physical activity - Synergy Rehab & Wellness

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!

Sources:

https://www.apta.org/Blogs/PTTransforms/2016/5/26/Arthritis/

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!

Sources:

Improve Your Health and Wellness with These 7 Easy Tips

Are You Doing Everything You Can for Your Health?

Do you move around every day? If not, you really should be! Getting regular exercise can increase your lifespan, improve your mood, help you maintain a healthy weight, and increase your strength, flexibility, endurance and balance.

Additionally, exercising can help you manage chronic pain and other health conditions that may be making life difficult.

Frequent 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. Get started on a physical therapy treatment plan

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. Find a physical activity that you love

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. Watching TV? No problem!

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. Create a workout 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. Get social while exercising

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 breaks

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.

How else can physical therapy help me get moving?

Finding the time or the motivation to exercise is difficult for many people, especially if you are living with a painful or uncomfortable condition. However, the truth is that getting active can vastly improve your health, your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.

A physical therapist can evaluate your health and prescribe the right activities to meet your needs and objectives.

At the same time, your physical therapist may also prescribe safe, helpful pain-relieving treatments to complement your physical activities, such as massage, ultrasound therapy, dry needling, ice and heat therapies, acupuncture, or laser therapy.

These therapies can promote tissue repair, ease inflammation, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life overall.

Schedule an appointment to learn more!

Ready to see how physical therapy can help in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle?

Call Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to schedule your initial appointment and get started on the first steps of your treatment plan!

Chronic Pain Doesn’t Have to Take Over Your Life – Find Relief with Physical Therapy

Did You Know You Could Relieve Your Chronic Pain With Natural Treatments?

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 our physical therapist to discover the non-invasive world of conservative pain management!

Chronic pain, defined

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 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.

Why am I experiencing chronic pain?

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:

Herniated or bulging discs that pinch the spinal nerve roots or spinal cord
Systemic problems, such as fibromyalgia
Arthritis, a degenerative, inflammatory joint condition
Musculoskeletal imbalances or weaknesses
Overuse of specific tissues, which causes those tissues experience ongoing inflammation and strain
Trigger points, tight muscle knots that go into spasm and refer pain to various parts of the body

What can I gain with the help of a physical therapist?

Since medication tends to provide only temporary 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:

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
Massage therapy to break up adhesions and trigger points while soothing inflamed tissues
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

Relieving pain through 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.

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.

Discover the natural treatments of physical therapy today

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.”

Our physical therapist is ready to help you achieve the comfortable life you seek without going under the knife.

Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness to arrange for a consultation and request a personalized treatment program!

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Improve Your Health? You Can Do So With Stretching!

Have You Heard of The Health Benefits of Stretching?

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. There is a reason why stretching is a staple of physical therapy. Stretching is a great way to improve your overall health so you can feel better throughout the day! Our innovative care strategies at Synergy Rehab & Wellness will help you find quick relief.

How can I get started stretching?

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.

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.

What are the benefits of stretching?

Stretching provides numerous benefits to help your body keep itself healthier. One of 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 adrenaline. 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.

There are many ways that physical therapy can help with stretching, including, but not limited to:

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 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 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 increased range of motion can be helpful in plenty of daily circumstances, but is incredibly helpful in further preventing injuries.
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 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.

Incorporate stretching into your routine today!

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 Synergy Rehab and Wellness.

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