling and alleviate pain, and when used in combination with other natural strategies can be a great source of relief from chronic pain.
Deep stretching: Your physical therapist can guide you through specialized stretching techniques that will target the source of your pain, thereby helping to improve your range of motion and support the development of muscle mass in the area of your pain.
Weight lifting: As you begin to experience tension relief and decreased swelling in the targeted area, your physical therapist can then guide you through the process of building muscle mass to support a full and healthy recovery.

THE DANGEROUS REALITY OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

Many people who become addicted to opioids were first prescribed by a medical doctor to treat acute or chronic pain. The problem is, opioid medications:

Can be highly addictive
Only hide symptoms of pain—they don’t address the underlying causes, which makes opioids less cost-effective over time
Are associated with an increased risk of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and depression

The opioid epidemic is a very real (and very deadly) problem. It’s believed that some 2 million Americans suffer from an opioid use disorder such as addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , an average of 130 people die from opioid overdoses every day here in the U.S. Since 1999, the number of opioid-related deaths has multiplied sixfold.

So, why are opioids so dangerous? These drugs prevent pain by attaching themselves to the brain’s opioid receptors. They can also cause both drowsiness and an intense high at high doses. This can cause a psychological dependence on the drug – but the trouble doesn’t stop there.

The brain and body become accustomed to a given dose of the opioid, creating a drug tolerance. As a result, you end up in need of larger and larger doses, not just to achieve the same degree of pain relief, but also to prevent agonizing withdrawal symptoms. Eventually, the dose you need could be a fatal one.

Even if you are not addicted to opioids, your chronic pain may force you to continue taking opioids on a regular basis. Unfortunately, opioid drugs block pain messages temporarily, but they do absolutely nothing to address the underlying health challenges that are causing your pain.

FIND NATURAL PAIN RELIEF TREATMENTS TODAY!

Physical therapy is a clear and positive alternative to the dangers of regular opioid use and abuse.

If you’re ready to curb that daily opioid habit, start by asking our physical therapist for a safe, effective pain management plan!

SOURCE:

THESE 5 TYPES OF THERAPY CAN HELP YOU STOP LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN!

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 13:33:21 GMT

You could be one of the millions of people who suffer from chronic pain . Whether you’re recovering from major surgery, dealing with the physical aftermath of an accident, or dealing with a long-term medical condition, pain can keep you from doing the things you enjoy.

Maybe you are considering more surgeries or strong medication to combat the pain. A physical therapist has many different treatment options to effectively manage pain. Physical therapy has a number of non-invasive and safe approaches for reducing or eliminating pain. To learn more about how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free and active life, contact our office today.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF NATURAL PAIN-RELIEVING THERAPY

ULTRASOUND

A physical therapist may use ultrasound to provide safe, effective pain-relief. Ultrasound is a method that delivers deep heat into the body’s soft tissues. There are several specific benefits of using this method. The primary benefit is that it improves circulation to tissues like ligaments, muscles, and tendons. This may help to speed up the healing process and reduce pain. Pain can be alleviated simply by raising the temperature of human tissues. The following injuries can be treated with ultrasound in physical therapy:

Muscle Strains
Frozen Shoulder
Tendonitis
Bursitis
Manual Therapy

Instead of employing a machine or a particular instrument, manual therapy is a treatment a therapist will perform with their hands. These are more than just massage techniques. After a physical therapist conducts a thorough examination of your medical history and any present ailments, a physical therapy program incorporating manual treatment can be tailored to your unique needs. A physical therapist can treat the soft tissues of the body with a variety of manual procedures. The following are a few examples:

Thrust Techniques – Using this method, a physical therapist will apply quick and repetitive pressure to a particular joint. These rapid movements in the correct place on the body can restore natural movement.
Strain and Counterstrain – This is a physical therapy technique that is used to pinpoint tender points throughout the body. Once these are located, the physical therapist will position your body to shorten and relax the muscles involved. The primary purpose of this is to reduce muscle spasms.
Soft Tissue Mobilization – Using mobilization techniques, a physical therapist would focus on the muscles and how they’re attached to various joints. This technique is used specifically for restoring movement and improving range of motion.
Soft Tissue Massage – Massage done by a skilled physical therapist can loosen tight muscles, ease pressure around sore joints, and help eliminate a variety of painful conditions.
Muscle Energy Techniques – This type of physical therapy method involves repositioning joints that are considered dysfunctional and then treating the muscles around that particular area.

ICE AND HEAT THERAPY

There are many benefits to seeing a physical therapist, including:

Both ice and heat therapy can help to alleviate discomfort. A physical therapist will know which form of treatment, heat or cold, is best for the type of pain you’re having. Heat and ice both operate in various ways to help relieve pain.

Heat stimulates blood flow, allowing nutrients to reach various regions of the body more quickly. Cold, on the other hand, decreases blood flow and reduces inflammation and edema. Here are a few examples of how physical therapy employs heat to relieve pain:

Heat therapy is often used for older or reoccurring injuries. It can reduce pain when a person is experiencing arthritis or stiff joints.
Heating pads, wraps, and gel packs can be used to relieve chronic pain in the neck and lower back.
Heat therapy is used for treating and reducing pain for muscle spasms.

There are also specific benefits for using ice therapy, also called cryotherapy, in physical therapy treatment:

Icing can reduce pain in injuries such as ligament sprains in the ankles or knees.
Ice therapy is often used for many types of muscle strains.
Ice therapy is recommended for new injuries to immediately reduce swelling.

EXERCISE AND STRETCHING

A physical therapist can create an exercise and stretching routine that suits your personal fitness level and helps relieve painful muscles and joints. Tight muscles can be the source of pain or make other painful conditions worse. Learning how to stretch in a safe and correct manner can alleviate stress and pain.

If you’re experiencing pain, the last thing you may feel like doing is exercising and stretching. The right type of exercising and stretching, however, can loosen muscles, reduce stiffness, and limit inflammation. Exercise can even release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

LASER THERAPY

Laser technology has advanced to the point that it can now deliver pain relief in a safe and non-invasive manner. A low-level laser produces a single wavelength of light. With this form of treatment, no vibration, sound, or even heat is produced.

Laser therapy can alleviate pain without any side effects, but it usually takes more than one treatment for a patient to realize substantial results. There are a few key facts about laser therapy that you should be aware of.

It can be used for both chronic and acute conditions.
Most treatments only last ten minutes or less.
Laser therapy treatments can be customized for each individual.

To properly address the fundamental cause of your pain, a physical therapist may employ any of the above treatments, or a combination of them.

READY TO GET BACK TO BEING PAIN-FREE?

Physical therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for a variety of ailments.

Whether you’re struggling with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, injuries from an accident, or chronic headaches, physical therapy may provide the answer you’re looking for.

Call our office to find out how a physical therapist can help you eliminate pain and reach your health and wellness goals!

HAVE CHRONIC PAIN? HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD RELY ON PHYSICAL THERAPY INSTEAD OF OPIOIDS

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:20:21 GMT

At our physical therapy clinic, we agree with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional organizations that recommend physical therapy over prescription opioids for chronic pain management.

You’ve seen the headlines, and you’re aware that opioids are a major contributor to America’s widespread drug crisis. We also understand that if you or a loved one suffers from chronic pain, you may be frustrated and confused about your options.

Many people are unaware of how effective physical therapy can be in alleviating even the most difficult symptoms—all without the use of drugs or invasive procedures.

We’d love to show you how physical therapy can help you feel (and function) better than ever. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy to make an appointment with one of our Mayfield Heights, OH therapists today!

WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OPIOIDS?

It is critical to understand the distinction between opioids and over-the-counter medications. There aren’t many significant health risks when people use over-the-counter medications to relieve pain.

Advil, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen are generally safe to use in moderation if you are looking for immediate relief after an incident such as a car accident.

However, prescription-strength medications may be issued if you are in severe pain as a result of a more serious injury sustained during the accident. After all, severe pain necessitates severe intervention.

Opioids are the most commonly prescribed pain relievers in the United States. Despite how common they are, they contain some shockingly harmful facts:

Opioids are the most commonly abused prescription medication and are highly addictive.
Opioids are a very dangerous class of drugs. Opioids include heroin, as well as prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and others.
Every year, over 2 million people in the United States become addicted to pain medications, many of which are opioids.
A quarter of heroin addicts developed their addiction after becoming addicted to prescription opioids.

While disturbing, these facts cannot be ignored. They paint a bleak picture of prescription pain medication use in the United States, which experts believe has reached epidemic proportions.

You don’t have to have a history of addiction to become addicted to opioids; in fact, many people who become addicted have never had a history of drug dependency.

Physical therapy, fortunately, can help provide the same pain relief in a much safer, healthier, and natural way. Physical therapy can help you manage your pain without the use of drugs, giving you the opportunity to avoid these risks altogether.

THE TOP FIVE REASONS TO THINK ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY

There are many benefits to seeing a physical therapist, including:

1. YOU’LL GAIN ACCESS TO A WIDE VARIETY OF TREATMENT OPTIONS.

When you visit a physical therapist for pain relief, you will not receive only one type of treatment. You will receive a variety of services that complement one another and improve their overall effectiveness. The end result? A cost-effective and all-encompassing healing journey for you!

2. PHYSICAL THERAPY GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO BE YOUR BEST SELF.

Physical therapists, unlike many other healthcare providers who are time-constrained, have a lot of face-to-face interaction with their patients and can take the time to get to know their goals and preferences.

This ensures that patients are involved in their care plans, are educated about their health condition, and have access to the home exercises, stretches, and other lifestyle changes required to achieve the best results. Physical therapy is a hands-on experience that puts you back in control of your health.

3. A PHYSICAL THERAPIST WILL GET YOU UP AND MOVING!

According to research, exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic pain. But, if a person is in so much pain that they can barely get out of bed, how can they begin exercising more? Here’s where physical therapy comes in.

Your physical therapist can manage your condition as well as other factors that make exercise difficult (such as range of motion limitations, tissue tension, weakness, and incoordination). A physical therapist can help you reduce your risk of other chronic diseases by helping you get more exercise and showing you which exercises are best for you and how to do them correctly.

4. PHYSICAL THERAPISTS CAN USE NON-INVASIVE, DRUG-FREE, AND SAFE METHODS TO RELIEVE CHRONIC PAIN AND INFLAMMATION.

Physical therapists use techniques such as diathermy, dry needling, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and others to treat pain, muscle spasms, inflammation, and other symptoms.

These modalities pose little to no risk of side effects, and unlike drugs, they do not pose the risk of dependency or withdrawal. They simply boost your body’s natural ability to heal itself (instead of just “masking” the pain). A physical therapist can ensure that these techniques are used correctly (intensity, location, type, duration, and frequency) through extensive training.

5. MANUAL THERAPY PROMOTES HEALING WHILE ALSO RELIEVING CHRONIC PAIN AND TENSION.

A physical therapist has received training in techniques such as joint mobilization and manipulation, massage, myofascial release, Active Release Techniques, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. These can cause physical and physiological changes in the connective tissues, central nervous system, lymphatic system, and other areas of the body. These techniques have been shown to reduce pain and elicit healing responses that can prevent pain from returning.

CONTACT MAYFIELD PHYSICAL THERAPY TODAY TO FIND CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF.

We invite you to schedule an appointment at our physical therapy clinic today, whether your pain is the result of a sports injury, a chronic joint disorder, a stroke, or something else entirely.

Don’t just hide your pain; heal it at its source!

DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE FOODS THAT CAN HELP YOU FIND NATURAL PAIN RELIEF?

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:10:35 GMT

If your pain is getting worse, you should reconsider your food habits. Some people eat to survive, while others eat to thrive – and still, others unknowingly feed their chronic aches and pains. Eating too much or the wrong foods can trigger inflammatory responses, resulting in muscle, nerve, or joint pain.

Certain foods have been shown to reduce inflammation, while others have been shown to aggravate it. Indeed, “a lot of chronic pain is the result of chronic inflammation,” according to Harvard Health Publishing, “and the evidence is quite strong that your diet can contribute to increased systemic inflammation.”

Although physical and occupational therapists are not nutritionists, they do provide nutritional advice to patients on a regular basis. Dietary changes can make a huge difference in reducing or eliminating pain in some chronic conditions.

Call Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment to learn more about physical and occupational therapy and how they can supplement a healthy, wholesome diet.

PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PROPER NUTRITION GO HAND IN HAND

The good news is that the right foods can aid in the fight against inflammation just as much as the wrong foods can exacerbate it. Simply changing your diet to a Mediterranean one can put you on the path to better health and less pain.

Fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and healthy oils like olive oil are all delicious options in this diet that have a high nutritional value and a low inflammatory potential.

Even the spices you use can have a big impact on how comfortable you are; for example, turmeric is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. Your physical therapist can recommend the best dietary changes to help you manage your pain.

Weight management is another important aspect of pain management. Your physical therapy plan may include recommendations on how many calories you should consume, what types of foods you should eat to avoid becoming overweight, and any other changes to your eating schedule or patterns that are required.

Increased physical activity will help you get the most out of your new diet. For example, strength training raises your metabolic rate, allowing your body to burn calories more efficiently.

Other physical and occupational therapy techniques for chronic pain relief will help you become more mobile, allowing you to increase your workouts, lose weight, and reduce stress on your joints and tissues.

HOW IS PAIN RELATED TO WHAT I EAT?

How often have you heard the expression, “you are what you eat?”

Certain foods are known to trigger or aggravate inflammatory responses and chronic pain. If you regularly consume the following foods, you may be doing yourself more harm than good:

Caffeinated foods and beverages
White bread and other highly processed carbohydrates
Alcohol
Foods high in refined sugars and/or trans fats (including cookies, donuts, and margarine)
Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and other nightshade family members
Red meat

These foods can be harmful in a number of ways. For example, sugar and aspartame raise insulin levels while also increasing pain sensitivity.

Caffeine and tomatoes both raise blood acidity, which promotes inflammatory pain. However, the end result of all of these foods (and a few others) is the same: an increase in aches and pains. Poor dietary and nutritional choices can increase your waistline as well as increase your pain.

This excess weight can hasten joint degeneration and aggravate arthritis pain. It can also put undue strain on your muscles as they try to support your larger frame. Obesity can promote the development of bulging or herniated discs, which can lead to neurological problems like sciatica.

COMMON CONDITIONS RELATED TO YOUR DIET

Here are a few examples of conditions where nutritional advice will most likely be part of the patient’s physical therapy regimen:

Inflammation. Inflammatory foods such as vegetable oils are common in American diets. This can aggravate pain caused by inflammation. A physical therapist may recommend a diet high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods to help manage pain.
Obesity. Obesity-related pain can become a vicious cycle. You see, the more overweight a person is, the more joint pain they have, which may cause them to be more sedentary. Lack of physical activity causes them to gain weight, which causes more pain.
Osteoarthritis. Obese people are more likely to develop arthritis, particularly in their knees. When a person is diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, controlling their weight becomes the most important key to controlling their arthritis and pain.
Autoimmune disorders. Patients with autoimmune diseases (such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis) now outnumber cancer patients in the United States by a wide margin. Autoimmune disorders are frequently linked to dietary deficiencies in patients.
Diabetes. Diabetes and pre-diabetes are risk factors for more serious conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. More than 90% of diabetic patients experience neuropathic pain. Diet and nutrition will be critical in treating these diseases.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CONTACT OUR CLINIC RIGHT AWAY

There are numerous approaches to incorporating healthy eating habits into your lifestyle. Making this decision, along with regular physical therapy, could change your life in ways you never imagined possible!

Call Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn more and schedule your appointment! We’re looking forward to helping you get healthier.

SOURCE:

TACKLING CHRONIC BACK PAIN: 5 STEPS TO FEELING BETTER FASTER

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:04:47 GMT

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in every five people suffers from chronic pain.

If you have daily pain and discomfort, we recommend that you see a physical therapist who can work with you to address the symptoms and causes of your pain and help you gain better function.

Did you know that approximately 80% of Americans have (or will) experience back pain? If you are one of those people, here are five of our top tips, all of which are supported by research and are relatively simple to implement. To unlock even more expert advice, contact Stretching correctly can help you improve your overall health! To learn more, please contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment!

1. EXAMINE YOUR POSTURE.

Do you slouch in your chair or hunch over your phone all the time? Are you using proper body mechanics when picking up objects, whether they’re heavy boxes, a pencil on the floor, or even your child or grandchild?

There are numerous ways we move our bodies every day that may not appear to be problematic. However, if we repeatedly subject our bodies to certain types of strain, we can develop tissue damage and chronic pain.

Consult with a physical therapist to have your posture, movement mechanics, and ergonomics evaluated. They can assist you in identifying patterns and habits that you may be unaware of but are exacerbating your pain.

2. EAT FOODS THAT HELP WITH PAIN RELIEF.

According to research, avoiding highly processed foods and eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high quality protein, and healthy fats can help reduce pain.

One reason for this is that eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods ensures that our tissues receive the raw materials they require to heal and repair.

Furthermore, when we reduce or eliminate foods in our diet that promote inflammation, such as alcohol and sugar, our pain levels can naturally decrease.

3. WORKOUT.

Exercise can help with pain relief by increasing blood flow, stimulating the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that help with pain relief, and improving joint strength and stability.

So get moving—at least 30 minutes of exercise on most, if not all, days of the week. If you have chronic pain, consult with a physical therapist before beginning an exercise program.

Your physical therapist can offer services that will naturally relieve your pain and maximize your function, making exercise easier and safer for you.

4. ENSURE THAT YOU GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

Sleep is critical for your body’s healing and regeneration processes. It’s also an effective way to deal with stress. For these reasons, getting enough sleep can help you feel less pain.

Is it difficult to fall or stay asleep when you’re in pain? To make it easier, try these sleeping tips:

Sleep in a completely dark room with the temperature set to 65 to 68 degrees.
Dim the lights and turn off all electronics at least an hour before going to bed.
Every night, go to bed at the same time, and wake up at the same time (weekends and holidays included).

5. PERFORM BREATHING EXERCISES.

Deep breathing is beneficial to your health because it allows you to get plenty of healing oxygen into your tissues.

Deep breathing also stimulates the part of the nervous system that helps you relax, which is an excellent way to relieve stress and pain.

The four-square breathing exercise, also known as box breathing, has been shown to help manage pain. Sit in a comfortable position and perform the following steps:

Inhale for 4 counts through your nose.
Hold your breath for 4 counts
Breathe out for 4 counts through your mouth.
Hold for 4 counts at the bottom of your exhalation, then repeat for 2 minutes.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT BACK PAIN?

“Back pain” is an umbrella term for a wide range of conditions that cause pain in the upper or lower back. Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including sports injuries, poor posture, and car accidents.

A back injury is the most common cause of back pain. This can happen in one of two ways: as a result of a single, sudden trauma or as a result of a repetitive-use injury that develops gradually over time.

Because back pain is so common in the United States, there is a wealth of information available on the subject. Here are some back pain facts:

Back pain is the leading cause of disability in people under the age of 45.
There are an estimated 31 million people in the United States who suffer from lower back pain at any given time.
Back pain is the second most common reason for visiting a healthcare provider in the United States, trailing only the common cold.
Experts estimate that approximately 80% of people will experience some type of back problem during their lifetime. That equates to four out of every five people!
Back pain accounts for 30-40% of all workplace absences.
Approximately one-quarter of adults in the United States reported having low back pain that lasted at least one full day in the previous three months, and 7.6 percent reported at least one episode of severe acute low back pain in the previous year.
Lifting and other exertions, such as pulling and pushing, cause more than two-thirds of all back strains.

The majority of back pain cases are mechanical, which means they are not caused by serious conditions such as infection, fracture, or cancer.

SOURCE:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321805.php

DID YOU KNOW THAT STRETCHING CAN HELP YOU BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR WORKOUT?

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:56:31 GMT

Regular exercise is an excellent way to improve and maintain good health. However, if you don’t stretch before and after your workout, you’re not getting the most out of your workout routine.

Stretching exercises are an important part of physical therapy for a variety of reasons.

In fact, stretching before and after a workout has several distinct advantages. Get in touch with Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn more!

STRETCHING AND BETTER HEALTH

Stretching has numerous advantages for helping your body stay healthy. One of the most important is stress reduction.

These imbalances can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses and other diseases. Another dangerous side effect of chronic stress is hypertension.

STRETCHING AND PT

It’s critical that you stretch properly before and after your workout.

A physical therapist can advise you on which stretches are best for your current physical condition and the activities you’re involved in.

It’s also critical to ensure that you’re doing the right exercises in the right order. You should consult with a physical therapist to determine which stretches are best for you.

Physical therapy can assist you in getting the most out of your workouts and improving your overall health.

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS TYPES OF STRETCHES?

There are several types of stretches that can be done before and after a workout.

It’s critical to understand which types are best for you and when to use them in a workout.

Ballistic. Ballistic stretching is characterized by bouncing movements that push muscles beyond their normal range of motion.
Dynamic. These are non-held active movements that cause muscles to stretch. These are frequently performed to prepare your muscles for movement.
Static. This entails holding a specific stretch for 10 to 20 seconds. This type of stretch should be done after a workout and should feel comfortable.

HOW WILL STRETCHING AFTER MY WORKOUT HELP ME?

After a workout, you may be tempted to immediately relax.

However, even a few minutes of stretching post exercise is essential. There are several specific advantages to stretching after your workout. These include:

Relaxation. Slowing down gradually benefits both the body and the mind. When you stretch after a workout, you allow yourself to gradually wind down.
Reduces pain and the likelihood of injury. Muscles that remain tight after a workout are more likely to be injured. According to PT in Motion, the right kind of stretching exercises can help to reduce pain throughout the body. Loosening your muscles will also lower your risk of injury.
Lactic acid elimination. When you exercise, you produce lactic acid. This substance can cause muscle aches and fatigue. Stretching can help reduce the amount of lactic acid in your system.

HOW WILL STRETCHING BEFORE MY WORKOUT HELP ME?

Always begin your workout with a series of stretching exercises.

Stretching for 5 to 10 minutes should suffice for most activities. It is, however, critical to stretch all of the muscles you will be using.

When you stretch properly before your workout, you will gain several specific benefits, including:

Improved performance. Increased blood flow, flexibility, and range of motion will all improve overall performance.
Better flexibility and range of motion. Stretching correctly will loosen your muscles and tendons. This will improve your workout flexibility and range of motion.
Increased blood flow. When blood flow to your muscles is increased, this prepares them for strenuous activity.

ARE YOU READY TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH?

Stretching correctly can help you improve your overall health! To learn more, please contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today .

CHANGE YOUR DIET, CHANGE YOUR LIFE: THE SECRET TO FEELING YOUR BEST IS IN YOUR KITCHEN!

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 10:49:19 GMT

The food you eat has a significant impact on your energy level and waistline. What’s more difficult to remember is that your dietary choices have an impact on joint pain as well. Change your Diet, and it will change your life too!

At our physical therapy facility, we believe in taking a holistic approach to treating acute and chronic pain. You’re not merely a diagnosis or a set of symptoms to your physical therapist. You could benefit from a variety of treatments and lifestyle adjustments, including dietary changes, to help you get long-term relief. Make an appointment with our clinic today!

HOW CAN MY DIET CAUSE PAIN?

Have you ever wondered how your food choices could be influencing your acute or chronic pain condition? Here are three ways diet plays a role in your pain relief (or lack thereof):

WHAT FOODS SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Eating the right type of food gives your body the raw material it needs for health

Joints, tendons, muscles, and nerves are continually being rebuilt in your body. Vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants are used by the body to provide the “building material” needed to create these issues and ensure that the re-building process occurs smoothly. If you don’t give your body these essential elements, your body’s ability to heal itself may be hampered.

Eating the right amount of food promotes optimal function.

Excessive body fat causes inflammation, according to studies. Eating too many calories might contribute to weight gain. Excess weight puts more strain and stress on your joints, and it can increase your risk of health issues including fibromyalgia, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and diabetes, which are all associated with chronic pain.
If you don’t eat enough food, on the other hand, your muscles and tissues may lack the energy they need to develop, heal, and rejuvenate. Undereating can cause weariness and make it difficult to exercise properly or participate in activities like physical therapy.

Certain foods promote inflammation in the body.

Inflammation is a natural element of your immune system’s response, and it helps protect you from things like illness and damage. Inflammation is a necessary aspect of the healing process in acute injuries. Tissue and cellular damage can result if inflammation lasts too long, as in the case of arthritis. Inflammation plays a role in pain perception as well. It turns out that certain foods might aggravate inflammation and, as a result, exacerbate discomfort.
Pro-inflammatory foods can even harm the friendly bacteria in your gut, known as the microbiome (often called the “forgotten organ”). This can impair nutrient absorption and further disrupt your immune system since your gut and immunity are closely linked.

Our physical therapy staff encourages our patients to consult with dietitians or other professionals for more customized and advanced nutritional support. But we’re also happy to provide some basic guidelines that can optimize the well-earned results you get from working with a physical therapist.

The first tip: eat real food! Think minimally processed, nutrient-dense, diverse, and delicious:

Quality protein like eggs, lean meat, fish, and poultry
Legumes, nuts, and seeds
Fermented foods like tempeh, sauerkraut, and kimchi (these are loaded in gut-healthy probiotics)
Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or even canned are all great—just watch for additives)

The idea is to eat foods that you enjoy so that eating a better diet becomes easy and sustainable. Our physical therapy team advises patients to avoid following the current fads and trends. Simply begin with the fundamentals—plants, protein, and healthy fats—and work your way up from there.

Another suggestion? Learn how to prepare meals! Cooking at home can help you save money while also allowing you to have more control over what goes into your food. If pain makes cooking difficult, a physical therapist can teach you crucial skills such as activity pacing and house adjustments to help you succeed in the kitchen.

In addition to food, don’t forget water! You need great hydration every day to help your tissues stay healthy and flush out harmful toxins and waste products from your system. Staying well-hydrated boosts circulation enhances joint lubrication, eases muscle cramps, supports spinal disc health, alleviates headaches, and more.

Some people find that taking supplements like fish oil or chondroitin and glucosamine relieves their pain and improves their overall health. There is inconclusive evidence on various supplements, and not all supplements are made equal. So, before you start taking any new supplements, talk to your primary care physician!

Finally, what should you stay away from? Certain meals and food ingredients, according to the Arthritis Foundation, can cause inflammation in the body, which can increase or prolong chronic pain. Among these foods are:

Refined carbohydrates (think crackers, candy, pasta, bread)
Trans fat
Vegetable oils
Refined sugar
Alcohol
MSG (a preservative often found in fast foods)
Gluten (a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye)
Casein and lactose (a protein and sugar, respectively, found in dairy products)
Saturated fats
Non-caloric artificial sweeteners

Certain “treats,” such as sweets or alcoholic beverages, can be enjoyed in moderation. Simply keep track of how much and how often you consume them. Before a “treat,” have a nutritious protein-rich snack and drink plenty of water to help you control your quantities.

GET YOUR LIFE BACK ON TRACK WITH A HEALTHY, WELL-ROUNDED DIET!

Looking for more holistic ways to improve your health and relieve pain? To arrange an appointment with an expert physical therapist who can help your body and mind thrive using a customized variety of drug-free, non-invasive, and whole-person treatments, call our physical therapy office now.

SOURCES:

5 WAYS TO BREAK AWAY FROM A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE

Sat, 10 Sep 2022 10:42:04 GMT

Too many of us have an all-or-nothing attitude when it comes to staying fit. We’re too “slammed” at work for the gym, or our kids’ activities are keeping us in the car — and off the track — for long hours. Yet, here at Mayfield Physical Therapy , we recommend a few basic elements you can add to your daily life that truly add up to a more active lifestyle.

1. UTILIZE FITNESS TECHNOLOGY.

Speed is usually the name of the game in your busy life. But does the time saved parking close to the store really add value? Make a game of parking at the far end of the lot, so that you have to push a cart or carry a bag a greater distance. When you’re at work, take the stairs — unless you really are running late for that meeting!

2. TRY A STANDING DESK.

Skip the cafeteria in favor of a healthy eatery down the street if you’re working. Or walk outside for 20 minutes before you return to your brown-bag lunch. If you’re retired or working from home, walk to the corner grocer’s to gather the goods for lunch. Living out in the country or the suburbs? Pretend that your daily walk is the “fee” you have to pay in order to get into your kitchen and make that sandwich.

3. STAY HYDRATED.

How do standing desks help? It’s amazing how much healthier simply standing in place is, compared to sitting. For one thing, you burn more calories. You’ll also hunch less, meaning that neck and shoulder pain is eliminated. Standing also boosts fitness in significant ways by keeping blood sugar more steady after a meal, and by encouraging more movement overall.

4. TAKE THE STAIRS!

Using a smaller glass for water — or mug for green tea — means that you have to return to the water cooler or kitchen more often to fulfill your daily hydration goals. Likewise, you can make going down the hall to borrow a stapler a separate trip from hiking upstairs to ask someone in HR about your vacation schedule. If our Fitbits have taught us anything, it’s that a hundred extra steps here and there really do add up over the course of the day!

5. MOVE AROUND FOR PHONE CALLS.

Organizational experts know that 20 or 30 minutes of chores a day adds up to a cleaner, more organized space. You can certainly get a lot of toys into baskets during that time — not to mention mopping a floor or weeding the herb garden. So if you remember that these dreaded tasks also burn calories and build up your core, it may help you feel more like tackling them.

READY TO GET MORE ACTIVE? LET US HELP.

Sitting for too long just isn’t good for your body or your lifespan. It’s important to be aware of how often you’re sitting down, and how much activity you’re getting in a day so that you can make sure you’re on top of your health!

If you’d like to talk with a team of professionals about getting back into a good physical activity routine, call our clinic today . Our physical therapy staff can help you manage an injury or condition that has limited your standing tolerance, and get you on your feet with greater confidence.

SOURCE:

BACK PAIN GOT YOU BEDRIDDEN? GET BACK ON YOUR FEET WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 10:35:40 GMT

When you suffer chronic back pain and difficult to get back on your feet, it can feel as though your entire life is disrupted. Workplace pain can lead to lower productivity, more sick days, and more stress. You may not be able to care for yourself or your loved ones if you are in pain at home. Chronic back pain can make it difficult to exercise and stay active, which can lead to additional pain, weight gain, and other sedentary-related disorders.

The good news is, even if you have chronic back pain now, you don’t necessarily have to live with it forever. Contact our physical therapy office to schedule a consultation with a physical therapist who can help you start feeling better and feeling more in control of your life.

PHYSICAL THERAPY TO THE RESCUE: SAY GOODBYE TO BACK PAIN AND GET BACK ON YOUR FEET !

Most of us will have back pain at some point in our lives, but for some people, the agony might last for three months or longer. While reducing pain is a priority, it’s equally crucial to identify and address the causes that contribute to chronic back pain.

If you don’t address the core causes, you’re more likely to have recurring issues and long-term dysfunction—otherwise, if you stop taking pain medication, the pain will just come back.

This is just one of the many reasons why working with a physical therapist is so beneficial! They can help you make sure you don’t have to keep dealing with the same problem, over and over again.

Postural exams, strength, and range of motion testing, and balance, motor control, and coordination tests are just a few of the physical therapy services that can help us figure out why your back pain is happening and why the underlying issue formed in the first place. Your physical therapist can then prescribe specific techniques to address these core causes while also providing symptom relief services.

In other words, we seek to resolve the “why’s” of your pain while also resolving the pain itself!

Here are a few specific things you can expect when working with a physical therapist for your back pain:

A thorough assessment of your condition. To help us clarify your diagnosis, we’ll examine your body, learn about your medical and family history, develop a list of your symptoms (including pain, stiffness, and weakness or numbness in one or both legs), and learn more about your lifestyle and current issues. Even checking on your footwear, walking style, posture, and body mechanics can give a physical therapist a lot of information, so dress comfortably and be ready to move.
A chance to clarify your goals. It is critical to assist you in making improvements by using objective data such as strength, discomfort levels, and range of motion. But we’ll also spend time learning about the things you want to be able to do and accomplish after your back pain is gone.
This can involve extremely specialized functional tasks such as golfing or walking your dog around the block without pausing. What’s important to you is important to us! We’ll always keep your goals in mind as we create a treatment plan so you can feel and see your progress in therapy. By keeping your goals and personal vision in the front and center of your plan of care, we also help you have more FUN in your physical therapy sessions!
A plan of care that combines a customized range of evidence-based interventions. We can make practical recommendations on stress management, diet, and other lifestyle matters, and refer you to other providers as needed. We can prescribe and fit you for adaptive equipment and support devices like braces or orthotics, teach you safer ways to move or complete daily tasks with efficiency and safety, and help you start feeling better so you can exercise regularly again, which we know is good for spinal health and mental well-being.
Physical therapy services that are effective for alleviating chronic back pain include soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, spinal manipulations, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic pain education, and non-invasive modalities like electrical stimulation.

Your physical therapist can even help you prepare for or recover from back surgery if this kind of procedure is eventually determined to be appropriate for your needs.

THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF BACK PAIN RELIEF

Physical therapy is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the “first lines” of treatment for most types of chronic pain. Altogether, our approach to diagnosing and treating back pain can benefit you by offering:

Decreased reliance on pain medications or invasive procedures
Improved cost-effectiveness
Lowered healthcare costs
Decreased downtime (unlike back surgeries, which can require months of challenging recovery, often with little or no symptom improvement)
Improved productivity
Improved activity tolerance
Longer-lasting relief
Improved spinal health
Reduced risk of recurring issues and worsening tissue damage
Increased sense of control of your health
Increased understanding of your pain experience

DON’T SURRENDER TO BACK PAIN – CALL IN THE EXPERTS AND GET BACK ON YOUR FEET!

Physical therapy is proven to be an effective back pain treatment and is safe for people of all ages and health backgrounds. If you’re living with back pain, consider it a thing of the past. What are you waiting for? Contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist and get back on the road to the active and pain-free lifestyle you want and deserve!

7 WAYS TO GET MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTO YOUR ROUTINE

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 10:29:26 GMT

The longer you live with chronic pain, the more it seems like it will never go away. It becomes increasingly difficult to view a particular pain as something that you can handle and treat once you accept it as a part of your life. Many people turn to strategies to hide the pain, which frequently includes the use of pain medication. However, this is not always an effective strategy, and long-term pain drug use can cause serious difficulties on its own. Know more about how Physical Activity in your routine can be helpful.

If you’re living with chronic pain, getting more exercise in your life could be difficult to begin at first, but it’s also one of the best and most natural ways to help yourself feel better. Keep reading to learn more about strategies for getting in shape and feeling your best, and call our clinic to set up an appointment with one of our physical therapists !

STRATEGIES TO BECOME MORE ACTIVE WITH HELP OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY !

The longer you live with chronic pain, the more you become accustomed to avoiding strenuous activity. This is unfortunate, because regular physical activity, especially when guided by a physical therapist, might help you begin to overcome your daily pain and discomfort!

Finding strategies to gradually increase your physical activity can make you feel better.

As you are getting started with becoming more active, baby steps are key. Attempting to go It’s not a good idea to go from doing nothing to running a marathon. You should start with tiny actions to assist you to develop a more active lifestyle. Your new active lifestyle habits will be more sustainable if you take incremental steps.

The key is to find ways to integrate activity into your life in a way that is so natural that you won’t even notice how much time you are spending being active. This goes far beyond making a trip to the gym for 30 minutes to an hour every day—though that is a great way to support an active lifestyle, as well.

Here are seven strategies that can help you become more active every day:

Try to incorporate activity into family time. Instead of spending an evening together on the couch, think about ways that you can become more active together by going for a walk together or spending time throwing a ball together outdoors. This is a great way to become a bit more active while encouraging healthier habits across your household.
Make a habit of taking as many steps as possible when doing basic tasks around the house. This may mean something as simple as taking the dog for a walk a few times a day rather than just letting him out in the yard to run around, or deciding to go for a walk to the mailbox rather than stopping at the end of the driveway on your way home.
Walk around more. This is especially a great strategy if you are in the office on the phone a lot. Don’t sit in your seat and talk on the phone. Get up and pace back and forth to get a bunch of steps in as you get the job done.
Exercise while you’re watching tv. Just like at work, when you are at home engaging in sedentary activity like watching TV, try to get more active. You don’t need to skip your favorite TV shows to fit in time to exercise. Try working out as you are watching TV. If you can make it to a gym you can even start to watch TV while on the treadmill.
When possible, walk—don’t drive. This isn’t always possible depending on where you live and work, but if there is an errand you can run on foot instead of in the car, give it a try. Another way to make this possible is to figure out what errands you can run by parking your car in one location. See if you can go into multiple stores in a parking lot without having to change parking spaces.
Start fitting in short workouts throughout the day. If you don’t believe you’ll have time to fit in a complete workout in the morning or evening, try breaking it up into smaller chunks throughout the day.
Stretch for 10 minutes in the morning, then do a few simple cardio routines, then repeat the process over your lunch break for another 10 minutes. You can start doing some simple stretching before bed, and by the end of the day, you’ll have gotten in 30 minutes of serious exercise. This, combined with greater mobility throughout the day, can significantly enhance your level of activity.
Take the stairs. Wherever you are, wherever you are going, take the stairs. The elevator is convenient, but stairs are a great form of exercise and so incorporating these into your daily activity can really help you on your journey to becoming more active.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME TO OVERCOME CHRONIC PAIN?

While resting and taking it easy is part of allowing your body to mend, it’s not the only thing you should be doing when you’re in pain. Resting won’t make chronic pain go away. Getting a little more active, rather than spending more time off your feet, could be just what you need to finally receive some relief from your discomfort.

Of course, this does not mean you should ignore the discomfort and try to push through it on your own with strenuous activities. Working with a physical therapist can help you reduce pain and discomfort with targeted, safe activities that won’t make you feel worse afterward.

Being active daily can help to reduce the experience of chronic pain by:

Improve heart health
Supporting weight loss
Increasing range of motion
Supporting healthy muscle development

CALL OUR CLINIC TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

If you haven’t exercised in a while, starting small by increasing your activity level naturally is the best place to start. For guidance on what kind of exercise is best for you, and how to treat chronic pain while becoming more active, contact us. Call our office today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life.

LIVE A HEALTHIER AND MORE ACTIVE LIFE WITH THESE 7 TIPS

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 10:22:42 GMT

GET MOVING TODAY!

Do you make sure to move around every day? Doing so can increase your lifespan, improve your mood, help you maintain a healthy weight, increase strength, flexibility, endurance and balance, in addition to helping you manage chronic pain and other health conditions.

Regular physical activity is so important that our physical therapy team is always looking for tips to help our patients move. Here are seven suggestions for you to keep in mind!

1. MAKE A PT APPOINTMENT!

A lot of people don’t get enough physical activity every day because they’re dealing with chronic pain that can make it difficult, uncomfortable, and sometimes unsafe to move.

One of the biggest benefits of working with a physical therapist is that he or she can provide services that alleviate your pain, improve your balance, function, and strength, and increase your confidence and self-efficacy so daily exercise is manageable.

2. GET A NEW HOBBY

It doesn’t really matter what type of physical activity you do—what matters most is whether you’re consistent with it! So, figure out which types of exercises you love and focus on these.

3. EXERCISE WHILE WATCHING TV

Commercial breaks are annoying. But instead of flipping the channel or scrolling through your phone the next time an ad comes on, you can use it as an opportunity to stand up and get a little activity in.

Whether you choose a quick yoga flow, some simple chair stretches, or even your physical therapy exercises, there’s plenty you can do right in the comfort of your own living room.

4. MAKE A ROUTINE

Whether you love to work out in the morning, take a midday brisk walk during lunch, or hit the gym after work, it’s helpful to do your workout close to the same time every day. This helps you establish a consistent routine so you can get the most benefits out of your exercise over the long-term.

In addition, consider adding your workouts into your weekly planner, just like you would do with any other appointment. Knowing when you’re going to workout ahead of time helps you stick to your plan.

5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH YOUR SUPPORTERS

In our experience, our patients do better when they have other people in their lives who support their efforts to get more active. So, encourage your loved ones to join you in your commitment to get moving, or sign up for a group workout class—whatever you need to help you stay more accountable.

Are you currently living with a chronic health problem? Connect with an online or in-person support group in your area so you can interact with other people living with your condition and motivate each other to stay more active.

6. EXERCISE IN SHORT BURSTS

While a good goal is to get at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, you don’t necessarily have to do all 30 minutes at once.

It’s still possible to benefit from doing several shorter bouts of exercise throughout the day—perfect if you have a packed schedule and only short windows of time to get moving.

7. GET WALKING

No need to overcomplicate things. Even just standing and walking more throughout your day can help you stay physically active!

To get your steps in, be sure to take the stairs, stand at your desk, go for walks with your loved ones or co-workers, and avoid sitting for more than an hour at a time.

NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?

No matter what your current level of physical activity may be, physical therapy can help you increase your fitness level, reduce your chance of injury, and eliminate pain from sore muscles.

Ready to see how physical therapy can help promote a healthy active lifestyle? Call our office today to schedule your initial consultation.

IN NEED OF QUICK RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY? TRY REHABILITATION!

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 10:15:02 GMT

Let’s face it, the idea of having an invasive surgery can be very scary. You’re not sure how the operation will go, and you might also not be clear on what to expect after you’re all sewed up and the anesthesia has faded away. Physical therapy offers precise recovery processes for people just like you who have undergone extensive operations that alter their levels of mobility.

We know that surgery can be a very daunting, worrisome event for most people, but you don’t have to face recovery alone. Call our office today to schedule a consultation. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and read these reasons to attend post-surgical rehab! They may be able to shed some light on how physical therapy leads to a better recovery.

3 REASONS TO UNDERGO POST-SURGICAL REHABILITATION

1. IT’S IMPORTANT TO START MOVING SAFELY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING SURGERY.

Believe it or not, a physical therapist will often begin introducing you to your recovery process within 24 hours of surgery! That’s a pretty quick turnaround time, huh? Multiple studies have found that patients who are up and moving right after surgery have faster recovery times than those who are allowed to rest and recover before rehabilitation.

Patients who have a knee or hip replacement are actually required to stand and walk within 24 hours, and there’s a good chance that your physical therapist will see you while you’re still in the hospital!

Patients who have surgery on other areas of the body are often referred to a physical therapist even before surgery, so they can begin therapy as soon as they are discharged from the hospital. The sooner you begin rehabilitation after surgery, the faster your recovery will be. The faster your recovery, the better your outcome!

2. PHYSICAL THERAPY REDUCES THE FORMATION OF SCAR TISSUE.

Scar tissue forms from inflammation and irritation around joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, making it difficult for the area to move. It almost goes without saying that if you’re having surgery, you should expect some hefty scar tissue along with it at some point. The two go hand in hand!

Anytime a surgeon has to cut layers of skin, fatty tissue, connective tissue, and muscles, they must be repaired as well. Your body will do its best to finishing what the surgeon started by forming scar tissue.

Once scar tissue has formed and solidified, it is difficult and painful to break. The sooner a physical therapist can help create movement in the area that has been affected by surgery, the less scar tissue will develop, the less pain a person will have during recovery. Even though physical therapy is often uncomfortable right after surgery, it is far less painful than waiting to begin rehabilitation in a few weeks or a month!

3. PHYSICAL THERAPISTS MOVEMENT EXPERTS.

Physical therapists specialize in body movement. We often forget that a physical therapist is a medical specialist. Not only have they completed extensive training and education, but they are also skilled diagnosticians. This means they’ll be able to determine what the underlying causes of your pain might be!

In your first meeting, your physical therapist will assess your current movement capabilities and discuss your surgical procedure. They will then schedule your post-surgical rehab appointments in a way that is appropriate for your goals and procedure.

Your first thought might be, “But isn’t it too soon?” or “There’s no way I’ll be ready.” However, it’s imperative that you trust their skill, experience, and expertise. Committing to physical therapy the way it is prescribed, with the recommended timing and order, will have you back to optimal health much faster than fighting the process.

Keep in mind that your physical therapist does rely on your honest when it comes to pain. If you are ever uncomfortable with an exercise, or something hurts to perform, don’t hesitate to speak up! It’s always a therapist’s goal to make sure their patient is feeling much better than they did when they arrived at an appointment — especially when that patient is in the process of recovering from an operation!

CONTACT US TODAY FOR HELP!

Are you looking at an impending operation? If it’s already on your calendar, you should plan to see a physical therapist right after surgery is over. Don’t wait to schedule your appointment with a physical therapist. Not only will they be able to outline your rehabilitation schedule and recovery process, but they may also have valuable insight into things you can do now to prepare for your surgery date. Call our office today and rest assured that our skilled therapists will have your best outcome in mind when it comes to your recovery.

SOURCE:

ARE YOU LIVING WITH ANY OF THESE 5 CONDITIONS? IF SO, CONSIDER PT!

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 10:08:03 GMT

5 SIGNS YOU MAY BE IN NEED OF PHYSICAL THERAPY!

Did you know that PT can be used to manage a variety of different conditions as a natural form of pain relief?

Unfortunately, it is usually not only until after attempting more conventional medical approaches such as surgery and prescription painkillers that people realize PT sessions are a fantastic way to relieve their chronic pain and other recurrent symptoms.

If you have any of these top five most common aches and pains, you may be a good candidate for physical therapy.

Keep reading to learn more about common conditions that can be treated with physical therapy and some of the top natural healing recommendations from our experienced physical therapists!

DO ANY OF THESE SOUND LIKE YOU?

1. TRAUMATIC INJURY

After experiencing a traumatic injury, your body requires plenty of time to heal and recover. But in today’s busy world, many people must get back to work as soon as possible following an injury.

Physical therapy can help your body to heal more quickly and efficiently after a traumatic injury or surgery. Physical therapy is an ideal post-surgical healing option and designed to help you reach your rehabilitation goals without the use of prescription pain medications.

2. JOINT PAIN

Arthritis and other forms of joint pain can increase in severity as we age. However, people of all ages are at risk of developing joint pain, especially following another traumatic injury.

And for those who are overweight or obese, joint pain can become a chronic health issue that prevents one from enjoying the simple things in life like taking a walk after mealtimes or getting in and out of the car with ease.

Joint injuries don’t always happen because of an accident. They can also develop slowly over months or even years. You might notice that the pain also ebbs and flows depending on the time of day. Certain sports, jobs, hobbies can cause you to put excessive stress on certain joints over and over again, which could very well lead to pain.

Working with a physical therapist to develop a personalized treatment plan can help to manage your joint pain and other symptoms naturally.

3. NECK PAIN

It’s common to experience neck pain for a variety of different reasons. You may notice neck pain spring up after an auto accident or as a result of poor posture.

Neck pain is often very difficult to cope with and treat with traditional medicine. However, physical therapy and massage can relieve the muscles in the neck, reduce swelling, and help to restore your natural mobility.

Physical therapy, regardless of the root cause of pain, has been shown to help with neck pain. For those trying to prevent costly procedures or dangerous drugs, physical therapy is a completely safe, natural, and effective mode of care.

4. HEADACHES

Recurring headaches are no laughing matter and can make getting through the day seem nearly impossible. In many cases, frequent headaches are a sign of injury in the neck or back.

Working with a physical therapist to target the cause of your recurring headaches can reduce the severity of your head pain or eventually eliminate them altogether.

In fact, as stated by Choose PT , “There is effective treatment for almost every type of headache.” Working with a physical therapist can help you identify tension-reducing exercises and help you find long-term relief from headaches without the need to rely on pain medication.

5. BACK PAIN

Back pain is one of the biggest reasons that Americans visit the doctor each year. Back pain can be the result of a wide variety of different injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions.

The World Health Organization estimates that in the United States, 149 million days of work are lost due to low back pain.

You may be experiencing back pain due to an overuse injury, a degenerative disease, sports injury, or other common environmental factors.

But whatever the cause, there’s a good chance that your back pain is preventing you from completing simple everyday tasks like getting out of bed or climbing the stairs without feeling pain.

Physical therapy can help to address the root cause of your pain, increase mobility, reduce inflammation and much more.

CONTACT OUR PT TEAM TODAY

If you or a loved one are struggling with recurrent pain after injury or as a result of a degenerative condition, physical therapy is a great way to help your body to heal naturally.

Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of physical therapy for pain management and healing?

Please contact our team for more information and be sure to schedule your initial consultation today!

LIVING WITH PAINFUL JOINTS? PT CAN HELP IN THESE 4 WAYS

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 08:48:02 GMT

Arthritis is a common joint pain problem that can affect people of all ages. While there is no cure for arthritis, with physical therapy, you can learn how to manage your arthritis pain naturally.

For many people with chronic arthritis pain, prescription pain medications may seem like the only way to relieve pain.

However, our experienced physical therapist recommends completing a variety of targeted exercises to reduce inflammation, increase mobility, and relieve your arthritis pain. Keep reading to learn more!

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP RELIEVE PAIN IN MY JOINTS?

If you have arthritis pain, our physical therapist recommends completing a few different physical therapy exercises to help ease your pain and other symptoms, such as stiffness.

Some of our favorite exercises are:

Hand Exercises — Rheumatoid arthritis can often result in limited use of the hands over time. By bending the wrists up and down, slowly curling your fingers, and spreading your fingers wide in a repetitive exercise cycle, you can greatly improve mobility and relieve chronic pain.
Water Exercises — This is a great low-impact way to get in your physical therapy exercises and relieve joint pain.
Walking — Going for a walk is a great way to improve your joint health, boost your overall mood, and help with aerobic conditioning.
Stretching — This simple exercise helps to improve flexibility, increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness caused by arthritis.

SO, WHY AM I EXPERIENCING PAIN IN MY JOINTS?

Because there are different types of arthritis, there is no major cause of this type of joint problem.

There are, however, certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood that you may develop arthritis in your lifetime.

GENDER

Did you know that women are much more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men? But on the other hand, men are more likely to develop gout.

PREVIOUS INJURY

If you’ve injured a joint in the past, you have an increased risk of developing arthritis in the same area later in life.

AGE

The risk of developing certain types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis and gout, increases as we age.

WEIGHT

When you are carrying excess weight on your body, you are putting increased strain on your joints. People with obesity have a greater chance of developing arthritis, particularly in the knees, hips, and spine.

FAMILY HISTORY

Certain types of arthritis can be genetic issues that run within family lines.

If your parents or siblings have a specific type of arthritis, you are much more likely to develop it at some point in your life as well.

HOW ELSE CAN PAIN THE JOINTS DEVELOP?

Can you believe that it’s possible to develop soft tissue pain from doing absolutely nothing? It’s strange, but true. Take for example, this condition called adhesive capsulitis, otherwise known as “ frozen shoulder .”

If you’ve had to wear a sling for a while, this is an uncomfortable condition you could end up having that can render your shoulder useless for quite some time.

Osteoarthritis is the most common condition that causes pain and stiffness.This condition can affect anyone at any age, but is most commonly found in older patients due to age-related deterioration of cartilage between bones in the joint. Osteoarthritis isn’t the only one to look out for. Rheumatoid arthritis is another painful, damaging joint condition caused by autoimmune problems.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS?

For most people with arthritis, joint pain is the most common complaint.

But depending on the type of arthritis an individual has, they may experience a variety of different symptoms, including:

Chronic pain
Impaired range of motion
Stiffness
Redness
Swelling

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT ARTHRITIS?

Arthritis is characterized by swelling or tenderness in one or more of the body’s joints. Joint pain and stiffness are the most common complaints of those with arthritis, and these symptoms may actually worsen with age.

While there are many types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joint begins to break down, resulting in recurring pain and stiffness.

However, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack different joints, starting with the actual lining of the joints and breaking them down over time.

CONSULT WITH A LICENSED PT TODAY

Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of physical therapy for arthritis pain?

Please contact us today to learn more, and be sure to schedule an initial consultation.

HERNIATED DISCS: UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSE OF YOUR BACK PAIN AND DISCOMFORT

Mon, 16 May 2022 08:39:30 GMT

Living with back pain can be aggravating, especially when it appears that nothing you do helps. It could be that a herniated disc is the culprit of your pain and discomfort.

If this is the case, a physical therapist can help you feel better and even help the injured disc heal. If you’re concerned about your back pain symptoms, please call our physical therapy clinic to schedule an appointment.

HERNIATED DISCS, DEFINED

A herniated disc happens when the gel-like core inside a spinal disc leaks out through a small tear in the disc’s outer layer. We often compare it to jelly leaking out of a jelly donut! When this happens, the injured disc tissue can irritate or compress nearby spinal nerves or joint structures and may cause pain and other symptoms.

Herniated discs are most common among men between 35 and 55 years old, although they can occur to anyone, especially if they have herniated disc risk factors such as:

Working a physically demanding job and/or frequent exposure to vibration, heavy lifting, or twisting and bending
Smoking habit
Obesity
Family history
Sedentary behavior

Herniated discs can develop gradually over time or occur suddenly as a result of an auto accident or other acute trauma. They’re most commonly found in the neck and lower back.

A slipped disc is frequently mistaken for a herniated disc. Discs, on the other hand, do not “slip.” They can herniate or “bulge” out of place, as described above. Something causes a disc to protrude out of its normal position in the spine in the case of a bulging disc, but the outer layer of the disc does not tear, so the inner gel-like core does not leak out. However, the symptoms and treatment of a bulging disc are frequently similar to those of a herniated disc.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A HERNIATED DISC

Herniated discs do not always cause pain or other symptoms, as you may be surprised to learn. Surprisingly, a herniated disc can be detected on an MRI even if the average person has no symptoms.

If a herniated disc does cause symptoms, however, the consequences can be severe. The following are some of the most common herniated disc symptoms:

Numbness and shooting pain in an arm or leg (if the herniated disc irritates a nearby nerve root that innervates that arm or leg)
Arm or leg weakness and altered reflexes (at our physical therapy clinic, some of our patients report issues like frequent tripping because the muscles that lift the foot become weak)
Decreased range of motion in the neck or back
Tense and painful muscle spasms near the injured disc
Pain that improves with certain movements but worsens with others (for example, herniated disc symptoms often get worse or move further into your arm or leg when you bend forward, and get better or move closer to your spine when you lean back or lay flat)

Consult a doctor, physical therapist, or other health professional to find out for sure what’s causing your back pain.

Keep in mind that it’s not always possible to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your symptoms. That’s fine, though: research shows that physical therapy treatment can be beneficial even when doctors are unable to provide an exact back pain diagnosis (so-called “idiopathic” cases).

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST TREAT HERNIATED DISC PAIN?

Physical therapy is regarded as the first line of defense in the treatment of herniated discs. A variety of examination tests and techniques can be used by your physical therapist to help clarify what’s going on and identify any underlying factors that may have contributed to your disc herniation.

People with a limited range of motion in their hips or weak core muscles, for example, are more likely to develop herniated discs. We can address these types of contributing factors and help reduce your chances of recurring disc problems by identifying them.

Other common treatments for a herniated disc that your physical therapist may recommend include:

Soft tissue massage
Non-invasive techniques such as therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, cold and hot therapy, and diathermy can help you heal faster, reduce spasms and inflammation, and improve your mobility.
Core strength and endurance, range of motion, and posture can all be improved with therapeutic exercises and stretches.
Orthotics and other types of adaptive equipment like walkers or long-handled reachers to help improve skeletal alignment and make it easier to perform daily tasks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers physical therapy a good alternative to prescription opioid medications for helping people with low back pain caused by herniated discs and other (non-cancer) related issues. Our physical therapy team also understands that sometimes pain medication is essential in the early phases of an injury in order to alleviate pain and minimize inflammation. That’s why we work collaboratively with your whole medical team to ensure you get the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation. If you have questions about your medications, be sure to talk to your prescribing physician.

Research also suggests that even after a herniated disc heals, a person may still experience prolonged pain. This can happen if the nervous system becomes increasingly sensitive in an attempt to protect you—and it’s something physical therapy can address through a technique known as therapeutic neuroscience education (TNE).

By helping you better understand what pain is and how it happens, we can actually help you experience less of it!

For our patients with herniated discs and other issues causing low back pain, we also provide education about proper body mechanics, ergonomics, self-pacing techniques, exercise programs, and more.

DON’T LET BACK PAIN KEEP YOU FROM LIVING YOUR LIFE

Contact our physical therapy clinic today if you’re suffering from herniated disc symptoms and want to avoid surgery or reduce your reliance on medications. We’ll be happy to set you up with a physical therapist who can get you on the road to pain relief as soon as possible.

SOURCES:

KICK CHRONIC HIP AND KNEE PAIN TO THE CURB

Sun, 01 May 2022 23:34:22 GMT

Joint pain is one of the most common forms of pain to develop with age. Whether as a result of wear and tear over time, or as a result of an injury that never healed correctly, joint pain can significantly interfere with your quality of life and ability to move around freely. Two of the most common places to develop joint pain is in the hips and knees.

If you’re dealing with nagging pain in your hips and knees, it’s time to take a stand and move forward from this problem, once and for all. Call our physical therapy clinic today to set up an appointment, and take your life back into your own hands!

TIRED OF COPING WITH CHRONIC HIP AND KNEE PAIN?

When you think about it, a majority of your daily comfort depends on your ability to move freely at your hips and knees. When joint pain strikes these areas, it can make it difficult to perform basic tasks like walking or transitioning between standing and sitting positions.

Joint pain in the hips and knees is frequently caused by problems with the muscles and tendons, and physical therapy can help to reduce inflammation in these areas, reducing pain and improving your quality of life by making it easier to move around.

Here are a few common strategies used in physical therapy that can help alleviate joint and hip pain:

Hot and cold therapy: This is a popular type of therapy that can be performed at home or under the supervision of a physical therapist. Ice is applied to the affected area to reduce swelling, and then heat is applied to increase mobility and relieve pain. Using these types of therapies in an alternating rotation can help you improve your mobility and decrease your pain.
Manual therapy: Manual therapy is a technique used by physical therapists to target specific areas of pain. These are hands-on techniques that can help you relieve pain in the areas where you’re having the most trouble. These strategies frequently include a combination of stretching exercises as well as massage therapy techniques. Your physical therapist may even recommend stretching techniques that you can do at home in some cases, but you should always consult with your physical therapist before trying anything new.
While some stretches can help alleviate pain, some stretches may put more pressure on your joints and therefore could actually worsen the pain. Always talk to your physical therapist before trying any new form of manual therapy.
Ultrasound therapy: In addition to these common types of therapeutic practices, physical therapists will frequently use enhanced imaging techniques to help identify the cause of a particular type of pain. These imaging techniques may include using tools like ultrasound therapy or laser therapy.

Your physical therapist will use an ultrasound device to identify problem areas while also providing deep heating within the tissues that are causing the pain during ultrasound therapy. The physical therapist will use lasers to increase circulation in the targeted area, target swelling, and improve cell growth and reproduction when laser therapy is used. These advanced techniques necessitate specialized equipment and can only be performed by a certified professional in an office setting.

CAN I HANDLE KNEE AND HIP PAIN AT HOME?

Your physical therapist will assist you in determining what is causing your hips and knees to hurt and will provide you with targeted therapies to address the problem while you are in physical therapy.

While going to physical therapy on a regular basis can help you recover from an injury and manage chronic pain, doing these activities with your physical therapist just once or twice a week won’t make a significant difference in your pain.

Your physical therapist will show you exercises you can do at home to help with hip and knee pain. Physical therapy techniques can be incorporated into a larger home-workout program that becomes a regular part of your daily routine in many situations.

As you work to overcome knee and hip pain, your physical therapist may suggest that you try some of the following exercises:

Swimming
Aqua Aerobics
Biking
Elliptical training
Yoga

OTHER HELPFUL FORMS OF EXERCISE TO CONSIDER FOR CHRONIC HIP AND KNEE PAIN

Exercises that remove pressure from the joints while targeting the surrounding muscles to help improve strength are often ideal for reducing knee and hip pain.

Aqua exercises are ideal for this because they relieve a lot of the pressure from the joints while still allowing you to stretch and move freely, allowing you to improve your range of motion. Similarly, opting for exercises like biking or running on an elliptical machine instead of a treadmill can help you to get a great cardio workout without having to put pressure on your joints as you would if you were running or walking.

While yoga is a great exercise for improving range of motion and decreasing inflammation, stay mindful about what types of yoga poses you are doing! There are some poses that could put more pressure on your hips and knees, and so should be avoided when you are already experiencing pain in those areas.

The best practice is to consult with your physical therapist before beginning any new exercises and to follow your physical therapist’s recommendations for what types of activities you should do at home on a regular basis.

CALL OUR CLINIC TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT

When it comes to overcoming knee and hip pain, physical therapy can be extremely beneficial. Physical therapy can help you find relief from chronic pain that has developed slowly over time, whether you’ve developed pain as a result of an injury or are looking to finally find relief from chronic pain that has developed slowly over time.

To learn more about how physical therapy can help you and to get started, contact your physical therapist.

7 REASONS TO START STRETCHING EVERY DAY

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 23:30:06 GMT

1. TAKE THE LONGEST — OR HARDEST — DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS

2. PAY FOR YOUR LUNCH — IN FOOTSTEPS

3. CONSIDER A STANDING DESK

4. FOOL YOURSELF INTO RUNNING ERRANDS

5. USE FITNESS BENEFITS AS AN INCENTIVE TO DO CHORES

6. KEEP EQUIPMENT HANDY

Stash a yoga mat or 5-pound weights under your bed. Hang resistance bands on a hook in the kitchen. That way, you’ll be far more likely to do a few reps while watching TV or waiting for the pasta to boil!

7. DON’T PUT OFF PHYSICAL THERAPY

The most obvious way physical therapy helps is by addressing the aches and pains that keep you from pursuing your active lifestyle. In addition, many physical therapy sessions are a workout in themselves, which helps you meet your weekly cardio and/or endurance goals. A physical therapist is also a great resource for giving you tips on tweaking your daily habits. He or She can go over what a normal day looks like for you and offer advice on how to make it a more active one. If chronic pain is an issue, your PT can show you specific moves that streamline the physical challenges.

Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free and more active life.

CHRONIC HEADACHE PAIN IS HOLDING YOU BACK? HERE COMES PT TO HELP!

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 23:28:14 GMT

Chronic stress-related headaches can severely impair your quality of life, preventing you from doing your job, spending time with your family, or going about your business in any way. As your headaches obstruct your ability to perform routine tasks, things can start to add up on your to-do list, and you may soon feel as if you’ve lost all control over your ability to complete even the most basic tasks—which can add more stress to your plate!

IT’S A VICIOUS LOOP THAT CAN LEAVE YOU FEELING LIKE YOU HAVE NO ESCAPE, BUT THERE IS A WAY OUT.

Physical therapy can help you to overcome chronic stress-related headaches. Working with a physical therapist can help you identify exercises that reduce tension and help you find long-term relief from headaches, without the need for reliance on pain medications.

WHY DO CHRONIC STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES OCCUR?

Stress can manifest in all sorts of ways, and finding ways around it isn’t always an option. Stress and physical tension can build from a wide array of activities, and some of those activities may be things that you genuinely enjoy doing, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t weighing on you, creating an added level of pressure that can manifest in painful headaches.

Stress is a common trigger for tension and migraine headaches. Rather than stressing about ways that you can outright avoid stress, it may be more helpful to think about strategies that will help alleviate headaches once they develop—as well as stress reduction techniques that may prevent the stress from reaching your head in the first place.

WHAT CAN I DO TO RELAX AND RID MYSELF OF STRESS?

If stress is producing headaches in your life, finding strategies to relax and minimize the stress build-up may be beneficial. Meditation, yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing techniques are some of the most prominent forms of stress reduction therapy. Listening to music, dancing, exercising, reading a book, or spending time with loved ones—especially pets—are all good ways to relieve stress.

Here are a few lifestyle habits that are shown to reduce stress:

Eat as healthy as possible. What you put into your body makes a big impact on what your body can handle. Try eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help prepare your body for the stress you need it to handle.
Do what is feasible. While it sometimes feels that the only way to manage stress is to squeeze as much into a day so that you can tackle your endless to-do list, sometimes what you need is to simplify your life. Ask yourself what needs to be done and focus on that.
Get enough sleep. Sleep isn’t something that can be compromised when it comes to managing stress. Staying up late to get a task done is only going to lead to more stress. Try to get a sufficient amount of sleep daily so that you can handle what’s ahead.

Working on modifying your response to stressors is one of the most effective ways to help lessen the impact that stress has on your life. Changing your mindset and becoming more open to things that used to freak you out can make a big difference in how your body handles stressful situations.

Try making simple shifts in the way that you think about stressful events. Simply shift from considering something as “impossible” to “tough, but possible.” Look at ways that you can rise to a challenge versus how overwhelming the challenge feels.

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPY PLAN HELP WITH CHRONIC STRESS HEADACHES?

If you’re suffering from chronic headaches as a result of stress, physical therapy could be able to help you get some relief. Stress headaches are frequently the result of strain in the neck and back. Working with a physical therapist can assist you in identifying areas of stress, reducing discomfort, and improving your quality of life.

There are several strategies that physical therapists often use to help with stress headaches. These include:

Massage: Identifying areas that have tension build-up and targeting them with massage therapy can help to alleviate head pain.
Hot and cold therapy: Applying hot and cold compresses in an alternating rotation can help to reduce tension and alleviate pain.
Manual exercises: Your physical therapist can help you to identify exercises that will help you reduce tension naturally by improving your range of motion and stretching your muscles in a relaxing manner.

CALL OUR CLINIC TODAY

If you’re suffering from chronic headaches as a result of stress, physical therapy could be able to help you get some relief. Working with a physical therapist can assist you in identifying areas of stress, reducing discomfort, and improving your quality of life. Call our clinic today to learn more about our therapeutic techniques and how they can help you find much-needed pain relief!

EASE THE STRESS OF ARTHRITIS WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 23:22:02 GMT

Almost a quarter of all American adults have arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This indicates that over 54 million people suffer from stiff, achy, swollen, and aching joints on a daily basis.

If you or a loved one suffers from arthritis in the neck, back, shoulders, wrists, hips, knees, or other joints, know that you are not alone in your struggle to find true, long-lasting pain relief!

Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief. Please contact our clinic to make an appointment with a physical therapist, and in the meantime, continue reading to learn how we can assist you!

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST RELIEVE ARTHRITIS PAIN?

Without the use of medicines, a physical therapist can help you control and relieve your arthritis joint discomfort. Physical therapy may potentially help you avoid surgery, such as a complete knee replacement or total hip replacement, by maximizing your joint health through the following strategies.

Here are the top five things a physical therapist can do for you or a loved one who suffers from arthritis:

1. USING ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE DAILY FUNCTIONS

2. TEACHING YOU THERAPEUTIC EXERCISES AND STRETCHES

Exercise is an important part of any successful physical treatment program, especially for people with arthritis. But how can you work out if you’re in excruciating pain?

Your physical therapist can also show you how to modify your home workout program in real-time to make you feel more successful and safe.

3. USING NON-INVASIVE PAIN-RELIEF MODALITIES

Our physical therapy team uses a range of non-invasive modalities that can enhance the healing effects of exercise and manual therapy techniques. These may include:

Electrical stimulation, including TENS
Cold or hot therapy, including cold packs or paraffin wax
Cold laser therapy
Kinesiotape
Therapeutic ultrasound
Dry needling

4. TRYING JOINT MOBILIZATIONS TECHNIQUES

5. PROVIDE YOU WITH PATIENT EDUCATION

By increasing your awareness about anatomy, pain, body mechanics, posture, ergonomics, and other relevant information, a physical therapist can help you gain a better understanding of your experience and what you can do (or avoid) to improve your comfort and quality of life.

ARE YOU HAVING JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

We invite you to think of us if you’re preparing for or recovering from a joint replacement surgery so you can make sure your outcomes turn out well!

IS ARTHRITIS PAIN HOLDING YOU BACK?

Don’t let daily struggles with arthritis pain get you down. Our physical therapy team can provide innovative, research-backed, and individualized services to ease your pain and help you achieve the things that matter to you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

SOURCES:

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/arthritis.htm

ACHIEVE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY INSTEAD OF OPIOIDS

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 23:11:23 GMT

Chronic pain may be a great burden, interfering with almost every part of your life to the point where it seems impossible to ever feel “normal” again.

Chronic pain can become increasingly difficult to manage as time passes, whether as a result of normal wear and tear or as a result of a traumatic event such as an injury or a car accident. Learning to cope with discomfort isn’t always possible, so rather than live in agony, many people seek ways to disguise it—often through the use of painkillers.

It’s time to find more appropriate strategies to manage your pain; strategies that can genuinely help to lower the severity of your chronic pain, while also having a major positive influence on your quality of life!

Instead of relying on drugs to manage pain in the long run, talk to your physical therapist about natural alternatives that could help you get real pain relief. Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH PRESCRIPTION PAIN KILLERS?

Let’s face it: pain pills and over-the-counter drugs have little effect on the healing of chronic pain.

While pain medications are sometimes advertised as the best answer for chronic pain, all they can do is provide a reprieve from the discomfort. The pain will return once the medication dose has worn off, and you may need to take larger and larger doses of pain medication to achieve the same amount of comfort. It’s not a pretty sight!

To add insult to injury (no pun intended!), many pain medications come with a long list of complications of their own. Many pain medications are opioid-based, which means that they are highly addictive and can cause damage to the body if used for a prolonged time.

For many people, the withdrawal period that occurs when they attempt to stop taking opioids is more severe than the initial pain itself, and in some situations, the use of pain medications for a long time can lead to an array of additional health issues, including damage to the intestines, liver, and even the heart.

Pain medications cannot be considered a primary therapy option for chronic pain relief. They also will not allow you to make a full return to a normal way of life. While opioids may be advised for short-term usage to help you overcome the agony of an accident, other treatment choices are safer and more effective at reducing pain and improving your quality of life.

WHAT NATURAL METHODS FOR PAIN RELIEF ARE THERE?

One of the most successful ways for getting relief from chronic pain is to work with a physical therapist. The biggest difference between physical therapy and pain medication for addressing chronic pain is that pain medication will never actually fix the source of the pain, it will only cover it up.

Physical therapy can assist you with identifying problem areas, targeting the true source of your pain, and providing you with solutions to help increase your range of motion and lessen discomfort, whether the pain is caused by an injury or wear and tear over time.

HOW DOES A PHYSICAL THERAPIST HELP RELIEVE PAIN WITHOUT MEDICATION?

Here are a few of the ways that your physical therapist can help you find relief from chronic pain:

Deep stretching: Your physical therapist can guide you through specialized stretching techniques that will target the source of your pain, thereby helping to improve your range of motion and support the development of muscle mass in the area of your pain.
Hot and cold therapy: The combination of hot and cold therapy can help to reduce swelling and alleviate pain, and when used in combination with other natural strategies can be a great source of relief from chronic pain.
Weight lifting: As you begin to experience tension relief and decreased swelling in the targeted area, your physical therapist can then guide you through the process of building muscle mass to support a full and healthy recovery.
Targeted massage: Your physical therapist can identify the area that may be causing the pain and utilize massage techniques to reduce tension in that particular area, thereby helping to alleviate pressure in your joints and reduce pain.

CALL OUR PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT

It’s time to get back to leading your life the way you want to, not the way your pain forces you to.

Physical therapy can often be used to help people overcome chronic pain. In some situations, such as when there is an injury like a torn tendon or damaged muscle, surgical repair may be necessary to help repair the damage prior to the use of physical therapy to restore range of motion.

Working with your physical therapist to utilize these natural strategies can help you to avoid the long-term use of medication, feel greater relief from pain, and experience improved quality of life in the process.

To start feeling better, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to request a consultation!

5 REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 23:01:58 GMT

Our physical therapists work with older adults, men, women, and children who are dealing with a variety of acute and chronic health issues at our clinic.

But we can assist with more than just pain! Our physical therapists have all completed advanced training in anatomy, human movement, and other areas. This means that a physical therapist can help you improve your function and quality of life in a variety of ways, as well as a variety of signs and symptoms other than “just” pain that we can alleviate and address at the source. Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

Ever wondered if physical therapy could help you? Keep reading to see our top signs that it may be time to consult with a physical therapist in your area.

1. YOU’RE FEELING OFF-BALANCE AND UNCOORDINATED.

How far your joints can move in all directions influences virtually every moment of the day. Arthritis or injury can hamper how far, and where, you can flex and extend your limbs and torso. From twisting your neck to see behind you when driving, to being able to move your knee freely, range of motion is crucial for both daily life and for fitness pursuits. Even if you’re fairly stiff now, doing more stretches each day will gradually reduce stiffness and increase flexibility.

2. YOU’RE EXPERIENCING DIZZY SPELLS.

When your calves start feeling a bit tight after a run, it’s obvious that more stretching is needed. But we sometimes forget the sheer interconnectedness of our bodies. If you’re experiencing lower back pain , for example, stretching your legs during physical therapy can be as important as stretching your back. In fact, your hips, upper thighs and your hamstrings can all play a big part in creating lower back pain relief. Likewise, improving your posture through stretching your torso can provide the kind of support you need to keep your spine from compressing, which helps you avoid shoulder and neck pain.

3. YOUR JOINTS FEEL WEAK, STIFF, OR UNSTABLE.

If you’re an athlete, you know that the more conditioning your joints, ligaments and muscles get, the greater your advantage in your sport. Bodybuilders can recover from their reps more quickly by stretching tightened muscles as a cool-down. Golfers can get a longer reach by increasing range of motion through the hips and shoulders. Swimmers can keep their strokes even by perfecting their balance through physical therapy stretching moves. In fact, there are few competitive sports for which stretching doesn’t offer an advantage.

4. YOU’VE SUSTAINED A SPORT OR WORK-RELATED INJURY.

There’s a certain amount of debate in the sports world about the degree to which pre- or post-workout stretching protects you from injury. But few people deny those stretches can contribute to injury prevention. A tense, shortened muscle is often an injury waiting to happen because it doesn’t work at peak performance. When you stretch, you’re also increasing your range of motion, while improving your balance. All of these factors can prevent you from making the types of moves that lead to injury, whether it’s coming down too hard on one foot, or twisting your back further than you should to compensate for lack of shoulder range.

5. YOU’VE RECEIVED A NEW HEALTH DIAGNOSIS OR EXPERIENCED A CHANGE IN EVERYDAY FUNCTION.

A physical therapist is licensed to treat a wide number of health conditions. So, if you recently received a new diagnosis, consider finding out if a physical therapist can be a helpful part of your medical team!

Conditions we treat at our physical therapy clinic include:

Amputations
Fibromyalgia
Low back pain
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Musculoskeletal conditions like muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, and impingement syndrome
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
Sciatica
Neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
Pediatric conditions including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and sensory processing disorders
Debility and weakness following prolonged hospitalization or treatment for an illness such as cancer, the flu, or COVID-19
Post-operative recovery from things like joint replacement and heart surgery

CALL A PHYSICAL THERAPIST TODAY FOR HELP

A physical therapist can work with you to provide efficient and effective relief from a range of concerns and health issues. Whether you have chronic pain or some other health concern, we invite you to contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment. It’d be our honor to join you on your journey toward better health and function!

PUT DOWN THE PAINKILLERS: A PT CAN PROVIDE YOU BETTER PAIN RELIEF!

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 22:54:22 GMT

On average, 130 people die of an opioid overdose every day in the United States. It’s a stunning statistic that sadly impacts nearly every community in our country since opioid abuse and addiction affect people from all walks of life.

Many people who become addicted to opioids were first prescribed them by a medical doctor as a way to manage an acute or chronic pain condition. The problem is, opioid medications only hide symptoms of pain—they don’t address the underlying causes, which makes opioids less cost-effective over time. They are also highly addictive and are associated with an increased risk of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and depression

Chronic pain is the biggest reason for people turning to opioid use for relief. It’s not the only option you have, however! We can connect you with a compassionate and highly skilled physical therapist who can help you alleviate your arthritis pain along with the other physical and mental symptoms associated with it. Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

3 WAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN ALLEVIATE YOUR PAIN

Unfortunately, in addition to an opioid epidemic in this country, researchers believe there is also a chronic pain epidemic, too.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 5 American adults report chronic pain caused by arthritis and other conditions. If you’re one of them, we encourage you to contact our physical therapy office today to schedule an appointment.

Medications, even opioids, may be appropriate in certain cases. But experts believe people with many types of chronic pain, including arthritis, should try physical therapy first. Here are three ways a physical therapist can help you to feel better, and stop using pain medications as a crutch!

1. PHYSICAL THERAPY WILL HELP YOU TO EXERCISE MORE OFTEN.

The better off you feel, the more often you’ll be able to exercise and participate in regular physical activity that can keep you healthier! Working out daily through strength training and aerobic exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve arthritis joint pain. However, if you are always in pain, you may not feel like you’re able to safely workout. This may lead to worsening joint function and even weight gain, which makes arthritis even worse. What to do? This is where physical therapy comes in.

Working with a physical therapist can help you manage your pain so you can get back to doing the activities you know are good for your body. A physical therapist can also assist you in learning how to move more safely, such as by teaching you efficient methods to move or pacing yourself so you don’t wind up being dangerous or doing so much that you end up laying in bed for days after your workout.

By fitting you for adaptive equipment such as canes, crutches, orthotics, and braces, our physical therapists can help you problem-solve and compensate for mobility constraints. These devices can be valuable tools that make you safer and more independent as you set out on your pain-relief journey.

2. PHYSICAL THERAPY ADDRESSES PAIN AT ITS SOURCE.

Yes, physical therapy is great for alleviating pain symptoms, but therapists can also find the source of your pain as well!

Physical therapy uses a combination of “passive” and “active” techniques to help people reduce their pain and improve their overall health and well-being. Unlike medication, physical therapy services can make you feel better while also correcting the underlying issues contributing to your condition.

Weak muscles or aberrant movement patterns, for example, might induce or exacerbate arthritis joint pain by increasing pressure in the affected joint. Physical therapy treatments such as therapeutic exercises and joint mobilizations can assist to alleviate these symptoms while reducing pain, inflammation, and improving joint range of motion.

Joint mobilization techniques, including spinal manipulation, can also modulate your nervous system and trigger the release of powerful pain-relieving chemicals in your body for significant relief and whole-body healing.

Other techniques your physical therapist may offer you for your arthritic joint pain include:

Exercises to improve balance, coordination, and strength
Breathing exercises
Soft tissue mobilization and massage
Modalities like electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and diathermy
Kinesiotaping
Training to improve posture and ergonomic set up at work or home

3. YOU’LL BETTER UNDERSTAND YOUR PAIN.

A person’s beliefs and fears about pain strongly influence how bad their pain feels and how long it lasts. Many things like stress, temperature, movement, and even acute illnesses like the flu or common cold can also make your chronic joint pain feel worse.

Research-backed techniques such as therapeutic neuroscience education (TNE) allow a physical therapist to help you explore your beliefs about pain and understand why pain happens. Simply increasing awareness is proven to help people feel less fearful of pain and be in better control of their symptoms. This is strikingly different than simply taking a pill and hoping it’ll make your pain go away.

According to the CDC, prescription opioids are not considered the best choice for many types of non-cancer-related chronic pain, including arthritis. Nonopioid approaches like physical therapy are the preferred first line of treatment.

A great physical therapist can help you live with less pain without having to rely on pricey and potentially harmful medications, and in many cases can help you avoid surgery.

DON’T LET CHRONIC PAIN CONTROL YOUR LIFE ANY LONGER

Living with chronic pain is a challenging situation that so many of our patients — and even some of our loved ones — have to face. Trust that we are here to help you, and we genuinely care about your wellbeing. If you’d like to finally see if drug-free pain relief is possible for you, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment.

NOT FEELING YOUR BEST? PROPER NUTRITION CAN HELP!

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 22:46:39 GMT

FEEL LIKE YOURSELF ONCE AGAIN WITH NUTRITIONAL CHANGES

Have you ever noticed how good stretching feels after a nap, when you first wake up in the morning, or after vigorous physical activity?

That good feeling just scratches the surface with the many health benefits you can get from regular stretching.

That’s why our physical therapist commonly recommends specific types of exercises to complement other physical therapy modalities. Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

WHY STRETCHING IS A BIG PART OF PT

Since stretching exercises offer so many important benefits, it’s not hard to see why we use them all the time in physical therapy.

Physical therapy can combine targeted stretches with strength-building exercises, massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, heat or cold therapy, and many other techniques to help you feel better and stay healthy.

We can also make sure you are doing the right stretches for your needs and show you how to perform them safely.

Below are five ways you can improve your health, comfort and function by simply stretching!

1. STRESS RELIEF

Emotional stress can often turn into physical stress in the form of muscle tension, sleep problems, and suppressed immune function. In other words, it can make you sick!

Stretching exercises can help to release the accumulated tension in your body while also calming your mind.

Stretches that include mindfulness work (such as yoga) can prove especially helpful for easing the stress that might otherwise impair your health.

2. CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF

Speaking of pain relief, you may be surprised and delighted to discover how just well stretching can work as a chronic pain management tool.

For instance, certain exercises can undo the painful muscle knots associated with tension headaches or chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.

It is also recommended to help control arthritis pain and stiffness. Our physical therapist can determine which kinds of stretches will best suit your needs.

3. INCREASED BLOOD FLOW

Stretching doesn’t just relax your muscles; it also helps them receive the nourishment they need.

That’s because when your muscles are tight and stiff, blood doesn’t flow through them as easily – and blood contains the oxygen and other nutrients necessary for optimal tissue health and performance.

Stretching to ease that muscle tension gives your circulation a welcome boost. The same effect also helps your tissues rid themselves of unwanted, pain-causing substances such as lactic acid.

4. INJURY PREVENTION

Athletic events, physical training, or demanding labor can leave you with a painful strain or sprain, especially if those tissues were “cold” when they were subjected to their burdens.

Gentle, careful stretching before a challenging activity can reduce your risk of acute injury. Doing it immediately after your activity will also remove any muscle tension that may have accumulated during your strenuous activity.

5. INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

Are you frustrated because you don’t seem to have the same range of motion that you once did? A variety of musculoskeletal challenges can reduce your flexibility, creating stiffness and making certain motions uncomfortable or even impossible.

Stretching can gently coax the stiffness out of tight tissues. Depending on the cause and location of your stiffness, our physical therapist may prescribe exercises such as hamstring thigh hip, chest, shoulder, upper back, or bicep/tricep stretches to loosen you up and improve your mobility.

CAN NUTRITION HELP WITH MY CONDITION?

There are a number of common conditions that directly relate to nutrition and diet.

Here are some of the conditions in which nutrition advice is likely to be part of the patient’s physical therapy regimen:

Inflammation: American diets tend to have a lot of vegetable oils and other inflammatory foods in them. This can make the pain from inflammation even worse. In many cases, a physical therapist will prescribe a diet with more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods to help manage pain.
Obesity: Pain related to obesity can become a vicious cycle. Being overweight causes a patient pain, so they become more sedentary. Becoming more sedentary causes them to gain more weight, which leads to more pain.
Osteoarthritis: Obese patients are more likely to develop arthritis, especially in the knee. Once a person has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, managing their weight becomes the most important key to managing the arthritis and pain.
Autoimmune Disorders: The combined total of various autoimmune disorder patients (such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis) now outnumber cancer patients in America by a wide margin. Autoimmune disorders are frequently linked directly to deficiencies in a patient’s diet.
Diabetes: Diabetes and pre-diabetes pave the way for more serious conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and blindness. More than 90 percent of patients with diabetes also experience neuropathic pain. Diet and nutrition will play a key role in managing these conditions.

NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?

Our physical therapist has a detailed understanding of how nutrition (both good and bad) affects physical health, well-being, and comfort.

If you have been dealing with chronic pain and inflammation, visit our physical therapy clinic in Mayfield, OH. We can evaluate your situation and recommend the necessary changes to make you feel better!

ARE YOU STRETCHING FREQUENTLY? IF NOT, HERE’S 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD!

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 22:39:26 GMT

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS BY STRETCHING!

Have you ever noticed how good stretching feels after a nap, when you first wake up in the morning, or after vigorous physical activity?

That good feeling just scratches the surface with the many health benefits you can get from regular stretching.

WHY STRETCHING IS A BIG PART OF PT

Since stretching exercises offer so many important benefits, it’s not hard to see why we use them all the time in physical therapy.

We can also make sure you are doing the right stretches for your needs and show you how to perform them safely.

Below are five ways you can improve your health, comfort and function by simply stretching!

1. STRESS RELIEF

Emotional stress can often turn into physical stress in the form of muscle tension, sleep problems, and suppressed immune function. In other words, it can make you sick!

Stretching exercises can help to release the accumulated tension in your body while also calming your mind.

Stretches that include mindfulness work (such as yoga) can prove especially helpful for easing the stress that might otherwise impair your health.

2. CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF

Speaking of pain relief, you may be surprised and delighted to discover how just well stretching can work as a chronic pain management tool.

For instance, certain exercises can undo the painful muscle knots associated with tension headaches or chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.

It is also recommended to help control arthritis pain and stiffness. Our physical therapist can determine which kinds of stretches will best suit your needs.

3. INCREASED BLOOD FLOW

Stretching doesn’t just relax your muscles; it also helps them receive the nourishment they need.

Stretching to ease that muscle tension gives your circulation a welcome boost. The same effect also helps your tissues rid themselves of unwanted, pain-causing substances such as lactic acid.

4. INJURY PREVENTION

Athletic events, physical training, or demanding labor can leave you with a painful strain or sprain, especially if those tissues were “cold” when they were subjected to their burdens.

5. INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

SO, WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT STRETCHING?

It is also quite common for a physical therapist to prescribe various stretching exercises for individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions. Stretching is of particular importance when you become less mobile due to issues such as osteoarthritis. The less you move your joints, the more likely your muscles and connective tissues will be to lose some of their length.

This change clearly limits your joint motion even further and leaves you in even more pain. Stretching naturally supports PT recommendations such as walking, heat therapy, or massage therapy, in order to increase blood flow to painful joints and widen your pain-free range of motion.

Chronic pain syndromes often involve muscle tightness. Syndromes such as fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome can cause muscle knots that limit muscle movement, resulting in pain to other parts of the body. Regular stretching can help you untie those painful knots.

GET STARTED TODAY!

Are you ready to stretch your way to a happier, healthier lifestyle?

Please contact our PT center today to learn more and schedule an appointment. We don’t stretch the truth when we say we can help!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR BACK PAIN? IT COULD BE A HERNIATED DISC

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 22:31:29 GMT

DISCOVER HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU RELIEVE HERNIATED DISC PAIN

Arthritis is a general term that actually encompasses hundreds of different diseases. Whether you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other type of arthritis, two of the primary symptoms are inflammation and joint pain. Whatever type of arthritis you suffer from, you’re likely struggling to overcome varying degrees of pain. If you are taking opioids for arthritis pain, we’re here to let you know that there is a better option. Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

If you’ve ever injured your back in a car crash, high-impact sports injury, or work-related accident, you know just debilitating chronic back pain can be. As awful as you might feel though, typically this kind of pain is acute and goes away on its own at some point. Chronic back pain is different because it hangs on long after an acute injury or another ailment occurs.

Technically, back pain is categorized as chronic if it continues for at least 3 months — and in many cases, chronic back pain can haunt a person for years. This is especially true if your back pain stems from an irreversible or progressive condition. If you’re suffering from unexplained back pain, it’s a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional.

WHAT DOES PT FOR HERNIATED DISCS LOOK LIKE?

Before anything can be done to soothe your pain, the reason for it needs to be determined. Chronic back pain can be caused by many underlying issues , from an acute injury that failed to heal correctly to chronic health problems such as:

Physical or postural imbalances that lead to chronic muscle strain and soreness
Muscle knots associated with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and other chronic problems
Herniated discs that compress spinal nerve tissue
Excess weight from obesity or pregnancy
Congenital deformities such as scoliosis
Chronic muscle or connective strain due to stress, overuse, or repetitive motion
Arthritis in the facet joints that mobilize your spinal column
Degenerative disc disease, a condition in which the spinal discs bulge and flatten

Chronic back pain doesn’t always limit itself to your back. Conditions that involve pinched nerve roots may send pain and other odd sensations into your upper or lower extremities.

WHY DID I DEVELOP A HERNIATED DISC?

Opioids are powerful narcotics that work to cause numb relief. They have the ability to bind to the brain’s opioid receptors and to limit the messages of pain sent to the brain. Both oxycodone and morphine are considered to be opioids.

While opioid drugs may be beneficial when carefully used over a short period of time, they are not without serious drawbacks. They are highly addictive and they often interact with other drugs. Approximately 42,000 deaths related to opioid overdoses occurred in 2016.

If you are currently taking some type of opioid for your arthritis pain, it is important to know that there is a safer alternative that can reduce and even eliminate pain.

HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE A HERNIATED DISC?

Herniated discs are one of the most common back pain complaints. They typically occur in people aged 35 to 55 years but can affect physical therapy patients of all ages.

Herniated disc pain presents itself in a variety of ways depending on a person’s age, body type, and physical condition.

In certain cases, a herniated disc may show no outward symptoms at all. But for those dealing with recurring pain from a herniated disc, the following symptoms are also common:

Neck spasms affecting the muscles in the neck and shoulder area.
Neck pain that stays centered in the back and side areas of the neck. This type of pain can increase in severity when bending or turning the neck.
Pain radiating out from the shoulder, arm, and sometimes traveling down to the hands and fingers.
Pain in the shoulder blade area.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

If you have had recurrent back pain or pain near your neck or shoulder, it may be a sign of a herniated disc.

By using targeted treatments and physical therapy exercises, our physical therapist can help you manage your herniated disc pain and prevent the use of prescription drugs or more invasive treatment options for pain.

Please contact us today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation!

OPIOIDS DON’T NEED TO BE THE ANSWER FOR ARTHRITIS PAIN RELIEF

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 22:25:05 GMT

FIND RELIEF FOR YOUR JOINT PAIN THE NATURAL WAY!

COMMON CAUSES OF CHRONIC BACK PAIN

Physical or postural imbalances that lead to chronic muscle strain and soreness
Muscle knots associated with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and other chronic problems
Herniated discs that compress spinal nerve tissue
Excess weight from obesity or pregnancy
Congenital deformities such as scoliosis
Chronic muscle or connective strain due to stress, overuse, or repetitive motion
Arthritis in the facet joints that mobilize your spinal column
Degenerative disc disease, a condition in which the spinal discs bulge and flatten

Chronic back pain doesn’t always limit itself to your back. Conditions that involve pinched nerve roots may send pain and other odd sensations into your upper or lower extremities.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT OPIOIDS?

If you are currently taking some type of opioid for your arthritis pain, it is important to know that there is a safer alternative that can reduce and even eliminate pain.

IS ARTHRITIS IMPACTING YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?

If you’re struggling with osteoarthritis, you’re likely to experience pain, stiffness, and limited flexibility. Rheumatoid arthritis may cause similar symptoms and may affect organs in the body.

Psoriatic arthritis and gout are also types of arthritis that can cause varying levels of pain, inflammation, and mobility. Arthritis pain may affect even the simplest of daily activities.

Washing, cooking, and walking up and down the stairs can prove difficult with any of these types of arthritis. The severity of the pain may also change on a daily basis. Because of this, it can become too easy to rely on powerful pain medications to cope with arthritis pain.

GET STARTED TODAY

Even if you are already taking opioids, an individualized physical therapy program may help you reduce the amount of medication you are taking.

To find out how you can reduce arthritis pain, contact us or visit us in Mayfield Heights or Euclid, OH to set up an appointment with a physical therapist!

3 SIMPLE CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR DIET FOR PAIN RELIEF

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 22:18:16 GMT

We truly are what we eat. If you have chronic pain, you should consider the fact that what you put on your fork could be making your aches and pains worse. Scientific evidence shows that the things we eat can influence our experience of pain—whether by alleviating an underlying health condition or exacerbating it.

If you don’t know whether or not you’re eating the right food groups, our physical therapist team is happy to educate you about making smarter choices in your diets so that your physical therapy treatment plan will be more effective overall! Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief. We encourage you to call our clinic today if you’d like to set up an appointment with a physical therapist and see how your food can help with your mood and function. In the meantime, here are three small but effective ways you can relieve your pain with a healthier diet.

1. MAKE SURE TO DRINK ENOUGH WATER.

Did you know that our bodies are mostly made up of water? It’s important that we replenish ourselves sufficiently throughout the day to replace the water we lose with movement, metabolism, sweating, and other basic physiological functions.

Drinking enough water can also keep your tissues healthy and may help reduce pain and stiffness in your joints. So in addition to consuming water-rich foods like veggies and fruits, it’s also important to drink filtered or spring water regularly.

You might be wondering, how much water is enough? Good question! Aim for about one-third to one-half of your body weight in fluid ounces per day. This is typically a rule of thumb for most people, but you may need more or less depending on your health, activity, and environment.

2. CUT BACK ON INFLAMMATORY FOODS.

Foods known to promote damaging inflammation in the body include dairy, gluten, trans fats, and perhaps the most notorious of all—sugar. Chronic inflammation has been linked with everything from arthritis to Alzheimer’s disease.

Minimizing or completely eliminating inflammation-inducing foods from your diet is one of the best ways to help reduce your pain symptoms. Keep in mind that if you eat these things regularly and then suddenly stop consuming them, you may actually notice a brief flare-up of your pain and other symptoms like headaches, food cravings, and irritability. This can happen if your body is so used to having these substances in your body that removing them causes withdrawal-like symptoms!

Don’t worry about this though. It’s not an excuse to go back to eating an unhealthy diet! Fortunately, most people see these issues resolve within a week or two.

3. HEALTHY FATS ARE GOOD!

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like eggs, nuts, and fish. They decrease inflammation and promote a healthier gut and immune system, all of which can lead to improved pain management.

Eating more of these foods and adding a high quality omega-3 fatty acid supplement is essential for people with chronic pain. This is especially true since many of us consume too little omega-3 and too much omega-6, which is found in things like vegetable oils. When you can, you should use olive oil instead of vegetable oil in your cooking!

The standard American diet has a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, which has been shown to promote inflammation. Increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption helps normalize this ratio and will improve tissue health throughout the body. Other nutrients that help reduce inflammation include antioxidants, phytonutrients, and vitamins and minerals like magnesium and Vitamin C, which are rich in foods like leafy green vegetables and berries.

STILL, WANT SOME MORE NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE?

Physical therapy can provide you with more information about the right diet you should adopt, as well as get you started with a healthy exercise regime. If you want help dishing up healthy and pain-relieving meals that can enhance your injury recovery or chronic pain condition, contact our physical therapy clinic today or visit us in Mayfield Heights, and Euclid, OH and schedule an appointment. We’d be happy to offer you comprehensive and customized guidance!

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH CHRONIC PAIN! DON’T LIVE IN DISCOMFORT ANY LONGER

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 22:13:31 GMT

DISCOVER RELIEF FOR YOUR ACHES AND PAINS TODAY

Chronic back pain is a pain that lasts for three months and is longer. This type of pain can occur for a variety of reasons, including spinal arthritis, ageing, disc problems, and myofascial pain syndrome.

With spinal arthritis, the slow thinning of the cartilage inside the spine can result in pain. With a herniated or bulging disc, compression may occur around your surrounding nerves, resulting in pain. With spinal stenosis, there is a narrowing of the spine, which can lead to nerve pain. With myofascial pain syndrome, you may experience unknown muscle tenderness and pain. Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

Whatever the cause of your back pain, it doesn’t have to be a part of your daily life.

WHAT CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY DO FOR MY CHRONIC PAIN?

If your back pain is caused by spinal stenosis or a bulging disc, a physical therapist may initiate a targeted movement program to reduce numbness, pain, or weakness. Progressive movement exercises such as McKenzie exercises may be included in your physical therapy program to treat a wide range of causes of back pain.

Stabilization exercises to retrain deep muscles may also be included. Your physical therapist will also show you how to use the right spinal and abdominal muscles before starting any exercise to stabilize the spine. Manipulation is another technique for alleviating chronic back pain where short and rapid movements are performed over the joint to reduce pain and increase mobility.

Physical therapists also use multiple passive modalities to reduce back pain. Heat and cold therapy may be used to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Ultrasound is another common passive modality used by physical therapists that incorporates deep heating sound waves that penetrate soft tissue.

Not only does this method relieve back pain, but it also aids in the healing of the affected area. A physical therapist may order a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit. This unit helps to overcome the painful signals sent to the brain. It can be used both at home and in the long term. Deep tissue massage is another common therapy for chronic back pain. This manual method increases oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas for healing and also helps reduce muscle spasms and stiffness.

According to the NCBI, “In chronic low back without serious pathology, recommended primary conservative physical treatment preferences include exercise, yoga, biofeedback, progressive relaxation, massage, manual therapy, physical therapy and interdisciplinary rehabilitation. A recent literature review with meta-analysis in patients with chronic lower back pain found moderate- to high-quality evidence that McKenzie exercises in physical therapy were superior to other rehabilitation interventions in reducing pain and disability.”

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?

As stated by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,

“While acute pain is a normal sensation triggered in the nervous system to alert you to possible injury and the need to take care of yourself, chronic pain is different. Chronic pain persists. Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years.

There may have been an initial mishap — sprained back, serious infection, or there may be an ongoing cause of pain — arthritis, cancer, ear infection, but some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage. Many chronic pain conditions affect older adults.

Common chronic pain complaints include headache, low back pain, cancer pain, arthritis pain, neurogenic pain (pain resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves or to the central nervous system itself), psychogenic pain (pain not due to past disease or injury or any visible sign of damage inside or outside the nervous system).

A person may have two or more co-existing chronic pain conditions. Such conditions can include chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, interstitial cystitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and vulvodynia. It is not known whether these disorders share a common cause.”

Chronic pain affects every person differently. In many cases, the pain continues long after the body is healed from the injury or surgery.

The good news is that physical therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach to pain relief. Your physical therapist has many tools and techniques at their disposal to help relieve and overcome chronic pain.

Chronic pain has a number of symptoms associated with it, apart from the fact that it lasted more than three months.

Here are some of the symptoms commonly associated with chronic aches and pain:

Decreased activity: Inactivity due to chronic pain can cause your muscles to weaken and shrink. This can have profound physical effects over time, such as impacting your sense of balance.
Decreased circulation: Remaining inactive due to chronic pain reduces your circulation, which means your cells are not receiving a healthy amount of blood and oxygen. This can cause tissues to degenerate and lead to feelings of constant fatigue.
Avoiding activities: People with chronic pain become fearful of normal activities. The fear of additional pain can cause people to withdraw from normal physical activities that they enjoy.
Stiffness: Muscles and joints may feel stiffer when suffering from chronic pain.
Increased weight: People with chronic pain may put on too much weight, which can lead to a host of added problems, from diabetes to heart disease.

READY TO FIND RELIEF?

If you have back pain, it’s time to take action. Schedule a physical therapy assessment today. Your physical therapist will work with your doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific condition.

With both active and passive treatment methods, you will be on the road to pain reduction or even elimination. At the end of the road, you will be able to move about your daily life with reduced or no pain in your regular activities!

TIRED OF LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN? IT’S TIME TO TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY ON FOR SIZE!

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 22:04:51 GMT

Here’s a wild fact: According to the CDC, an estimated 20.4% of U.S. adults had chronic pain and 8.0% of U.S. adults had high-impact chronic pain. Both were more prevalent among adults living in poverty, adults with less than high school education, and adults with public health insurance. Moreover, experts predict chronic pain will increase in prevalence as people age into later adulthood.

As pain changes and the likelihood of more individuals experiencing it increases, finding relief for pain also continues to evolve. This is especially true as health providers become more concerned over the use of narcotics and opioids to treat chronic pain. However, understanding more about chronic pain and obtaining physical therapy may alleviate your pain.

Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, call our clinic today to learn more about the options you have for pain management and relief. We promise you, a change is coming!

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE CHRONIC PAIN?

While it’s true that pain is a natural way for the body to alert a person of a problem, it can rise to a heightened level that makes it very hard for you to go about your normal routine. Chronic pain persists for weeks, months, or even years explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

When pain is unrelenting, it can have severe and lasting impacts on a person’s daily life. Chronic pain may include pain associated with arthritis, cancers, infection, and even when no past injury or health problem exists. Although chronic pain generally affects the back or a specific muscle group, it can also be experienced in your hips, knees, legs, ankles, hands, and neck as well.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC PAIN: CAN IT REALLY HELP?

The answer is yes, it can. As opioid overuse became a public health crisis, health providers have started to think about other ways to manage chronic pain. According to Move Forward PT, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends the use of non-drug approaches over the use of prescription painkillers.

Unlike over the counter medications, which simply place a “bandage” over the issue causing you pain, physical therapy works to address the root problem.

Since causes of chronic are often associated with damage to a joint or muscle group, improving the range of motion of joints may improve symptoms. In this case, more movement of joints encourages the body’s natural response to improve mobility and muscle tone, endurance, and strength. As a result, pain decreases.

For people with known injuries, treating injuries with physical therapy serves additional purposes. These include improving circulation to the joint and tissues to promote healing, as well as helping a person learn to move the joint without risking additional damage.

One example of how failure to move frequently contributes to soreness is a long road trip. Think about it, how did you feel the last time you sat in a car without getting out to stretch your legs for over an hour? Probably pretty stiff and achy! Over time, the limited motion will cause pain during movement. So, routine treatment with a physical therapist may reduce the risk for chronic pain, as well as improve symptoms for those living with it today.

COMMON CAUSES OF CHRONIC PAIN

You heard it here folks: treating chronic pain means managing the original cause. Not slapping a bandaid over it with medication and hoping it goes away tomorrow!

Take, for example, someone living with tissue damage from a past fall or accident. In order for their problem to completely be solved, they need to address the underlying actual issue. It could be a herniated disk, poor posture, obesity, arthritis, past fractures, or even nerve damage they weren’t aware of. The list is endless, but a physical therapist will be able to determine the actual cause.

Certain health problems may increase the risk for damage to joints and muscles as well, contributing to a loss of motion and the buildup of tension. For those without a root problem, turning to medications can feel like the only solution. However, a quick scan of recent news reports reveals many dangers exist in medication treatment for chronic pain, especially opioids.

READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO NAGGING ACHES AND PAINS? CALL US TODAY.

It’s time to stop relying on over-the-counter medication to get rid of your pain symptoms. You must accept that they won’t and that greater action must be taken if you ever want true pain relief.

Chronic pain does not always require advanced medication treatment. Instead, physical therapy and understanding more about the causes of chronic pain may be the best solution, and in fact, they carry less risk for injury, resulting in fewer side effects and elimination of the risk for addiction. To learn more about how therapy could help with your chronic pain, schedule your appointment at our clinic today!

STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES CAN BE BOTHERSOME – FORTUNATELY, PT CAN HELP

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 21:58:31 GMT

DISCOVER RELIEF FOR YOUR HEADACHES TODAY!

Headaches are a common issue that can plague everyone from pre-teens to retirees. However, when recurrent tension or stress-related headaches make it difficult to get through your day, physical therapy may be needed to provide long-lasting pain relief.

Physical therapy can help you overcome stress-related headaches. In fact, as stated by Choose PT, “There is an effective treatment for almost every type of headache.” Working with a physical therapist can help you identify tension-reducing exercises and help you find long-term relief from headaches without the need to rely on pain medication.

Our experienced physical therapists have the skills needed to target the root cause of your headaches. Additionally, they can create a tailored treatment plan that is safe and effective.

Our innovative care strategies at Mayfield Physical Therapy will help you find quick relief.

Tired of dealing with irritating and painful headaches? Keep reading to learn how to benefit from physical therapy.

WHY AM I EXPERIENCING HEADACHES?

Physical or postural imbalances that lead to chronic muscle strain and soreness
Muscle knots associated with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and other chronic problems
Herniated discs that compress spinal nerve tissue
Excess weight from obesity or pregnancy
Congenital deformities such as scoliosis
Chronic muscle or connective strain due to stress, overuse, or repetitive motion
Arthritis in the facet joints that mobilize your spinal column
Degenerative disc disease, a condition in which the spinal discs bulge and flatten

Chronic back pain doesn’t always limit itself to your back. Conditions that involve pinched nerve roots may send pain and other odd sensations into your upper or lower extremities.

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST HELP?

Physical therapy can help to reduce the pain associated with headaches while working to restore proper function and a full range of motion in the neck and shoulder areas.

Typically, there are 2 different types of physical therapy treatments that are ideal for relieving chronic headaches, these include:

CONSULT WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST TODAY!

If you or your loved one have had recurrent headaches, you can find quick and effective pain relief with regular physical therapy.

Are you interested in learning more about the many benefits of physical therapy for tension headaches? Call us today and be sure to schedule an initial consultation with one of our friendly physical therapists!

PASSIVE THERAPIES

Soft tissue mobilization
Ultrasound
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS
Ultrasound
Massage therapy
Alternating heat and ice therapy

Depending on the severity and cause of your headaches, our physical therapist may suggest a combination of physical therapy treatment methods to provide pain relief. However, because each person responds differently to headache pain, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no “one size fits all” treatment plan.

Because physical therapy targets the muscles and joints, it is an effective treatment option for those who experience tension headaches or stress-related headaches, and headache pain that radiates down into the jaw, neck, and shoulder areas.

Over time, our physical therapist aims to not only reduce your pain but hopefully prevent recurring headaches altogether. The primary goal of physical therapy is to not only provide pain relief but to increase mobility, improve posture, and help strengthen the muscles that control your neck, shoulders, and upper back areas.

With all physical therapy treatment plans, our patients will receive helpful educational information that will help them to complete pain relief exercises at home to supplement in-office visits.

6 COMMON CAUSES OF JOINT PAIN AND HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 21:51:45 GMT

CAUSES OF JOINT PAIN

If you’ve ever ruptured a joint ligament or fractured a bone in a joint, you’ve probably experienced a lot of pain that has kept you from leading a normal life. This is known as acute joint pain. But in some ways, chronic joint pain can be much more debilitating as it haunts you for month after month, and year after year.

This kind of joint pain is commonly caused or worsened by the following six conditions:

Rheumatoid arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by abnormal immune system responses that attack the linings of joints, producing bouts of swelling, pain, stiffness, and joint damage.
Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a progressive, usually age-related degeneration of the cartilage that normally cushions a joint’s bone ends.
Degenerative disc disease – Age-related bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and other spinal changes can cause serious joint pain in the neck or back.
Musculoskeletal imbalances – If your muscles suffer from uneven development, you may be unable to sustain symmetrical posture. This can create muscle spasms and trigger points that refer pain to the joints.
Excess weight – The heavier you are, the more pressure your weight-bearing joints must withstand. These pressures can lead to premature joint deterioration and joint tissue strain.
Non-ergonomic working conditions – An improperly-positioned workstation or other awkward workplace arrangements can force your body into stressful, painful positions.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN BATTLE YOUR PAIN

Surgery: Recovery from surgery can be painful and extensive. There’s always the chance of infection and sometimes surgery simply doesn’t produce the intended results. While surgery may be effective in some cases, it’s not without its drawbacks and should be used as a last resort.

Pain Medication: Prescription pain meds are sometimes used to treat knee and hip pain. Medication normally doesn’t solve the issue, but only temporarily reduces the pain. Medications, even over-the-counter meds, can be addictive and expensive.

SAY GOODBYE TO ACHING JOINTS…

Joint pain may feel like it runs your life, but it doesn’t have to. If you want to get your old routine back, it’s time to contact a professional. Call a physical therapist at our clinic today to learn more about how our customized treatment programs can help you get back to a normal, pain-free way of living. Call our office today!

SOURCES:

FIGHTING CHRONIC PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 21:44:55 GMT

TREAT YOUR CHRONIC PAIN SAFELY!

Any pain that lasts longer than three months is classified as “chronic.” When people have chronic pain for a long time, it can become a downward spiral. As a result of the pain, they become more inactive and sedentary, and more often than not, their health worsens.

People with chronic pain may even turn to extreme options, such as surgery or addictive painkillers, to try to find relief from pain. If you have chronic pain but want a non-invasive, non-addictive relief option, it’s time to get in touch with our office and talk to a physical therapist.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME FIND RELIEF?

The course of therapy recommended by your physical therapist will be tailored to meet your specific needs and objectives. After an initial consultation and examination, your therapist will do their best to work with you on methods to begin to overcome your chronic aches and pains.

This is going to start with education. Your therapist will explain how your pain developed and what can be done to relieve it. The goal will initially be to manage pain, so that you can eventually get back to enjoying your normal routine.

Exercise, stretching, and flexibility are all part of physical therapy. Becoming stronger and more flexible over time will make it easier for you to move around with less pain. This is going to be a slow and gradual process – exercises will focus on the slow, steady and gradual improvement of your strength and flexibility.

Manual therapy is a specialized type of massage that physical therapists are trained to perform. These techniques will be used to mobilize tight joints that contribute to pain, and to manipulate soft tissues for relief. This technique may be very therapeutic when dealing with chronic pain.

Finally, posture and body mechanics training will be a major part of your physical therapy. Learning how to use correct posture at home, at work, and at rest can help to relieve pain and prevent recurrence of pain. All these treatment modalities will help you return to normal life without invasive surgery or painkillers.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CHRONIC PAIN?

As stated by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ,

A person may have two or more coexisting chronic pain conditions. Such conditions can include chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, interstitial cystitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and vulvodynia. It is not known whether these disorders share a common cause.”

This pain ain affects each person differently. In many cases, the pain continues long after the body is healed of injury or a surgical procedure.

This has a number of symptoms associated with it, apart from the fact that the pain lasted more than three months.

Here are some of the symptoms associated with chronic aches and pains:

Weight Gain and Additional Problems: People with chronic pain may put on too much weight, which can lead to a host of added problems, from diabetes to heart disease.
Reduced Circulation: Remaining inactive due to chronic pain reduces your circulation, which means your cells are not receiving a healthy amount of blood and oxygen. This can cause tissues to degenerate and leads to feelings of constant fatigue.
Reduced Fitness: Inactivity due to chronic pain can cause your muscles to weaken and shrink. This can have profound physical effects over time, such as impacting your sense of balance.
Stiffness: Muscles and joints may feel stiffer when suffering from chronic pain.
Activity Avoidance: People with chronic pain become fearful of normal activities. The fear of additional pain can cause people to withdraw from normal physical activities that they enjoy.

READY TO GET STARTED?

If you have suffered from chronic aches and pains, take the first step today to overcome your condition.

C all our office to schedule a physical therapy appointment.

DISCOVER LASTING RELIEF FOR YOUR HIP AND KNEE PAINS

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 21:40:32 GMT

ARE YOU LIVING WITH HIP AND KNEE PAINS?

The knee is considered to be a hinge joint while the hip is a ball-and-socket joint. They are both complex joints with a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage – all working together to keep you moving. With these many moving parts, it’s not surprising that as we age or engage in strenuous activity, we sometimes experience pain. If you suffer from hip or knee pains, it can make it difficult to do even the most basic daily activities.

Understanding the causes of hip and knee problems is often the first key to effective treatment. Physical therapist can help you reduce or even eliminate the amount of pain you’re experiencing if you’re struggling with hip or knee pain.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A PT TREATMENT PLAN FOR HIP AND KNEE PAINS?

Physical therapy may offer a non-invasive solution for both hip and knee pain. Your physical therapist is likely to begin with an evaluation. In the case of knee pain, the evaluation would probably focus on the area from the hip to the foot. Evaluation of hip pain is also likely to include a spinal evaluation.

For both types of pain, the assessment may include a range of motion and strength measurements. Your physical therapist may also perform gait and mobility tests. An individualized physical therapy program would then be developed to meet your specific needs.

Physical therapy can improve your joint function while also easing your pain and stiffness. Our physical therapist can prescribe exercises aimed at addressing your specific condition, such as:

Mini-squats
Heel-to-buttock-exercises
Hip rotations
Knee lifts
Leg lifts
Step exercises
Hamstring curls
Hip flexion, extension or abductor exercises

The American Physical Therapy Association states that early rehabilitation for certain types of knee pain is associated with a lower use of opioids and knee surgery. Various types of exercises are often used to reduce pain in the hips. Passive methods, such as icing or heat treatment, could also be used to eliminate pain.

Sometimes soft tissues and joints in the hip or spine must be manipulated to restore proper movement and reduce pain. A variety of exercises and stretches are also used to treat pain in the knee. Other treatments that your physical therapist may use include ultrasound or electrical stimulation.

WHAT DO ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS LOOK LIKE?

SO, WHY AM I EXPERIENCING HIP OR KNEE PAINS?

There may be one or several reasons why you are experiencing hip and knee pain. A physical therapist can examine your movement to help identify things that are contributing to your pain, such as poor posture, unhealthy walking patterns, or unhealthy movement patterns at work.

Once they identify these kinds of issues, physical therapists can tell you how to correct them. Some common causes of knee and hip pain are as follows:

Knee Pain: Injuries that include torn cartilage or damaged ligaments can cause knee pain. Fractures, tendinitis, and knee bursitis are all common knee injuries. Medical conditions such as arthritis or gout can cause mild to severe knee pain. You may be experiencing stiffness or swelling in one or both knees. It might be difficult to stand, walk, or fully straighten your knee. Sometimes knees will make popping or crunching noises.

Hip Pain: Hip pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions as well as from certain injuries. Inflamed tendons from over-exertion or an athletic injury can cause temporary or chronic hip pain. Tendinitis, dislocation, sprains, and pinched nerves can all contribute to or be the cause of hip pain. Hip pain may also result from repetitive injuries or poor posture.

GET STARTED ON A TREATMENT PLAN TODAY!

It is important to follow all the instructions of your physical therapist, including any stretches or exercises that can be done at home.

Your physical therapist can conduct a thorough examination of your body, pinpoint the areas in your hips and knees where you’re struggling with pain, and create a customized program to treat your particular condition.

Physical therapy can help you find lasting relief from pain in the hip or knee! Contact us today to find out for yourself.

STRESS- RELATED HEADACHES RUINING YOUR DAY? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 21:33:55 GMT

We’ve all been there before. You’re sitting at your desk, or maybe in your car on the way home from work, when it hits: a tension headache. The pain begins with tension in your neck or shoulders that creeps upward through the base of your skull. Some people experience these occasionally, and some people, unfortunately, experience them daily. You may have even tried stretching and optimizing your work station, but if you are suffering from stress-related headaches, you know that the only relief comes from either reducing stress or taking medication.

Sometimes it can seem hopeless to search for a long-term solution to a problem like this, however, there is no reason to keep living this way when a physical therapist can help you relieve the pain and get rid of stress headaches. Contact our clinic today for more information on tension headache pain management.

WHAT IS A STRESS-RELATED HEADACHE?

CAUSES OF STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES

Physical or postural imbalances that lead to chronic muscle strain and soreness
Muscle knots associated with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and other chronic problems
Herniated discs that compress spinal nerve tissue
Excess weight from obesity or pregnancy
Congenital deformities such as scoliosis
Chronic muscle or connective strain due to stress, overuse, or repetitive motion
Arthritis in the facet joints that mobilize your spinal column
Degenerative disc disease, a condition in which the spinal discs bulge and flatten

Chronic back pain doesn’t always limit itself to your back. Conditions that involve pinched nerve roots may send pain and other odd sensations into your upper or lower extremities.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP TO ACHIEVE RELIEF.

Although experiencing back pain can cause a person to feel weak and powerless over their body and physical abilities, you don’t have to fall into that mental trap! Thankfully, there’s help for this kind of condition. A physical therapist can analyze your current condition to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. From there, they can prescribe physical therapy stretches and exercises, as well as advise you about changing your lifestyle to help maintain optimal comfort every day.

Here are some tips you can incorporate into your new pain-management routine:

Cut back on stress – Being stressed out causes tight muscles in your neck, back, and other areas of your body. Yoga, meditation, and other stress-busting techniques can help you keep your back muscles relaxed.
Invest in proper workplace ergonomics – Move things around in your workplace so that you can reach frequently-needed items with a minimum of stooping, bending, or twisting. Try to find an ergonomic chair or standing desk as well to decrease back pain.
Eat a healthier diet. – There’s a big emphasis on consuming anti-inflammatory foods , as they are “nature’s medicine” for chronic pain. Our physical therapist can also prescribe exercises to help you lose weight, thus taking pressure off of your spine.
Get enough exercise – Regular physical therapy exercises to strengthen your core muscles (including the muscles of the abdomen, pelvis and lower back) can stabilize your spine and ease muscle pain.

Change your sleeping position – Switch to a different type of mattress or adjust your sleep position to minimize nighttime (and next-day) pain.

PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT MIGHT BE YOUR BEST OPTION…

If you’re tired of experiencing the same back pain day in and day out, it’s time to make a change. Are you ready to learn more about how to fight chronic back pain? Contact our physical therapy office today! We’ll schedule you for your first one-on-one consultation with one of our licensed therapists and have you on track to feeling your best in no time at all.

SOURCES:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tension-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20353977

5 HELPFUL TIPS TO START RELIEVING YOUR CHRONIC BACK PAIN TODAY!

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 21:31:16 GMT

Do you experience ongoing back pain that never gives you a moment’s relief? Do you periodically find yourself disabled by bouts of back pain? Whatever form it may take, chronic back pain can put all kinds of limits on your life — until you finally start taking the necessary steps to address it head-on.

You might be under the impression that the only way to combat your pain is to undergo an invasive, expensive operation. But you don’t have to schedule major surgery (or allow yourself to become addicted to prescription painkillers!) just to keep the threat of back pain away!

Holistic and safe strategies such as physical therapy and smart lifestyle practices can help you manage your chronic pain for life. Ask our physical therapist to evaluate your conditions and recommend specific treatments!

WHAT IS CHRONIC BACK PAIN?

COMMON CAUSES OF CHRONIC BACK PAIN

Physical or postural imbalances that lead to chronic muscle strain and soreness
Muscle knots associated with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and other chronic problems
Herniated discs that compress spinal nerve tissue
Excess weight from obesity or pregnancy
Congenital deformities such as scoliosis
Chronic muscle or connective strain due to stress, overuse, or repetitive motion
Arthritis in the facet joints that mobilize your spinal column
Degenerative disc disease, a condition in which the spinal discs bulge and flatten

Chronic back pain doesn’t always limit itself to your back. Conditions that involve pinched nerve roots may send pain and other odd sensations into your upper or lower extremities.

5 WAYS TO START RELIEVING YOUR BACK PAIN

Here are some tips you can incorporate into your new pain-management routine:

Cut back on stress – Being stressed out causes tight muscles in your neck, back, and other areas of your body. Yoga, meditation, and other stress-busting techniques can help you keep your back muscles relaxed.
Invest in proper workplace ergonomics – Move things around in your workplace so that you can reach frequently-needed items with a minimum of stooping, bending, or twisting. Try to find an ergonomic chair or standing desk as well to decrease back pain.
Eat a healthier diet. – There’s a big emphasis on consuming anti-inflammatory foods , as they are “nature’s medicine” for chronic pain. Our physical therapist can also prescribe exercises to help you lose weight, thus taking pressure off of your spine.
Get enough exercise – Regular physical therapy exercises to strengthen your core muscles (including the muscles of the abdomen, pelvis and lower back) can stabilize your spine and ease muscle pain.

Change your sleeping position – Switch to a different type of mattress or adjust your sleep position to minimize nighttime (and next-day) pain.

FIND RELIEF TODAY!

SOURCES:

TIRED OF LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN? IT’S TIME TO TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY ON FOR SIZE!

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 21:25:16 GMT

Here’s a wild fact: According to the CDC , an estimated 20.4% of U.S. adults had chronic pain and 8.0% of U.S. adults had high-impact chronic pain. Both were more prevalent among adults living in poverty, adults with less than a high school education, and adults with public health insurance. Moreover, experts predict chronic pain will increase in prevalence as people age into later adulthood.

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, call our clinic today to learn more about the options you have for pain management and relief. We promise you, a change is coming!

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE CHRONIC PAIN?

While it’s true that pain is a natural way for the body to alert a person of a problem, it can rise to a heightened level that makes it very hard for you to go about your normal routine. Chronic pain persists for weeks, months, or even years, explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke .

PHYSICAL THERAPY: CAN IT REALLY HELP?

The answer is yes, it can. As opioid overuse became a public health crisis , health providers have started to think about other ways to manage chronic pain. According to Move Forward PT, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends the use of non-drug approaches over the use of prescription painkillers.

Unlike over the counter medications, which simply place a “bandage” over the issue causing you pain, physical therapy works to address the root problem.

One example of how failure to move frequently contributes to soreness is a long road trip. Think about it, how did you feel the last time you sat in a car without getting out to stretch your legs for over an hour? Probably pretty stiff and achy! Over time, limited motion will cause pain during movement. So, routine treatment with a physical therapist may reduce the risk for chronic pain, as well as improve symptoms for those living with it today.

COMMON CAUSES OF CHRONIC PAIN

You heard it here folks: treating chronic pain means managing the original cause. Not slapping a bandaid over it with medication and hoping it goes away tomorrow!

READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO NAGGING ACHES AND PAINS? CALL US TODAY.

It’s time to stop relying on over-the-counter medication to get rid of your pain symptoms. You must accept that they won’t and that greater action must be taken if you ever want true pain relief.

Chronic pain does not always require advanced medication treatment. Instead, physical therapy and understanding more about the causes of chronic pain may be the best solution, and in fact, they carry less risk for injury, result in fewer side effects and elimination of the risk for addiction. To learn more about how therapy could help with your chronic pain, schedule your appointment at our clinic today or visit us in Mayfield Heights, OH, Euclid, OH!

SAY GOODBYE TO HARMFUL OPIOIDS WITH THE HELP OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sun, 09 May 2021 21:10:59 GMT

If you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain, then you’re well aware that a condition like this can substantially affect your ability to engage in even basic daily activities. You may feel that taking harmful opioids to relieve your pain is the only option you have.

Thankfully, there are other options available, including physical therapy. This kind of assistance can help you live a pain-free life. The National Institutes of Health states that the number of adults in the United States suffering from pain-related health conditions has dramatically increased in recent years. If you’re taking opioids to manage your pain, call our office to learn more about how we can help you.

WHAT ARE HARMFUL OPIOIDS?

Certain health conditions may increase the likelihood of recurring pain. Sometimes opioids are prescribed for pain when recovering from an injury or after a surgical procedure. Several types of opioids are often prescribed for pain.

Codeine
Oxycodone
Morphine
Fentanyl

Opioids are a group of pain medications that work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. The perception of pain is then dulled or eliminated. They are also classified as narcotics.

These are also sometimes sold under brand names such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet.

They can be administered in a variety of ways. Oftentimes they are consumed in pill form but they can also be taken by IV, an injection, nasal sprays, skin patches, or even as lozenges. No matter what type or brand, it’s extremely important that opioids only be taken as directed under a doctor’s supervision. While they may temporarily eliminate physical pain, they aren’t ideal for long-term use, and they will not eliminate pain.

HARMFUL OPIOIDS AND WHAT THEY DO

Have you ever been in an accident that left you experiencing chronic pain? You might have been prescribed medication to help manage it and make you more comfortable. While opioids are effective for treating pain, they have the potential to be highly addictive. The longer these medications are used, the greater the tolerance an individual has for them. When an individual takes greater amounts of an opioid to receive the same effects, this can increase the risk of overdose and death.

Side-effects and symptoms of opioid use include sleepiness, nausea, and constipation. Long-term symptoms related to excessive opioid use could include impaired memory, inability to concentrate, or increased drowsiness. Individuals may experience increased cravings for the medication when they stop taking it. Life-threatening symptoms associated with an overdose may include slowed heart rate, unconsciousness, and shallow breathing.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP DECREASE OPIOID DEPENDENCE?

It’s always better to treat the source of pain than to mask it or simply treat symptoms. This is why physical therapy is a much better option for pain management. A physical therapist may be able to help you reduce or even eliminate the amount of pain you’re experiencing. This can help you decrease your dependence on opioids.

Whether your pain is the result of an injury or a medical condition, a physical therapy treatment program may be able to help. A therapist can evaluate your condition and create a program designed to treat your specific needs. According to Move Forward , there are several specific ways physical therapy can reduce pain, through exercise, manual therapy, education, and teamwork.

Your physical therapist can prescribe exercises to improve muscle tone, increase flexibility, and help you to move more effectively, which can all help reduce pain. Manual therapy and dry needling may be able to ease pain in your joints and soft tissues. Physical therapy can also be used before and after a surgical procedure to eliminate any potential pain.

CALL OUR CLINIC TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Opioid dependence doesn’t have to control your life. If you’ve been injured or are suffering from a chronic pain condition that has caused you to rely on opioids for pain relief, it’s time to seek the care of a professional. Contact us or visit us in Mayfield Heights, OH or Euclid, OH to learn more about how physical therapy can reduce your pain and eliminate your need for opioid medication.

SOURCES:

FEELING MORNING ACHES AND PAINS? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN TREAT THE CAUSE OF YOUR PROBLEM

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 21:06:20 GMT

If you wake up with aches and pains, it can really put a damper on your mood. This is not a good way to start your day. You probably have made excuses for your pain, such as “I slept on my neck wrong,” or “I’m just getting older — this is to be expected.” However, you don’t need to say goodbye to a good night’s rest just yet!

Unfortunately, millions of people experience sore muscles and stiff joints in the morning. There are usually a variety of reasons for this, with the severity of pain ranging from mild to even severe in some cases. Aches and pains in the morning are not only uncomfortable but can at least temporarily limit your mobility during the day. You might find that you don’t truly feel normal until you’re up and moving around, or you might notice you feel stiff from sun up to sun down!

No matter what the cause might be, it’s a good idea to have a physical therapist assess your condition. Call our office to find out how we can help you eliminate aches and pains in the morning and throughout the day.

COMMON CAUSES FOR MORNING ACHES AND PAINS

There are tons of reasons you might be feeling extra sore in the mornings. The issue could be with your mattress, or it could be the result of accidents, injuries, or a chronic health condition. Aches and pains in the morning can also be the result of the following:

Arthritis – If you’re suffering from any type of arthritic condition, pain and soreness may be more of a problem in the morning.
Diet – A diet that is high in fast food and processed foods can cause inflammation in the joints. Excessive amounts of sugar and red meat could also contribute to aches and pains.
Poor sleeping positions – Aches and pains in the morning are often related to awkward sleeping positions. Sometimes pain is due to the wrong type of mattress or pillow.
Inflammation – Chronic low-grade inflammation is sometimes the culprit when experiencing morning aches and pains. Inflammation and morning stiffness often increases with aging.

There are several symptoms you might experience if you’re sore and achy in the morning. Pain is often located in the neck and back area, although you may also experience pain in your legs, arms, and shoulders. Stiffness will often accompany morning aches and pains and can hinder your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN ALLEVIATE ACHES AND PAINS

Working with a physical therapist may help alleviate your aches and pains. A physical therapist is a movement specialist, and will conduct a thorough evaluation of your current health, sleep habits, and medical conditions. A physical therapist can teach you exercises you can do in the morning when you first get out of bed to reduce pain and stiffness. A routine prescribed by your therapist can target specific problem areas such as your back or shoulders.

A physical therapist can also recommend different sleep positions that may be able to decrease the pain you experience each morning. Your treatment program will specifically treat your aches and pains. This could include manual therapy, hot and cold therapy, and sensory re-education.

It’s important to remember that staying hydrated, eating healthy, and getting enough exercise can help reduce aches and pains in the morning. You must take responsibility where you can for the way your body feels!

OTHER REASONS FOR SORENESS IN THE MORNING

Feeling achy and sore in the morning can be different from other types of pain you experience at other times throughout the day. After an intense workout, you might have sore muscles from overexertion. If you’ve experienced an injury of some sort, this can also cause pain. Aches and pains in the morning have also been known to occur after you’ve been sleeping for several hours. Your body is ready to get up and get moving!

Morning pain and stiffness are usually not a cause for concern. Harvard Health Publishing states that if stiffness lasts more than 30 minutes, you’ll want to see a doctor. These could be signs of more serious conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica. Be sure not to self-diagnose. Contact a physical therapist as soon as possible and schedule an appointment for evaluation.

READY TO REALLY BECOME A MORNING PERSON?

It’s about time you started enjoying the mornings for what they are: a chance at a new beginning, another day. Contact us to learn how physical therapy can help eliminate your aches and pains and get back to enjoying the sunrise.

SOURCES:

5 BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR HIP AND KNEE PAIN

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 21:00:49 GMT

Have you noticed your hips and knees are in pain when you wake up or go to bed? Are the activities you do between sunrise and sunset impacted by chronic hip and knee joint dysfunction? Struggling with this kind of condition can severely hinder your ability to go about your daily normal routine. Thankfully, there is a solution. You don’t have to give up hope of living with less pain—or become reliant on the medicine cabinet, either. Physical therapy may be able to help.

At our physical therapy clinic, we have an experienced physical therapist staff who can help you find more ease, strength, and confidence in your day-to-day life. We believe, like the American Physical Therapy Association and other organizations, that natural and conservative treatment options such as physical therapy are just as effective (if not more!) for pain relief than medications and surgery.

If you or a loved one is suffering from hip or knee pain, call us and find out how we can help. In the meantime, read more to learn about some of the benefits physical therapy offers for this kind of condition.

1. PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN YOUR JOINTS AND IMPROVE YOUR RANGE OF MOTION.

Increasing muscle strength and mobility of the connective tissues around your joints (including the tendons, muscles, fascia, and joint capsules) will help your joints feel better and move better. This can also help you improve your functional activity tolerance, which is essential for work, leisure, and simple daily function.

2. IT’S A SAFE, HOLISTIC METHOD OF HIP AND KNEE PAIN MANAGEMENT/ELIMINATION.

If you haven’t heard of the opioid epidemic, you should know that there is one in our nation. People are relying so heavily on over-the-counter medications to ease their pain, they don’t realize the long-term effects these pills have on their bodies.

You don’t have to rely on over-the-counter or prescription painkillers to ease those achy, stiff, swollen joints! Physical therapy modalities that have been shown to ease pain, reduce spasms, increase circulation, and promote healing include electrical stimulation, diathermy, cold laser therapy, dry needling, and therapeutic ultrasound.

3. PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN UNCOVER UNDERLYING PROBLEMS FOR YOUR PAIN.

Many of the impairments you and your physical therapist work to correct—including weakness, poor posture, and limited range of motion—may have been caused or worsened by things you’re unknowingly doing. This includes sitting too much, using poor body mechanics, breathing improperly, and having an ineffective ergonomic set-up at work. A physical therapist can educate you about ways to move in more energy efficient and safe ways to enhance the overall effects of your care and reduce the risk of re-injury.

4. YOU CAN LEARN TO MOVE WITHOUT LIMITS AGAIN.

According to the Arthritis Foundation , exercise is one of the best ways to manage hip pain and knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Your physical therapist can help you get back to regular exercise in a way that is safe and effective for you, based on your current abilities, goals, and needs. This is especially helpful if you’re currently on a weight loss journey, since being overweight is a major risk factor for knee and hip pain.

5. YOUR JOINTS HEALTH WILL GREATLY IMPROVE!

When you see a physical therapist for hip or knee pain, there’s a good chance they’ll use joint mobiliations or manipulations to help promote healing and attract circulation to the inner joint surfaces. These techniques have also been shown to reduce pain and improve joint alignment…and they feel good, too! When complemented with services like massage and Active Release Technique , physical therapy can help you get physical and mental relief.

GET STARTED ON HIP AND KNEE PAIN RELIEF TODAY!

If you’re sick and tired of spending every day in pain, know that this isn’t how you have to continue the rest of your life. Contact our clinic in Mayfield Heights and Euclid, OH today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, and learn how you can begin to heal in a safe and healthy way — from the inside out.

CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR BACK PAIN? YOU MIGHT HAVE A HERNIATED DISC

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:55:16 GMT

You’re sitting comfortably watching TV one day, and then when you stand up, there’s suddenly a sharp pain radiating through your back. If this scenario sounds familiar to you, you may have herniated disc pain. This type of pain can sneak up on you and become debilitating if it isn’t given the proper attention.

There is good news though, a trained physical therapist can help! Give our office a call for a consultation and evaluation, so you can get a proper diagnosis.

WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

The spine consists of 33 bones referred to as vertebrae. The vertebrae are cushioned by discs made up of a gel-like substance. This cushions the discs and prevents friction. It’s the discs that allow movement of the spine, such as bending over.

However, if a disc slips out of place between the vertebrae, you have a herniated disc . This condition is also known as a ruptured disc or slipped disc. A herniated disc can cause extreme pain if it irritates the surrounding nerves.

HOW DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY BENEFIT A PERSON WITH A HERNIATED DISC?

Some people believe that physical therapy only benefits those who have just undergone intense surgery and need help recovering. This isn’t true! Physical therapists are truly movement specialists who can be of assistance in many different health scenarios.

A physical therapist can assess your current condition and look at your medical history to determine if the cause of your pain is likely from a herniated disc. They will design a specific treatment program to reduce pain and speed up your recovery, so you can return to your normal activities and lifestyle. Typically, recovery can be achieved within two to eight weeks with the help of a physical therapist.

Your physical therapist will choose specific treatments that include targeted stretches and exercises to help restore movement and reduce pain. Passive movements may be performed on you by a physical therapist and then you can progress to active exercises on your own.

Stretching exercises will also be done, which can be done at home. The reason for at home exercises being worked into your treatment plan is so that progress towards recovery can continue even when you are not being watched in the office by your therapist.

Other modalities of treatment for herniated disc pain include hot and cold therapy, massage, electric stimulation, ultrasound and soft tissue mobilization. Your therapist will be able to determine which modality is best for you depending on your situation and pain levels.

CAUSES OF DISC HERNIATION

Sometimes, people are unable to determine what caused their herniated disc. We move so much, and ther are certainly moments where we injure yourself and don’t realize it until days or weeks later when the pain hits! The most common symptoms of a herniated disc are arm or leg pain. Many patients report feeling tingling, numbness, or a general feeling of weakness in their extremities.

You may also feel pain in your calf, thigh and buttocks. If you have a herniated disc in the neck, you’re likely to feel pain in the arm and shoulder. When you cough or sneeze, the pain may shoot into your leg. Numbness or tingling may be felt in parts of the body. You may also be unable to lift items, as the muscles served by the affected nerves tend to weaken.

Of course, there is always the threat of this condition forming as a person ages. A herniated disc often caused by age-related wear and tear. This condition is known as disc degeneration. With age, the disc loses water content, which makes them more prone to tearing and less flexible. Twisting and turning when lifting something can also cause a herniated disc. Even a fall or strike to the back can result in a herniated disc. Excessive weight, occupation and genetic disposition can be the cause of disc herniated, too.

ARE YOU READY TO FIND THE RELIEF YOU DESERVE? CALL US TODAY!

If you’re suffering with herniated disc pain, you’re probably getting tired of dealing with the various symptoms that come along with it. Believe us, we get it! We’re here to help you overcome this obstacle. Call us today to schedule an appointment. Our physical therapists will review your medical history, test your mobility, test your range of motion and create a personalized treatment plan just for you. We’ll get you on the road to recovery in no time at all.

SOURCES:

5 BENEFITS TO STRETCHING BEFORE AND AFTER YOU EXERCISE

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 20:47:17 GMT

At our physical therapy clinic, we notice an interesting trend with a lot of our active patients: they go to the gym regularly, but they largely neglect stretching and mobility work. Do you make time to go to the gym a few times per week? If so, you should certainly commend yourself for your efforts, but ask yourself this: how often do you stretch before and after a workout session?

We’re not sure why not stretching is so common among gym-goers. Maybe it’s because stretching doesn’t seem as “exciting” as an actual workout, and when you go to the gym you can be so eager to get moving that you just don’t think about stretching!

However, proper stretching before and after exercise has many proven health benefits and can improve your workout. For more information about the benefits of stretching and how you can incorporate it into your daily workout regime, talk to a physical therapist today. They can educate you about which types of stretching you should focus on and find out which areas of your body have a limited range of motion and flexibility.

In the meantime, keep reading to learn why stretching is so important for your body!

THE IMPORTANCE OF WARMING UP

You may have heard that stretching “cold” muscles isn’t a good idea. This is true. Our bodies need to be adequately warmed up prior to stretching—otherwise our risk for injury and tissue damage increases. This doesn’t mean you should never stretch at all before a workout, however. A simple 5-minute warm-up such as light jogging, brisk walking, and arm circles and leg swings is usually sufficient activity to get your joints and tissues warmed up and prepared for mobility work.

For many folks, dynamic stretches are the most effective for pre-workout mobility. Meanwhile, they’ll save static stretches and foam rolling for after the workout. According to WebMD , “stretching a muscle to the full extent of your ability and holding it for 15 to 30 seconds is a static stretch, and there’s no harm in stretching that way as long you don’t stretch until it hurts. But studies suggest a dynamic stretch is just as effective, and sometimes better, especially before your workout!”

If you’re stuck wondering what kinds of stretches are best for you, don’t worry. Our physical therapy staff is happy to help you problem-solve and figure out the best routine for your body.

WHAT STRETCHING BEFORE AND AFTER A WORKOUT CAN DO FOR YOUR BODY

Below are five benefits of stretching before and after an exercise routine!

1. IT HELPS PREPARE YOUR BODY FOR EXERCISE.

Dynamic stretching before a workout can help your muscles, ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, and other tissues become loosened up and prepared for exercise. Pre-workout mobility also increases core body temperature and stimulates increased blood flow throughout the body so your tissues will have adequate amounts of oxygen.

Meanwhile, stretching after a workout helps you cool down appropriately and reduce tissue tightness and pain.

2. GIVES YOU A BETTER WORKOUT.

Since pre-workout mobility also prepares your body for exercise, it’ll also help you safely reach your desired workout intensity more quickly since you’ll be able to start a workout already warmed up and ready to go.

A personalized stretching routine that addresses your specific areas of postural imbalances and tightness can help you improve your range of motion. When you combine this with strength training and aerobic conditioning, you can expect to function more efficiently during your workouts and enjoy greater stamina, power, and speed.

3. BETTER HEALTH OVERALL.

Regular stretching has been shown to improve your blood pressure and heart rate as well as maximize your overall mobility, especially as you age. If you’re aiming to live for a really long time, do yourself a favor and get to stretching.

4. IT DECREASES THE RISK OF SUSTAINING A SERIOUS INJURY.

Some studies do show that stretching may reduce your risk of muscle strains, ligament sprains, joint damage, and other painful injuries common with sports and athletics. Beware though, stretching is not all you need to do in order to prevent yourself from getting hurt! Having proper form is vital to keeping yourself safe during workouts as well.

5. STRETCHING CAN RELIEVE STRESS.

Are you feeling more stress than normal? Stretching regularly—especially when combined with deep breathing and mindfulness exercises—is a great way to ease mental stress and even reduce signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The benefit of stretching to relieve stress is that you can do it any time of the day, even if you aren’t exercising! Try stretching when you wake up, before getting your day started, and see what a difference it makes.

CONTACT OUR CLINIC FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Are you having trouble determining which kinds of stretching exercises you need to incorporate into your daily exercise routine? If you’d like to become more disciplined with a mobility routine and need some inspiration and education on the best mobility moves your body needs, schedule an appointment with a physical therapist today.

SOURCES:

READY TO LEAVE THOSE PAIN RELIEVERS BEHIND? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH RELIEF

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 19:57:07 GMT

DID YOU KNOW EXERCISE COULD HELP IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

If you’re taking pain relievers and just don’t want to stay dependent on them forever, physical therapy can be exactly the solution you need.

Physical therapy can be very beneficial for both short-term pain (usually, that which lasts just a few weeks or months) and long-term or chronic pain (that which lasts for more than three months).

The opioid epidemic is often in the news, and it may have started you thinking about the effect that pain pills are having on your life. You might be tired of needing to take pain relievers every day when you wake up, during the day as you struggle to move without pain, and at night just to sleep comfortably.

Fortunately, physical therapy can provide you with long-lasting relief. Physical therapy can help you govern your pain without drugs, giving you a chance to break away from your reliance on opioids.

RELIEVING PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Physical therapy can help you get a handle on your pain so that you don’t need opioids anymore. Of course, you should only discontinue high doses of opioids under professional medical supervision (to prevent a potentially dangerous withdrawal).

In the meantime, however, our physical therapist can work with you on treating the biomechanical problems that caused your pain in the first place.

Here are just a few of the physical therapy modalities that can help you conquer your pain:

Exercises can increase your pain-free range of motion, strengthen the muscles that support your body, and increase blood flow to reduce inflammation.
Massage therapy can control painful muscle spasms, help the tissues expel inflammatory substances, and direct more blood and oxygen to an injury.
Laser therapy can ease pain caused by injuries, arthritis, muscular strain, tendinitis, or neuropathy.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses electrical energy to block pain signals to nerves.

THE MANY BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Physical therapists are now equipped to help you in two different ways: by restoring your function and relieving your pain.

Your physical therapist restores your function by strengthening the weakened muscles, ligaments, tendons, and body tissues. This allows your body to heal and gives you the strong support system you need to enjoy full function long-term.

In addition to getting stronger, you’ll also get pain relief from the newest evidence-based pain interventions.

Your doctor and physical therapist can work together to help you feel better. Instead of opioid pain medications, which can be addictive and even deadly, your doctor may prescribe an option like nerve membrane stabilizers and then send you to a skilled physical therapist who can help you heal without the interference of opioid medications.

Your physical therapist can also help you with stress management.

If you’re dealing with stress and anxiety because of your pain, physical therapy can improve your life by teaching you new mindfulness techniques like meditation, stress reduction exercises, and other alternative ways to deal with the situations that tend to lead to problems.

OPIOIDS VS. PHYSICAL THERAPY

Opioid medication does play a role in pain management, but it’s really best for situations where you feel severe pain immediately after the injury or immediately after surgery. Ideally, opioid medication should be used sparingly and only for a week or less.

Opioid medication was never designed to be the type of drug that you take for months, years, or a lifetime. Opiates can trigger extreme sensitivity in your pain receptors, which is why they may end up making your pain even worse over time.

That’s why physical therapy is such a good alternative. It allows you to bypass that chronic dependency. Physical therapy is designed to relieve the pain without drugs.

If it seems too good to be true, just keep reading. You’ll learn how physical therapy can stop the pain and help you leave the pills behind for good.

EVIDENCE SUPPORTING PT

As stated by the APTA website, “The White House has announced that APTA is among the organizations that have joined a public-private partnership to combat opioid usage and prescription drug abuse, and that the association will reach out to the public and its members to deliver the message that pain can be effectively managed through conservative, non drug approaches.

Physical therapists can help individuals manage pain, and greater use of physical therapy could make a real impact on the tragic levels of drug abuse in this country—abuse that often begins with a prescription for pain medication.”

If you are ready to find relief without the side effects of opioids, contact us today.

FIND FAST RELIEF TODAY

hysical therapy isn’t just about your pain. It’s about your whole-body function, your mental wellness, and your long-term health.

Your physical therapist can help you improve every aspect of your wellness to overcome pain and enjoy a life without the fog of pain pills for the rest of your life.

Contact our caring physical therapists to get past pain medication now.

SOURCES:

FEELING ACHY OR SLUGGISH? THESE 5 TIPS CAN HELP YOU FEEL HEALTHIER!

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:02:29 GMT

DID YOU KNOW EXERCISE COULD HELP IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

Staying active is one of the key factors in maintaining long-term health. Fitting exercise and even moderate activity into your daily routine; however, isn’t always easy.

Whether it’s because of a busy schedule or a health condition, you may find it difficult to get the daily exercise you need. The following are five easy ways to stay active.

1. PREPARE YOUR MEALS AT HOME

Cooking at home not only means healthier eating but is an easy way to stay active and burn a few extra calories.

Standing on your feet, moving around the kitchen, and chopping and mixing food burns a lot more calories than eating out.

When you take into account shopping for groceries, pushing a cart, and the clean-up after a meal is over, this can add up to a lot of activity.

2. GET MOVING WITH YOUR PET

Getting a pet, especially a dog, will help improve your overall activity level. You’re more likely to enjoy moving if you have a cat or a dog to play with.

Taking daily walks and spending time with your pet outdoors is a fantastic way to get moderate exercise that is both fun and healthy.

Having a pet may also reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

3. CONSULT WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Physical therapy can help improve long-term injuries that never completely healed and reduce the pain from chronic conditions such as arthritis. Even if you’re in relatively good health, physical therapy can help you stay active and feel more energetic.

A physical therapist can design an exercise routine that can improve your overall stamina, strength, and flexibility.

Whether it’s athletic improvement or the ability to carry out daily activities with greater ease and endurance, physical therapy can provide a number of benefits.

4. GET MOVING DURING YOUR WORK BREAKS

If you have a desk job, you should already know how important it is to get up and periodically start moving around. You can walk the stairs or around the perimeter of your office during lunch breaks.

There are even simple exercises and stretches you can do at your desk. If you don’t work outside the home, you can still incorporate walking breaks and intermittent stretching into your daily routine.

5. GO WALKING!

You probably already know that walking is one of the easiest and best forms of exercise. But are you taking advantage of all your opportunities to walk?

Are you walking up and down the stairs in your home or apartment instead of always taking the elevators or staying seated for long periods of time?

Even walking to the end of the drive each day to get the mail instead of picking it up from the car window can make a difference.

There are a few tips to follow that will encourage you to walk more:

Get a walking partner. Having someone who will keep you accountable will help you stay motivated on the days you don’t feel like walking.

Walk with a pedometer. A pedometer is a low tech item that counts the number of steps you take. It’s a fun way to keep track of how far you’ve walked.

Wear more comfortable shoes. If your feet are sore because of shoes that fit poorly, you’ll be less likely to spend time walking. A physical therapist can help you select the best shoes.

ANOTHER TIP ON GETTING ACTIVE

The key is to find a fun activity that you enjoy doing and that also fits your current fitness level. If you spend your days hobbling painfully from your bed to your reclining chair and back, the notion of pursuing any kind of vigorous activity may be the furthest thing from your mind.

The truth, however, is that getting active can vastly improve your health, your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.

REMEMBER TO AVOID INJURIES!

While it’s always important to get active to relieve aches and pains, and to improve your health and wellness, it is also important to avoid injuries.

Here are some great ways to avoid injuries while also staying active:

Using the proper equipment. When engaging in any type of physical activity, it is important to make sure you have the right equipment. For example, running shoes, hiking boots, helmets, and more can help you avoid injury and stay safe while doing the activities you enjoy. They can make all the difference when it comes to preventing injuries.

Staying within your abilities. It is important to train and practice for any physical activity you’d like to try. Start small in the beginning and build up from there. For example, if you aren’t used to running but you’d like to complete a 5k, don’t start off with 3-mile runs. Begin with a half mile and slowly build up. When you push your body past its current limits, you make yourself more prone to injuries because your body is not prepared for the physical demands being asked of it. A physical therapist can help you understand the limits of your body and can create an exercise plan for you to reach your physical goals.

Hydrating and eating nutritious meals. Did you know that your body is over 70% water? Because of this, it requires water in order to remain supple and function properly. Without adequate water and nutrition, your body’s tissues are more prone to over-stretching and injury. Make sure you drink the recommended 8 glasses of water a day, and always keep a water bottle with you when you are working out. If needed, you can also replenish your electrolytes with sports drinks, such as Gatorade.

Stretching. This is one of the most important ways to prevent injuries. Your tissues require water in order to be elastic, and stretching helps to bring water into the tissues. This increases muscle flexibility and prevents them from becoming stiff or tight, thus decreasing the chances of them over-stretching and/or tearing.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Making a few simple changes in your life can dramatically increase your activity level.

These changes, along with visiting a physical therapist , can improve your health and overall well-being.

SOURCES:

http://guidetoptpractice.apta.org/content/1/SEC40.extract

HAVE YOU BEEN WAKING UP FEELING ACHY? IF SO, YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:51:30 GMT

DID YOU KNOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU RELIEVE YOUR ACHES AND PAINS

As you may have already learned the hard way, chronic pain can hurt more than just your body. Conditions that limit your mobility and prevent you from pursuing your favorite activities can make you feel a gut-wrenching loss of control over your own life.

The sheer endless onslaught of pain can also promote serious mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. If you’re not living the life you want, you can change that life by changing your approach to your chronic pain problem.

That’s where physical therapy can come to your rescue.

3 STRETCHES YOU CAN DO IN THE MORNING TO HELP RELIEVE YOUR PAIN

By committing to a few simple morning stretches each day, you can help to keep your body feeling limber and reduce pain in between your regular physical therapy appointments.

Some of the best stretches to use early in your day include:

THE INCHWORM

This is another physical therapy stretch that is great for relieving joint pain and improving circulation in the mornings.

Start by standing with your abs engaged. Slowly roll down, bending at the knee if necessary and touch the floor. Walk your hands forward, until you are in the push-up position. Then walk your feet forward, inch-by-inch, until you reach the back of your hands.

Slowly roll your body back up into a standing position. Repeat the stretch at least 5 times, with your core engaged each time.

LOW BACK STRETCH

If you’re dealing with recurring low back pain in the mornings, this simple physical therapy stretch can provide you with a great deal of relief. Begin by laying down on your back, bending your knees and keeping your feet flat on the floor.

Use both hands to pull up one knee towards your chest, while keeping the other foot flat on the floor. Bring the active leg back to the starting position and repeat the stretch with the opposite leg. Keeping the other foot flat on the floor.

Next, bring both knees to your chest at once. Hold each position for 20 to 30 seconds and repeat the stretch at least 3 times.

CHILD’S POSE

Popular in yoga routines, Child’s Pose is a great stretch for connective tissue and joint pain. If you suffer from arthritis in the knees or low back pain, this is a great stretch to complete before beginning your day.

Start the pose by kneeling in bed, then sitting back so that your bottom is resting comfortably on your heels. Next, gently bend your body forward until your head touches the mattress. It can be helpful to then stretch your arms out and fold them in front of your face for additional support.

Once you’ve eased into the position, you can then reach your arms out forward to help open the connective tissues in your neck, shoulders, and back area. Hold the pose for at least 2 minutes.

FIND RELIEF FOR YOUR ACHES AND PAINS BY SCHEDULING A CONSULTATION WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

If you struggle with aches and pain every morning, you should speak with our physical therapist sooner rather than later about creating a personalized treatment plan.

There’s no reason to start your day off in pain and suffering through feelings of discomfort. Are you interested in learning more about the many benefits of physical therapy for pain management?

Contact Mayfield PT for more information and be sure to schedule an initial consultation with our friendly and experienced physical therapist today.

DON’T LET PAIN CONTROL YOUR LIFE – FIND RELIEF WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 18:46:39 GMT

DID YOU KNOW PHYSICAL THERAPY COULD HELP YOU FINALLY FIND RELIEF FOR YOUR CHRONIC PAIN?

That’s where physical therapy can come to your rescue.

PASSIVE AND ACTIVE THERAPIES TO HELP RELIEVE YOUR CHRONIC PAIN

Once our physical therapist has isolated the underlying cause of your chronic joint pain, we can prescribe techniques to help you start feeling – and moving – more like your old self.

Physical therapy for joint pain may start with passive exercises, in which we move the afflicted joint for you to increase its pain-free range of motion.

Exercises that reduce the amount of weight on the joints can also be extremely helpful. For instance, we may recommend swimming or water walking as a means of exercising the hips and knees without also forcing them to bear your full weight.

Other types of exercises can also help you overcome your joint pain while improving joint function. Strengthening exercises help by reinforcing the muscles and connective tissues that serve the joint. Corrective exercises and neuromuscular re-education can help you maintain a straighter, more symmetrical posture.

Last but not least, physical therapy offers a variety of helpful modalities beyond exercise. We may treat your joint pain with heat, ice, and manual therapies such as massage, just to name a few.

TAKE CONTROL WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

“Simply taking action and trying a new weapon on your chronic pain can make you feel better by giving you back your feeling of control.

You’ll feel even better once your physical therapy program starts to tame your pain and restore your mobility. A caring physical therapist provides you with all kinds of tools, beginning with a better understanding of your pain’s causes and effects. You’ll receive valuable education on how you can use physical therapy for a lifetime of drug-free pain management.

Then there’s the physical therapy itself. Strength training, flexibility exercises, massage, laser therapy, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), dry needling, heat or ice treatments, and acupuncture can all work together to reduce your pain and inflammation.

A long-term physical therapy pain management plan can even include techniques to “rewire” your brain. We can show you how to alter your relationship with your pain, enabling you to pursue your exercises and other treatments with more energy and enthusiasm.

As your pain recedes, your mood stabilizes and your sleep quality improves. Best of all, you will feel like you’re calling the shots for your life once again.

DID YOU KNOW CHRONIC PAIN COULD HAVE THESE LIMITATIONS ON YOUR LIFE?

Chronic pain is a lingering source of distress by definition. Pain that goes on for months or years at a time can wreck your life, especially if you know that irreversible damage lies at the root of the pain.

As a result, you may experience any or all of the following torments:

Depression and anxiety. There is a clear, well-established link between chronic pain and equally debilitating mood disorders. One study found that 77 percent of chronic pain sufferers also suffer from depression. Major, long-term depression can have its own negative effects on your health, from sleeplessness and fatigue to difficulty concentrating. The unpredictable or frightening aspects of chronic pain, from its impact on your medical bills to concerns over a serious illness, can also cause intense anxiety or aggravate a pre existing anxiety disorder.

Learned helplessness. Chronic pain can lead to a psychological response known as learned helplessness, especially when your chosen pain-fighting techniques aren’t getting results. Eventually you stop even trying to combat the waves of pain and the limitations that they impose on you.

Lifestyle limitations. Your life was a lot more fun, varied and involving before chronic pain came along. Now that you can no longer play your favorite sport, pursue a beloved hobby, play with your kids or work at your job, you feel understandably bored and frustrated.

PHYSICAL THERAPY OVER SURGERY FOR CHRONIC PAIN

According to Harvard Health Publishing ,

“Trying physical therapy before opting for surgery may be the better choice. You may be able to spare yourself the expense, pain, and recovery time of surgery, says physical therapist Karen Weber, clinical supervisor at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Centers in Braintree and Quincy, Mass.

There is growing evidence supporting that idea. In the past few years, studies have indicated that physical therapy is just as effective as surgery for relieving pain and restoring function for people with arthritis in their knees or backs.”

SOURCES:

ARE YOU LIVING WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN? FIND RELIEF TODAY

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 18:39:05 GMT

DID YOU KNOW PHYSICAL THERAPY IS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN?

Got low back pain? Then get a physical therapy referral!

Physical therapy is a leading profession involved in the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain.

In fact, low back pain is one of the most common reasons people come to work with a physical therapist.

Researchers in our field have even developed concise and comprehensive practice guidelines to help therapists manage this condition in their patients.

Keep reading to learn how physical therapy can help you find meaningful relief from your lower back pain!

DO YOU HAVE BACK PAIN?

Did you know that approximately 80 percent of Americans have experienced (or will experience) back pain? That’s an unfortunate statistic, especially if you’re already one of those sufferers.

Chronic back pain can prevent you from performing the countless daily tasks you need or want to perform.

Even when you’re not engaged in activity, your back pain may be keeping you miserable 24/7. But don’t assume that drugs can provide more than temporary relief, or that surgery won’t create more problems than it solves.

Instead, go with the healthy, natural way to kiss your back pain goodbye — through physical therapy.

SOME FACTS ABOUT BACK PAIN

“Back pain” is an all-encompassing term used to describe a vast number of conditions that cause pain in the upper or lower back. Sports-related injuries, poor posture, and car accidents are just a few of the many ways that someone can develop back pain.

The most common cause of back pain is from sustaining an injury. This can happen in one of two ways – from an instant, sudden trauma, or from a repetitive-use injury that develops gradually over time.

Because back pain is so commonplace in the United States, there is a lot of information we have on the topic. Below are some facts about back pain:

Back pain is the number one disability for those under age 45.
In the United States alone, there are an expected 31 million people with lower back pain at any given time.
Back pain runs second, only after the common cold, as the top reason for visiting a healthcare provider in the United States.
Experts place the likelihood of any person to experience some type of back problem in their lifetime at about 80%. That’s four out of every five people!
30-40 percent of all workplace absences are due to back pain.
Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months, and 7.6% reported at least one episode of severe acute low back pain within a one-year period.
More than two-thirds of back strains are caused by lifting and other exertions, such as pulling and pushing.
Most cases of back pain are mechanical—meaning they are NOT caused by serious conditions, such as infection, fracture, or cancer.

1. ALL PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENTS ARE SAFE FOR ALL AGES.

The risk for low back pain tends to increase with age, but people of all ages can struggle with this broad condition.

Fortunately, physical therapy services that are proven effective for low back pain—including corrective exercises and spinal manipulation—are safe and appropriate for folks from all walks of life.

If a specific service is contraindicated for you, your physical therapist can deliver plenty of other treatments to support your healing.

2. PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT PLANS ARE SAFE, NON-INVASIVE, AND PERSONALIZED FOR YOUR NEEDS.

Based on the current clinical practice guidelines created by the American Physical Therapy Association’s Orthopaedic Section, a person presenting with low back pain can be classified into one of several distinct treatment categories, based on a thorough examination.

This type of systematic categorization is cost-effective and beneficial, since it helps patients receive services specifically designed for their needs.

Thanks to their extensive training, a physical therapist can skillfully tease out hidden issues contributing to your back pain condition, such as nerve impingement, movement incoordination, poor core muscle activation, and range of motion limitations.

These are issues that are often overlooked or under-addressed by other professionals—and explains why interventions that just provide symptom relief are often not effective in the long-term.

In other words, if underlying issues like instability or incoordination aren’t addressed, your issue is likely to recur!

By addressing the underlying causes of your back pain and then systematically managing these issues with personalized treatment based on research, a physical therapist can alleviate your symptoms and reduce your likelihood of chronic suffering.

CONSULT WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST TODAY

Physical therapists are experts at identifying how low back pain limits a person’s participation in daily activities, and how these limitations can be resolved or compensated for.

After all, your progress outside the clinic matters even more than your progress inside the clinic! Our physical therapy team always looks for the bigger picture of your condition and will help you modify your daily tasks in a way that will make you feel successful, safe, and confident.

A 9-5 JOB DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T BE ACTIVE!

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 18:31:14 GMT

DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE A BUNCH OF THINGS YOU CAN DO TO STAY ACTIVE DURING THE WORKDAY?

Pre and post surgical rehab is often recommended for those having orthopedic surgery. These types of surgeries could include foot, ankle, knee, hip, wrist, hand, shoulder, neck, and spine surgeries.

Rehab can, however, be beneficial for just about any type of surgical procedure. A physical therapist can put together both a pre and post-surgical rehabilitation plan for an individual preparing for surgery.

In fact, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, there are proven benefits to both pre-surgical rehabilitation AND post-surgical rehabilitation.

The following are several important benefits of having pre and post-surgical rehab.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME STAY ACTIVE?

A trained physical therapist can advise you regarding the best prehab and post-surgical plan for your specific needs. As soon as you know when your surgery is scheduled you’ll want to make an appointment with a physical therapist.

A therapist will likely do a complete physical assessment before creating a unique prehab and rehab program.

Physical therapy treatment can help you achieve as much strength, stamina, flexibility, and improved range of motion as possible both before and after your surgery. A physical therapist may use a variety of manual therapies or teach you exercises you can do at home.

A therapist might also use heat, ice, or electrical stimulation. You’ll want to get started as soon as possible to make sure you’re prepared for surgery and can make a quick and full recovery.

5 WAYS YOU CAN STAY ACTIVE AT WORK!

Many people fear the harsh recoveries that follow surgical procedures. This is especially true for anyone who has had a total joint replacement. Faced with the knowledge of time spent in a rehabilitation hospital, many people delay joint replacement surgery out of fear for the long, difficult recovery ahead.

Fortunately, pre-hab can help significantly reduce recovery time. Did you know that by partaking in preventative rehabilitation, you can reduce your odds of needing inpatient rehabilitation by 73 percent? If you are stronger before surgery, you will meet your physical milestones much quicker after surgery, decreasing your recovery time by days or even weeks.

For example, patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery are typically expected to walk 500-1,000 feet 24 hours after their procedure.

This may sound like a difficult task; however, those who participate in pre-hab before their surgery are much more likely to meet this demand than those who do not. Pre-hab provides patients with the stretches, strengthening exercises, and pain-relieving techniques they need for a smooth and speedy recovery.

WHY STAYING ACTIVE IS SO IMPORTANT

For example, patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery are typically expected to walk 500-1,000 feet 24 hours after their procedure.

GET STARTED TODAY

It’s important to start a post-surgical rehabilitation plan as soon as your doctor states that you’re ready.

The following are a few of the benefits of post-surgical rehab.

Regain Lost Strength – The more quickly you regain strength and stamina, the more quickly you’ll get back to your daily routine. A physical therapy program can be designed to target the specific areas in your body that need strengthened after surgery.

Reduce Pain and Swelling – The right type of post-surgical treatment can help reduce the amount of pain and swelling you experience after your surgery. Icing and ultrasound are both techniques a physical therapist may use to reduce localized swelling and pain. According to PT in Motion News, patients that received the same day, post-operative physical therapy needed fewer opioids after knee surgery.

Improve Circulation – Improved circulation not only facilitates faster healing but reduces the chance of a blood clot forming. Something as simple as massage can improve circulation. Many types of basic exercises and simple movements prescribed by a physical therapist can promote increased blood circulation.

SOURCES:

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF BOTH PRE AND POST-SURGICAL REHABILITATION!

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:25:52 GMT

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU COULD BENEFIT FROM BOTH OUR PRE AND POST-SURGICAL PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES?

Pre and post surgical rehab is often recommended for those having orthopedic surgery. These types of surgeries could include foot, ankle, knee, hip, wrist, hand, shoulder, neck, and spine surgeries.

In fact, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, there are proven benefits to both pre-surgical rehabilitation AND post-surgical rehabilitation.

The following are several important benefits of having pre and post-surgical rehab.

THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR SURGICAL RECOVERY

A therapist will likely do a complete physical assessment before creating a unique prehab and rehab program.

A therapist might also use heat, ice, or electrical stimulation. You’ll want to get started as soon as possible to make sure you’re prepared for surgery and can make a quick and full recovery.

WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF PRE-SURGICAL REHABILITATION?

For example, patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery are typically expected to walk 500-1,000 feet 24 hours after their procedure.

WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF PRE-SURGICAL REHABILITATION?

For example, patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery are typically expected to walk 500-1,000 feet 24 hours after their procedure.

REHABILITATION AFTER SURGERY

It’s important to start a post-surgical rehabilitation plan as soon as your doctor states that you’re ready.

The following are a few of the benefits of post-surgical rehab.

Regain Lost Strength – The more quickly you regain strength and stamina, the more quickly you’ll get back to your daily routine. A physical therapy program can be designed to target the specific areas in your body that need strengthened after surgery.

Reduce Pain and Swelling – The right type of post-surgical treatment can help reduce the amount of pain and swelling you experience after your surgery. Icing and ultrasound are both techniques a physical therapist may use to reduce localized swelling and pain. According to PT in Motion News, patients that received the same day, post-operative physical therapy needed fewer opioids after knee surgery.

Improve Circulation – Improved circulation not only facilitates faster healing but reduces the chance of a blood clot forming. Something as simple as massage can improve circulation. Many types of basic exercises and simple movements prescribed by a physical therapist can promote increased blood circulation.

RECOVER FASTER TODAY!

Are you looking for a speedy recovery after your surgery? Of course you are!

Contact Mayfield PT today to get started on both a pre and post-surgical rehabilitation plan to optimize your results!

CHRONIC JOINT PAIN DOESN’T HAVE TO CONTROL YOUR LIFE – FIND RELIEF WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 18:19:51 GMT

DID YOU KNOW AN ESTIMATED 54.4 MILLION U.S. ADULTS ARE DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS?

54.4 million adults living in the United States are diagnosed with arthritis – that equates to about 1 in 4 Americans. Of those, about 27% report experiencing severe joint pain.

If you are one of these adults living day to day with severe joint pain, we can help. Contact Mayfield PT today to learn more about how physical therapy can help relieve and manage your chronic joint pain.

WHY PHYSICAL THERAPY IS BETTER THAN SURGERY FOR CHRONIC JOINT PAIN RELIEF

According to Harvard Health Publishing,

WHY PHYSICAL THERAPY IS IDEAL FOR ARTHRITIS PAIN

Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility for those with arthritis. It also restores the use of affected joints, reduces pain and strengthens muscles to support the joints. A physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan to improve flexibility, coordination and strength for maximum physical function.

Specifically, a physical therapist will use exercise and manual therapy to treat arthritis. Strengthening exercises and weight-bearing exercises are implemented to improve joint lubrication. This helps reduce the pain associated with arthritis.

A physical therapist will develop a treatment plan that targets all areas of the body affecting the pain. For example, if you suffer from knee pain, the exercise regimen will include proper knee mechanics and the lower back, ankle and hip. Physical therapists also use various manual therapy techniques like joint and soft tissue mobilization to treat the symptoms of arthritis.

Joint mobilization entails the moving of a joint through working with a natural level of resistance. This technique helps stretch and strengthen the tissue surrounding bone and reduces pain and increases range of motion.

Other passive modalities that a physical therapist may use to treat pain from arthritis include ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), cryotherapy or heat. TENS utilizes electrodes to trick the pain from feeling pain.

Ultrasound utilizes heat to help the deep tissues of joints. It helps reduce inflammation and pain. Cryotherapy reduces inflammation and swelling. All around, physical therapy is a holistic treatment for arthritis.

SO, WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ARTHRITIS?

There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common type. The cushioning surface on the bones wears away, and bone rubs against bone.

The joints can lose strength, and joint pain is often chronic. With inflammatory arthritis, the immune system goes awry. It attacks the joints with inflammation. This can cause joint erosion and joint pain.

Infectious arthritis occurs when a virus or bacteria enters the joint. Even though antibiotics may end the infection, arthritis can become chronic. Metabolic arthritis is due to too much uric acid in the body. It can build up and cause chronic joint pain.

PASSIVE AND ACTIVE THERAPIES

Once our physical therapist has isolated the underlying cause of your chronic joint pain, we can prescribe techniques to help you start feeling – and moving – more like your old self.

Physical therapy for joint pain may start with passive exercises , in which we move the afflicted joint for you to increase its pain-free range of motion.

Last but not least, physical therapy offers a variety of helpful modalities beyond exercise. We may treat your joint pain with heat, ice, and manual therapies such as massage, just to name a few.

SOURCES:

ARE HEADACHES CAUSING YOU FREQUENT PAIN? FIND RELIEF WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 18:13:49 GMT

DID YOU KNOW PHYSICAL THERAPY COULD HELP WITH HEADACHE RELIEF?

The term “sick headache” might have been coined to describe exactly how you feel today — and every day. A one-off headache encounter can be distressing enough, but frequent or constant headache pain can completely disable you.

Many of these headaches have underlying musculoskeletal or biochemical causes – which means that they can be corrected through the right forms of treatment. In many cases, physical therapy turns out to be just what the doctor ordered for chronic headaches.

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS?

Stress-related headaches can vary widely in severity, although they’re rarely as debilitating as migraines.

They tend to a generalized ache over a broad region of the head, as opposed to attacking a specific area such as the eye (a trademark of another type of headache called a cluster headache).

The tension that brings them on may stem from emotional stress (if that emotional stress creates chronic neck tightness), but it may also be caused by:

Weak neck muscles that become fatigued easily
“Text neck,” a strain disorder that occurs if you’re always drooping your head forward to look at your smartphone
Repetitive motion or overuse from work or sports activities
Secondary pain problems such as arthritis in the cervical spine

Stress-related headaches that bother you for more than 15 days out of the month for 3 months or more are considered a chronic pain condition.

PHYSICAL THERAPY AND HEADACHE RELIEF

Our physical therapist can help you get to the bottom of your headache problem.

If your headache is cervinogenic in nature, we may need to work on your neck. For instance:

Our physical therapist can help you identify other migraine triggers and suggest strategies for avoiding them in your everyday life.
If your migraines are the result of a recent concussion, a carefully-administered course of physical therapy can actually help you recuperate from that concussion more quickly.
Corrective exercises and postural/ergonomic changes can help you steer clear of “text neck” and other occupational headache triggers.
Laser therapy and massage therapy can both relax tight neck tissues and speed recovery to injured muscles.
Chiropractic adjustment can correct skeletal misalignment issues that place your neck muscles under unnatural strain. These adjustments can also help to reduce cluster headache attacks.
Exercises that strengthen and loosen your neck muscles can help to ease the stresses that set off your headaches.

WHAT’S CAUSING MY PERSISTENT HEADACHES?

What is a headache, beyond the simple definition of a pain in the head? There are actually several categories of headaches, each with its own distinct causes and symptoms.

For most sufferers, chronic headaches mean tension headaches. A tension headache can be triggered or aggravated by emotional tension, but the actual mechanism involves physical tension in the muscles of the neck.

Tight or strained neck muscles can go into spasm. When spasms overtake certain tiny muscles near the base of the skull, the resulting tugging action irritates a membrane called the dura mater. The dura mater then responds by flooding your head with a vaguely pounding or aching sensation.

Weak or underdeveloped neck muscles may be naturally vulnerable to tightness and spasms. Accident injuries (including whiplash) can push the skull off-center in relation to the neck, subjecting the neck muscles to abnormal stresses. (A headache that specifically involves the upper cervical spine is termed a cervinogenic headache.)

Even routine postural problems can cause neck strain and tension headaches. For instance, if you stare down at your smartphone for hours each day, you can develop a painful problem known as “text neck” which also promotes headaches.

Other kinds of headaches, while less common, can prove even more debilitating. Cluster headaches are a prime example. These intense headaches strike one side of your face in clusters of attacks. These headaches have been associated with cervical spinal abnormalities.

Migraines are even more notorious for causing nausea, light/sound sensitivity, faintness and vision problems on top of brutal headaches. Migraines sometimes occur as a complication of concussions; they are also triggered by exposure to specific stimuli such as lights, sounds, or foods.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST TODAY

You’re not doomed to go through life plagued by frequent headaches. If you’re ready to free yourself from this burden, give physical therapy a try.

Contact Mayfield PT today to learn more about our headache treatment options!

SOURCES:

READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO OPIOIDS? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU FIND MORE EFFECTIVE RELIEF!

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 18:07:23 GMT

DID YOU KNOW THAT PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE EVEN BETTER RESULTS THAN OPIOIDS?

Another day, another trip to the pharmacy. This is the treadmill that many chronic pain sufferers find themselves walking, month after month and year after year.

Prescription pain medications can only do so much to keep your suffering at bay — and in the case of opioids, you may find yourself purchasing larger amounts more frequently just to keep up with your ever-increasing tolerance to these powerful drugs.

If you’re tired of exhausting your patience, wellness and wallet, maybe it’s time you talked to your doctor about switching to physical therapy as your primary pain management strategy.

Physical therapy can help you govern your pain without drugs, giving you a chance to break away from your reliance on opioids.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU FIND EFFECTIVE AND LONG-LASTING RELIEF

Instead of emptying your pockets on frequent drug refills that don’t even address the source of your discomfort, ask your doctor whether physical therapy might help you wean yourself off of opioids or other medications. (You may need medical supervision to reduce heavy opioid use safely.)

An experienced physical therapist can examine the reasons for your pain and then devise a targeted, personalized pain management plan. Here are just a few of the ways physical therapy can replace all those bottles of pills:

Chronic nerve pain can be controlled with a technique called transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TENS), which uses electrical impulses to intercept pain messages. Cold laser therapy can ease neuropathy symptoms and promote nerve healing.
Chronic muscle spasms respond well to cold laser therapy, massage therapy, and heat/cold therapy.
Chronic headache/migraine pain can be reduced through a combination of massage, cervical spinal adjustment, and lifestyle or dietary changes to help you avoid known headache or migraine triggers.
Severe neck or back pain can be managed through a combination of strength training, stretching exercises, and chiropractic adjustment.
If you suffer from crippling arthritis pain, physical therapy exercises and massage therapy can help you control joint pain and stiffness.

THE MANY PERILS OF OPIOIDS

There’s no disputing the fact that pain medication is a profitable industry. In addition to the enormous sums spent by consumers on over-the-counter pain relievers, the worldwide market for opioid drugs has been estimated at $25.4 billion — and it’s expected to keep growing.

Opioids prevent pain signals from reaching the brain, enabling them to combat even the most severe pain. Unfortunately, the price of frequent opioid use far exceeds the money you pay for these drugs. The more you use opioids, the more likely your body is to develop a tolerance against them.

As a result, you need to keep taking more frequent and/or more potent doses to achieve the same degree of pain relief. This is a fast, potentially deadly path to addiction.

Don’t assume that you’re getting a good deal from non-addictive pain relievers, by the way. Milder drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen may not get you “hooked,” but their painkilling effects are short-lived, forcing you to keep dosing yourself every few hours.

These medicines can also cause health problems with frequent or heavy use, with risks ranging from stomach bleeding to liver failure.

FIND PAIN RELIEF WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY TODAY

In the meantime, however, our physical therapist can work with you on treating the biomechanical problems that caused your pain in the first place.

Here are just a few of the physical therapy modalities that can help you conquer your pain:

Exercises can increase your pain-free range of motion, strengthen the muscles that support your body, and increase blood flow to reduce inflammation.
Massage therapy can control painful muscle spasms, help the tissues expel inflammatory substances, and direct more blood and oxygen to an injury.
Laser therapy can ease pain caused by injuries, arthritis, muscular strain, tendinitis, or neuropathy.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses electrical energy to block pain signals to nerves.

SAY GOODBYE TO OPIOIDS, ONCE AND FOR ALL!

If you’re going to invest time, effort and money into feeling better, do it in a way that actually helps your body for safer long-term solutions.

If your doctor agrees that physical therapy can help you ditch the drugs, contact Mayfield PT to schedule an initial appointment and work out a pain management program!

SO YOU HAVE BACK PAIN – CHANCES ARE, IT COULD BE FROM A HERNIATED DISC

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 18:02:19 GMT

DID YOU KNOW YOUR BACK PAIN COULD BE STEMMING FROM A HERNIATED DISC?

There are so many causes of hip and knee pain, from excess weight to sports injuries, advancing age to repetitive motion injuries. Whatever the cause of your hip and/or knee pain, if you are experiencing it regularly you need to find a way to manage it.

Many people use medications like anti-inflammatories to minimize their discomfort. However, these medications have potential side effects, so it can be helpful to find other ways to relieve your pain. Physical therapy may be the solution you are looking for.

THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR HERNIATED DISCS

After even minor surgery, your body is struggling to heal and recover to its normal state. No matter what type of surgery you’ve just had, physical therapy can help you more quickly regain strength and flexibility. Physical therapy is especially important if you have or will spend a significant amount of time lying in a hospital bed. It’s necessary to keep muscles and joints as flexible as possible during the healing process. A physical therapist can also design a program to reduce the amount of scar tissue that forms after surgery. Physical therapy can help you return to your regular routine as quickly as possible.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A HERNIATED DISC?

You may be one of millions of individuals that sit in the same position, doing the same type of work for hours at a time. Even if you’re standing and moving around, moving your body in the same way, such as always lifting or pulling items the same way, can result in a repetitive injury. Carpal tunnel or tennis elbow are common injuries that are often caused by repetitive movements. A physical therapist can teach you simple exercises to treat the condition. A therapist can also show you how to perform repetitive tasks in ways that will prevent future injuries from occurring.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM TREATMENTS?

If you’re increasingly pulling muscles or falling more frequently you would likely benefit from working with a physical therapist. A trained physical therapist can teach you exercises that can improve your balance and increase overall stability. You may need to learn new ways of warming up or cooling down after your favorite activities to reduce the chance of pulling a muscle or tendon.

LEARN HOW TO GET STARTED

There may not be any specific injury or pain you’re currently experiencing, but you’ve noticed it’s more difficult to do the things you enjoy. Whether it’s due to a chronic condition such as arthritis or general wear and tear on your joints and muscles, physical therapy can help you get back to the activities you love.

Everything from injuries and surgery to repetitive use and even aging may require physical therapy to get you moving as efficiently as possible. An individualized physical therapy program can also reduce or even eliminate pain. Physical therapy can help people of all ages live healthier, more active lives.

If you need physical therapy, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy!

SOURCES:

https://www.physicaltherapyfirst.com/2018/07/30/herniated-disc-exercises/

FIND EFFECTIVE RELIEF FOR YOUR HIP AND KNEE PAINS TODAY WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 17:54:43 GMT

ARE YOU LIVING WITH HIP OR KNEE PAIN? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

THE MANY BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

PHYSICAL THERAPY OVER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR HIP AND KNEE PAIN RELIEF

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY TREATMENT PLAN?

If you need physical therapy, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy!

HERNIATED DISCS: TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FROM OUR PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 17:51:13 GMT

Something is terribly wrong with you, but you’re not quite sure what it is. Strange neck pains, back pains, or extremity symptoms can indicate a variety of potential problems — including one or more herniated discs . How can you tell for sure whether you have this specific problem? If you do have a herniated disc, what can you do about it? These questions don’t have to add confusion and frustration to your physical woes. Here are some helpful tidbits of information from our physical therapist about herniated discs, their common symptoms, and how physical therapy can you overcome your distress.

WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

“Herniated disc,” “slipped disc,” and “ruptured disc” are all just different ways of describing the same physical problem. Your spinal discs are squat discs of tissue that lie between the vertebrae. A disc consists of a fluid-filled center called the nucleus pulposus encased in an outer structure called the annulus fibrosus. This arrangement makes the disc both tough enough and spongy enough to absorb shocks.

Unfortunately, that toughness has its limits. Sometimes a disc will lose hydration over time, causing the nucleus pulposus to shrink. The disc loses its height, which stresses the spinal joints and may cause the disc to bulge outward. Eventually these changes can cause part of the annulus fibrosus to balloon and tear open; this is herniated disc. Herniated discs can also occur suddenly due to an auto accident, workplace accident, or sports injury that traumatizes the spine.

TELLTALE SIGNS AND REVEALING TESTS

Herniated discs don’t always cause symptoms, but the symptoms that they do cause can help you troubleshoot the nature of your problem. The most common symptoms include:

Neck pain (if it’s a cervical disc)
Back pain that seems to grow worse when you sneeze, cough, stand up or sit down
Pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in a limb (the result of a herniated disc pressing against nerve roots)
An inability to walk more than a few steps without pain
Symptoms that started shortly after an accident, extreme twisting of the neck or back, or an attempt to lift a heavy object
Symptoms that began after you gained a lot of weight (since obesity is a risk factor for disc problems)

If your symptoms seem to be soothed by massage, heat, or cold, you’re more likely to have a strained muscle or tendon than a herniated disc. Ultimately, the most accurate way to confirm a herniated disc is through medical imaging. X-rays can reveal not only the abnormal shape of a herniated disc, but also whether the herniation is pinching a nerve.

PHYSICAL THERAPY TO HELP YOU TREAT YOUR HERNIATED DISC

A herniated disc can cause a lot of misery — but don’t panic. Most herniated discs can be treated successfully without surgery. Physical therapy can be instrumental in helping you reduce or eliminate your symptoms. Our physical therapist can recommend specific exercises to build up the strength in your back or neck. These exercises can counter any atrophy or weakness you’ve experienced due to your herniated disc. They can also reinforce your neck and back, lending these structures extra support and making them less vulnerable to future herniation. We may also recommend other non-invasive techniques to complement your physical therapy exercises and help you heal.

Are you ready to learn more about herniated discs and get the answers your neck or back needs? Contact Mayfield PT today to schedule a consultation!

SOURCE:

SAY NO TO OPIOIDS! PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP REDUCE PAIN

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 17:46:51 GMT

“The White House has announced that APTA is among the organizations that have joined a public-private partnership to combat opioid usage and prescription drug abuse, and that the association will reach out to the public and its members to deliver the message that pain can be effectively managed through conservative, nondrug approaches. Physical therapists can help individuals manage pain, and greater use of physical therapy could make a real impact on the tragic levels of drug abuse in this country—abuse that often begins with a prescription for pain medication.”

OPIOIDS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

You can say “no” to opioids with the help of physical therapy. Chronic pain can make you curl up in bed and turn to opioids for pain management. It’s important to note that physical therapy can be implemented to treat all types of neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal pain. It can help alleviate pain due to osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathic pain, headaches and more.

A physical therapist utilizes a number of different pain management methods, such as deep tissue massage, manipulation of bones, manual therapy, cold laser therapy, microcurrent stimulation, movement therapy and exercise. Exercise may involve walking on a treadmill or specific exercises to strengthen the muscles. Keep in mind that just 30 minutes of exercise a day will help you with pain management. The exercise plan that a physical therapist will devise for you will be focused in strengthening the muscles, increasing enduring, developing more flexibility in the joints and muscles and create stability in the joints. A physical therapist uses the fundamental sciences of biomechanics, pathology and kinesiology to formulate a specific exercise treatment plan for patients.

Physical therapy is a multi-pronged approach to lessening pain. With exercise, massage and manipulation, the body is encouraged to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals and to heal itself. Both tissue and bone will remodel with physical therapy.

Deep tissue massage enhances oxygen and nutrients to travel to the affected area. Cold laser therapy is used to lessen pain, reduce inflammation and release endorphins. Microcurrent stimulation emits alpha waves to increase dopamine and serotonin to alleviate pain naturally. A physical therapist will work closely with you and your doctor to find an effective treatment plan for your pain.

THE GOAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

The goal of physical therapy is to improve function and reduce pain. Both active and passive modalities are used to help reduce pain. Physical therapy is effective for avoiding unnecessary surgery and for developing a dependence on opioids. This is why physical therapy is often the first point of entry in the healthcare system for pain management.

Pain education is an important component of physical therapy intervention. A physical therapist will educate you on the source of your pain and give you tips on how to manage your daily activities in order to reduce or eliminate pain. All around, physical therapy is a much safer avenue than opioids. If you’re suffering in pain, say “no” to opioids and “yes” to physical therapy.

Contact Mayfield PT for more information!

GET CONTROL OVER YOUR JOINT PAIN! PHYSICAL THERAPY IS THE SOLUTION.

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:40:38 GMT

Chronic joint pain is typically associated with arthritis, although there are other physical ailments that can lead to joint deterioration and pain. While physical therapy is not a cure for arthritis, it can help to alleviate the pain, increase your range of motion in the affected joints and help you get control over the problem so that it doesn’t get worse. If you are not proactive when it comes to joint pain, it likely will worsen over time. If you’ve been suffering from joint pain for a while, Call Mayfield Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

ARTHRITIS AND JOINT PAIN

There are two main types of arthritis that are the most common culprits when it comes to joint pain: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Here is a closer look at these types of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis by far. It typically develops later in life and can be caused by poor body mechanics, overuse of the joint or an injury. The cartilage in joints serves as a natural barrier that lubricates and distributes force during physical activity. When that cartilage breaks down and no longer provides a cushion between adjoining bones, the result is osteoarthritis. The hands, hips, knees and spine are the most common body parts impacted by osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s healing systems attack the joints. This causes inflammation of the joints, which can be extremely painful. Rheumatoid arthritis usually begins in the hands, wrists or feet, but it can spread to the hips, knees or shoulders — getting progressively worse — if you aren’t proactive in combating it. If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will likely prescribe pharmaceutical treatments to stave off the symptoms. However, physical therapy can be a tremendous help as well.

Certain ailments like gout, bursitis, lupus or tendinitis can also contribute to joint pain. The source of your joint pain may cause the specific course of physical therapy that is recommended for you to vary.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR JOINT PAIN

During your first visit with a physical therapist , be prepared to talk about your symptoms. If your doctor has already diagnosed the condition that is causing your joint pain, your physical therapist should know this. Your therapist will need to know about the type of joint pain you are experiencing, the times of day when the pain is worse, and any physical activities that you engage in on a regular basis (for example, do you have a job that requires physical labor or sitting at a desk all day, or are you retired and less active?).

Your therapist will likely run you through a series of simple tests during your first visit. These will be done to test your range of motion, balance and posture. This information will be used to help create a customized physical therapy regimen to help you relieve the joint pain, while strengthening muscles to help support the joints.

Your plan of physical therapy will likely contain a combination of body mechanics work, exercises and manual therapy. Body mechanics involves teaching you the proper way to move, sit, stand, lift objects and engage in other daily activities, without causing pain to your joints. The exercises will likely be low-impact to relieve pressure on the joints while strengthening your muscles, such as water aerobics. Manual therapy is a specialized type of therapeutic massage that your physical therapist is trained in; manual therapy can help to soften tissues and relieve pain associated with your joint condition.

The goal of your physical therapy will be to help you take back control of your life by minimizing the joint pain. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule your first appointment with a physical therapist.

5 COMMON INDICATORS THAT YOU NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 17:36:20 GMT

Physical therapy isn’t just for rehabilitation or athletes in training. There are many reasons why a person might need the assistance of a physical therapist. There are five basic indicators that you need to visit a physical therapist.

1. YOU’RE EXPERIENCING SHARP PAIN

Sharp pain, especially if it’s ongoing, may be a sign of a serious injury. It could be a pulled muscle or possibly a stress fracture. The sooner an injury is treated the more likely it will heal quickly. There is also the chance that an injury will get worse if it is not treated in a timely manner. A physical therapist can do an evaluation and get you started on a treatment program to treat the root cause of your pain. Choose PT states that a physical therapist may use a variety of methods to treat pain including manual therapy, exercise, and education. Reducing and eliminating any type of ongoing pain will enable you to more fully participate and enjoy your daily activities.

2. YOU JUST HAD SURGERY

3. YOU’RE STRUGGLING WITH CONDITIONS FROM REPETITIVE USE

4. YOU’RE EXPERIENCING MORE INJURIES THAN USUAL

5. YOU’VE STOPPED DOING THINGS YOU USED TO ENJOY

If you need physical therapy, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy!

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME CHRONIC BACK PAIN? ASK OUR PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Sat, 20 Jun 2020 17:31:09 GMT

Did you know that approximately 80 percent of Americans have experienced (or will experience) back pain? That’s a depressing statistic, especially if you’re already one of those sufferers. Chronic back pain can prevent you from performing the countless daily tasks you need or want to perform. Even when you’re not engaged in activity, your back pain may be keeping you miserable 24/7. But don’t assume that drugs can provide more than temporary relief, or that surgery won’t create more problems than it solves. Instead, go with the healthy, natural way to kiss your back pain goodbye — through physical therapy.

DRUGS AND SURGERY: TWO BACK PAIN SOLUTIONS THAT CAUSE FRESH PROBLEMS

Back pain can be either acute or chronic in nature. Acute back pain often occurs as the direct result of torn muscles or other sudden, intense damage. But as agonizing as cute back pain may be, at least you have the comfort of knowing that your pain will probably subside as the injury heals. Chronic back offers no such comfort. By definition, any kind of chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months, either attacking you in bouts or plaguing you with constant discomfort. The underlying cause is often progressive and/or irreversible. Common causes of chronic back pain include:

Bulging or herniated discs
Chronic muscle strain from an unbalanced posture or weak back muscles
Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis of the spine
A narrowing of the spinal canal known as spinal stenosis
An old back injury that failed to heal properly, leaving you with internal scarring and chronic stiffness

Drugs can relieve chronic back pain, but only imperfectly. After a few hours of lessened symptoms, you have to take another dosage, and then another. If you’re using opioids to dull your pain, you can end up in a frightening cycle of increased tolerance and addiction. The most extreme form of treatment, spinal surgery, can permanently limit your back’s flexibility. You might even end up with an even more painful problem known as failed back surgery syndrome .

THE PHYSICAL THERAPY APPROACH TO CHRONIC BACK PAIN MANAGEMENT

Instead of numbing yourself with drugs or risking major surgery, give physical therapy a chance to relieve your chronic back pain the safe, natural way. Our physical therapist will first take the time to examine your back, analyze your symptoms, evaluate your medical history, and talk to you about your pain management goals. This information enables the physical therapist to devise a comprehensive physical therapy plan just for you. Here are some ways you can benefit from such a plan:

Stretching exercises can can help you increase your range of motion, allowing you to do more with less back pain.
Strengthening exercises can give weak back muscles the reinforcement they need to hold your back straighter and with less fatigue.
Laser therapy, massage therapy, and heat or cold treatments can reduce chronic inflammation and relax painful muscle spasms in your back.
Our physical therapist can recommend specific lifestyle modifications to help you ease stress on your back and avoid future back problems.
Mindfulness practices and other techniques can help you reduce anxiety and other reactions to pain that might make the pain worse, helping you control your pain responses for the better.

MASTER YOUR BACK PAIN — WITH OUR HELP

You have the power to master your chronic pain, starting with the decision to treat yourself to physical therapy. Contact our physical therapist today to schedule an initial consultation!

LASTING RELIEF FOR HIP & KNEE PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 17:19:41 GMT

If you have been struggling with hip and knee pain for very long, it may feel like your pain is here to stay. After all, can you really get any lasting relief from serious joint pain? Actually, you can, and physical therapy is one of the best ways to do it. With the right physical therapy treatments, you can lessen the pain you experience in your hips and knees – and possibly even eliminate it altogether.

HOW TO GET LASTING PAIN RELIEF – PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR HIP AND KNEE PAIN

Hip and knee pain can be so frustrating – it seems like no matter what you have to do if you move you are going to experience pain. But there are ways to reduce your pain over the long term. It may take some time and effort on your part, but physical therapy has proven time and again to help reduce hip and knee pain for patients of all ages and backgrounds.

Why does the pain relief you get from physical therapy last for so long? There are a few reasons, including:

Getting to the source of the problem. If you just treat the symptoms of a hip and/or knee issue, you are almost guaranteed to see the problem pop up again later on. But if you can identify the source of the problem, you can actually treat what is causing the pain. Physical therapists have a process to identify the causes of hip and knee pain so that they can give you targeted treatments designed to get to the bottom of what is causing your pain.

Making you stronger so you don’t sustain further injuries. One of the big frustrations with joint pain is that it never seems to fully go away. Even if you rest for a while and feel better, when you go out and start moving again the injury can flare up all over again. But with physical therapy exercises, you get much stronger than you were before. The added strength allows your muscles to better support your joints, so you are less likely to experience additional irritation in the joint.

Helping you move in a healthier way. Many times the pain you are experiencing in your hip and knee is related to unhealthy movement patterns. They may have been learned over time or in response to an initial injury. Those unhealthy movements cause added strain on your joints and lead to further pain and injuries. Your physical therapist will help identify unhealthy movement patterns and give you advice to replace those patterns with ones that will protect your joints from further injury.

Making it easier to lead an active lifestyle. Chronic hip and knee pain can be improved significantly through regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Of course, you have to be able to move without significant pain to exercise – something that is made much easier by physical therapy. Your physical therapist can help you improve your hip and knee pain significantly and teach you ways to exercise so that you avoid injuring your joints. Through physical therapy, you can regain strength and mobility so that you can lead a more active lifestyle.

LET US SHOW YOU THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR HIP AND KNEE PAIN

If you are currently struggling with hip and knee pain, we want you to know that we are here to help. Our physical therapy team can help you reduce your pain over the short term and the long term. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with your physical therapy team and get the relief you deserve!

SURGERY MIGHT NOT BE YOUR ONLY OPTION TO RELIEVE BACK PAIN. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Wed, 20 May 2020 17:16:09 GMT

There are few more debilitating conditions than back pain . Ranging from a dull ache to excruciating, back pain can keep you from performing simple daily tasks you once enjoyed. While nearly 80 percent of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives, the treatments used to alleviate it are varied. Yet many people automatically think surgery is the best option to relieve back pain. Carrying high levels of risk and requiring months of recovery, back surgery is nothing to be undertaken lightly. Fortunately, surgery is not your only option to relieve back pain. Here are a few things to consider.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR PAIN RELIEF

Many people associate physical therapy with a post-surgical treatment plan. While it does play a vital role in helping patients recover once they have been under the knife, it is also an incredible tool for pain relief. A physical therapist can treat acute pain with manual therapies such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage. However, what most people don’t realize is that pain relief often requires strengthening the structures around the injury, not just treating the injury itself. If you are experiencing back pain, you may need to strengthen your core muscles in your abdomen and legs to help your back find relief. This process is not a fast one, but a physical therapist can show you exercises that are aimed at relieving your pain.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR BETTER MOVEMENT

It is important to remember that a physical therapist is an expert in the way the body moves. We have a natural tendency to rest when we are in pain, rather than move. In reality, many people who experience back pain need to learn how to move better. Physical therapy can help you regain lost movement in your back and legs while decreasing your pain levels. A physical therapist can also show you how to prevent further injury in your daily life by teaching you how to bend, lift, stretch, sit, stand, or walk in ways that relieve your back pain.

PHYSICAL THERAPY BEFORE SURGERY

If you are already planning on surgery to help alleviate back pain, you may already have a recovery plan that includes physical therapy. What you may not know is that physical therapy is a great way to prepare for surgery as well. Not only can it improve your cardiovascular function, physical therapy can strengthen the muscles and muscle attachments in areas that will already be weakened by surgery. Even a few sessions with a physical therapist have been shown to reduce postoperative care by more than 25 percent. Since most back surgery procedures require long periods of recovery, the idea of cutting it down by a fourth is appealing.

A physical therapist will evaluate your current condition and pain level. They will consult with your surgeon for more information and any imaging studies that are available. The physical therapist will then create a treatment plan aimed at immediate pain relief and strengthening the body in preparation for surgery. If you will need the use of your arms for balance, the physical therapist will help you strengthen your upper body in preparation. If you need better core strength to hold the structures of your spine in place, the physical therapist will work on strengthening your muscles without causing additional damage.

Whether you are considering surgery or already have a surgical date, contact our office to schedule a free physical therapy consultation and start experiencing relief.

DO YOU HAVE STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES? PHYSICAL THERAPY HAS THE SOLUTIONS

Sun, 10 May 2020 17:12:24 GMT

When you see someone at work or in a difficult situation clutching his head, you may assume either that he’s under extreme stress, or that he has a headache. In fact, you may be right on both counts. Both physical and emotional stress can cause tension headaches ; they can also trigger cervicogenic and migraine headaches, any of which can leave you effectively disabled.

You may struggle with chronic or recurring headache pain yourself — in which case, you’re probably tired of taking pain relievers all the time. Maybe it’s time you found a better answer by consulting our physical therapist . Physical therapy can ease your headache symptoms by treating their underlying causes, giving you a safer, more sustainable headache management strategy.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS AND HEADACHES

Emotional stress and physical stress are closely linked, with either capable of causing or aggravating the other. Perceived crises can cause muscles to tighten up as the body goes into “fight or flight” mode. When that tightness affects small muscles at the base of the skull, such as the RCPM muscle in the neck, those muscles may pull on a pain-sensitive membrane in the head called the dura mater. The dura mater responds by sending out waves of pain, giving you a classic tension headache.

Cervicogenic headaches also originate in the neck. These headaches are often caused by alignment problems or imbalances in the cervical spine. These imbalances place the neck muscles under physical stress, producing both headaches and neck pain. Emotional stress can also play a role in cervicogenic headaches, since the muscle tightness they create can help to pull the neck out of alignment.

Last but certainly not least, migraines are the most dreaded of headaches. In fact, a migraine attack may go far beyond the crushing headache it is notorious for producing, causing symptoms such as:

Nausea and vomiting
Faintness
Sound and/or light sensitivity
Visual distortions known as “auras”

While it’s hard to pin down the underlying causes behind migraines, many of triggers are well known — and they include stress. In addition to various foods, bright lights, loud sounds, weather changes and hormonal swings, migraines can be set off by physical overexertion or emotional strain.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

Pain relieving drugs such as NSAIDs can relieve the occasional headache, but they can’t address the stresses that lead to chronic headache problems. For that level of relief, turn to physical therapy. Our physical therapist here at Mayfield Physical Therapy will conduct a thorough evaluation that includes an examination of your neck and cervical spine, discussion of your symptoms, and analysis of lifestyle factors that may be sources of stress. This background allows us to create a headache management program largely rooted in the management of stress and its effects. This program may include:

Exercises to limber up your neck or strengthen your neck muscles
Massage therapy to relax a chronically tight neck
Dry needling to ease stress-induced tension and pain
Ergonomic adjustments such as changing your computer monitor height (to prevent constant neck droop)
Chiropractic adjustments to correct cervical spinal alignment
Suggestions for changing or sleep position or trying a different kind of pillow
Mindfulness exercises such as yoga to help you add more serenity to your daily life

LET OUR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ADDRESS YOUR HEADACHE PAIN

Conquer your stress, and you may just conquer your chronic headaches as well. Get in touch with Mayfield PT to learn more about this drug-free approach to headache relief!

DON’T BE A PART OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC. PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP RELIEVE YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN

Sun, 10 May 2020 16:55:27 GMT

When a person suffers from arthritis, particularly in a weight-bearing joint like the knee or hip, taking an opioid painkiller for relief can be a powerful temptation. The bad news is that while an opioid can temporarily relieve pain, the patient’s bones continue to grind together, making the underlying cause of the condition even worse. And that’s even before you consider the addictive qualities of opioids. Rather than turning to opioids for your arthritis, consider the chemical-free alternative to arthritis pain: Physical therapy. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy to learn more about how working with a physical therapist can relieve your arthritis symptoms.

ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS

Arthritis symptoms can be managed with the help of physical therapy. Some of the most common symptoms that arthritis sufferers have to deal with include:

Pain: Arthritic joints may hurt during or after physical movement.
Joint Stiffness and Aches: The joints are especially stiff upon waking and may feel sensitive or painful when touched.
Lost Mobility: An arthritic joint can restrict your range of motion, to the point where you are unable to carry out daily tasks like you used to.
Grinding Sensation: Arthritis is a result of lost cartilage, the material in the joints which acts as a cushion and lubricant between bones. The loss of cartilage can make it feel as if the patient’s bones are grinding together when they move.
Swollen Tissues: The pain and inflammation associated with arthritis can cause tissue swelling near the impacted joint. The area surrounding the joint might feel warm to the touch.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS PAIN

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, you can work with a physical therapist to learn strategies that will help you manage your symptoms, without having to resort to painkillers. During your first appointment, be prepared to talk about your medical history with your therapist. You will be asked to describe your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. For example, does your arthritis prevent you from reaching things on a high shelf, walking up and downstairs, and so on.

During your first appointment, your physical therapist will likely have you do a few simple tests. The tests will vary based on which joints are suffering from arthritis. In general, expect to be tested on your range of motion in the impacted joints, as well as your strength and balance. These tests will be used to determine how far the arthritis has advanced, and to assist the physical therapist in crafting the best possible plan of treatment for you.

Manual therapy will likely be a part of the treatment strategy for managing your arthritis. This specialized type of therapeutic massage not only relieves stiffness and pain in arthritic joints but can also help to loosen tissues up and extend your range of motion. All licensed physical therapists are trained in the use of manual therapy for arthritis.

Body mechanics will be another part of your arthritis treatment. Your physical therapist will teach you the proper way to carry out daily activities with minimal impact on your arthritic joints. This helps to prevent the grinding sensation and helps prevent the arthritis condition from worsening.

Exercise and weight management may also be a part of your course of physical therapy. Depending on the location of your arthritis, your therapist might recommend aquatic exercise in a pool for joint relief (as one possible example). The goal will be to increase your strength so that muscle structures can bear your weight better, without putting undue strain on arthritic joints.

Physical therapy can help you manage the pain of arthritis without turning to powerful opioids or other painkillers. Schedule your first appointment with our licensed physical therapists today!

STRETCHING: A HEALTHY PART OF ANY PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 17:07:25 GMT

Can some simple physical motions dramatically improve your overall health, wellness, and quality of life? In the case of stretching, the answer is most definitely yes. Stretching exercises are a staple of physical therapy for just that reason. You might be surprised to discover just how many ways stretches can help you. Here are some prime reasons that our physical therapist might prescribe stretches to enhance your life.

IMPROVING YOUR PAIN-FREE MOBILITY

It’s quite common for a physical therapist to prescribe various stretching exercises to individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions. Stretching takes on special importance when you’ve become less mobile due to issues such as osteoarthritis. The less you move your joints, the greater the likelihood that your muscles and connective tissues will lose some of their length. This change obviously limits your joint motion even further and leaves you in even more pain. Stretches naturally support physical therapy recommendations such as walking, heat therapy, or massage therapy in increasing blood flow to painful joints and widening your pain-free range of motion.

Chronic pain syndromes often involve tight muscles. Syndromes such as fibromyalgia and its cousin, myofascial pain syndrome, cause muscle knots that limit muscle motion and trigger referred pain to other parts of the body. Regular stretching can help you “untie those” painful knots.

PROTECTING YOUR TISSUES

Are you accustomed to seeing athletes go through sets of stretching exercises before a competition or training session? They’re not just stretching for the fun of it — they’re trying to optimize their athletic performance while also protecting themselves against injury. Tissues that are tight, stiff, or generally unprepared for challenges may tear, resulting in a strain or sprain that puts a premature end to your participation.

Stretches provide a safe, gentle way to work out the kinks and get your tissues ready for action. As you become more limber, you reduce your risk of a soft tissue injury. You’ll find those tissues more capable and responsive as you work or play. Stretching after your activity is just as beneficial; it prevents your muscles from seizing up and getting stiff once they’re no longer being exerted.

OPTIMIZING YOUR WELLNESS

Stretching provides numerous benefits to help your body keep itself healthier. One if the most important of these is stress relief. Everyday life throws lots of challenges at you, and the resulting stress can be held in your muscles. This leads to tightness, spasms, and chronic discomforts such as headaches and neck pain. Stress also floods your body with “fight or flight” hormones such as cortisone and adrenalin. These imbalances can suppress your immune function, making you more vulnerable to viruses and other diseases. Hypertension is yet another dangerous consequence of chronic stress.

Regular stretches help your body release all that pent-up stress. By relaxing and loosening your muscles, you can maintain better control over your blood pressure, avoid chronic muscle pain, and keep your immune system ready for anything.

OUR PHYSICAL THERAPIST CAN HELP YOU GET STARTED

There are right ways and wrong ways to stretch. For one thing, different kinds of stretches offer different benefits. Your particular situation might call for active stretches (in which you move a body part with no assistance), passive stretches (in which the body part is held or supported), or both. Stretches can also hurt you if you perform them incorrectly. Our physical therapist here at Mayfield PT can help you stretch safely and effectively — so contact Mayfield PT center today!

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IMPROVE YOUR NUTRITION TO DECREASE PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 17:01:45 GMT

Inflammation is a natural process the body uses to protect itself and to promote healing. During the inflammation process, your body increases its production of white blood cells. Chronic inflammation, however, can damage the body. Living with continual inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and redness in the affected areas. It can also increase your risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. There are several ways you can improve your nutrition and decrease pain and inflammation.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS THAT GOOD NUTRITION CAN DECREASE PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

Foods that can cause Inflammation and should be avoided or limited include the following:

Red Meat – Healthy, lean protein is a crucial component when creating a diet to reduce pain and inflammation. Protein builds muscle and cartilage. Red meat, especially meats that are processed, can lead to increased inflammation. Chicken is often considered neutral, while many types of fish actually fight pain and inflammation in the body.
Refined Carbohydrates – Refined carbs include grains that have had most of the fiber and nutrients taken out. Pasta, pastries, white bread, and white flour are all refined carbs that should be eliminated or eaten rarely.
Soda – Soda can increase levels of uric acid. This often causes an increase in inflammation and even insulin resistance. Drinking water or tea in place of soda will not only help reduce pain and inflammation, but may also help you shed a few pounds.
Fried Foods – Everything from fried chicken to deep-fried veggies can contribute to inflammation. Eat your veggies raw, steamed, or baked for the most health benefits.

Foods that Can Help Reduce Inflammation

Olive Oil – Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that tastes great and can help reduce inflammation. Make sure to select olive oil that is extra virgin in order to receive the most health benefits. Olive oil that is real extra virgin should solidify after it is refrigerated.
Fatty Fish – Wild-caught salmon, sardines, and mackerel are great sources of Omega-3s, which can fight inflammation. They may even limit stiffness in the joints that is sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Leafy Vegetables – Almost all fruits and vegetables contain what is called phytonutrients that can help fight inflammation.
Green Tea – Green tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that can reduce inflammation. It’s recommended to use water that’s not higher in temperature than 160 degrees since boiling water may destroy many of the antioxidants.
Berries – Berries have an abundance of antioxidants that can eliminate inflammation. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are all good choices.

THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Physical therapy, combined with good nutritional habits, can greatly reduce or even eliminate your pain and inflammation. The American Physical Therapy Association states that the connection between pain and nutrition is strong enough that nutritional screening is often recommended. A physical therapist can provide nutritional guidance along with creating an exercise program that targets and reduces the pain and inflammation you’ve been experiencing. A physical therapist may recommend activities such as swimming or simple stretching to increase joint flexibility and range of motion. Good nutrition along with a physical therapy treatment plan can help you manage or even eliminate chronic pain by increasing the strength in certain muscles and improving joint stability. Instead of relying on surgery or pain medication, improved diet and a physical therapy program customized to meet your specific needs can help you live pain-free. Contact us today to start living healthier!

AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH. TRY THESE 5 ACTIVITIES TO GET MOVING.

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:57:38 GMT

If you spend your days hobbling painfully from your bed to your reclining chair and back, the notion of pursuing any kind of vigorous activity may be the furthest thing from your mind. The truth, however, is that getting active can vastly improve your health, your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life. Here are five activity suggestions from our Mayfield PT physical therapist that you might genuinely enjoy adding to your lifestyle.

ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS

Arthritis symptoms can be managed with the help of physical therapy. Some of the most common symptoms that arthritis sufferers have to deal with include:

Pain: Arthritic joints may hurt during or after physical movement.
Joint Stiffness and Aches: The joints are especially stiff upon waking and may feel sensitive or painful when touched.
Lost Mobility: An arthritic joint can restrict your range of motion, to the point where you are unable to carry out daily tasks like you used to.
Grinding Sensation: Arthritis is a result of lost cartilage, the material in the joints which acts as a cushion and lubricant between bones. The loss of cartilage can make it feel as if the patient’s bones are grinding together when they move.
Swollen Tissues: The pain and inflammation associated with arthritis can cause tissue swelling near the impacted joint. The area surrounding the joint might feel warm to the touch.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS PAIN

Physical therapy can help you manage the pain of arthritis without turning to powerful opioids or other painkillers. Schedule your first appointment with our licensed physical therapists today!

CHRONIC BACK PAIN DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR STORY. 3 WAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP.

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 16:46:23 GMT

Chronic back pain leads many people to consider surgery or addictive painkillers to deal with the problem. The depression that can accompany serious, long-lasting back pain can lead people to think that. But what if surgery or opioids didn’t need to be a part of your story? If you’ve been thinking about surgery to finally feel some relief, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights and Euclid, OH today to find out how working with a physical therapist can be a possible solution to your chronic back pain.

WHAT IS CHRONIC BACK PAIN?

Back pain is fairly easy to define: It’s pain that a person experience in their back, usually along the spine or in the muscles attached to the spine. “Chronic back pain,” however, is pain that lasts for longer than 12 weeks. The person’s back might feel better or worse during certain times of day, but the pain is always there and it’s always debilitating. It can interfere with work or even cause people to struggle with simple day-to-day tasks.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC BACK PAIN

Sometimes patients and their doctors know exactly what caused the back pain to originate. The patient usually had a work-related accident or a traffic accident in which their back was injured. However, a 2014 article in the journal Clinical Radiology noted that in 90 percent of cases, the source of the back pain is unknown. In most cases, back pain develops on its own over time, without that “one incident” that injured the person’s back.

The main symptom of chronic back pain is right in the condition’s name: Intense pain in the back. Other symptoms include limited mobility; you may not be able to twist and turn your body like you were once able to. Getting up out of a chair or even out of bed in the morning can be an excruciating experience. Lifting even light objects can cause the pain to intensify.

3 WAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS CHRONIC BACK PAIN

There’s a substantial amount of medical literature which proves that physical therapy can help chronic back pain to resolve. Is “living with the pain” working out for you? Probably not. Working with a physical therapist is a proven method for improving the symptoms of chronic back pain. In many cases, the need for surgery can be alleviated and patients will no longer need to rely on painkillers, if they follow through on the physical therapist’s recommendations. Here are three ways physical therapy helps chronic back pain.

Active Physical Therapy: Your physical therapy plan will involve specific exercises and stretches, which is known as “active” physical therapy. Your physical therapist has years of training and hands-on experience working with chronic back pain patients. This won’t be like training for a title fight. The exercises will specifically strengthen muscle groups that support your back and core. The stretches will be geared toward helping your body regain the mobility and flexibility you have lost as a result of the pain.
Passive Physical Therapy: Physical therapy isn’t just about exercise. “Passive” physical therapy involves non-physical treatments which help to relax the muscles and deliver pain relief. For chronic back pain, this can involve hot and cold packs applied to painful areas, electrical stimulation of the muscle structures, and more.
Long-Term Support: It takes time to alleviate chronic back pain through stretching, exercise and other therapies. If you try to do it on your own, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up. Your physical therapist is there to provide emotional and psychological motivation throughout the journey, until your back pain is a distant memory.

If you’ve been suffering from chronic back pain and think that surgery might be the only way to help, call Mayfield Physical Therapy to schedule a no-risk appointment with a physical therapist.

4 WAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP RELIEVE JOINT PAIN FROM ARTHRITIS

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 16:38:15 GMT

Whether it is a pop in the knee with every step that you take, or a crack of your fingers with every attempt to open a jar, chances are that you aren’t going to realize just how much you rely on your joints to perform up to par until you are experiencing regular joint pain. Arthritis is one of the leading causes of joint pain, and this means that pain in the ankles, knees, elbows and hips can happen to just about anyone.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 50 million American adults. While often attributed to something people experience with old age, arthritis can actually happen at any time of life. In fact, more than 300,000 children and infants in the United States alone are diagnosed with arthritis—something that many of these children are forced to deal with from birth, therefore leaving a lifetime of joint pain to cope with.

Physical therapy is one of the highest rated treatments for arthritis pain. While so many people think of physical therapy as a treatment for following an injury or after a devastating health-condition like a heart attack or stroke, utilizing physical therapy for arthritis pain is both highly effective and recommended. In fact, many physical therapists work with people who struggle with arthritis pain daily.

Here are four ways that physical therapy can help relieve arthritis pain:

Physical therapy can help to improve your range of motion. Working with a physical therapist is a great way to improve your range of motion, which supports optimal joint functionality.
Physical therapists can target the source of joint pain. In some situations, arthritis pain may be triggered by an environmental factor. Working with a licensed and experienced physical therapist can provide you with insight into those causes of pain, and can help you make adjustments to environmental factors that may be enhancing your level of discomfort.
Physical therapy can improve muscle strength, thereby supporting joints. Weakness in the surrounding muscles can put added stress on your joints, thereby causing your joints additional pain during even standard attempts at movement.
Physical therapy can target pain through specialized treatments. Many physical therapists utilize additional forms of therapy including hot and cold therapy, therapeutic massage, and chiropractic care to provide optimal pain relief, and this can be incredibly helpful for arthritis pain.

Arthritis is a painful condition that can happen to anyone. While women are more likely to experience joint pain than are men, statistics show that almost two-thirds of those who suffer from arthritic joint pain are actually of working age–that means regardless of gender, those between the age of 20 and 65 are actually at the greatest risk of experiencing this type of pain. Understanding the ways to deal with this pain head on is the best approach to take. While pain medications can help to reduce the experience of arthritis pain, there is no pill that will cure the problem. This is why physical therapy is routinely referred to as among the best practices for treating arthritis joint pain.

If you are experiencing regular joint pain, then it may be time to contact Mayfield Physical Therapy in Mayfield Heights and Euclid, OH for support. Physical therapy is highly targeted and personalized to meet the needs of each individual, and so what is recommended for one person, or even for one particular injury or source of pain, may not be recommended in another situation. The best way to ensure that your treatment is ideal for your personal needs is to consult your physical therapist.

NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT FOR YOUR CHRONIC ACHES AND PAINS

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:33:50 GMT

Have you grown accustomed to feeling a twinge here and a spasm there? Do you suffer from recurring aches and pains for reasons you don’t totally understand? Have you been gritting your teeth and putting up with a longstanding chronic pain condition? Maybe you’ve been putting off medical treatment for your ailment because you’re afraid of one particular form of care — surgery. Well, now you can stop worrying, because physical therapy could make surgery unnecessary in your case. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy to discover the non-invasive world of conservative pain management!

THE DEFINITION OF CHRONIC PAIN

You’re not surprised or confused by pain when it occurs alongside an acute health problem, such as an auto accident injury, sports injury or localized infection. Pain in these circumstances is only natural — plus you have the reassurance of knowing that the pain will last only as long as it takes you to recover from the underlying problem. But chronic pain offers no such reassurance. This type of pain lasts longer than 3 months, and may even last a lifetime if the underlying cause is incurable. The pain may come and go, or it may plague you continuously. It may be a mild annoyance, or it may be a debilitating agony.

CHRONIC PAIN CAUSES AND EFFECTS

In some cases, chronic pain is the after-effect of an acute injury or illness that never quite healed properly. For instance, an internal soft tissue injury may have formed adhesions, lumps of scar tissue that grow over them and make it painful for you to move those tissues. Chronic aches and pains can also be caused by:

Arthritis, a degenerative, inflammatory joint condition
Trigger points, tight muscle knots that go into spasm and refer pain to various parts of the body
Systemic problems such as fibromyalgia
Overuse of specific tissues, which causes those tissues experience ongoing inflammation and strain
Herniated or bulging discs that pinch the spinal nerve roots or spinal cord
Musculoskeletal imbalances or weaknesses

Chronic pain can severely limit your ability to move around freely, perform manual tasks, get a decent night’s sleep or do a decent day’s work. Some chronic pain syndromes, such as sciatica, may trick you into thinking that they’re gone for good, only to come back again and again. But don’t think that you’re alone in your distress; some 116 million Americans suffer from chronic pain.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY EASES CHRONIC ACHES AND PAINS

Since medication tends to provide only temporarily relief from chronic aches and pains, you may assume that your only long-term pain relief option is surgery. But procedures to fuse joints or remove pieces of vertebral discs can do more harm than good, not to mention the lengthy recuperation you’d have to endure. That leaves physical therapy as your safe, effective, drug-free, non-invasive answer. Our physical therapist can reduce and control your chronic aches and pains by prescribing:

Strengthening exercises to help your body support itself more easily
Stretching exercises to increase your flexibility
Exercises that target specific joints or muscle groups suffering from chronic pain conditions
Massage therapy to break up adhesions and trigger points while soothing inflamed tissues
Techniques such as TENS or ultrasound therapy to block pain messages and promote healing
Heat therapy to loosen tight muscles
Cold therapy to reduce swelling and inflammatory pain

Our physical therapist is ready to help you achieve the comfortable life you seek without going under the knife. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy to arrange for a consultation and request a personalized treatment program!

7 EASY WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY AND LIVE HEALTHY

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:28:19 GMT

Have you become less active in recent years? It’s important to remain physically active in order to stay as healthy as possible. It isn’t always easy to stay active, especially if you’re already struggling with limited mobility. There are several easy ways to increase your activity level that most people can include in their daily routine. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy today for more information about how you can increase your activity level and live a healthier life.

WHAT ARE 7 EASY WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY?

The following are seven ways to easily add more activity to your daily life.

Get a Dog – Getting a dog can keep you active and provide numerous health benefits. If you already have a dog make sure you’re walking your furry friend on a daily basis. The Mayo Clinic suggests borrowing a dog if you don’t have one.
Ride a Bike – If you live in a rural area there should be lots of open space to take regular bike rides. Many suburban and urban areas are putting in bike trails and paths. Bike riding is a fun and easy way to get a good workout.
Take the Stairs – This could potentially make a big difference in your overall activity level. If you live in an apartment building or work in a high-rise you have the opportunity to get a workout on a daily basis. Even if you only have a few flights to go, it can make a difference over time.
Use a Push Mower – Using a push mower is a great way to get an often unpleasant chore accomplished while getting in your daily exercise.
Stand More – If you work in front of a computer for most of the day consider getting a standing desk that enables you to stand while you work.
Sit on the Floor – Whether you’re watching television, folding laundry, or enjoying a good book, sitting on the floor like a kid can increase your activity level. You’ll find that you naturally stretch and move more while sitting on the floor.
Park Farther Away – Most people make trips to the grocery, shopping mall, and run other errands several times a week. Parking as far from the entrance as possible provides opportunities for extra walking.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF INACTIVITY

Causes of inactivity could include everything from a busy schedule to a physical condition that’s keeping you inactive. If you don’t stay active enough you may struggle with weak muscle tone and aching joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the more inactive you are, the more ea sily you’ll get tired. There are several other physical issues and conditions associated with inactivity.

Poor Blood Circulation

Increased Inflammation

Weakened Bones

Hormonal Imbalance

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS

If you’re suffering with symptoms of an inactive lifestyle, physical therapy can help. A physical therapis t can help you by providing manual therapies that can increase your flexibility and improve range of motion. An experienced therapist can also give you simple exercises you can do at home. A physical therapy program can be created that addresses your individual needs.

It’s important to stay as active as possible to keep your muscles, tendons, and joints flexible and moving without pain and stiffness. You’ll want to add some type of exercise to your daily routine to keep moving. Working with a trained physical therapist can also help you stay as fit and healthy as possible. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to find out how we can help.

DID YOU KNOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP REDUCE STRESS RELATED HEADACHES? HERE’S HOW.

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:22:26 GMT

The workday is almost over, but your inbox is full and your to-do list is long. You are already thinking about the many things you’ll have to handle in the evening, and what will be facing you when you reach your desk again tomorrow. You pinch the bridge of your nose but to no avail. The headache has already settled in and is likely to distract you from the last few hours of your day. Mayfield Physical Therapy can help!

Does this situation sound familiar? Stress-related headaches are no joke, and regularly turning to medication to help make the pain go away doesn’t take away from the issue that is causing the headaches in the first place: the stress! Identifying a stress-related headache as indeed being stress-related is the first step, but from there you need to take steps to address the cause of the pain, as well the pain itself. Physical therapy can help you reduce the severity of stress-related headaches, as well as the frequency with which these types of headaches occur.

Stress-related headaches develop due to a combination of hormonal surges and physical tension in the body, often the neck and shoulders. You may not realize the way in which you force your body to physically carry stress throughout the day, but a bit of time on a yoga mat in the evening would help you to stretch out some of those kinks and alleviate a bit of the tension that finds its way to your head after a long day. Sitting in an uncomfortable desk chair, being cooped up in the office all day long, a frustrating and overly-long commute in a cramped vehicle—or even more uncomfortable, on public transit!—all of these factors contribute to tension in the body, and all of that tension can manifest itself as debilitating, distracting, and downright painful stress-related headaches.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP TO REDUCE PAIN FROM STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES BY:

Reducing tension in the neck and back. Many physical therapists will start with a targeted stretching routine that will alleviate some of the tension that is most frequently held in the back, neck and even the shoulders. These stretches are often simply to repeat at home, and once a physical therapist has guided you through the best form of stretches you can be sure that the stretching you do on your own will be safe and effective.
Alleviating tension in the jaw. This is another common area to hold tension, except that this isn’t something that can be stretched out at home. Your physical therapist can use targeted massage and other physical therapy techniques to reduce tension in the jaw, which can help to reduce headaches.
Promoting muscle relaxation. Working with your physical therapist can provide you with the opportunity to understand muscle relaxation techniques, which can be helpful in the midst of a stressful situation. Learning how to relax muscles when your inclination is to constrict them means promoting airflow through the body and thereby promoting your ability to stay calm in the face of stress. This can further help support the reduction of tension headaches.

Many people think of physical therapy as a type of treatment to turn to follow a car accident or injury, and while these are concerns that physical therapy can help with, this traditional treatment of pain relief if just the tip of the iceberg. Tension headaches are debilitating, and physical therapy can help you overcome that pain. Contact our office for more information about using physical therapy to reduce stress-related headaches.

5 WAYS STRETCHING CAN IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 16:18:27 GMT

There are a lot of different factors that contribute to maintaining ideal health. Getting a full night’s rest every evening, drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and eating as well-balanced of a diet as possible are typically the top tips that are shared when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Staying hydrated and eating healthy goes a long way to help take care of your heart and nervous system, but there are so many other aspects of your body that need support. Maintaining ideal health is a complicated process, and putting a bit of attention towards your stiff joints and sore muscles will go a long way in supporting you on your quest to a healthier way of being.

Stretching is one of the most fundamental aspects of any physical therapy program for this precise reason. While often looked at as the warm-up or cool-down of a more intense workout program, stretching has a whole world of benefits that need to be appreciated as you are looking to improve your health. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today for more tips!

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE BASIC BENEFITS OF STRETCHING:

Stretching is an amazing way to prevent injury. By stretching every day, in addition to before every big workout, you provide your body with a means of keeping your muscles warmed up and ready for activity, and therefore prevent the likelihood of a muscle strain or sprain.
Stretching helps to alleviate pain and muscle tension. By engaging in targeted stretches you can actually work to alleviate pain and discomfort throughout the body. There are stretches that are designed to help alleviate back pain , and those that are for neck or shoulder pain. It is highly recommended that prior to working with a targeted stretch for a particular issue of pain that you consult with your physical therapist .
Stretching enhances blood circulation. Stretching is beneficial to the heart and musculoskeletal system by increasing blood circulation. When muscles constrict and become tight, oxygen flow is inhibited. Stretching daily improves blood flow to the joints and muscles, further reducing your risk for injury.
Stretching is good for mental health. Alleviating tension in the muscles is helpful in alleviating tension in the mind. Yoga is a particularly popular form of stretching that embraces the mindfulness and meditation of the stretching process.
Stretching improves range of motion. When you stretch regularly, your muscles become more able to extend fully, thereby improving your range of motion and making your body more flexible. Having an increased range of motion can be helpful in plenty of daily circumstances, but is incredibly helpful in further preventing injuries.

Starting a daily stretching routine is easy to get started with. Pick an open area where you will have plenty of room to move around. Using a yoga mat is a helpful way to create a safe space where you can easily get traction as you stretch. Wearing loose clothing that will allow you to freely move as you stretch is also important. Finally, as you begin stretching, remember to hydrate. While stretching may not feel like an intense exercise, as say a cardiovascular activity may feel, it is still incredibly important to hydrate to support your muscles. For guidance in getting started with a helpful stretching routine, contact your physical therapist.

ARE YOU TAKING OPIOIDS FOR YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN? YOU NEED TO READ THIS.

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:15:18 GMT

What if someone told you that the opioids you’re taking for pain relief are actually making your arthritis worse? You’d probably want to listen to that person. Opioids like morphine and oxycodone alter your perception of pain. You might be “feeling no pain” when you take these pills, but it’s actually doing nothing to improve your arthritis symptoms. Before you take another pill for your arthritis pain, call Mayfield Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist. We want you to know that relief from arthritis pain is possible with the help of physical therapy.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Osteoarthritis, more commonly known as simply “arthritis,” is a degenerative condition that impacts the joints. The connecting joints between bones are made of cartilage, and if that cartilage wears out, it can cause bones to grind and scrape together in ways they were not meant to. Getting older is considered one of the main causes of arthritis; our joints simply wear out as we age. However, there are other factors that can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis. These can include genetics, injuries, repetitive physical jobs, participating in high-impact sports and being overweight. Arthritis commonly affects weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, but it can also develop in many other joints.

SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS

The most common arthritis symptom is pain in the joint that has lost too much cartilage. That joint will feel stiff in the morning when you wake up, or if you sit or lie down for extended periods. Activities that use an affected joint will be painful. The joint hurts if you touch it or put pressure on it. An arthritic joint might be “noisy,” making cracks and pops when it is used. Your body might even attempt to grow new bone structure in the arthritic joint, as a defense mechanism; this is painful and you will feel it.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP ARTHRITIS PAIN

Opioids can alter your mind so that you no longer feel arthritis pain , but that’s all they do. You won’t feel the arthritis pain, but meanwhile your bones are still grinding together and the arthritis condition is getting worse. That’s not a sustainable plan. Eventually, you will probably need a more powerful painkiller, because the condition is always getting worse while you’re taking opioids and it’s pushing you closer to the need for an expensive surgery.

Physical therapy can help you ditch the opioid painkillers for your arthritis and even avoid the need for surgery. The process starts with an examination by your physical therapist and observation of which activities cause the pain symptoms to flare up. Once the diagnosis is completed, the real work begins.

Your physical therapist will craft an individualized exercise program that will support your joint structures and relieve arthritis pain. Manual physical therapy , which is a targeted massage of the impacted joints, will likely be a part of your treatment plan. Your physical therapist will also teach you ways that you can adjust your on-the-job work area to place less stress on arthritic joints.

Your physical therapy will include an at-home exercise plan to improve your overall health. If you are overweight, this will include weight loss exercise and nutritional advice to safely lose pounds. Losing weight can be a highly effective way to relieve arthritis pain in weight-bearing joints. And of course, your physical therapist will be there to motivate you every step of the way.

Opioid painkillers won’t do anything to slow the advance of arthritis. They also carry significant risks. Physical therapy is a safe and effective alternative that will improve your symptoms without the risk. Call our offices today in Euclid, OH and Mayfield Heights, OH to set up your first appointment with a physical therapist.

WAYS NUTRITION CAN DECREASE PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

Sun, 10 Nov 2019 16:11:51 GMT

Are you experiencing pain and inflammation in your joints? Many people may not realize that nutrition can play a crucial role in preventing and even eliminating these conditions in the body. It’s important to understand what pain and inflammation are, the causes and symptoms, and how both nutrition and physical therapy can help. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy to find out how we can help treat your pain and inflammation.

WHAT IS PAIN AND INFLAMMATION?

Inflammation is the body’s natural response when it’s trying to heal or protect itself. This, of course, is usually a good thing. Inflammation is harmful when it becomes a chronic condition. Pain and inflammation are often connected. According to Harvard Health, chronic inflammation can also lead to a variety of health ailments such as heart disease and diabetes.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

Nutrition can play a major role in how much pain and inflammation you struggle with. You may be eating foods that contribute to increased inflammation throughout the body. There are several types of foods that are known to cause inflammation. The following are those most often consumed that can contribute to these conditions.

Processed Meats – Smoked meats, sausage, and bacon are normally processed and contain high amounts of sodium. Eating these foods can increase inflammation.
White Bread & Pasta – These refined carbs are often referred to as “empty calories” and can cause excessive weight gain, which can lead to inflammation.
Added Sugar – Foods that have added sugar that isn’t naturally occurring can increase inflammation. Regular table sugar and corn syrup with high-fructose are the two main types of added sugar.

Even what you drink can affect pain and inflammation. Soda is one of the worst culprits. Most sodas not only contain lots of sugar but unhealthy preservatives such as sodium benzoate. Excessive amounts of alcohol should also be avoided. In addition to avoiding or limiting certain foods, there are many healthy foods you should include in your diet.

Fish – Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can naturally reduce inflammation. Salmon, cod, tuna, bass, and halibut are all great choices.
Beans – Try pinto, garbanzo, red, or black beans. They’re all good for easing inflammation and are also good sources of protein and fiber.
Garlic – By itself garlic may not be very appetizing, but it can add flavor to countless dishes. Garlic contains diallyl disulfide, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

There are several symptoms associated with inflammation. These often include swelling, redness, joint pain and stiffness. If you’re suffering from pain and inflammation changing your diet could improve your muscles, joints, and overall health.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS

While changing your diet is a good start, it may not be enough to eliminate ongoing inflammation and pain. Physical therapy may be able to help reduce or even eliminate the pain you’re experiencing. There are several methods a physical therapist may use. A few techniques could include manual therapies, dry needling, or even ultrasound treatments. More basic methods might include using heat or ice therapy. A physical therapist may even give you stretching and motion exercises you can do at home.

Closely watching what you eat and drink may be able to dramatically decrease the pain and inflammation you experience. The American Physical Therapy Association states that there is an obvious link between nutrition and pain. Physical therapy may also help as well. Make sure to find a physical therapist that has experience specifically treating pain and inflammation. Contact our offices today in Euclid, OH and Mayfield Heights, OH to receive more information.

SOURCES:

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE 5 SYMPTOMS, YOU MAY NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY.

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 16:05:45 GMT

Physical therapy is a highly beneficial form of treatment that can address many of the most common sources of pain. However, there are many people who don’t realize that the pain they are experiencing is something that can be easily addressed with physical therapy.

If you are experiencing any of the five common symptoms listed here, then it may be time to consult with a physical therapist at Mayfield Physical Therapy f0r the best ways to address your pain and discomfort.

1. BACK PAIN.

Back pain is one of the biggest causes of pain among American adults, and there are far too many who struggle with back pain who are not doing anything about it. The reason for the increase in back pain can be blamed on all sorts of different environmental factors, from rising obesity rates to a dependence on computer-based office work that leaves adults in uncomfortable chairs for hours on end, day after day. Physical therapy can help to address the cause of your back pain , and help to alleviate tension in the back, thereby actually reducing the experience of pain.

2. NECK PAIN.

Neck pain can develop for a series of reasons, including following an injury or car accident, but also as a result of poor posture—and that includes your posture while you are asleep, as well as awake. Neck pain can be difficult to cope with and treat, and attempting to treat neck pain on your own isn’t always safe. An experienced physical therapist can identify the cause of your neck pain and create a treatment program that will alleviate your experience of pain.

3. HEADACHES.

Regular, recurring headaches are another complaint that can be addressed with physical therapy. In many situations, chronic headaches are a sign of tension in the neck and back, and therefore working with a physical therapist through targeted stretching and massage can in many cases actually reducing the occurrence and severity of these headaches.

4. JOINT PAIN.

Joint pain can develop as a result of arthritis, or as a lasting effect of an injury. The best way to deal with joint pain is to seek support through physical therapy. Your joints are something that you can’t really work around, and in more cases than not, attempting to rely on another part of your body to reduce pain in your joints will only lead you to experience multiple areas of pain.

5. DIFFICULTY WITH MOVEMENT.

There is a long list of reasons as to why someone may be unable to move as effectively or efficiently as they could in the past. In many cases, stroke victims will find themselves unable to take regular steps and walk as they once were able to do, and even after the pain subsides, the difficulty moving may remain. Likewise, those who struggle with an athletic related injury are often prone to having limited range of motion—and this is especially true following surgical repair of muscle tissue and tendons. Physical therapy can help you to retrain your body for traditional movement.

These are just five of the most common symptoms that can be addressed with physical therapy, but the list goes on and on. Whether you are experiencing pain following a car accident or sports injury, or have realized that the pain in your back or neck has become more constant than you first expected it to be, it may be time to consult with a physical therapist as to the best way to deal with your pain. Contact our office in Euclid, OH to set up a consultation.

DO YOU DEPEND ON OPIOIDS TO KEEP YOU MOVING? UNDERSTAND HOW PT CAN KICK YOUR OPIOID DEPENDENCE

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:54:15 GMT

Do you rely on drugs such as oxycodone or hydrocodone to help you get through your day without agonizing pain? Do you worry that these drugs may be placing your health at an unacceptable risk? Do you feel anxious or count the minutes until your next dosage of these pain relievers regardless of that risk? If so, you may be on the threshold of opioid dependence — a dangerous, potentially deadly situation. The good news is that you can get away from those opioid drugs without falling into the grip of unmanageable pain, thanks to the benefits provided by physical therapy. Contact Mayfield PT Physical Therapist get started on this safe, healthy, drug-free approach to pain management!

WHAT ARE OPIOIDS?

Opioids are strong painkilling drugs that are often prescribed to combat severe chronic pain . They are traditionally derived from substances in the poppy plant. Opioids such as morphine, codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone can often deaden pain when milder drugs cannot, making them a common prescription for cancer pain, acute injuries, and severe neurological or musculoskeletal pain. They can also produce euphoria or unconsciousness, making them a highly-abused substance in both legal and illegal forms (such as heroin).

Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and other structures of the body. As the opioids occupy these receptors, they prevent the receptors from receiving pain signals. At the same time, the opioids trigger the release of large amounts of dopamine, a substance that evokes feelings of pleasure.

WHY ARE OPIOIDS DANGEROUS?

Unfortunately, the painkilling and pleasurable benefits of opioids come at a frighteningly high price. The simple fact that these drugs are so effective at making you feel good creates a compulsion to keep using them. At the same time, the body builds up an ever-increasing tolerance to the drugs, requiring larger and larger dosages to achieve the same effects. This cycle can lead to a strong, dangerous level of addiction. It’s little wonder, then, that more than 11 million Americans abuse opioids. Eventually, escalating tolerance can force users to take a fatal dose.Two-thirds of all overdose-related deaths in the U.S. are related to some form of opioid.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY PROVIDES OPIOID-FREE PAIN RELIEF

You have good reason to fear opioid dependence — and equally good reason to seek out physical therapy as a non-toxic alternative to drugs. Our physical therapist can prescribe a personalized mix of treatment methods that loosen tight muscles, help joints move more freely, build up muscle strength, reduce inflammation, and help tame neurological problems such as herniated discs and pinched nerves. You should consider physical therapy if:

You suffer from a chronic, incurable pain condition that might otherwise require a lifetime on opioids
Your pain is musculoskeletal or neuromuscular in origin (as opposed to cancer pain, for instance)
You’re interested in actually treating the underlying cause of the pain, instead of simply numbing the pain itself
You’re experiencing issues such as addiction, depression, or physical side effects from opioid usage — or you’re determined to avoid such issues.

Even if your pain cannot be fully relieved through physical therapy, our physical therapist’s methods may still ease your symptoms to the point that you can get by with minimal dosages. But be aware that if you’re currently dependent on opioids, your doctor must supervise any reduction in dosage for your own safety.

You don’t have to place yourself in the grip of opioid dependence. Talk to our physical therapist at Mayfield Physical Therapy in Euclid, Ohio about your non-pharmaceutical treatment options!

SOURCES:

TIRED OF YOUR HIP AND KNEE PAIN? FIND LASTING RELIEF WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 15:49:53 GMT

Is it difficult for you to engage in your regular activities due to hip or knee pain ? Whether your hip or knee pain occurs when you’re moving or sitting, physical therapy can help get you back to your regular routine. Be sure to call Mayfield Physical Therapy for a consult to find out how we can help alleviate your pain. No one should have to live in pain.

WHAT IS HIP AND KNEE PAIN?

The hips and knees are the body’s largest joints. They work in close coordination with each for mobility and support the body’s weight. The hips and knees have a demanding task.

The knee is made of several ligaments and muscles and is a complicated joint. Knee pain can wreak havoc on your quality of life. As a matter of fact, knee pain is the second most common cause of chronic pain . The hip joint consists of two main parts: the femoral head and the acetabulum. The femoral head of a ball-shaped piece of bone, and the acetabulum is the socket into which the femoral head fits. Ligaments connect the ball to the socket. Like the knee, the hip is a complex structure. Hip pain can also affect younger people.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF HIP AND KNEE PAIN

Knee pain can be caused by a wide variety of injuries and diseases. It can be the result of auto accidents, recreational activities, sports or a slip and fall. The most common causes of knee pain include:

Osteoarthritis
Anterior injuries
Ligament strains and sprains
Overuse
Gout
Fractures around the knee

In addition to causing pain, knee pain can affect mobility, reduce strength and affect muscle control.Problems with the hip joint can result in pain in the groin or inside the hip. When the pain is on the outside of the hip, it’s typically due to issues with tendons, muscles and ligaments that surround the hip joint. Hip pain can also be due to:

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Hip fracture
Sciatica
Sprains
Bursitis

With hip pain, you may experience intense pain or the inability to stand.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS HIP PAIN AND KNEE PAIN

A physical therapist will do a gait evaluation, palpitation, range of motion measurements, function mobility tests to determine a treatment plan for your hip pain or knee pain.

Different modalities may be incorporated into your treatment plan, such as heat and ice therapy, ultrasound and specific exercises. Research has shown that joint mobilization techniques used by a physical therapist can help with long and short-term pain involving the hip. There is typically an improvement in mobility also.

If you’re experiencing hip or knee pain, be sure to call and schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our physical therapists at our Mayfield Heights or Euclid, OH locations. We can help eliminate your pain, so you can return to your normal activities. We’ve helped many others suffering with hip and knee pain, and can help you, too. We’ll help you live a pain-free life.

SOURCES:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/physical-therapy-for-hip-pain-2696413

GET TO THE ROOT OF YOUR BACK PAIN. COULD IT BE A HERNIATED DISC?

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 15:45:00 GMT

Do you sometimes feel pain like an electric shock radiating from your lower back down to your legs? Do you experience muscle weakness or numbness in your arms or legs? If so, be sure to schedule a free consult with Mayfield Physical Therapy for a proper diagnosis. You just may have a herniated disc.

WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

The vertebrae that comprise the spine are cushioned by discs. These discs are flat and round with an outer layer called the annulus, which surrounds a gel-like material called the nucleus. Discs are located in between each of the vertebrae in the spinal column. They act as shock absorbers.

Also referred to as a ruptured or bulged disc, a herniated disc occurs when the disc nucleus is moved out of the annulus and into the spinal canal. It’s important to note that the spinal canal has limited space, and this displacement often produces pain. A herniated disc can happen anywhere in the spine, including the lower back and cervical spine areas. The area of pain often depends on which area of the spine that the herniated disc occurs in.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIATED DISC

Injury or strain can be the cause of a herniated disc. Sometimes, a predisposition for a herniated disc may exist in families. In addition, the natural process of aging may be the culprit for a herniated disc. As one ages, the disc material degenerates naturally, and ligaments may tend to weaken. When this occurs, even a minor twisting motion can result in a herniated disc.

The symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on the size of the herniated and where it’s located. If the disc isn’t compressing a nerve, there may be no pain. If it is compressing a nerve, pain, weakness and numbness may travel to the part of the body that the nerve is pressing on. Often, there is lower back pain .

Sciatica may occur in the lower lumbar spine. This is when there’s pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can cause burning, pain and numbness that radiates from the buttocks, down the leg and the foot. It’s often a very sharp pain that may occur when sitting, walking or standing.

If a herniated disc occurs in the neck area, pain can result in the neck and between the shoulder blades. This pain may radiate down the arm and to the fingers.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS

A physician may recommend physical therapy. A physical therapist will conduct an in-depth evaluation and outline specific treatment for patients with herniated discs. Physical therapy may include stretching exercises, massage, ice and heat therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, pelvic traction and ultrasound.

According to research, physical therapy often plays a big role in herniated disc recovery. Physical therapy entails a holistic approach with both active and passive treatments. Not only is pain relief a result of physical therapy, but a physical therapist will teach patients how to prevent further injury.

Call our Mayfield Heights & Euclid, OH offices to schedule an appointment to discover how we can help reduce or alleviate your pain today.

SOURCES:

SPRAINS, STRAINS AND ANKLE PAINS! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND WHEN TO SEE A THERAPIST.

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 15:39:16 GMT

There you are, walking through the park on a bright summer day when suddenly you find a hole with your foot. Before you know it, you are in pain, collapsed in a crumpled heap, hoping no one saw your graceful fall. What do you do? How do you know whether it is an injury that will go away on its own, and when should you call a physical therapist? The best way to find out is to contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to find out if your sprain, strain, or ankle pain warrants more attention.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPRAIN AND A STRAIN?

When it comes to ankles, this is one of the most commonly asked questions of a physical therapist. It’s actually much easier to differentiate between the two than you might think. But before we can talk about the difference between a sprain and a strain, you need to know the difference between a tendon and a ligament. Tendons are strong, fibrous tissue that connects bone to muscle. Ligaments are similar types of strong connective tissues that bond one bone to another bone.

A sprain happens when the ligaments of a joint (your ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, etc.) are twisted so violently that these strong connective tissues are stretched or slightly torn. Typically, with a sprain, the joint remains in place. A sprain can be mild resulting in only a few minutes or hours of pain, or it can be more severe, requiring physical therapy or even surgery.

A strain happens when the tendons that connect a muscle to bone are stretched or slightly torn. There are two types of strains—acute and chronic. Acute strains happen as a result of an injury. You may slip on ice and fall, straining a muscle in your leg while you try to balance yourself. Chronic strains happen when you perform the same motion over and over. Gymnasts, tennis players, golfers, and other athletes are likely to develop strains when they are not properly conditioned, do not stretch, or use improper equipment.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP A SPRAIN OR STRAIN?

Interestingly enough, working with a physical therapist has more benefits than simply regaining your strength after an injury. These medical professionals are highly trained movement experts who not only can help you recover from a sprain or strain, they can help you prevent injuries in the future. A physical therapist also offers drug-free pain relief that keeps you mobile and strengthens your body.

Physical therapy for a sprain or strain typically follows three steps. In the acute phase of the injury, pain relief is one of the primary goals. Severe sprains or strains are often painful. If surgery is warranted to reconnect a ligament or tendon or repair a muscle, pain management will often make the difference between a patient who works hard in therapy and one who does not. A physical therapist will offer several pain-relieving techniques—ice, heat, ultrasound, TENS, massage, and stretching. They will also teach patients how to administer these treatments on their own.

In the second phase of physical therapy, your physical therapist focuses on healing the injury. Typically, the first two phases go hand in hand as your physical therapist works to help you regain motion in the joint where the sprain happened or the muscle that is strained.

Once the injury has healed, a physical therapist will move on to preventing future injury. Once you have sprained a joint, you are more likely to do it again without proper therapy. The same goes for strains. Strengthening muscles around an injured area can often keep you from experiencing future problems.

For more information or to find out more about physical therapy’s effects on sprains and strains, contact our Mayfield Heights & Euclid, OH offices today.

DON’T JOIN THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC. HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP DITCH THE PAIN MEDS.

Sat, 10 Aug 2019 15:35:16 GMT

It seems like every time you turn on the news there is another story about the opioid epidemic gripping the country. There is good reason for the panic. In 2016 alone, 116 people died each day from opioid-related drug overdoses. Some 11.5 million Americans misused prescription painkillers in some way, costing an estimated $504 million in economic costs. Some researchers even feel that many people who would otherwise be able to work are sidelined because they would fail a drug test. As mind-blowing as these numbers are, to a person who uses prescription pain medication for pain relief, opioids may seem like the only option. Fortunately, there is another way to manage your pain. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy today to find out more about how physical therapy can help you ditch the pain meds for good.

PAIN & OPIOIDS

To understand why opioids are so dangerous, you first have to understand how your brain processes pain. Let’s say you bang your knee on the doorjamb. Pain receptors in your skin register that something happened to your knee. Those receptors send signals to your brain and spinal cord. There, your brain processes those signals as pain, and your body produces natural opioids to stop them. These chemicals slow your breathing, create a feeling of well-being and block pain signals so you can return to a pain-free state.

When you have chronic pain, severe injury, surgery or significant trauma, your brain cannot produce enough opioids to keep up with the demand. Prescription medication mimics the chemicals your body naturally produces, relieving pain, but they do not help your body heal.

PHYSICAL THERAPY: A NATURAL TREATMENT

Since opioids mask the pain without treating its underlying cause, many people are choosing to forgo pain meds altogether in favor of a more natural treatment. Fortunately, physical therapy not only helps relieve pain, it addresses what is causing the pain in the first place. A physical therapist is a highly trained medical professional, but he or she also is an expert in the science of movement. Through advanced diagnostic procedures, your physical therapist can uncover the source of your pain and find ways to address it for long-term health and mobility. Best of all, physical therapy is a drug-free way to manage chronic pain .

UNINTENDED BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

A physical therapist’s job is not only to manage pain, but also to improve function. Your physical therapy program may include stretches, ultrasound, manual therapies and a combination of ice and heat for pain relief, but it will not stop there. Your physical therapist will begin to address mobility, flexibility and strength as they apply to the activities of your daily life. If you are one of the more than 116 million people who struggle with chronic pain, chances are you are also limited in your ability to walk, stand, run, move, work, play and perform daily activities. Physical therapists address all of these functions and more as they work with you to strengthen your body, improve your balance and stability and enhance your quality of life.

The unintended benefits of physical therapy don’t stop with the body. They reach your brain as well. Chronic pain and prescription pain medication use can lead to anxiety, depression, and isolation. Working with a physical therapist gives you a partner in your pain relief journey. This sense of community can help address the mental toll pain takes on a person in a way that opioids cannot.

Don’t join the opioid epidemic. Contact our Mayfield Heights & Euclid, OH physical therapists today and find out how physical therapy can help you live a full, pain-free, functional life.

WHAT IS PRE-HAB AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME RECOVER FASTER?

Sat, 20 Jul 2019 11:19:10 GMT

It’s no secret that having physical therapy after an injury or surgery helps you recover faster. But what if there was a way to prevent an injury in the first place? Or what if there was a way to speed recovery from surgery long before you went under the knife? Pre-hab or preventative rehabilitation helps patients heal faster after surgery, speeds recovery and, in many cases, prevents injury in the first place. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy today for a consultation with our physical therapist. They can determine if pre-hab is right for you.

WHAT IS PRE-HAB?

The term pre-hab is short for preventative rehabilitation. A physical therapist typically uses pre-hab in two ways. First, they can teach targeted exercises and stretches to patients who are at risk for serious injuries. Second, pre-hab is a form of physical therapy used prior to surgery to speed healing and recovery.

PRE-HAB FOR INJURY PREVENTION

Pre-hab is one of the best ways to prevent injuries in patients at risk for developing significant movement problems. Those with physically demanding jobs may find that the exercises, stretches and pain relieving techniques taught at physical therapy help them perform in their jobs. This is especially true in jobs where there are high incidences of certain injuries. This type of physical therapy typically targets areas where injury is most likely to happen. For instance, those in the military are more prone to develop foot, knee, hip, and back problems due to the rigors of training and combat. Pre-hab can mitigate many of these injuries by teaching correct lifting techniques, proper posture and effective core strengthening exercises that keep service members strong and healthy. The same can be said for construction workers, firefighters, factory workers, or other employees in highly physical occupations.

Even pro and amateur athletes are finding that working with a physical therapist is paying off, long before an injury happens. Focusing on the areas that are stressed by everyday movement and poor habits, a physical therapist looks at your most injury-prone areas and helps you correct any problems before you get hurt. Chances are you are hunched over your computer most of the day. Working with a physical therapist can help strengthen your core and correct your posture, keeping you strong and healthy. Since an object in motion tends to stay in motion, physical therapy is also an ideal way to begin an exercise regimen. Focused on strength, mobility and balance, pre-hab can keep you injury free for life as you begin the process of getting in shape.

PRE-HAB FOR BETTER SURGICAL RECOVERY

When it comes to going under the knife, many people fear what will come after the stitches have been sewn. This is especially true for anyone who has a total joint replacement. Faced with the risk of time in a rehabilitation hospital, many people delay joint replacement surgery out of fear of a long, difficult recovery. But doing physical therapy before surgery can reduce the odds of needing inpatient rehabilitation by 73 percent. Patients who are stronger before surgery also meet physical milestones sooner than those who do not. Within 24 hours of surgery, someone who has had a total knee replacement is expected to walk 500 to 1000 feet with the assistance of a walker. Those who work with a physical therapist before surgery are more likely to meet this demand. These patients are stronger and have better blood flow. Physical therapy also teaches them many of the movements, stretches, pain relieving techniques, and strengthening exercises they will need in their recovery.

If you are considering surgery or if you need to fine-tune your everyday life, physical therapy is the ideal place to start. Contact our Mayfield, OH office now for a consultation.

SAY NO TO SCIATICA! 3 INDICATORS THAT YOU NEED TO SEE A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 11:13:42 GMT

Each of your sciatic nerves runs from either side of your lower back down to each of your legs. That’s why a classic sign of sciatica is having a shooting pain on one side only. While compression of one of your sciatic nerves can literally be a “pain in the butt,” it doesn’t always require medical attention. Yet sometimes physical therapy is your best bet to banish sciatica symptoms. So how can you tell when to go it alone, and when to call a Mayfield PT physical therapist?

1. IF HOME TREATMENTS AREN’T WORKING

There are plenty of things you can do at home to ease a mild sciatica flare-up. Alternating with cold and heat is a classic treatment for sciatica symptoms. Use an ice pack, followed by a heating pad, for about 15 minutes per application. Sleeping with a pillow between your knees can also help. If you can’t get comfortable during the day or at night, try a reclining chair to redirect the pressure from your lower back. Going for walks often helps ease sciatica pain , because “babying” your condition can actually make it worse.

Yet while these methods may help with mild sciatica, there are times when a physical therapy session is a far better strategy. One sign that you should consult a physical therapist is if your home treatments are having little or no effect in reducing the pain and restricted motion. Another is if the symptoms persist for at least a week. Of course, the worsening of pain is the most important sign that physical therapy is needed.

2. WHEN SCIATICA SYMPTOMS BECOME SEVERE

If your sciatic nerve becomes seriously compressed, the resulting symptoms can go from uncomfortable to quite painful – and even embarrassing. You may become weak and numb on one side. Sometimes, even getting your leg or foot to move becomes impossible. If the pain hits you suddenly, and with great intensity, it’s probably time to visit a physical therapist to begin easing the pain.

Another telltale sign? The sciatic nerve can become compressed in the area that controls bladder and/or bowel function. If you lose control of either or both of these functions, you’ll obviously want to get professional help. Visit a doctor to rule out other problems. She will likely run tests, as well as refer you to a physical therapist.

3. IF THE PAIN FOLLOWS AN INJURY

Mild sciatica can build up over time, and it may even go away on its own. But when you have an onset of classic sciatica symptoms following a car accident, serious fall or sports injury, contact a doctor and a physical therapist. The symptoms are more likely to be severe because of the greater impact on the area surrounding the sciatic nerve. It’s important to determine the severity of nerve damage. Your medical team needs to evaluate the need for surgery, steroid injections or prescription drugs.

Of course, even if your injury requires more aggressive treatment, physical therapy is often recommended as part of the recovery plan. Your physical therapist can help you with surgery rehab. He or She can also focus on extending the benefits of your injections and sciatica medication.

For many people with persistent or severe sciatica, physical therapy can be a lifeline. You’ll be taught targeted moves that strengthen your lower back. Strong muscles support the area around your sciatic nerve and can prevent future injuries. You’ll also work on improving your posture to keep sciatica symptoms at bay. Increasing range of motion is also part of physical therapy for sciatica.

Contact us today at our Mayfield, OH office to speak with an experienced physical therapist about how to manage – and even banish – painful sciatica flare-ups.

5 QUICK TIPS FOR LESS PAIN AND MORE ENERGY

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 11:07:39 GMT

Millions of individuals live with varying degrees of pain while also experiencing limited amounts of energy. There are several quick and effective ways you can increase your energy levels while reducing pain. Incorporating physical therapy into your regular routine is one way to limit pain. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy for more information regarding the use of physical therapy for pain relief.

1. Change Your Diet

What you eat can have an enormous impact on how much pain you experience and the amount of energy you have throughout the day. There are several foods that can help reduce pain and inflammation while also raising energy levels.

Cherries – Eating cherries is a delicious way to increase antioxidant levels, which can reduce inflammation and inhibit pain.
Ginger – The ginger plant, which is often used as a spice, can help reduce migraine pain, muscle achiness and nausea.
Salmon – This wonder food provides omega-3 fatty acids that aid in reducing neck, back and joint pain.
Hot Peppers – Even a half-teaspoon of powdered pepper each day may help reduce arthritis pain .

2. Check Your Mattress

You spend approximately one-third of your time sleeping. This means the quality of your mattress can affect how you feel during your waking hours. While it used to be believed that a firm mattress was usually better for those suffering from most types of pain, you’re now recommended to choose a mattress according to your sleep style.

Firm Mattress – Those who sleep on their back may feel better with a medium to firm mattress.
Soft Mattress – Side sleepers generally will want to try a softer mattress.
Memory Foam – Individuals who tend to toss and turn and sleep in a variety of positions should try a memory foam mattress.

3. Boost Natural Endorphins

Exercise can release endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals in the body that can naturally reduce pain. It may seem more difficult to exercise while experiencing achy joints and muscles, but even a moderate amount of physical activity can help you feel better long after your workout is over. Other ways to naturally release endorphins include listening to your favorite music, eating chocolate and smelling the soothing scent of lavender.

4. Reduce Stress

Stress can contribute to both emotional anxiety as well as physical pain. You need to have several quick stress-busters in your bag of tricks to reduce anxiety whenever it pops up. A warm bath is a quick way to instantly soothe aching muscles and joints while calming your nerves. Even simple breathing techniques can limit pain and energize your body. Take two or three deep breaths, and then slowly release them. Always make sure to breathe through your nose to get the most benefits.

5. Visit a Physical Therapist

Physical therapy can do wonders for addressing pain and limited energy. A trained physical therapist can offer several types of methods to not only provide pain relief for symptoms but to treat the source of your pain. Some of the specific treatments a therapist might use include the following:

Heat or Cold Therapy – Heat can warm tendons and muscles so they move easier. Ice can reduce inflammation.
Massage Therapy – A physical therapist can massage and manipulate specific joints and muscles to reduce pain.
Aquatic Therapy – Water can stimulate nerves and provide resistance for exercise and strength training.
Ultrasound – Ultrasound produces sound waves that can assist in blocking pain signals to the brain.

Incorporating these tips into your daily routine can help reduce the amount of pain you’re experiencing while providing an energy boost. Contact our Mayfield Heights & Euclid, OH office today to find out how physical therapy can be part of helping you enjoy a pain-free life!

HOW TO BE HEALTHIER, STRONGER, AND MORE ACTIVE

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:49:23 GMT

If there’s one thing that you can count on a Mayfield PT physical therapist introducing into every session, it’s stretching. Yes, building strength and endurance is important. But whether you’re an athlete, or someone coping with the aches and pains of aging, increasing your flexibility through stretching is crucial. Read on to learn more about some of the top benefits of stretching.

A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IS NOT AN ACCIDENT

The keys to a healthy lifestyle are not a secret, but they do take work. Eating a healthy diet is something everyone can do regardless of their activity level. But physical fitness sometimes seems unattainable for people with chronic pain. Some try to mask their symptoms with anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications. Others simply give up on the idea that they will ever be active again. Fortunately, there is a third option. With the help of a physical therapist , it is possible to reclaim your pain-free, healthy lifestyle.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS

Whether you are suffering from lingering pain after surgery or an injury or your joints aren’t what they use to be, the purpose of physical therapy is the same. A physical therapist is a movement specialist. Highly trained to diagnose problems with walking, running, bending, stretching, moving, jumping or every other physical activity, these medical professionals can pinpoint areas of improvement and create customized physical therapy treatment plans that address each patient’s unique needs. Through in-office sessions and at-home exercises, patients build endurance, improve their balance, strengthen muscles and joints, and experience pain relief without unwanted side effects.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR FIRST VISIT

Your body’s needs are unique. Instead of relying on a cookie-cutter approach to wellness, a physical therapist takes time to evaluate each individual’s pain level, movement abilities, balance requirements and lifestyle wish list. You may be asked to perform basic movements such as sitting down, standing up, walking, lifting or other motions. Once he or she has a clear picture of what you need, your physical therapist will begin constructing a treatment plan to help relieve your pain and get you back on your feet.

PHYSICAL THERAPY IN A NUTSHELL

Typically, physical therapy involves three phases – pain relief, strengthening and functional integration. A lot of people are hesitant to start physical therapy because they are afraid it will hurt. In reality, one of the main goals of physical therapy is to relieve your pain while helping you get stronger in the process. Ice, heat, ultrasound therapy, stretching and bracing are all tools in a physical therapist’s belt to help you feel better.

Second, an active lifestyle depends on movement. That is why physical therapy targets specific movements that increase flexibility, balance, strength and mobility. These exercises may be done in the office of a physical therapist, or many can be done on your own at home.

Finally, being healthy is a lifestyle, not a single event. The end result of physical therapy is living the life you want, free from painful limitations. That can only happen when you apply the concepts you learn in therapy to the outside world. Your therapist will help you do just that.

In the end, an active lifestyle is possible, even if you struggle with chronic pain. Stop waiting around to get better and take your fitness into your own hands. Contact our Mayfield Heights & Euclid, OH offices today for a free consultation and find out why physical therapy is the key to your healthy lifestyle.

FIND RELIEF FOR YOUR HIP AND KNEE PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 14:41:14 GMT

Your hips and knees provide complex movements for the body by incorporating multiple joints, muscles, and tendons. When there is damage to any of those joints, muscles, or tendons, it can make moving the hips or knees increasingly difficult.

Luckily, with the help of physical therapy, you can find relief for your hip and knee pain, in addition to decreasing your chances of sustaining further injury in the future. For more information on how our services can benefit you, schedule a consultation today!

HOW DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY WORK?

No matter what condition is causing your hip and knee pain, a physical therapy program can help relieve your pain. Your physical therapist will evaluate your condition and create an individualized treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Range of motion and strength measurements may be taken during the physical therapy evaluation. There are several treatment methods a physical therapist may use to help limit or relieve both knee and hip pain, including:

Manual therapy. A physical therapist might use hands-on techniques to reduce pain in your hips and knees, including stretching exercises or a variety of massage techniques.
Ice and heat therapies. Ice is typically used to reduce swelling and inflammation, while heat is typically used to increase mobility and lessen pain.
Home exercises. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to do at home, in order to alleviate your hip and knee pain. Physical therapy techniques can be incorporated into a home exercise program that can become part of your daily routine.
Ultrasound therapy. A physical therapist may use ultrasound to provide deep heating in the tissues and identify any problem areas.
Laser therapy. Laser therapy is increasingly being used in physical therapy for pain management. It can help increase circulation, reduce swelling, and improve the growth and reproduction of cells.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY TREAT?

There are several specific conditions that physical therapy can treat. These can occur due to repetitive motion, traumatic injury, or chronic disease. The most common conditions causing hip and knee pain include:

Arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that results in the inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints. This condition can cause knee and hip pain if it develops in those joints. A physical therapist can teach you correct posture and proper movement techniques to protect your joints and relieve arthritic pains.
Bursitis. Bursitis occurs when a small sac of fluid, known as the “bursa,” becomes inflamed. This is often caused by overuse or repetitive injuries. Bursitis can occur in a variety of locations in the body, including the hips and knees. Physical therapy can aid in recovery and the reduction of pain.
Meniscus tears. This is one of the most common knee injuries that people experience. A torn meniscus can cause mild to severe pain, swelling, and stiffness. This condition can occur as the result of either a sudden injury or repetitive motions. You’re at a higher risk of sustaining a meniscus tear if you’re engaging in a sport or hobby that requires aggressive pivoting and twisting of your legs. A physical therapist can provide non-surgical treatment for a torn meniscus.
Sprains and strains. Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched beyond its limits, while strains occur when a muscle or tendon is beyond its limits. It is also possible for ligaments to rupture, which can cause pain, bruising, and limited mobility. A physical therapist can help you recover quickly while showing you exercise techniques to reduce pain.

Schedule your consultation today!

If you’re looking to achieve an active and pain-free life, schedule your consultation today. One of our dedicated physical therapists would be happy to meet with you and design an individualized treatment plan to fit your needs. Contact us today to find out how you can say goodbye to your hip and knee pain, and begin living the life you want, free from limitations!

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CORE STRENGTH AND BETTER BALANCE

Mon, 20 May 2019 14:36:29 GMT

Physical therapy as an industry has been talking about the link between core strength and better balance for years. When the “core” muscles around your trunk are strong, they prevent chronic lower back pain and many other injuries, but they also keep you from losing your balance and falling down. A stronger core will help to keep you upright — especially as you age and start to become more at risk of falling. If you’d like to get started on a core routine to improve your balance, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to speak with a physical therapist!

HOW CORE STRENGTH AND BALANCE ARE LINKED

There are three systems in your body that help to control your balance. One is the vestibular system; the liquid in your inner ear functions sort of like a “carpenter’s balance” to keep you level. If you’ve ever felt dizzy, it means the liquid in the vestibular system can be “off” a little bit. Another balancing system is your visual system. Your eyes send signals to your brain about your position in relation to the world around you. The final system is the proprioceptive system, which has to do with your core.

Proprioception nerves are sensory nerves situated throughout the body that make you aware of your posture and awareness of spatial things around you. To stay balanced, you have to have equilibrium in all three systems. A weak core is one element that can make you feel off balance and cause you to fall down.

CORE MUSCLES, CORE STABILITY & CORE STRENGTH

Your core muscles are more than just your abs! In fact, there are two groups of core muscles: Inner core and outer core. The inner core muscles are attached to your spine; they’re the muscles that stabilize your core. The outer core muscles work in conjunction with the inner core muscles when you need to move your body from point A to point B (or to do most physical activities).

Core stability relates to your inner core muscles. These muscles stabilize your spine. Core strength relates to the outer core muscles and is developed to help you move around better. Engaging in physical therapy will help you to train both inner and outer core muscles for better balance and movement.

CORE STRENGTH & STABILITY THROUGH PHYSICAL THERAPY

You don’t need a bunch of expensive gym equipment to start working on your core strength. In fact, here’s a quick exercise that many physical therapists will recommend if you’re just starting out. It’s called the “drawing in maneuver,” or if you prefer the less fancy term, “sucking your gut in.”

First, stand up straight and find the proper pelvic position. This is done by rotating your hips forward and back finding the comfortable “middle” position. Then, draw your belly button in toward your spine. Don’t hold your breath — it’s not a breathing exercise. You should be able to talk, breathe and slowly walk around with your belly button drawn in. It sounds easy, but if you’re older, out of shape or recovering from an injury, the drawing in maneuver will be a little difficult at first.

You want to build up your core muscles until you can hold your belly button in for 30 seconds before moving on to more difficult core exercises. Also, if you feel any pain from this exercise, stop immediately. It shouldn’t be painful. As you build up your core, your physical therapist will recommend moving on to more strenuous exercises that are appropriate for your age and ability. This can range from planks and bridges for the more athletic, to gentler workouts like a yoga routine for older folks. Your therapist will also work with you on specific core exercises to help your balance.

If you have a weak core or you’re struggling with balance, physical therapy can help! Contact our Mayfield & Euclid, OH offices and schedule an appointment to get started with a physical therapist today.

5 WAYS TO RELIEVE BACK AND NECK PAIN

Fri, 10 May 2019 14:28:27 GMT

There are common causes of both back pain and neck pain and at Mayfield Physical Therapy we can help with both. Changes in the spine’s anatomy often cause back pain. There may be lumbar disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Disc herniation occurs when the gel-like interior of the disc leaks outward and irritates the nerve roots. It typically causes a stabbing pain in the back of the legs and back pain. Wear and tear on the spinal discs can lead to lumbar degenerative disc disease. It causes low-level back pain. Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear of the facet joints in the spine. Friction can cause a pinched nerve from osteoarthritis. And when the sacroiliac joint has too much or too little motion, it can cause lower back pain.

Muscle strain is a common cause of neck pain. It can be due to sleeping in awkward positions, whiplash or poor posture. Other common causes of neck pain include cervical osteoarthritis, cervical degenerative disc disease and cervical herniated disc. Back pain and neck pain can range from moderate to severe. If you’re experiencing back pain or neck pain, call our office today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life. Get back and neck pain relief with help from our skilled physical therapists .

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN DELIVER PAIN RELIEF FOR BACK PAIN AND NECK PAIN

Physical therapy is a common treatment for pain relief in the cervical area and lumbar area. The goals and benefits of physical therapy for neck pain and back pain include:

Improving neck and back range of motion- By engaging in flexibility exercises in the neck and back area, you’ll be able to move easier.
Reducing pain and stiffness in the back and neck area- Passive treatments by a physical therapist will accelerate healing and lessen pain.
Developing strengthening of the neck and back- With specific physical exercises, you’ll be building up the muscles in the neck and back areas.
Developing strategies to prevent neck pain and back pain from recurring- Learn proper body mechanics to avoid future injury.
Improving the quality of life- With physical therapy, you’ll be able to return to your regular routine must faster.

The two forms of physical therapy are passive treatments and active treatments. Passive treatments for neck pain include electrotherapy, ice packs, ultrasound, massage therapy and heat therapy. These treatments help reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness. Active physical therapy treatments include exercises and stretches. By engaging in active exercises with a physical therapist, strength and flexibility are improved in the neck, and the muscles become less painful. In addition, stress on the cervical spine is reduced.

Like physical therapy treatments for neck pain, back pain physical therapy treatments include both passive and active methods for the patient. “Current medical literature suggests moderate to strong evidence supporting the benefits of physical therapy’s role in reducing neck pain and back pain and improving range of motion.”

HOW BACK PAIN AND NECK PAIN ARE DIAGNOSED

If you’re experiencing neck or back pain, a doctor will perform a physical exam and may even order X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI provides pictures of blood vessels, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues. It can provide the root cause of your back pain or neck pain. It’s quite common for a doctor to recommend physical therapy to treat neck and back pain

Back and neck pain can lead to a loss of productivity. It’s a common cause for disability. It can also lead to nerve damage, depression and even weight gain. If you’re suffering from back pain or neck pain, it’s time to take action. Get neck pain relief with the help of a physical therapist. A physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan just for you.

Why suffer when physical therapy can give you pain relief? Contact our Mayfield or Euclid, OH offices today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life.

SUFFERING WITH BACK PAIN? CHECK YOUR POSTURE!

Sat, 20 Apr 2019 14:11:44 GMT

If you are like most people, you have had someone tell you to sit or stand up straight — probably during your teenage years. At the time, the demand was probably annoying and one you did your best to ignore. But it turns out that good posture is important for more than just looking confident and respectable. Sitting and standing with good spinal alignment can help prevent back pain .

One major focus of physical therapy is to teach patients how to practice good posture. Your physical therapist can help you understand the importance of posture and give you valuable training to help you achieve it, day in and day out.

Let us help you discover the benefits of physical therapy for back pain. Please contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist!

GOOD POSTURE — WHAT IT DOES TO RELIEVE BACK PAIN

The average person probably doesn’t give much thought to their shoulders as they go about their day. But your shoulders actually do quite a lot of work to help you complete everyday tasks, and if they become strained or injured, you could be left experience severe shoulder pain . Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

TENDINITIS

This is a common condition that causes inflammation in the shoulder area and has been known to send many people straight to the physical therapist for relief. The condition typically affects those who are very physically active or people who work at a job that requires them to complete lots of repetitive motions. For example, if you’re an athlete who plays tennis a lot or you work as a professional painter, you could be at risk of developing tendinitis in your shoulder. If you are at a high risk for tendinitis, it is very important to remember that along with physical therapy, resting your shoulders regularly can help to prevent chronic pain.

FROZEN SHOULDER

Frozen shoulder typically occurs after an injury or alongside another shoulder condition. Most physical therapists recommend that patients with frozen shoulder get plenty of rest in between physical therapy appointments to avoid developing scar tissue in the shoulder. If scar tissue does develop, the muscles surrounding the shoulder can eventually freeze up as well, restricting your full range of motion and resulting in chronic pain .

BURSITIS

TENDON TEARS

The tendons in your shoulder can tear as the result of an acute injury or certain degenerative conditions. Overuse, the natural aging process and sudden injuries often cause the tendons to split or tear. Whether a patient is experiencing partial or a full tendon tear, the pain can be very intense and require regular appointments with our skilled physical therapist.

IMPINGEMENT

Shoulder impingement can occur when the top part of the shoulder blade puts a great amount of pressure on the underlying soft tissues in the arm each time that it is lifted away from the body. As the arm lifts, the shoulder blade rubs against the tendons and bursa. If left untreated, impingement in the shoulder can result in bursitis and/or tendinitis.

HELP WITH YOUR BACK PAIN

If you are suffering from back pain, please contact us . Our OH physical therapy team can help you get the relief you deserve!

5 BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE FOR ATHLETES

Sat, 20 Apr 2019 13:50:39 GMT

As an athlete, you already know that you’ve got to maintain optimal health if you want to keep playing the sport you love. Physical therapy with an experienced physical therapist is a big part of that, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. One of the main parts of a good physical therapy regimen after an injury involves therapeutic massage. Below, you’ll learn five of the best benefits of therapeutic massage for athletes. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy now to learn more about how massage can help you live pain-free.

1. IMPROVED CIRCULATION

Regular massage during your physical therapy program can improve circulation considerably. Better circulation means that your muscles get the blood supply needed to prevent stiffness and tension. Your muscles will work and feel better after therapeutic massage.

2. IMPROVED IMMUNE SYSTEM

Sickness can be extra hard on athletes. Just one bad cold or flu can keep you out of the game you love for weeks — and you might feel less than your best for quite a while after that, too. Fortunately, massage helps boost your immune system’s natural defenses. During massage, your body is prompted to power up its natural cytotoxic capacity, which basically means that you’ll be better able to fight off germs, bacteria and illness more effectively.

3. LESS SCAR TISSUE

When you’re injured, your body forms adhesions — bands of tough scar tissue — around the injury. These adhesions can restrict your movement, cause serious pain, and can delay your recovery for a very long time if they’re not treated. Your physical therapy massage can deal with those adhesions very efficiently. Your physical therapist can use specific targeted techniques that break up the adhesions, which unbinds your muscles. This is a very important component of your physical therapy program because being adhesion-free is important for both pain relief and for your range of motion.

4. MUSCLE RELAXATION

While muscle relaxation is the best-known benefit of massage, it takes on a whole new importance for an athlete. Muscle soreness, tightness and pain are all things that you expect as an athlete — but the good news is that you can greatly decrease these issues with regular therapeutic massage. Even after you’ve completed a physical therapy program following an injury, you might benefit from regular massages with your physical therapist.

5. IMPROVED POSTURE

Massage, when coupled with other kinds of physical therapy, can do a lot of good for your posture. Massage helps bring your body into an optimal place of alignment, which can naturally improve your posture. Better posture has multiple benefits for athletes. When you’ve got good posture, your body can move at its peak, all the time — and this means that you’re playing your sport with a bit of a natural advantage built in.

As an athlete, your body needs to be in the best condition at all times. This means that after an injury, you’ve got to recover with the help of a physical therapy program designed by an expert physical therapist. It also means that you need to recognize the importance of health maintenance. Something as simple as a therapeutic massage once or twice a month can help you feel your very best, and this means that you’ll be able to be at your peak for every game.

If you’re looking for noninvasive solutions for pain and injury or if you just want to be the best athlete you can be, contact our Euclid, OH physical therapy team now to get started with an expert physical therapist.

TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR THESE 5 COMMON CAUSES OF SHOULDER PAIN

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 14:04:43 GMT

Physical therapy is a safe, effective and non-invasive treatment option that is designed to relieve pain resulting from a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, workplace injuries and more. Regular appointments with a physical therapist are ideal for people of all ages. Patients typically see a physical therapist to help manage chronic pain symptoms and prevent future injury. One of the biggest reasons new patients visit our physical therapist each day is to address chronic shoulder pain. Shoulder pain can be caused by a number of different factors and make completing daily tasks nearly impossible without treatment. If you or a loved one is experiencing shoulder pain, Mayfield Physical Therapy can help!

TOP 5 MOST COMMON CAUSES OF SHOULDER PAIN

TENDINITIS

FROZEN SHOULDER

BURSITIS

TENDON TEARS

IMPINGEMENT

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN PROVIDE FAST RELIEF FOR SHOULDER PAIN

If you or a loved one have been experiencing recurrent or prolonged shoulder pain, it is important to speak with a physical therapist as soon as possible. Physical therapy is a safe, non-invasive and holistic treatment option that can help patients of all ages and activity levels. Contact one of our two OH offices today to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy and begin your journey toward living a pain-free life!

DON’T LET PAIN STOP YOU FROM GETTING BACK IN THE GAME!

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 13:44:44 GMT

Get rid of the pain by partnering up with a physical therapist. Give Mayfield Physical Therapy a call today to learn more about how our physical therapists can get you on the path to a pain-free life.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR PAIN RELIEF

According to WebMD, “Physical therapy is often one of the best choices you can make when you have long-term pain (also called chronic pain) or an injury. It can make you stronger and help you move and feel better.” The goal of physical therapy is to reduce and eliminate pain while improving mobility and function.

During a physical therapy session, you may engage in low-impact aerobic training, strengthening exercises, pain-relief exercises and stretching. Low-impact exercises go easy on the joints and pump up your heart rate. You might be asked to use a stationary bike or to walk fast. You’ll likely be given exercises to work on your core muscles. Using your own body weight with pushups and lunges may be part of the treatment plan. Pain relief exercises designed to target the areas where you have pain will also be done. And with stretching exercises, you’ll be relaxing those muscles.

Physical therapists also use other modalities to achieve pain relief for the patient. Heat packs or ice packs may be applied to the affected area to reduce pain and inflammation. Massage therapy is a gentle therapy that helps reduce muscle spasms and helps your body to relax. Soft-tissue mobilization is used to increase mobility by addressing fibrous areas of muscle tissue. Direct manipulation of the joints can be done to improve functioning and maintain proper alignment. Electric stimulation therapy sends an electric current to the affected area to reduce pain. Ultrasound therapy sends sound waves to the affected area and blocks pain messages that are sent to the brain.

In addition, a physical therapist can educate you about sensory re-education for chronic pain. Even after an injury has healed, the nervous system may still send pain signals. Sensory re-education helps desensitize the nervous system and decrease sensitivity to the affected area.

All around, physical therapy is a noninvasive and holistic approach to pain management. You can avoid having to go under the knife or getting addicted to those pain meds with physical therapy. A physical therapist will do a comprehensive evaluation to determine the root cause of your pain and develop an individualized treatment plan that targets the root cause.

SOME STATS ON THE EFFICACY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR PAIN

According to the APTA, “Studies have established the efficacy of physical therapy in treating and reducing pain as well as preventing chronic pain.

Low back pain: A review of more than 60 randomized controlled trials evaluating exercise therapy for adults with low back pain found that such treatment can decrease pain, improve function and help people return to work. The American College of Physicians states that “non-pharmacologic interventions are considered first-line options in patients with chronic low back pain because fewer harms are associated with these types of therapies than with pharmacologic options.”
Before and after surgery: A review of 35 randomized controlled studies with a total of nearly 3,000 patients found that in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, preoperative exercise and education led to significant reductions in pain, shorter lengths of stay postoperatively and improvements in function.
Arthritis: Studies have shown that therapeutic exercise programs can reduce pain and improve physical function among individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

Are you in pain? Be sure to contact ourEuclid, OH office and discover how our physical therapists can help.

DID YOU KNOW THAT A HERNIATED DISC CAN CAUSE YOU SERIOUS BACK PAIN?

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:34:43 GMT

One of the most common reasons people visit Mayfield Physical Therapy each day is to get relief from chronic back pain. While back pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, in many cases, it is the result of a herniated disc. Herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine but typically affect the lower back area. Physical therapy patients may also be familiar with other terms used to describe a herniated disc including ruptured disc, bulging disc, or protruding disc, but the treatment for the condition is the same. It is estimated that about 60 to 80 percent of people will experience some level of lower back pain in their lives, and many may experience the issue due to a herniated disc. While they can be very painful, with the help of our experienced physical therapist , patients of all ages can find fast relief and learn to manage their pain with regular physical therapy appointments.

ASK OUR PHYSICAL THERAPIST: WHAT CAUSES A HERNIATED DISC TO DEVELOP?

Spinal discs are soft and rubbery pads, designed to work as shock absorbers, located between the bony vertebrae that help make up the spinal column. Made of a thick outer ring of cartilage and an inner gel-like substance, spinal discs work to allow the back to bend with ease. Additionally, your spinal column helps protect delicate nerves and your spinal cord. If the cartilage in your spinal disc somehow tears or develops a defect, the gel-like substance or nucleus can break through. This bulging or herniation can then put pressure on the nerves, resulting in intense pain. In fact, even small amounts of pressure on your spinal nerves can cause weakness, numbness, and pain.

Herniated discs in the lower back can be particularly painful because they put pressure on the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica. The sciatic nerve is actually made up of several spinal nerve branches that travel from the spine and down into the leg. If the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, pain can radiate from the buttocks area, down throughout the back of the leg, and into the shin and foot. Luckily, physical therapy can work to reduce the pain caused by the condition.

When you are young, your spinal discs have a high water-content level, made up of almost 80 percent water. However, as you age, the water content in your spinal discs lowers. This causes the discs to become less pliable and increases the risk of tears or other defects. Some of the other common causes of herniated discs include:

Excessive body weight or obesity
Traumatic injury
High-impact sports
Repetitive twisting movements (workplace injuries)
Heavy or incorrect lifting

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIATED DISC

A standard physical therapy plan of care is completely individualized to the patient. The chief aims of any plan of care are to address the patient’s unique goals, resolve his or her impairments, and optimize his or her recovery, functional independence and long-term health. These outcomes can be achieved through physical therapy techniques such as:

Therapeutic exercises
Manual therapy, like massage and joint mobilizations
Neuromuscular re-education, like balance training
Modalities, like dry needling, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, diathermy, orthotics and prosthetics fitting, and kinesio taping

After undergoing a thorough examination with your physical therapist , you’ll receive an individualized treatment plan that can accelerate your healing. This plan is modified to meet your specific needs and lifestyle and relies on your feedback throughout the process, giving you a more active role in your recovery.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP LOWER BACK PAIN?

Physical therapy is a safe and non-invasive pain treatment option designed to help patients of all ages heal from the inside out. By using targeted physical therapy treatments, our skilled physical therapist can work to relieve back pain and reduce inflammation, stimulate blood flow, and restore your range of motion.

Contact our Mayfield or Euclid, OH offices today to learn more and schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable and highly skilled physical therapist.

RELIEVE HIP AND KNEE PAIN FOR GOOD WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY!

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 13:01:50 GMT

Both the hips and knees are areas in the body where several muscles, tendons, and joints are joined together to help you achieve complex movement. If there is damage and subsequent pain in these areas, it can be difficult to perform daily activities. There are several specific ways that physical therapy can help relieve hip and knee pain. Call Mayfield Physical Therapy to find out how a trained physical therapist can help you relieve the pain in your hips and knees!

COMMON HIP AND KNEE CONDITIONS

There are several specific conditions that often affect the knees and hips. These conditions can occur due to repetitive motion, traumatic injury, or chronic disease.

Arthritis – Arthritis is a condition that involves inflammation of tissues that surround the joints. This condition can cause knee and hip pain. A physical therapist can teach you correct posture and proper movement techniques to protect your joints.
Strains & Sprains – Strains happen when a muscle or tendon is stretched excessively or torn. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments may even rupture, causing bruising, pain and limited mobility. A physical therapist can help you recover more quickly while showing you exercise techniques to reduce pain.
Meniscus Tears – This is one of the most common knee injuries people experience. A torn meniscus can cause stiffness, swelling, and varying degrees of pain. This condition could be the result of a sudden injury or repetitive motions. You’re at higher risk if you’re engaging in aggressive pivoting and twisting of your legs. A physical therapist can provide non-surgical treatment for a torn meniscus.
Bursitis – Bursitis occurs when a small sac of fluid known as the bursa becomes inflamed. This is often caused by overuse or repetitive injuries. Bursitis can occur in a variety of locations in the body including the knees and hips. Physical therapy can aid in recovery and the reduction of pain.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

No matter what condition you have, a physical therapy program can help relieve your pain. Your physical therapist will evaluate your condition and create an individualized program to meet your specific needs. Range of motion and strength measurements may be taken during the physical therapy evaluation. The following are several treatment methods a physical therapist may use to help limit or relieve both knee pain and hip pain .

Manual Physical Therapy – A physical therapist might use several hands-on techniques to reduce pain in your hips and knees. This could include stretching exercises or a variety of massage techniques.
Heat & Ice Physical Therapy – Heat is often used during physical therapy to help increase mobility and lessen pain. A physical therapist may also use ice to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Ultrasound Therapy – A physical therapist may use ultrasound to provide deep heating in the tissues. A trained physical therapist can also more easily identify problem areas by using ultrasound.
Laser Therapy – Laser therapy is increasingly being used in physical therapy for pain management. It can help increase circulation, improve the growth and reproduction of cells, and can reduce swelling.
Home Exercises – A physical therapist can teach you exercises to do at home to alleviate hip and knee pain. Physical therapy techniques can be incorporated into a home exercise program that can become part of your daily routine.

Physical therapy treatment may be able to help you remain pain-free and as active as possible. A physical therapist can create a customized program to treat your particular condition.

Contact our Mayfield or Euclid, OH offices to schedule an evaluation with an experienced physical therapist. Find out today how physical therapy can reduce or even eliminate your knee or hip pain!

5 WAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN PUT THE SPRING BACK IN YOUR STEP!

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 10:53:07 GMT

Do you currently have an acute or chronic pain condition affecting your daily life? Maybe you’re struggling with back pain, a sports injury or impairments following an auto accident. Perhaps you have someone in your family who is experiencing pain and dysfunction. Whatever you or your loved ones are facing, we encourage you to contact our clinic to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

At Mayfield Physical Therapy , our physical therapists are experts in human movement and employ a wide range of drug-free, non-invasive techniques that benefit our patients in many ways — far beyond “just” symptom management. Check out these top five reasons why working with a physical therapist can help you reclaim the healthy, active lifestyle you want and deserve:

1. PAIN-RELIEVING TECHNIQUES USED IN PHYSICAL THERAPY HAVE A LOW RISK OF SIDE EFFECTS.

Unlike many medications and invasive procedures, physical therapy services have a very low risk of side effects while remaining highly effective for reducing pain, swelling, inflammation and other impairments related to injury, illness, and disease. Physical therapy techniques require less downtime and can be modified and safely used on everyone from infants to seniors.

2. PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES ARE COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZABLE.

Therapeutic exercises
Manual therapy, like massage and joint mobilizations
Neuromuscular re-education, like balance training
Modalities, like dry needling, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, diathermy, orthotics and prosthetics fitting, and kinesio taping

3. PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU AVOID OPIOIDS.

The current opioid abuse epidemic in our country suggests that these potentially harmful drugs are frequently overprescribed. The CDC recommends physical therapy before opioids for the management of many types of chronic pain . Plus, treatment techniques used in physical therapy are “evidence-based,” meaning they are tested in scientific research studies in order to determine their efficacy, effectiveness and safety.

4. A PHYSICAL THERAPIST CAN IDENTIFY HIDDEN FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO YOUR DYSFUNCTION.

A physical therapist won’t just “mask” your pain. Our physical therapists identify and resolve underlying factors contributing to your current condition and increasing your risk of chronic issues. Common factors include shortened muscles, scar tissue, range-of-motion limitations, muscle activation problems, impaired ergonomics and body mechanics, and postural imbalances. If factors like these are left unaddressed, your symptom relief would likely be temporary at best.

Through services such as patient education, work-hardening programs and other techniques previously mentioned, a physical therapist can address both symptom and cause.

5. A PHYSICAL THERAPIST CAN HELP YOU MAXIMIZE FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY, CAPACITY AND PERFORMANCE.

A physical therapist helps his or her patients improve endurance, core stability, coordination, agility, and other physical skills that can carry over into better performance in sports and everyday life. This is essential for young active people as well as the older population looking to avoid age-related debility.

In other words, our physical therapy team can manage your injury or disease now as well as help prevent injury in the future.

Ready to find some long-lasting solutions to your pain? To schedule an appointment with a physical therapist today and get started on your journey back to health and healing, contact our physical therapy Mayfield & Euclid, OH clinic today.

GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM! DON’T MASK THE SYMPTOMS WITH MEDS

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:34:10 GMT

Chronic pain and other types of pain can put a dent in your lifestyle. If you’re suffering from pain, be sure to give our office a call to learn how our physical therapists can get you on the path to a pain-free life. Don’t make the mistake of relying on meds, as meds only mask the symptoms. Physical therapy is a natural treatment and a non-invasive treatment that works. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today and you won’t have to curl up with pain in bed anymore.

USING MEDS FOR PAIN: IT’S REALLY JUST MASKING THE PROBLEM

Taking painkillers to rid yourself of pain may seem like a good solution, but it’s really not. Over-the-counter meds like aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can have side effects. Taking a lot of aspirin can cause your stomach to bleed and can also cause kidney damage. Acetaminophen can result in kidney damage. Ibuprofen can cause both kidney and stomach problems. Prescription opioids like codeine, oxycodone and morphine can lead to addiction. Other possible side effects of pain meds include respiratory depression, constipation, anxiety and nausea. Not only does taking meds for pain just mask the problem, it may cause you another one.

THE NATURAL TREATMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Sometimes even the thought of exercising may make you sweat but in reality, exercise is one of the absolute best treatments out there for chronic pain. By participating in a physical therapy routine you will see just how effective exercise can be for all types of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.

Physical therapy is a natural treatment for a variety of root causes of chronic pain , including:

Rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis.
Lupus.
Bursitis.
Gout.
Bone cancer.

All of these conditions can cause aching, stiffness and joint pain. A physical therapist will work with you to help you try to achieve a greater range of motion with affected limbs or joints, and to relieve the pain so you can enjoy a better quality of life.

FROM DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT: THE ROLE OF A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Consulting with a physical therapist can reduce your recovery time. That’s because a physical therapist will treat your entire body by identifying the root cause of pain. A physical therapist will perform an assessment to determine where your pain is coming from. This healthcare professional will develop an individualized treatment plan that is designed to target the root cause of pain. Physical therapists include a comprehensive exam process, which includes a full medical history. Selected tests are done to identify movement-related disorders. For a specific diagnosis, all of the collected exam data is carefully reviewed.

Physical therapy entails both active and passive treatment. Active physical therapy treatment may include exercises, motions, stretching and aquatic therapy. Passive therapy treatment may include ultrasound, massage therapy, heat therapy, cold therapy and electric stimulation. You can feel confident that a physical therapist will develop a treatment plan that is just for you and your needs.

If you’re in pain, there is an effective solution other than pain meds or surgery. Contact our Mayfield & Euclid, OH office today to learn how our physical therapists can help you live a pain-free lifestyle. All of our physical therapists are seasoned and certified. Our goal is to get you back in the game, on the road to recovery and to help you live life to its fullest.

FEELING STIFF AND ACHY? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:28:27 GMT

Everyone wakes up feeling some pain in their joints or muscles from time to time. But if you find yourself consistently waking up stiff and achy, it might be time for pain-relief work with a Mayfield Physical Therapy physical therapist. Aching or stiff joints may be a minor problem that is easily remedied; in other cases, your doctor may have diagnosed a condition or ailment that will benefit from physical therapy. We’ve worked with a wide range of patients who struggle with aches and pains, and we would be happy to work with you to help you enjoy a better quality of life as well!

WHY AM I STIFF AND ACHY WHEN I WAKE UP?

Joint tissues become irritated throughout the day and by the evening, when your mind is tired, you might not even notice it. When you fall asleep and remain mostly immobile overnight, that allows the inflammation to grow thicker and irritate the joints even more. The result is that when you wake up in the morning, your joints are stiff and achy. After you start moving around, the inflammation becomes more liquid-like and the pain will lessen. One common remedy for this, which your physical therapist is likely to recommend, is that you stay properly hydrated throughout the day. Staying hydrated allows your body’s tissues to function at their normal pace, whereas dehydration slows down your chemical processes.

MORE SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS

If your doctor has diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues, physical therapy can probably help. Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physical therapist :

Rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis.
Lupus.
Bursitis.
Gout.
Bone cancer.

TIPS FOR STIFF AND ACHING JOINTS

Your physical therapy regimen will largely depend on your specific symptoms or diagnosis. However, there are a lot of common recommendations that work hand-in-hand with physical therapy. Here are some tips that your physical therapist will likely share with you on your journey to wellness.

Get Good Sleep. Getting enough sleep at night creates a circular benefit with physical therapy exercises. When you get enough sleep, it increases your ability to effectively exercise. When you exercise regularly, it helps you to get better sleep. Better sleep habits and physical exercise are a powerful “one-two punch” for keeping aches and stiffness away.
Use Better Posture. If your work requires you to sit at a desk for long hours, or if you stay sedentary for long periods every day, try to get up every half hour for some light stretches. Move around to keep your circulation going, which helps to relieve joint pain. Proper posture when sitting or standing will help your joints to function properly. When we use bad posture, it puts strain on areas of the body that weren’t meant to be stressed.
Improve Your Diet. Be sure to consume lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. These healthy foods have more antioxidants and vitamins, which fight off the inflammation that can lead to joint pain. A better diet also helps you to get better sleep and helps your body receive more benefit from exercise.

PHYSICAL THERAPY EXERCISES

You don’t have to be a bodybuilder or an Olympic-class athlete to work with a physical therapist. Most of the exercises and stretches that your therapist will recommend are simple to perform and don’t require any special equipment — and most of our patients are just regular people (not super athletes).

Contact us today at our Mayfield Village and Euclid, OH office to schedule a consultation on how physical therapy can help you relieve those aches and pains!

ARTHRITIS PAIN SUFFERERS- THIS BLOG IS FOR YOU!

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 10:20:28 GMT

Arthritis is a joint disorder, which features inflammation, pain and stiffness. There is also often a loss in movement with arthritis, as the joints are too inflamed to move. When only a single joint is involved it’s known as monoarthritis. If two or three joints are involved it’s referred to as oligoarthritis. To date there are over 100 types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs due to wear and tear of the cartilage and rheumatoid arthritis results from an overactive immune system. Arthritis is the most common chronic illness in the nation. Many people cannot work due to arthritis and have to go on disability. And it affects men, women and children. Arthritic pain can impede one’s mobility and quality of life. If you suffer from arthritic pain be sure to call Mayfield Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment with our physical therapist. Physical therapy for arthritic pain has been proven by research to be highly effective.

Diagnosing Arthritis and Getting Treatment

Your doctor will examine your joints for deformity and inflammation, look for signs of disease and review your history of symptoms. Blood tests, urine tests, x-rays or joint fluid tests may be ordered. Early diagnosis can prevent disability and irreversible damage. Exercise routines, medications, rest and physical therapy may be recommended. A physical therapist can provide properly guided exercise regimens. It’s important that you do the proper, safe exercises to avoid injury.

The Role of Physical Therapy for Arthritis

Physical therapy is all about engaging in physical activity and exercise. “Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis . Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.”

Arthritis pain can be miserable and debilitating for those who suffer from it, and unfortunately, there is no cure for it. A physical therapist will custom tailor a therapeutic exercise program to help mobility and strength. A physical therapist will create a treatment program that addresses all areas of the body. For example, if you suffer from arthritis pain in the knee an exercise program will address the lower back, hip and ankle, in addition to the knee. That’s because all of these areas contribute to proper knee control and mechanics. Carrying objects, lifting and squatting may also be a part of the treatment plan.

Physical therapy also consists of manual therapy. It has been proven that joint and soft tissue mobilization help patients suffering from arthritis pain. Deep tissue massage, TENS, ice packs and heat therapy may also be part of the treatment plan by a physical therapist. All of these treatments are passive modalities that increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, reduce pain and enhance mobility. All around, physical therapy is an effective, noninvasive method for arthritis pain. Plus, you won’t have to rely on those pain meds, which can lead to addiction.

If you’re suffering from arthritis pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our certified physical therapists. Our research-driven treatments will help you get fast pain relief. Get your life back on track with treatment from our Mayfield physical therapists in Mayfield Village and Euclid, OH. Our physical therapy team is your partner in getting you well and committed to your success.

HOW TO FIND RELIEF FROM STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 10:08:56 GMT

Headaches are the third most common pain complaint throughout the world. They are debilitating and can greatly impact a person’s quality of life.

Fortunately, relief is possible. By working with a trained Mayfield PT physical therapist, you can experience immediate pain relief from stress-related headaches and other ailments that may be contributing to your suffering. In this guide, we’ll outline the different types of headaches and the causes for them, and explain how physical therapy can help.

TYPES OF HEADACHES

Pain of any sort that occurs in the head is called a headache . Many resolve on their own and don’t need intervention. However, severe headaches that recur frequently and interfere with quality of life often demand further evaluation. The challenge lies in identifying which type of headache you’re experiencing and then devising a treatment plan accordingly. Physical therapists are adept at diagnosing different types of headaches and can develop pain relief strategies for stress-related headaches.

There are 10 common types of headaches:

Stress (tension)
Post-traumatic
Cluster
Hormone
Caffeine
Migraine or sinus
Exertion
Rebound
Hypertension

WHAT ARE STRESS-RELATED HEADACHES?

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache in adults and older teens. They often appear as a result of poor posture, increased stress, neck or jaw problems, fatigue, or arthritis, although it’s possible to experience them when feeling anxious, depressed or stressed. They occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and they can happen at any age.

Stress-related headaches generally start at the back of the head and progress to the top of the head and eyes. Sometimes, facial pain along the jaw and cheeks accompanies the headache. They have been compared to wearing a tight hat, having hair pulled or a squeezing of the head from the ears inward.

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST HELP?

Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your health history and a careful physical examination. He or She will ask you a series of questions to determine the type of headache you’re experiencing and determine the best route for pain relief.

During your first visit, you can expect to undergo some of the following:

Tests of your muscle strength and sensation
Questions regarding previous injuries to your neck, head, jaw and back
Inquiries about the location and types of pain and other symptoms experienced
Measurements regarding the range of motion of your shoulders, neck and other relevant parts of the body
Manual therapy to ascertain the mobility of joints and muscles in your neck
Examination of your posture while engaged in different activities

If your physical therapist determines that you’re dealing with stress-related headaches, you’ll work together to develop a plan for care to meet your physical health goals. If the evaluation determines a different type of headache, your physical therapist will likely refer you to a different type of health care professional.

GOALS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

While the end goal of physical therapy is pain relief, there are some important steps along the way that your physical therapist will help you address so that you can achieve a decrease in pain.

Some of These Include:

Improvement of your posture. Your posture throughout the day greatly impacts your level of pain and likelihood of stress-related headaches. Your physical therapist will teach you methods of improving your posture for a greater quality of life.
Improvement of neck movement. Using manual therapy, your physical therapist will stretch the muscles in the back of your neck to relieve pain and increase movement.
Improvement of strength. You’ll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control your upper back and neck so that your posture improves, and you’re able to endure standing and sitting for longer periods without discomfort.

PAIN RELIEF METHODS

While each treatment meets the needs of individuals, most physical therapists use methods that range from soft tissue mobilization, heat or ice compressions, muscular releases, cervical traction, body mobilization, stretching, strengthening, muscle energy techniques, and McKenzie-based diagnosis and therapy of the spine. With all treatment plans, you can expect to receive education that will supplement your in-office experience.

Persistent and life-altering headaches may not go away without physical therapy. To experience long-lasting pain relief and improve your quality of life, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today.

5 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO START STRETCHING

Sat, 10 Nov 2018 10:01:43 GMT

RANGE OF MOTION IMPROVEMENT

RELIEF IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

INJURY PREVENTION

IMPROVED CIRCULATION

Stretching can reduce stress, but that isn’t the only reason it’s good for your heart and your musculoskeletal system. Tight muscles constrict available oxygen supply, essentially robbing themselves of the nutrients they need. Stretches help reverse the process. You’ll also get the benefit of increased blood flow to your joints and throughout the body. Your physical therapist knows that good circulation is key to every aspect of health, from sharp thinking to clear skin.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways that stretching can improve your life. Many people enter a Zen-like state as they stretch. Others get a sense of pride from being more limber. When you’re ready to add stretches to your daily routine, consider getting started through physical therapy. Our team of physical therapists can walk you through the best ways to tackle your situation. Static or dynamic stretching? Pre- or post-activity stretching? A Mayfield PT physical therapist can help you learn the basics. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn more.

7 SIMPLE WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE

Sat, 20 Oct 2018 09:57:05 GMT

1. TAKE THE LONGEST — OR HARDEST — DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS

2. PAY FOR YOUR LUNCH — IN FOOTSTEPS

3. CONSIDER A STANDING DESK

4. FOOL YOURSELF INTO RUNNING ERRANDS

5. USE FITNESS BENEFITS AS AN INCENTIVE TO DO CHORES

6. KEEP EQUIPMENT HANDY

7. DON’T PUT OFF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free and more active life.

TREATING ARTHRITIS PAIN WITHOUT THE MEDS

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 09:43:47 GMT

Arthritis is a catch-all term used to describe more than 100 different kinds of joint pain and joint disease. While arthritis is commonly believed to be a condition that afflicts the elderly, the reality is that it can strike people in early middle age. In fact, elite male athletes are more likely to develop arthritis than the general public. Arthritis medications and pain medicines can cause some nasty side effects. So, if you’re looking for a natural treatment for arthritis, consider meeting with a Mayfield PT physical therapist at our office to learn how you can kick the meds and reduce your arthritis symptoms.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is caused by a reduction in joint cartilage as it wears away through age or “wear and tear.” This causes bones to rub together, which leads to pain and swelling. Physical therapy can often help to reduce arthritis pain without medication, especially if the arthritis is mild to moderate.

Inflammatory Arthritis: In certain cases, the body’s immune system will attack joint tissues with intense inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is one example of this type of condition. Inflammatory arthritis often has a genetic cause, and doctors usually treat it aggressively with drugs. However, depending on the severity of symptoms, physical therapy may be recommended for treatment as well.

Metabolic Arthritis: The most common type of metabolic arthritis is gout, a condition caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints of the extremities, especially the feet. It’s typically caused by reduced kidney function. Physical therapy can help gout patients restore range of motion in the affected area and even reduce the buildup of the acidic crystals that accumulate in the joints.

ARTHRITIS IN ATHLETES

According to a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, about 30 percent of elite male athletes who engage in contact sports such as football will develop arthritis in the knees and hips. That’s compared to about 19 percent of the general public. The wear and tear on the joints that results from high-contact sports increases the likelihood of developing arthritis. Soccer and handball players were found to be twice as “at risk” of arthritis later in life, and hockey players are three times as likely to develop arthritis.

ARTHRITIS MEDICATIONS

Depending on the type of arthritis that a person has, doctors may prescribe NSAID pain relievers, corticosteroids, antirheumatic drugs or antibiotics. All of these carry a risk of side effects, and some can be extremely serious. NSAIDs can lead to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Corticosteroids can contribute to cataracts, cause high blood sugar levels or even contribute to bone loss — which is terrible when you consider that the patient is already dealing with arthritis!

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS

The goals when working with a physical therapist for arthritis treatment will include preserving a good range of motion, increasing strength to reduce stress on the joints, and other natural treatment options. Here are some of the benefits of working with our physical therapists :

Your physical therapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Controlling your weight helps to prevent added stress on weight-bearing joints.
Posture work will help to reduce stress on your joints.
Light exercises and stretching will help to increase range of motion in the affected areas.
Your physical therapist will also recommend a schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. This helps the body to heal and hopefully reduce arthritic inflammation and pain.

Every treatment regimen is different based on your body’s needs and your particular type of arthritis. The best way to get started on a med-free treatment through physical therapy is by calling and scheduling an appointment with one of our Mayfield Village or Euclid, OH therapists.

TIRED OF LOWER BACK PAIN? HERE’S WHAT TO DO

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:38:01 GMT

Lower back pain is the nemesis of many. That familiar ache can limit time spent working, relaxing, and enjoying life. It can lead to irritability and a whole host of other health problems. And, yet, it’s surprisingly common.

The World Health Organization estimates that in the United States, 149 million days of work are lost due to low back pain. Back pain is the leading cause of inactivity and loss of work, and it appears in 60 to 70 percent of people in industrialized nations.

If you’re experiencing this type of pain, you know how important it is to find relief. Fortunately, Mayfield Physical Therapy can guide you towards a pain-free life. Here are some ways that we can help, and reasons to call our office today.

WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Physical therapy includes treatments that focus on the management of disabilities and injuries. It helps to alleviate lower back pain, encourage healing, and bring about restored function and movement. It is performed by a trained physical therapist who is knowledgeable in evaluation and conservative management, including rehabilitation, of orthopedic, neurologic, and cardiovascular conditions.

There are two components to most physical therapy programs: passive physical therapy to reduce the patient’s pain so that it becomes more manageable, and active exercises that the patient engages in independently.

PASSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY

When you’re suffering from lower back pain, it can be debilitating and makes it so you can’t be as active as you would like. As such, it’s important for a physical therapist to reduce your pain as much as possible so that you can actively participate in your treatment. These tools are often used as a form of ‘passive therapy’ because they are done to a patient by the physical therapist.

Electrical stimulation, such as TENS Units
Heat/ice packs
Ultrasound
Iontophoresis
Dry needling
Manual therapies
Massage
Hydrotherapy

We use some of these methods, such as hot/cold packs and massage therapy, to improve blood flow to the affected area, thereby reducing pain and swelling. We also utilize electrical stimulation therapy, which is a painless treatment that delivers tiny electrical waves through your nervous system to relieve pain, reduce muscle spasms, and encourage your body to produce pain-relieving hormones. Some of our clients are best suited for hydrotherapy treatment. This involves performing low-intensity movements in water which relieves pressure on muscles while allowing you to move your joints without discomfort.

ACTIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY

Active physical therapy treatments are exercises performed by the patient and are often used in the later sages of physical therapy — once the lower back pain has subsided enough so that the patient can perform them without excessive discomfort. There are many different types of exercises that a physical therapist may recommend, including stretching, stability training, and strength training. Some of these will help you with your flexibility and range of motion, while others help build the muscles around the painful area to provide those parts of the body with support.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISITS

When you first visit our clinic, your physical therapist will ask you several questions about your health, history, and lower back pain specifically. Having this information will help your physical therapist provide you with the best treatment plan possible so that you see long-lasting results as quickly as possible.

Your physical therapist will also provide a thorough examination. Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist may assess your strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, posture, blood pressure, and heart and respiration rates. This may include using his or her hands to palpate your back and surrounding area, as well as a visual examination of your mobility.

You may learn special exercises to perform at home so that you can minimize pain, avoid re-injury, lessen strain, and speed up your recovery time. Your PT specialist may recommend special equipment and will undoubtedly spend a great deal of time educating you about your source of pain and pain management strategies. He or she will also perform hands-on exercises to deliver you immediate relief.

When you’re ready to alleviate or eliminate your pain, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life.

REDUCE PAIN & INFLAMMATION THROUGH NUTRITION

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 09:28:44 GMT

Internal inflammation can wreak havoc with your health. You may already be seeing a physical therapist for inflammation-related health issues, such as arthritis. Whether you have a specific diagnosis or generalized pain in your back and joints, Mayfield Physical Therapy can help. Your physical therapist may also suggest an anti-inflammatory diet for additional pain relief.

WHAT TO AVOID

One of the quickest way to reverse nutrition-based inflammation is to stop eating the foods most associated with it. Unfortunately, for many people, these foods tend to be convenience items. That means that you may need to readjust how you think about preparing meals and snacks in your quest for pain relief.

On the plus side? There are few surprises in the types of foods that make inflammation worse. You probably already know these nutritional “no-nos” – they’re also bad for your heart and your waistline. So whether your guilty pleasures are savory or sweet, begin to ease them out of your meal plans.

Packaged meals and junk food snacks are often full of trans fat, sugar and preservatives. In addition, avoid fatty and fried foods, red meat, pastries and donuts, white breads, white rice and semolina pasta. If you’re at all sensitive to inflammatory foods, these are among the worst when it comes to bringing on painful flare-ups.

HOW TO REPLACE INFLAMMATORY FOODS

Many “bad guys” in the food world have easy alternatives. Substitute white bread with whole-grain bread, white rice with brown rice, and semolina pasta with wheat or garbanzo pasta. In place of hamburger, chops and meatloaf, focus on fish, chicken and veggie “steaks.”

Preparation is also an important component of an anti-inflammatory diet. Avoid frying foods or ordering fried foods when eating out. Instead, opt for the same ingredients that have been grilled, roasted or steamed. Rather than topping main courses and side dishes with creamy sauces and dressings, choose healthier alternatives. Topping options for various salads, side dishes and main courses include vinaigrette, Greek yogurt, tomato salsa, fruit salsa, lemon juice and herbal olive oil.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ALL-STARS

Along with healthy substitutions of inflammatory foods, look for nutritional choices you can make that directly address internal swelling, Make sure to add these to your meal plans each week, and assess whether your health issues seem to ease in response.

Certain anti-inflammatory herbs, spices and supplements may provide some pain relief. Multivitamins and fish oil pills are among the supplements noted for their anti-inflammatory properties. Good herbal supplement choices include boswellia, green tea, cat’s claw and devil’s claw. Other non-food items are turmeric and fresh or powdered ginger for seasoning and green tea as a soothing beverage. (Enjoy green tea hot or chilled.)

The “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables that you’ve heard of for heart health and boosted immunity may also fight inflammation. Eat more colorful fruits like berries and mangos. Vegetables that range from dark green (kale and spinach) to orange (carrots and sweet potatoes) to red/purple (beets and tomatoes) to yellow (sweet peppers and corn) are also great choices.

Along with fish oil pills for omega-3 inflammation protection, add more actual fish to your diet. The types highest in Omega-3 fats are, not surprisingly, fatty fish. Salmon, herring, sardines, trout, mackerel and tuna all may provide some pain relief when inflammation is the culprit.

Long-term pain relief can rarely be achieved with diet alone. As important as nutrition is, it’s also crucial to consult your doctor about other ways to gain flexibility and reduce pain. Physical therapy can help to work with your dietary changes. Together, these changes address the inflammation that’s causing stiffness and discomfort. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn more about how physical therapy and nutritional coaching can make a difference.

TENSION HEADACHES: HOW TO HANDLE THEM

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 09:21:54 GMT

Of the four distinct types of headaches — tension, migraine, sinus and cluster — the tension type is the most common. Of course, stress is a natural reaction to stimuli and can keep us safe from danger. Yet an excessive amount of stress can lead to tension headaches. That’s why learning how to handle emotional and physical stress can help reduce the severity and frequency of tension headaches.

If you’re concerned about your headaches, contact Mayfield Physical Therapy — and read on, for some helpful tips about coping with tension headaches.

HOW THE BODY REACTS TO STRESS

When the “fight or flight” response is triggered, our bodies become flooded with protective hormones like adrenaline, which leads to a chain reaction of neck and scalp muscles contracting. These physical reactions often result in either tension or migraine headaches.

Muscular overuse is another factor that leads to tension headaches. Holding your neck or shoulder joints in an unnatural position for too long causes supporting muscles to go into spasm. In turn, the muscles compress the adjoining nerves, sending pain impulses to your brain that result in headaches and sometimes a sore neck.

Working at a computer, bending over a work table or holding a phone to your ear for prolonged periods are all frequent causes of tension headaches from physical sources.

ADDITIONAL CAUSES

Along with muscle-bunching activities like desk work, here are a few other factors associated with tension headaches:

Emotional stress
Fatigue
Excess alcohol
Fluctuating caffeine levels
Eye strain
Use of tobacco products

DEALING WITH A TENSION HEADACHE

Here are three of the most common tips concerning how people effectively deal with tension headaches:

Stretch your neck muscles regularly. Tense muscles in the neck region are often tension headache culprits. Physical therapy can also help.
Practice relaxation techniques. Whether it’s deep breathing, yoga or walking on your lunch break — finding a way to de-stress is key to stopping tension headaches before they start.
Adjust your ergonomics. Your workplace setup can cause headaches. Consider simple adjustments like setting up your monitor to a more comfortable position, and getting a headset for your telephone.

If you have a severe headache, especially if it’s an unusual type for you, seek immediate medical attention. Tension headaches, on the other hand, don’t require emergency care — but they can still be painful and interrupt your normal routine. We may be able to give you the tools you need to decrease the severity and frequency of these annoying headaches. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today for more information.

THE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF STRETCHING

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 09:16:49 GMT

Many non-athletes — and even a few actual jocks — are guilty of either rushing through their warm-up stretching, or skipping the cool-down moves after the workout. Yet, along with cardio and strength-training, stretching also delivers significant health benefits.

You probably already know that stretching extends your overall range of motion, while also elasticizing your muscles and enhancing coordination. But those improvements, in turn, bring about other health benefits. We can discuss more of these during your visit, but in the meantime here are some of the frequently-overlooked benefits of stretching.

INCREASED CIRCULATION

The act of lengthening and loosening your muscles through stretching means that you’re simultaneously opening up their interior blood vessels. This increased circulation is crucial for heart health and lowered cholesterol. It’s also a boon for the muscles themselves, because the improved blood flow results in faster recovery time, and less overall soreness after a workout.

Longer term, improving your circulation is a superior mood enhancer and energy booster. The physiological impact of increased circulation means that your bloodstream is carrying more oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, allowing for higher energy.

REDUCED TENSION

The most obvious benefit of a decrease in muscular tensing is, of course, that your pain and discomfort is greatly lessened. That alone is a smart reason to add more stretching into your life, because relaxing those contracted muscles will instantly make you feel physically better.

There’s an emotional component to “de-knotting” your muscles, as well. You’ll literally feel as if a weight has been lifted from your shoulders, which can’t help but lift your mood. Optimism is also restored because relaxed muscles allow all-important endorphins to flow, which banishes pessimism — and that dreaded midday fatigue.

IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY AND POSTURE

Enhancing both your flexibility and posture through stretching your joints and muscles are key to avoiding a range of pain-causing conditions.

Range of motion is vastly improved by regular stretching. Not only can you correct any joint stiffness you presently have through regular stretching as you’re extending your limbs as far as they can go, but you can also reduce the risks of future, motion-limiting injuries.

In terms of your muscle groups, stretching keeps the muscles supporting your spin lengthened and in perfect position. This proper alignment improves posture, and usually reduces any incidences of neck and back pain .

If any of these health issues sound familiar to you, please contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today. We’ll work together to put together the stretching routine that’s best for you!

HOW STAYING ACTIVE AT WORK CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 21:57:53 GMT

Picture yourself at work. Hunched over a keyboard, clicking away on a mouse, answering the phone, or having meetings, the most moving around you are likely to do is to and from the copy machine. It is no surprise that our sedentary jobs are causing fatigue and stiffness , both mentally and physically. Fortunately, having a desk job doesn’t exclude you from experiencing more physical activity at work. Give these activities a try and you are sure to find out you feel better physically and experience higher productivity.

TIME FOR A MENTAL SHIFT

Somehow, somewhere along the way, Americans got it into their heads that working without breaks is the sign of productivity. Not true! Working without breaks not only causes physical and mental fatigue, studies have shown that people who allow themselves to take a break are more productive than their power-through counterparts.

USE THE 1 IN 20 RULE

Studies have shown that the mind can only work continuously on a singular task for 20 minutes at a time before productivity begins to slow. Fortunately, it does not take a lot to reset the brain’s ability to refocus. Standing up and moving around every twenty minutes, changing positions, or walking to another office is enough to give your brain the blood flow it needs to be ready for the tasks at hand.

STAY HYDRATED

On average, water represents up to 60 percent of our body weight yet many of us walk around chronically dehydrated. In addition to digestive problems, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain, chronic dehydration can slow productivity. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Make sure you are consuming water throughout the day in order to keep your brain firing the way it should.

DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE

We breathe thousands of times a day without even thinking about it, yet becoming aware of your breath is a great way to reduce stress, think more clearly and work better. Take deep breaths that fill your lungs and expel all of the air out. Then, enjoy a more productive work day.

Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today and speak to our experts physical therapist .

TIPS TO TREAT YOUR ARTHRITIS PAIN

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 21:52:03 GMT

If you are like the one in four American adults who suffer from arthritis symptoms, you are looking for options for managing the day to day aches and pains and often debilitating loss of mobility. Fortunately, there are many things you can do that, when combined with physical therapy, can improve your strength, increase your flexibility and help you manage your arthritis symptoms. While these tips are helpful, they work best when paired with professional treatment, call Mayfield Physical Therapy today to learn how we can help you live pain-free!

WEIGHT LOSS

Since many arthritis symptoms are exacerbated by obesity, weight loss is one of the most effective ways to manage those symptoms without medication. Fortunately, physical therapists are adept at creating weight loss or weight maintenance programs that take pressure off of your joints and increase blood flow for nutrient delivery throughout your entire body.

TIME FOR NEW SHOES

Many people overlook the effects of footwear on arthritis of the knee. Whether it is special purchasing special footwear or adding insoles or orthotics into your existing shoes, this simple fix can help immediately relieve the pressure on the weight-bearing joints of your lower body. As an added bonus, the correct footwear makes it easier to walk or exercise without pain.

HOT & COLD, HOT & COLD

When it comes to arthritis, temperature matters. Many people discover that a warm bath or heat pack helps ease arthritis aches and pains. Others find that cold packs applied on a regular basis reduce swelling in the joints and relieve discomfort. Alternating between the two has been shown to provide the soothing comfort of heat with the anti-inflammatory properties of cold. However, it is important to consult with a medical professional about the proper procedures for applying both heat and cold in order to avoid skin irritation.

EXERCISE

As tempting as it is to “rest” when you are uncomfortable, there is nothing better for managing arthritis than exercising on a regular basis. However, many people are reluctant to begin an exercise program with arthritis for fear of injuring themselves. Physical therapy can not only help you discover the exercise program that is right for your condition, it can provide you with a long-term solution to your arthritis symptoms. Your physical therapist will show you proper technique, a variety of exercises and how to wear appropriate accessories like braces or wraps if necessary.

Arthritis should not stop you from living the life you deserve. The combination of physical therapy, a weight loss program, heat and cold, and footwear can help you manage your day-to-day discomfort for the rest of your life. Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today to get started on your personalized physical therapy program and start enjoying a symptom-free life!

STILL HURTING? YOUR DIET COULD BE WHY

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 21:44:54 GMT

What you put in your mouth can make your aches and pains worse. Like they say, “You are what you eat.” There are many foods that can cause inflammation and actually result in pain. Eating a healthier diet can help you feel better, without those nagging aches and pains.

FOODS TO SAY “NO” TO

While it may be difficult to resist sodas, chocolate bars, pastries, and desserts, it’s smart to just say no. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, processed sugars release inflammatory messengers. The culprits are known as cytokines. To be on the safe side, avoid any ingredients that end in “ose.” That includes sucrose and fructose.

Saturated fats also trigger inflammation. Cheese and pizza are a mainstay of the American diet, and Americans should definitely reduce their intakes of these foods. Other culprits include full-fat dairy products, pasta, red meat and grain-based desserts.

Harvard School researchers sent out the alarm on trans fats in the 1990s. Trans fat triggers systemic inflammation. You’ll find plenty of trans fats in fast foods, snack foods, cookies, donuts and frozen breakfast products. Be sure to read the ingredient labels and avoid those listed with partially hydrogenated oils.

Skip the white flour products that have refined carbohydrates. That includes white rice and white potatoes. Processed carbs increase fats and fuel the production of advanced glycation, which causes inflammation.

While you may think mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) is only found in soy sauce and Asian food, it can be found in deli meats, fast foods, salad dressings and prepared soups. MSG is known as a chemical that triggers pathways for chronic inflammation.

FOODS TO SAY “YES” TO

Think of a more natural diet like veggies and fresh fruits. And start drinking water. By just switching to water, you can reduce pain caused by inflammation. Greek yogurt is a good choice and so are foods with natural probiotics. Just by making better food choices can put you on the road to less pain and less need to rely on medications. Be a part of the solution instead of the problem by changing up your diet. Another plus to eating better is that you just may wind up losing a few of those stubborn pounds. So, the next time you feel a nagging ache, do some thinking about what you’re actually putting in your mouth. It just may be a food that you should say no to or give Mayfield Physical Therapy a call to see how we can help assess your aches and pains!

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, YOUR LOWER BACK PAIN COULD BE HERE TO STAY

Sat, 09 Jun 2018 21:40:42 GMT

Ask any physical therapist, and you’ll get confirmation that lower back pain is the most frequent complaint they’re asked to treat. Often, back strain goes away on their own, especially with the classic “RICE” treatment. But when rest, ice, compression and elevation just can’t cut the pain, physical therapy is often your most reliable path back to a pain-free life.

WHERE DOES LBP COME FROM — AND WHAT CAN PREVENT IT?

Among the most common causes of lower back pain (LBP) is an improperly aligned spine, stemming from incorrect posture. Most office desk setups don’t provide lumbar support or ergonomic positioning, while poor work habits keep us from giving our spines much-needed relief by moving around during the day.

Non-desk jobs have their own perils. Standing all day, especially when combined with heavy lifting or frequent bending, is also bad for spinal health. The muscles surrounding the abs and lower back may not get the support they need as you pace, bend and lift, resulting in LBP.

In either case, supporting those back muscles is key to reducing the risk of chronic lower back pain. Insist on an ergonomic desk chair, or at least take the opportunity to stretch and move around more frequently. If you’re a cashier, wait staff or warehouse worker, invest in shoes with good arch support, which helps keep your entire body better aligned. If needed, wear a specialized brace to help support heavy lifting.

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways for easing lower back pain. Medical professionals generally urge their patients to try PT before turning to prescription medications or surgery. The reasons are obvious: Some medications can have long-term health consequences, despite the advantages of delivering temporary pain relief, while invasive procedures carry risk of complication and prolonged recovery time.

Lower back pain PT typically takes the two-pronged approach of using both active and passive physical therapy, unless the physical therapist has a reason to recommend one over the other.

Passive PT includes the application of specialized ice packs and heating pads. The physical therapist may also use various types of pulsing equipment, which stimulate nerves and release pain.
Active PT involves the patient performing stretches and exercises that build the kind of flexibility and strength needed to both prevent future flare-ups and reduce current pain. Some of these are done under a physical therapist’s supervision, on specialized equipment, while others can be carried out at home after the patient learns the basics.

Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today and speak to our experts.

ARE ACHES AND PAINS RUINING YOUR DAY? DISCOVER WHY YOU HURT AND HOW YOU CAN LESSEN THE PAIN

Sat, 19 May 2018 21:34:41 GMT

As people age, many develop aches and pains that become progressively worse and begin to interfere with their normal work requirements, daily activities and even healthy sleep patterns. In many cases these aches and pains are worse upon awakening in the morning and ease as the person arises and begins to move about. Although this type of pain can have a number of causes, some of the most common ones are those related to a decrease in the level of overall health or activity, an illness or injury, a sedentary lifestyle, inadequate or improper exercise and poor nutrition.

WHY ARE ACHES AND PAINS MORE PREVALENT UPON AWAKENING?

Although general pain and aching can be attributed to many causes, inflammation is one of the most common. As you move about throughout the day, the tissues of the body often become irritated, resulting in chronic inflammation. If the irritation is not severe, you may not be aware that anything is happening inside your muscles and joints but as you sleep, the inflammation becomes thickened, making your body’s tissues less elastic. This inelasticity increases the irritant level in the tissues of the body and the results are felt as stiff or aching muscles and joints upon awakening.

As you arise and begin to move about, the inflammation in the tissues becomes less thick, allowing the tissues, muscles and joints to begin to move more freely and the pain recedes.

When this constant cycle of building and receding inflammation repeats again and again, chronic tissue degeneration occurs and permanent damage can result. This is why it is important to take morning aches and pains seriously and find proven ways to relieve the discomfort.

WHAT ARE SOME EFFECTIVE WAYS TO HELP RELIEVE COMMON ACHES AND PAINS?

Some of the best ways to help reduce the occurrence of morning aches and pains and the damage they cause is to take better care of your body and work to improve your overall health. This includes making sure that you:

eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on anti-oxidant rich fruits, vegetables and nuts, such as peppers, carrots, broccoli, berries, grapes, citrus and walnuts
drink plenty of water to ensure proper hydration of body tissues, including muscles and joints
get regular, low impact exercise to make your body’s metabolism more efficient and help to remove waste materials that can build up and inflame body tissues
get enough restful sleep to maintain body chemistry and help promote normal function
improve sitting and standing posture to alleviate pressure points and help to prevent stress on muscles, joints and bones that can promote unhealthy inflammation
learn to manage stress to prevent involuntary tensing of muscles that can result in inflamed muscles and joints

CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY BE EFFECTIVE FOR ACHES AND PAINS?

Aches and pains that do not respond to your efforts to relieve them, those that seem to worsen or those that are related to some type of recent or past injury, can often be helped with the assistance of a professional physical therapists , like ours. By using our skills and knowledge of the human anatomy, we can help patients reduce aches and pains and strengthen muscles, joints, and bones to help ward off the inflammation that causes this type of discomfort.

To find out more about how physical therapy can help you deal with your aches and pains, contact Mayfield Physical Therpy now. We can help you determine the cause for your discomfort and work out a convenient physical therapy plan to help you become stronger and enjoy better mobility at any stage of life.

THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF STRETCHING

Wed, 09 May 2018 21:27:30 GMT

Everyone knows that exercise is a part of healthy living, but do you consider a stretching routine part of your exercise program, or as an afterthought that gets done if time permits? Since no one ever has enough time, you may want to reconsider how you view exercise, as there are so many benefits to a stretching program. Everyone can learn to stretch, regardless of age or flexibility. Stretching should be a part of your daily routine, whether you exercise or not. It does not have to involve a huge amount of time, but stretching can end up giving you huge results!

FIVE IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF STRETCHING:

Reduced muscle tension
Increased range of movement in the joints
Enhanced muscular coordination
Increased circulation of the blood to various parts of the body
Increased energy levels (resulting from increased circulation)

HOW DO THESE BENEFITS HELP YOU?

An abundance of research explains that there can be many benefits of stretching on a routine basis, even if you are not an avid runner or athlete. Stretching can benefit you in the following ways:

INFUSES YOU WITH OPTIMISM

People who are stressed often have contracted muscles. In turn, these muscle contractions give a physiological and an emotional feeling of tenseness and overall unease. When you feel these sensations, try stretching to loosen tight and simultaneously increases blood flow. Stretching has also been shown to aid in the release of endorphins, a natural body substance that helps you attain a feeling of joy and serenity. Stretching when you wake up is a great way to start your day and stretching before bed can optimize your sleep.

STRETCHING IS A GREAT MIDDAY PICK-ME-UP

Most people feel a little lethargic around mid-afternoon. If this describes you, try some stretching at your desk. Often, people who suffer from mid-afternoon fatigue find that stretching gives them a boost of energy. When we feel lethargic, our muscles tighten; stretching loosens up these muscles. Stand up and stretch to combat your midday fatigue!

LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL

Stretching on a routine basis and eating a healthy diet can help reduce cholesterol . In turn, reductions in cholesterol can prevent, and may even reverse, hardening of the arteries. Stretching also serves to aid in avoiding heart disease.

BETTER BLOOD CIRCULATION

A stretching routine increases blood flow to your muscles which can help with the following:

Reductions in post-exercise soreness and recovery time
Improvement of overall health

MAKES YOU MORE FLEXIBLE

Did you know that improved flexibility results in an improved range of motion, making your body work less while moving? Also, stretching lessens the likelihood of injuries during exercise or other sports activities.

STRETCHING IMPROVES YOUR POSTURE

When you stretch, you lengthen tight muscles that tend to pull parts of your body away from their intended positions. It is important to keep your muscles loose, especially in the back and torso. This helps to keep your spine in alignment and to relieve backaches and back pain. When back pain is alleviated, you tend to have better posture.

Contact Mayfield Physical Therapy today and speak with our physical therapist.

Sources

http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-ways-avoid-high-cholesterol/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21489011/ns/health-fitness/t/stretching-may-offer-extended-benefits/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/358507-what-are-the-benefits-of-stretching-yoga/

WHY LOW BACK PAIN MAY NOT GO AWAY

Sun, 18 Feb 2018 21:16:14 GMT

CAUSES OF LOW BACK PAIN & HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people cite for making an appointment with a physical therapist. Most people suffer from lower back pain to varying degrees at some point in their lives. Sometimes, lower back pain is more of an annoyance than anything else, but when lower back pain becomes severe, it can be seriously debilitating and prevent you from living your life. Typically, the sooner you seek treatment for lower back pain, the sooner you can find lasting relief.

COMMON CAUSES OF LOWER BACK PAIN

There are numerous potential causes for lower back pain. These days, poor posture and alignment of the spine is becoming an increasingly common cause—likely due to the fact that more people work in sedentary desk jobs than ever before. Without the proper lumbar support from an ergonomic desk chair, lower back pain can quickly occur as a result of poor posture and limited movement of the spinal joints throughout the day. Even those who are on their feet most of the day can suffer from lower back pain due to poor spinal and abdominal muscle support and lack of proper coordination of the spinal muscles.

While lower back pain cannot always be prevented, it is possible to reduce your risk of lower back injuries and pain by making sure your back is well supported with proper posture throughout the day. For desk workers, this could mean investing in an ergonomic desk chair.

For others, it may mean purchasing a quality pair of athletic shoes that will provide the proper level of foot and back support throughout the day.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF

The good news is that if you’re suffering from lower back pain, physical therapy may be able to help. Seeking physical therapy as treatment for your lower back pain is always recommended before you decide to start taking any prescription medications. After all, anti-inflammatory and other medication may relieve your back pain in the short-term, but can also lead to long-term side effects. With physical therapy, you can enjoy a non-invasive and drug-free approach to long-term back pain relief. And physical therapy should always be attempted before taking any drastic measures, such as having back surgery done.

There are two common forms of physical therapy used for the treatment of lower back pain. These are passive and active physical therapy, and they differ greatly in their techniques and methods.

Passive physical therapy relies on techniques performed directly on the patient. This can include anything from applying heat or ice packs to the affected area or even stimulating the area with controlled electricity. Other modalities used here may include ultrasonography, TENS units, and iontophoresis.

Active physical therapy, on the other hand, refers to steps the patient will take (as instructed by a physical therapist) to treat and reduce lower back pain. Typically, this comes in the form of different exercises and stretches that are designed to reduce lower back pain and minimize future flare-ups as well. Some common examples of active physical therapy may include low-impact aerobic conditioning and back strengthening exercises. These can be done in your physical therapist ‘s office or at home, depending on your specific needs.

Overall, physical therapy can be a great option for treating just about any level of lower back pain. Through a combination of active and passive physical therapy, you can work towards reducing your pain and increasing your lower back strength to avoid future problems. Contact our team of physical therapists today to find out more about how we can help you overcome lower back pain.

SOURCES

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-to-sit-or-stand-almost-70-of-full-time-american-workers-hate-sitting-but-they-do-it-all-day-every-day-215804771.html
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/physical-therapy/physical-therapy-low-back-pain-relief

WHAT YOU EAT CAN MAKE YOU HURT MORE…

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 21:07:08 GMT

HOW YOUR DIET CAN MAKE YOUR ACHES AND PAINS WORSE

Do you suffer from chronic aches and pains? If so, then you’re not alone. Often times, “mystery” aches and pains are actually caused by localized inflammation in the body, which can occur as a result of overuse or even injury. And while there are anti-inflammatory medications available to help relieve pain, these come with their own potential for adverse side effects. What many people fail to realize is that inflammation can be hugely impacted by your diet and nutrition. By avoiding certain foods, you can prevent inflammation from occurring in the first place. And by eating the right foods, you can not only rid your body of toxins, but reduce inflammation as well.

TOP FOODS TO AVOID

There are numerous foods and drinks that you should actively avoid if you’re suffering from pain caused by inflammation. Caffeinated beverages rank among the top of the list due to the affect that it can have on your body; specifically, caffeine can alter your body’s pH balance, resulting in an increase in acidity. This increases inflammation by changing your body’s natural chemical processes.

Sugar and artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame) should also be avoided. Sugar, for example, causes your body’s insulin levels to spike and thus makes you even more sensitive to pain. Aspartame has a similar effect on the body. This means you should avoid any foods and beverages with added sugars and artificial sweeteners (including diet sodas). Even some seemingly healthy fruit juices have sugar added, so it’s important to avoid them.

Nightshade vegetables are another type of food worth avoiding if you face pain caused by inflammation; unfortunately, these vegetables are known to increase the inflammatory response in a person’s body. Some examples of these include eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes.

Some other foods and drinks to avoid include:

white breads
coffee creamer
alcohol

Tips for Reducing Pain Through Nutrition

Now that you know which types of foods you should avoid if you suffer from pain due to inflammation, what kinds of changes can you make in your diet to promote a healthier and pain-free lifestyle? For starters, opting for a more natural diet of greens, fresh fruits, and certain vegetables (not nightshade) is a great way to reduce inflammation and pain. And perhaps one of the best things you can do for yourself is to simply drink more water. If you’re the type of person who drinks a lot of juices, sodas, and other questionable beverages, you might be amazed at how much better you feel just by switching to water. That’s because water can help flush toxins out of your body, which can in turn reduce pain caused by inflammation.

If you’re not doing so already, now is also a good time to start working to improve your gut health. Consider, for example, taking a daily probiotic, which will help balance out the bacteria in your gut. There are also foods you can eat that contain natural probiotics, such as yogurt. Just be sure to avoid yogurts that have a lot of added sugar and flavoring. Plain, Greek yogurt is typically your safest option here. You can always add a little granola or even fresh berries for more flavor.

Dealing with pain due to inflammation is something nobody should have to deal with. Unfortunately, this is a problem that plagues a large portion of the population. By understanding what foods worsen your inflammation and how you can reduce it through a healthier and more natural diet, however, you can find ways to reduce pains without the need for medications.

http://www.prevention.com/food/10-foods-that-make-inflammation-worse/slide/8

http://kriscarr.com/blog/5-tips-to-reduce-inflammation/