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Physiotherapy, which aims to restore movement and/or function after an injury, illness or disability, has numerous different benefits. While many think of physical therapists as dealing mainly with musculoskeletal problems, they can work with a wide range of conditions and highly different types of patients.

The focus of physical medicine and rehabilitation can be very broadly divided into three main categories: injury recovery, chronic disorders such as arthritis or Parkinson’s disease, and serious conditions requiring a multi-team approach, such as stroke, heart and lung problems.

Physiotherapy can be further subclassified into orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary, geriatric, pediatric and sports therapy. These different types all contain several mutual elements, which include a focus on physical exercise, manual therapy and education. The goal is generally to help the patient regain and maintain function as well as to lessen any potential pain.

Benefits of Physical Therapy in Orthopedic Rehabilitation

While results vary depending on the severity of your injury, physical therapists can help reduce or even completely relieve your musculoskeletal or soft tissue pain. They can help you recover from injuries or orthopedic surgery and get you back to your normal activities quicker by improving your strength, flexibility, range of motion, and coordination. They can also help you achieve certain functional or exercise goals.

In addition, physical therapists can also help provide information and education regarding how to best manage your musculoskeletal injury and how to avoid future injuries as well as help you improve your overall fitness and function by prescribing exercises for you to do at home, in the gym or in the pool.

Similar to musculoskeletal and orthopedic physiotherapy, sports therapy involves specialized physical rehabilitation services that are focused particularly on the prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation and performance enhancement of athletes. Athletes, whether professional or amateurs, are particularly prone to musculoskeletal and orthopedic sports injuries and the benefits of physiotherapy are especially evident in this group.

Why Physical Therapy Is Beneficial

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Physiotherapy, which aims to restore movement and/or function after an injury, illness or disability, has numerous different benefits. While many think of physical therapists as dealing mainly with musculoskeletal problems, they can work with a wide range of conditions and highly different types of patients.

The focus of physical medicine and rehabilitation can be very broadly divided into three main categories: injury recovery, chronic disorders such as arthritis or Parkinson’s disease, and serious conditions requiring a multi-team approach, such as stroke, heart and lung problems. (more…)

Keeping Active Assists in Bone and Joint Health While Aging

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A recent review of several scientific studies by the Department of Orthopaedics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University has found that being physically active can significantly improve not only musculoskeletal health, but also overall health and well-being as well as minimize the effects of aging on the joints and bones.

Their review focused on studies on athletes aged 65 years and older, and their findings suggest that people who stay active throughout middle age and older adulthood can defy the effects of aging on the bones and joints, at least to a certain degree. Particularly, physical activity shows several positive effects on maintaining muscle strength, bone density and ligament and tendon function, thus reducing the risk of orthopedic trauma and helping the body to stay strong and healthy. (more…)

5 Practices That Can Help Prevent Carpal Tunnel

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With the advent of the personal computer, the average office has made leaps and bounds in productivity. Everything from sales to communications and marketing to administrative and clerical work are all handled at desktop computers. The convenience comes at a price, though.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is linked to repetitive movements of the hand and wrist, which is common among data entry workers, assembly line laborers, mechanics and carpenters. CTS is caused by compression of the median nerve in the arm as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms of CTS include feelings of weakness, numbness, tingling and burning in the hand and fingers.

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Why Practicing Good Posture Can Help with Back Pain

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As kids, we were all told to stand up straight and sit up at the table. Those rules were put in place for a reason, usually to present a polite image. However, the truth is that good form does more than make us look better; it also protects our spine from pain, sprains and stress. It is adults who are especially at risk of back pain, and so it is adults who must pay especially close attention to their posture.

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Pedestrian-Friendly Communities Linked to Better Cognition in Elders

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The positive effects of exercise have long been touted by the medical community. Increased respiratory function, better mobility, healthier bones and joints, weight management and lower levels of stress are all among the benefits of physical activity. However, exercise does not just improve physical health. Over the past decades, experts have discovered that mental function is also improved with activity like walking.

In fact, research presented earlier this year at the Gerontological Society of America’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., suggests that the more a community encourages walking, either for transportation or for leisure, the better the cognitive health of its elderly residents.

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Having Wrist Pain? These Symptoms May Indicate Carpal Tunnel

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Everyday aches and pains can be easy to dismiss or ignore, especially when you live a busy lifestyle. However, when pain is persistent and debilitating, it’s likely time to consult a medical professional. Pain in the wrist or hands is particularly prevalent among those who complete repetitive motions for long periods throughout the day, such as musicians, carpenters, assembly line workers, mechanics and people who use computers. This type of pain may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The median nerve extends from the forearm through a tunnel at the front of the wrist and along the tendons of the hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed, or pinched, where it passes over the carpal bones due to surrounding pressure from bones and ligaments. It is widely characterized by feelings of numbness, burning, tingling and pain in the hand, fingers and arm.

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The Difference Between Chronic and Acute Pain

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Pain is often the body’s way of indicating that something is wrong. This form of pain is typically associated with acute conditions. However, sometimes pain is a condition itself rather than a symptom of a condition. This type of discomfort is called chronic pain. Knowing the difference between each form of pain can help you seek the best form of treatment available. Learn the differences between acute and chronic pain below.

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Signs That You Might Have a Pinched Nerve

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Pinched nerves, also known as compressed nerves, are usually the result of a nerve being pressed between two hard surfaces like ligaments, tendons or bones. Numbness, pain and a tingling sensation are often cited as the most common symptoms.

Pinched nerves can occur throughout the body, but certain areas are more susceptible, including the neck, elbows, wrists, lower back and shoulders. Read below to learn more about the signs of a pinched nerve. If you are experiencing nerve pain or numbness, consult with a sports medicine specialist or a physician immediately.

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