Physical Therapy Exercises for Back Injuries

Anyone who has had a back injury knows how terribly unpleasant it feels. The condition causes atrophy of the back’s smaller stabilizing muscles. Physical therapy exercises for back injuries can help to provide relief as well as prevent the recurrence of such injuries. Those looking for treatment should incorporate complete rehabilitation of the spinal components while also looking into the health of the spine. Treatment that focuses on providing only symptomatic relief is short-lived.

The injury can result from any of several causes including muscle spasm or strain, slipped disk, joint problems, or ligament sprain. A more common cause is improper use of the back muscles to perform every day tasks inclusive of yard work, lifting heavy furniture, or any other action that you are not used to doing. The rehabilitation routine varies from patient to patient. It would depend on the evaluation received from the physical therapy and physician.

Stretching is a Common Rehabilitation Technique

Stretching is the exercise most commonly adopted for an injured back. It helps to prepare the body for difficult work that leads to further stabilization. The general rule is that there should be no stretching at the area of inflammation. In the first 24 to 48 hours of back injury, your tissues are susceptible to stresses laid on them. Stretch traction carried out by a qualified physical therapist would increase the space in the invertebral foramen. Traction may be suggested for arthritic bone spurs or spinal nerve root irritation.

Range of Motion – These are movements that help to improve or preserve the mobility and flexibility of the joints. These movements also prevent deformities and reduce stiffness. Indeed, gentle but regular stretching movements can help to improve the range of motion.

When you go to a physical therapy center for treatment of your condition, the treatment plan will include hot or cold compresses and massages. It is important that you choose the right therapist. You should feel comfortable with your therapist. This is absolutely necessary if there is to be free communication between the two of you. He should also be willing to answer all your questions.

Performed correctly, back exercises help to keep the discs, muscles, and joints healthy. Therefore, it’s important that you adhere to a regular exercise routine. This will help keep issues such as stiffness and weakness at bay as well as prevent recurrence of pain. To conclude, physical therapy exercises for back injuries can help to restore health to this most vital segment of your body and are thus highly beneficial.

 

HealthQuest is an established physical therapy and rehabilitation center based in Brooklyn, New York City, offering personalized and result-oriented physical therapy and rehabilitation services.

Physical Therapy Exercises for the Shoulder

Being the most flexible joint in the human body, the shoulder is prone to injuries and dislocation that is usually very painful. A dislocated shoulder can limit the range of motion and impair function. Physical therapy exercises for the shoulder are highly beneficial and effective in treating pain, stiffness and other issues that affect this region of the body. There are many kinds of such exercises that reduce shoulder pain. Each type is intended to help a person recover from a particular shoulder injury or to aid in the improvement of function.

Physical Therapy Exercises – An Effective Pain Relief Solution

The low incidence of harmful effects has boosted the popularity of physical therapy exercise in the United States. Whether you suffer from shoulder arthritis, frozen shoulder, shoulder bursitis, and other shoulder conditions, physical therapy exercises are the best alternative. By resorting to therapy exercises, you can effectively ease the stiffness and shoulder pain, all without the need of the surgery. However, the therapeutic exercises are not recommended soon after the onset of the injury as it can cause further damage.

Physical therapy exercises for the shoulder is highly effective to

• Restore your normal shoulder motion and flexibility
• Mobilize and strengthen the muscles and joint
• Reduce pain
• Increase flexibility
• Improve function

When the pain becomes worse, it is better to consult a physical therapist. A trained physical therapy professional can help you ease your pain and help you lead a more independent, active life.

Different Kinds of Exercises for Shoulder Pain Management

Strengthening and stretching exercises are the best defense against shoulder problems.

Shoulder Stretching Exercises

Stretching exercises enhance the flexibility of your shoulder muscles. Stretching can help decrease your joint and muscle stiffness, and thus help you maintain the flexibility to perform all routine activities. You should continue these exercise routine even after reaching home for optimal results.

Shoulder Strengthening Exercises

For improving your shoulder muscle strength and enhancing blood flow to your shoulder, shoulder strengthening exercises are the ideal option.

Rotator Cuff exercises

The rotator cuff is the main stabilizer of the shoulder joint. It is therefore necessary to strengthen all the muscles of the rotator cuff. This type of exercise helps prevent shoulder impingement and common rotator cuff injuries including rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, and shoulder impingement syndrome.

Swinging or pendulum exercises

These are effective for recovering from shoulder disorders. These are performed to increase the range of motion. For ensuring maximum results, these exercises should be repeated several times in a day.

A consultation with your physician would tell you if you are eligible for the treatment. Analyzing the physical condition of the patients, physical therapists will evaluate your shoulder pain symptoms and will develop customized program of physical therapy exercises for the shoulder that work for you.

Brooklyn Physical Therapy – HealthQuest, a leading multi-specialty healthcare center in Brooklyn, New York City (NYC), provide effective shoulder physical therapy to reduce the pain, and stiffness arising from a shoulder condition.

Find More Vision Therapy Exercises Articles

Physical Therapy Knee Exercises

Of all orthopedic problems, knee pain is probably the most common. While the causes for knee pain are many, strengthening the knee muscles through proper exercise is one of the most effective ways to protect them from pain and injury. Physical therapy knee exercises recommended by a qualified and experienced physical therapist can help restore physical strength and motion following a knee surgery or injury. These exercises help reduce recovery time and maintain proper stability of the joint. Besides patients recovering from knee surgery, sportsmen, senior citizens, physically challenged individuals and others who are prone to injury of the knees benefit greatly from these exercises.

Exercise Programs to Condition the Knees

The knees bear the weight of the upper and lower half of the body in a proportionate manner. An injury to one of the knee can cause a serious setback as the person would need to depend on the other knee for balance and support. This would put more stress and strain on the joint. Physical therapy exercise programs condition the knees and allow the joints to function properly and without any impediment.

Physical Therapy Exercises for the Knees

These exercises are recommended:

• After a minor and major knee surgery
• Injury to cartilage and ligaments
• Patellar tendonitis, meniscal tears
• Chronic knee ailment such as arthritis

There are specific types of physical therapy exercises that can be performed to strengthen the knee muscles and prevent injuries from recurring in the region. The key components of a knee physical therapy program are motion exercises and strengthening exercises.

Depending upon the extent of the patient’s injury, physical therapists make certain exercises a crucial part of the customized rehabilitation program.

Benefits of Knee Exercises

• Reduces knee pain and discomfort
• Decreases stiffness
• Makes the joint flexible
• Strengthens the surrounding muscles
• Increases mobility of the knee and endurance level
• Minimizes the impact of shock, stress, and wear and tear

Though the exercises may be simple, it is imperative that they be performed under the guidance of a licensed physical therapist. If performed incorrectly, too early or too often, these exercises may result in further injury to the knee joint.

Knee conditions that are not properly diagnosed and treated can cause many complications. In most cases, people who choose to ignore pain, end up with inflammation of the joint and even a limp. So seeking timely medical help is important.

Approach a Reliable Pain Management Center

If you have a knee problem, pain or injury, approach a pain management center. The orthopedist would most likely refer you to a physiotherapist for a physical therapy knee exercise program that can help you improve strength, endurance and motion.

Physical Therapy NYC – At HealthQuest, Brooklyn, New York, pain management physicians provide effective knee pain treatment.

Find More Vision Therapy Exercises Articles