Physical Therapy Can Help You Treat Your Back Pain at the Source

Have You Been Living in Pain? Our Physical Therapists Have Got Your Back

Back pain is, to this day, one of the most common complaints among Americans. Whether you experience occasional pain in your back or deal with recurrent chronic back pain, it can make it extremely difficult to complete your daily tasks. But have you ever started wondering if your back pain was a sign of a more serious condition?

The spine is made up of a complex series of bones called vertebrae. There are cushioning pads between each of the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers, making bending, walking, and moving around in general every day without pain, possible.

But if these little cushioning discs are injured, the soft center can actually rupture and cause severe pain. This type of injury is often referred to as a herniated or slipped disc, and while there is no cure for the condition, physical therapy can help manage chronic pain.

Could a herniated disc be the cause of your back pain?

When experiencing back pain, it can be tempting to simply visit your general physician in search of a quick solution.

However, in many cases, all that a general physician can offer in the way of pain relief is a prescription for painkillers. Alternatively, an experienced physical therapist can offer a variety of treatment options that are designed to target the root cause of your reoccurring back pain.

Some of the most common treatment options recommended by our physical therapist for herniated disc pain include:

  • Ultrasound therapy or electrical muscle stimulation for fast pain relief and deep penetration of the targeted area
  • Alternating treatment with ice and heat to reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles
  • Therapeutic massage to help ease sore muscles
  • Aerobic exercises like walking or using a stationary bicycle
  • Stretching exercises that help to keep the muscles in the back flexible

Common causes of herniated discs

The vertebrae and cushioning discs in the spinal column can become injured in a variety of different ways.

However, when dealing with a herniated disc, injuries are most often the result of:

  • Improper lifting resulting in sudden strain
  • Work-related or overuse injuries where the spine has been twisted violently
  • Excessive weight gain and obesity
  • The natural aging process or degeneration

Are you experiencing any of these common symptoms?

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. 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.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, physical therapy can help. In fact, according to SpineUniverse,

“Physical therapy often plays a major role in herniated disc recovery. Its methods not only offer immediate pain relief, but they also teach you how to condition your body to prevent further injury.

There are a variety of physical therapy techniques. Passive treatments relax your body and include deep tissue massage, hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation (eg, TENS), and hydrotherapy.”

Ready to find the relief you’ve been looking for?

If you have had recurrent back pain, or pain in your neck or shoulder, you may have a herniated disc.

According to The National Institute of Health, “The highest prevalence [of herniated disc cases] is among people aged 30-50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. There is little evidence to suggest that drug treatments are effective in treating herniated discs.”

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.

Ready to learn more about how physical therapy treatments can relieve herniated disc pain? Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to get started on the first steps of your treatment plan!

Did You Know You Could Manage Your Arthritis Pain without Drugs?

Get the Relief You’ve Been Looking for with the Help of Physical Therapy

If you are living with arthritis, you are not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost a quarter of all American adults are living with arthritis

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 most common symptoms are inflammation and joint pain.

Whatever type of arthritis you are living with, you are likely struggling to overcome varying degrees of pain. If you are taking opioids for arthritis pain, you need to know that there is a better option.

How can a physical therapy treatment plan benefit me?

Physical therapy can be an effective alternative to taking opioids for arthritis pain.

There are several specific ways that a physical therapist can help an individual struggling with arthritis pain, including, but not limited to:

  • Home modification recommendations – A physical therapist will be able to make suggestions for your home environment that can help ease arthritic pain. These might include mats to stand on in your kitchen, ergonomic chairs, or certain types of mattresses or bedding you can use.
  • Assistive device recommendations – During physical therapy treatment you can also learn how to correctly use devices such as braces, canes, or walkers.
  • Exercise therapy – A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will increase flexibility and strength. These exercises can also reduce the pain you experience when carrying out daily activities. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, research shows that individuals with arthritis can exercise without making pain worse.
  • TENS therapy – TENS is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy. This type of physical therapy includes pulses of electricity used to target arthritis pain. A physical therapist can place electrodes on the skin over the area of pain. Low amounts of electricity pass through to the joints. This can temporarily relieve arthritis pain.
  • Manual therapies – A physical therapist can provide massage or use hot or cold therapy to ease arthritic pain. Massage can help improve circulation which can reduce joint pain.

What should I know about the dangers of opioids?

Opioids are a powerful narcotic that works to cause the numbing of pain. They have the ability to bind to the brain’s opioid receptors and to limit the messages of pain that are being sent to the brain. Both oxycodone and morphine are considered to be opioids, both of which are commonly prescribed for pain relief.

While opioids and other pain relieving drugs may be beneficial when carefully used over a short period of time, they are not without serious drawbacks. In fact, many of them are highly addictive and often interact poorly with other drugs.

Approximately 42,000 deaths related to opioid overdoses occurred in just 2016 alone. 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 altogether: physical therapy.

Is arthritis causing limitations to your daily life?

If you are living with osteoarthritis, you’re likely to experience pain, stiffness, and limited flexibility.

Rheumatoid arthritis may cause similar symptoms, in addition to affecting the organs in the body.

Psoriatic arthritis and gout are also types of arthritis that can cause varying levels of pain, inflammation, and immobility.

Arthritis pain may affect even the simplest of daily activities. Doing the laundry, cooking, or even walking up and down the stairs can prove difficult. The severity of the pain may also change on a daily basis. Because of this, it can become very easy to rely on powerful pain medications to cope with arthritis pain.

Fortunately, physical therapy can provide better long-term relief for your arthritis pain than any drug alternative.

Get started on a physical therapy plan for arthritis relief today!

If you are struggling with daily arthritis pain, a licensed and trained physical therapist can work with you to increase your mobility while also reducing pain.

Even if you are already taking opioids or other pain management drugs, an individualized physical therapy program may help you reduce the amount of medication you are taking.

To find out how you can reduce your arthritis pain a safe and natural way, contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today!

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Find Relief for Persistent Stress-Related Headaches with Physical Therapy

You Don’t Have to Go Through Life with Chronic Headaches

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 in order to provide long-lasting pain relief.

Our experienced physical therapists have the skills needed to target the root cause of your headaches and to create a tailored treatment plan that is safe and effective. Are you tired of dealing with irritating and painful headaches? Keep reading to learn how you can benefit from physical therapy treatments!

Why am I experiencing stress-related headaches?

The most common type of headache experienced by teens and adults is the tension headache—which is sometimes referred to as a stress-related headache. This type of headache pain occurs when the scalp and neck muscles tense up and then contract.

If you experience tension headaches, you most likely feel the pain begin at the back of the neck before it climbs up to the top of the head and eventually causes pain and discomfort behind the eyes. It’s also common to experience tension headache pain in the cheeks, jaw, and even down into the shoulders.

Some common causes of a tension headache include:

  • Arthritis
  • Poor posture
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Fatigue
  • Wearing hair pulled back tightly or sporting a tight hat
  • Stress

Other common types of headaches that can cause recurring pain and discomfort include the sinus headache, caffeine headaches, migraines, hormonal headaches, post-traumatic headaches, and cluster headaches.

What can I expect from physical therapy treatments for stress-related headaches?

As stated by Choose PT, “There is effective treatment for almost every type of headache.”

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:

Active therapy treatments

  • Range-of-motion exercises
  • Low-impact aerobics
  • Pain relief exercises
  • Muscular releases
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Stretching

Passive therapy treatments

  • Soft tissue mobilization
  • Ultrasound
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS
  • Ultrasound
  • Massage therapy
  • Alternating ice and heat therapies

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.

In addition to pain relief methods, you will gain additional benefits that to help improve your overall quality of life as well:

  • Better Posture: Bad posture is really one of the leading causes of stress-related headaches. If you don’t enjoy good posture throughout the day, it is likely to lead to more generalized aches and pains, as well as the muscle tension that contributes to stress-related headaches.
  • Improved Strength: Your therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen your neck and upper back, which will lead to improved posture. With better posture, you will be able to stand and sit longer without experiencing discomfort.
  • Reduced Neck Tension: You will have better range of motion in your neck and reduced tension, thanks to manual physical therapy techniques applied to the muscles there.

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 to 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.

Relieve your stress-related headaches by scheduling an appointment today

If you or your loved one has been living with recurrent headaches, you can find quick and effective pain relief with regular physical therapy sessions.

Are you interested in learning more about the many benefits of physical therapy for stress-related/tension headaches? Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness at (540) 416-0530 today and be sure to schedule an initial consultation with one of our friendly and highly trained physical therapists!

5 Common Signs That You May be in Need of Physical Therapy Treatments

If You’re Living with Any of These Conditions, Physical Therapy Can Help!

Did you know that physical therapy is a natural form of pain relief treatment that can be used to manage a variety of different conditions?

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that physical therapy treatments are a great way to reduce their chronic pain and other recurring symptoms until after they’ve tried other traditional treatment methods like surgery and prescription painkillers.

If you are experiencing any of our top 5 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 recommendations for natural healing from our experienced physical therapist.

5 reasons you could benefit from physical therapy:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Physical therapy can help you live the life you’ve always wanted!

The top reason most people have for not living the active life they desire is because they are living with pain. According to the National Institutes of Health, most Americans experience chronic pain on a daily basis.

Nearly 40 million adults report suffering from moderate to severe pain, which is a pretty concerning statistic – and one that also points to underlying health issues among much of the population.

There is good news though! Physical therapy is an effective and easy way to manage or even eliminate your pain altogether.

Consult with a physical therapist and get started on the path toward relief today!

If you or a loved one are struggling with recurring pain after an injury or as the result of a degenerative condition, physical therapy can help your body to heal naturally.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of physical therapy for pain management and healing? Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness at (540) 416-0530 for more information and be sure to schedule your initial consultation today.

Manage Your Chronic Pain with the Help of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Can Help You Find the Relief You Have Been Seeking

Chronic back pain is typically defined as pain that lasts for three months or longer. This type of pain may have developed for a variety of reasons, including spinal arthritis, aging, disc problems, or myofascial pain syndrome.

With spinal arthritis, a slow thinning of the cartilage inside the spine can result in pain. A herniated or bulging disc can also result in discomfort if it is compressing on the nerve. Spinal stenosis, it may result in a narrowing of the spine, which can also lead to nerve pain. Myofascial pain syndrome is another common condition that can cause muscle tenderness and pain.

Chronic pain doesn’t have to be part of your daily life! Whatever the cause of your chronic back pain, we can help. Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to learn more.

How can passive physical therapy treatments help me manage my pain?

A physical therapist can use multiple passive modalities to help reduce your chronic pain. Ice and heat therapy may be used to increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and ease the pain.

Ultrasound is another common passive modality used by physical therapists that uses deep-heated sound waves to penetrate the soft tissues. Not only does this method work to relieve pain, but it also aids in healing the affected area.

A physical therapist may also prescribe a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit. This unit helps to overcome the painful signals sent to the brain, in order to relieve pain in the long term.

Finally, deep tissue massage is another common passive physical therapy method for chronic pain. This manual method increases oxygen and nutrients in the affected areas for healing and also helps to 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.”

How can active physical therapy treatments help me manage my pain?

If your chronic pain is caused by spinal stenosis or a bulging disc, a physical therapist may prescribe a repeated movement treatment plan, in order to reduce numbness, pain, or weakness.

Progressive movement exercises such as McKenzie exercises may also be included in your physical therapy program to treat a wide range of conditions that may be causing your chronic pain.

Stabilization exercises to retrain deep muscle movement and strength may also be included. Your physical therapist will show you how to use the right spinal and abdominal muscles before starting any exercises, in order to stabilize the spine.

Manipulation is another technique for alleviating chronic back pain. With manipulation techniques, short and rapid thrusting movements are performed over the joint to reduce pain and increase mobility.

So, why am I experiencing chronic pain?

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.”

Ready to find relief for those persistent aches and pains?

If you have been living with chronic pain, it’s time to take action. Schedule a consultation today to begin the first steps of your physical therapy assessment. 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 in no time! At the end of the road, you’re going to be able to engage in your regular activities without the persistent nagging feelings of pain.

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Stretching Every Day!

Stretching Has Numerous Proven Health Benefits – Here’s Some of the Best!

Have you ever noticed how good a stretch is after a nap, when you first wake up in the morning, or after vigorous physical activity?

That good feeling is just the beginning of the many healthy benefits you can get from daily stretching!

That’s why our physical therapist commonly recommends specific types of stretching exercises to complement other physical therapy methods and treatments.

How can physical therapy help with stretching?

Since stretching exercises offer so many important benefits, it’s not hard to see why we use them all the time in physical therapy.

The goal of stretching is to improve range of motion, flexibility, and muscle elasticity. The five most common stretching exercises are:

  • Dynamic
  • Ballistic
  • Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
  • Static
  • Low Load

Your physical therapist will likely combine targeted stretches with strength building exercises, massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, ice or heat therapy, and many other techniques to help you feel better and stay healthy.

Your physical therapist can also make sure you do the right stretches for your specific needs, and can show you how to perform these stretches safely.

Here 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 stretching exercises can undo the painful muscle knots associated with tension headaches or chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.

Stretching 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. Improved blood circulation

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. Stretching 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.

Add stretching into your daily life today!

According to the Mayo Clinic, “stretching can increase flexibility and improve your joints’ range of motion, helping you move more freely. And ensuring that you have equal flexibility on both sides might help protect you from injury.”

Are you ready to stretch your way into a happier, healthier lifestyle? Please contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how stretching and PT can benefit you!

We don’t stretch the truth when we say we can help!

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Ready to Become More Active? These 7 Tips Can Help

Get Moving with These Helpful Tips!

Have you become less active in recent years? It’s important to remain physically active in order to stay as healthy as possible.

According to PT in Motion News, 80 percent of Americans aren’t meeting physical activity guidelines set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Finding the time or the motivation to exercise is difficult for many people.

It isn’t always easy to stay active, especially if you’re already struggling with limited mobility. However, getting active can vastly improve your health, your comfort, your mobility, and your overall quality of life.

There are several easy ways to increase your activity level that most people can include in their daily routine.

Call us today for more information about how you can increase your activity level and live a healthier life.

7 ways you can get moving more

The following are seven ways to easily add more activity to your daily life.

  1. Stand while you work – 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.
  2. Take the stairs when you can – 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.
  3. Park further away than you need – 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.
  4. Bike instead of drive when you can – 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.
  5. Take the dog for a walk – Going on walks with your dog can keep you active and provide numerous health benefits. The Mayo Clinic suggests borrowing a dog if you don’t have one.
  6. Try sitting 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.
  7. Use a push mower to do lawn work – Using a push mower is a great way to get an often unpleasant chore accomplished while getting in your daily exercise.

Inactivity may lead to these symptoms

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 easily you’ll get tired. There are several other physical issues and conditions associated with inactivity.

  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Poor blood circulation
  • Increased inflammation
  • Weakened bones

Physical therapy for health and wellness

If you’re suffering from symptoms of an inactive lifestyle, physical therapy can help. A physical therapist can help you by providing manual therapies that can increase your flexibility and improve your 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.

You can pursue any or all of these aforementioned activities at your leisure, or you can ask our physical therapist about integrating them into a full-scale physical therapy program. The latter approach could prove especially wise if you’re rehabilitating an injury, unsure of your exercise tolerance, or battling a particular chronic pain issue.

Our physical therapist can evaluate your health and prescribe the right activities for your needs and goals. At the same time, you may be able to enhance the benefits of your activities with other safe, helpful modalities such as massage, ultrasound therapy, dry needling, cold and heat treatments, acupuncture, or laser therapy.

These therapies can promote tissue repair, ease inflammation, reduce pain, and increase your ability to keep moving and having a great time.

Want more assistance? Contact us!

Working with a trained physical therapist can also help you stay as fit and healthy as possible. Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to find out how we can help.

Ready to Say Goodbye to Your Hip and Knee Pains? Physical Therapy Can Help You Move with Ease

Kick Hip and Knee Pains to the Curb with the Help of Physical Therapy!

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.

Our innovative care strategies at Synergy Rehab & Wellness will help you find quick relief. Be sure to call our office for a consultation to find out how we can help alleviate your pain. No one should have to live in pain – we can help.

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.

Why am I experiencing hip/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:

  • Gout
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Fractures around the knee
  • Anterior injuries
  • Ligament strains and sprains
  • Overuse

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:

  • Hip fracture
  • Bursitis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sprains
  • Sciatica

With hip pain, you may experience intense pain or the inability to stand.

What can physical therapy do for me?

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.

Your hip and knee joints have a tough job to do. The hips must bear the entire weight of your upper body, while your knees must bear all of that weight plus the weight of the hips and thighs. At the same time, these joints must be able to flex so that you can walk, run, dance, sit, play sports, and perform other everyday tasks without losing your balance.

It’s not hard to understand how these demands can produce chronic hip or knee pain over time. Hip or knee pain can also come about quite suddenly (and intensely) in response to an acute injury.

You may get pain relief when you are at the physical therapist and going through treatment, but what about when you go home? A major goal of your physical therapist is to heal your injuries over the long term.

The various exercises and treatments they use with you will steadily improve your condition so that you experience less pain on a daily basis. As your body gets stronger and more mobile, you are likely to experience less pain in your hips and knees.

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.

Find relief with us

The sooner you seek physical therapy for knee or hip pain, the better. Research shows that patients who rehab their hip or knee pain with physical therapy within 15 days of symptom onset have less need for pain injections, medications, or surgical intervention.

Whatever stage of pain you’re in, it’s never too late to benefit from physical therapy. 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.

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.

Opioids Don’t Have to be the Answer – Physical Therapy Can Provide Helpful and Safe Relief

Lose the Opioids and Turn to Physical Therapy!

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 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.

Our innovative care strategies at Synergy Rehab & Wellness will help you find quick relief. Before you take another pill for your pain, call our office 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.

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

Contact our physical therapist to get started on this safe, healthy, drug-free approach to pain management!

What should I know about opioids?

Opioids are strong pain killing 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.

Understanding the dangers of opioids

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.

The benefits of physical therapy

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’re experiencing issues such as addiction, depression, or physical side effects from opioid usage – or you’re determined to avoid such issues
  • 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

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:

  • 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.

Rid yourself of harmful opioids today:

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 about your non-pharmaceutical treatment options!

Are You In Need of Physical Therapy? These 5 Signs Say Yes

Physical Therapy Can Help You Find the Relief You’ve Been Looking For!

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.

Our innovative care strategies at Synergy Rehab & Wellness will help you find quick relief. If you are experiencing any of the five common symptoms listed here, then it may be time to consult with a physical therapist as far as the best ways to address your pain and discomfort.

1. 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 reduce the occurrence and severity of these headaches.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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.

A physical therapist can tell you why you’re experiencing pain

Your first visit with a physical therapist will involve a conversation about your symptoms and medical history, as well as some simple tests. Be prepared to answer questions about past injuries that may be contributing to your current aches and pains.

Your diet, exercise routine and daily activities will also be discussed. This is to give your therapist an idea of the possible cause or causes of your aches and pains.

You will then be given a series of tests, based on your description of your symptoms. These will involve posture and range of motion exercises, and possibly some strength and resistance tests.

When your therapist knows where you are experiencing aches and pains and has determined the likely causes, your personalized physical therapy treatment plan will be drawn up.

According to ChoosePT, the 4 ways physical therapists help you relieve pain include:

  • Exercise
  • Manual therapy
  • Education
  • Teamwork

We can help determine the root cause of your pain and treat it at its source. Contact us today to learn more!

Contact us for relief!

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 Synergy Rehab and Wellness to set up a consultation.

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