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Are Physical Therapists the Same as Chiropractors?

So, you are finally ready to find some relief for this back pain you have dealt with for years. Maybe the pain is the result of an injury from a car accident or fall, maybe you have arthritis or another condition, or perhaps you simply have poor posture and need help correcting the issue.

 

Both physical therapists and chiropractors can treat these issues, helping to improve mobility, manage pain, and provide relief. Both professions require a great deal of education and knowledge about the human body and often have similar short-term and long-term goals for their patients. Knowing this, many ask if physical therapists are the same as chiropractors. The short answer is no. While the professions are similar, they differ in several key ways.

 

How are Physical Therapists and Chiropractors Similar?

Both physical therapists and chiropractors share the goal of improving patient health. Their focused goals include:

 

 

Physical therapists and chiropractors are required to spend years in education and training and obtain a license to treat patients properly.  But what makes them different?

 

How Do Physical Therapists and Chiropractors Differ?

A key difference between physical therapists and chiropractors is that chiropractors work toward short-term solutions while physical therapists teach their patients to reap long-term benefits.  Chiropractic patients may need to go see their chiropractor time and time again, while physical therapy, in most cases, hand an end in sight.

 

Physical therapists:

 

 

Chiropractors:

 

 

How Do You Determine Which Type of Care You Need?

If you have an injury or condition that causes you pain and discomfort and limits your mobility, it is possible that you could benefit from either physical therapy or chiropractic care. Choosing between the two is dependent on your issue and your individual needs. The best way to determine the type of care you need is to talk to your doctor and get a specific referral. It is even possible to use both types of therapy to treat your condition.

 

For this reason, Physical Therapy Now offers BOTH services.

 

Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Treatment at Physical Therapy Now

Physical Therapy Now offers both physical therapy and chiropractic treatment. We provide you with a high level of care designed to improve your quality of life. Contact our office at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment and meet with an experienced staff member to create your treatment plan. Do not forget to ask about our teletherapy options.  We are here to help!

Franchisee Spotlight: Diego Rojas

Diego Rojas means business. Seriously. If you were going to write a book or make a movie about an entrepreneurial success story, Diego Rojas would be your main character. The man lives and breathes business, and he puts his skills to use on a daily basis.

It Started Only 15 Years Ago…

Diego made his way to the United States from his native Colombia in 2005. His first job in the States? A dishwasher at a Mexican restaurant. But while he was stacking dishes and slinging silverware, he was also doing something else: dreaming. To be exact, he was fantasizing about the ‘American Dream.’

 

Diego knew his destiny was beyond dishwashing, and so began his mission to become a successful business owner, and Diego understood that it was going to take a lot of hard work to make it a reality.

 

While working at the restaurant, Diego made plans to educate himself on how to run a business.  He left that dishwasher job and began working as a dispatcher at a nearby airport.  Why a dispatcher job? Because of the hours. Diego worked overnights at the airport, starting at 10pm.  After a full shift, he’d head home for some sleep and then attended classes at Valencia Community College in the late afternoons and evenings. Two years later, he earned an associates degree in General Studies.

 

“I am an early bird,” says Diego. “I like to get up in the mornings, so this schedule was very hard for me. But I had to do it.”

Down to Business

After Valencia, Diego attended Keyser University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. But that didn’t translate to immediate success in the business world. For 11 years, Diego worked in a chiropractic clinic, climbing the ladder up to Marketing Director and then Vice President. He eventually parted ways with that company and set out on a new business venture.

In 2018, he decided to build a restaurant, which was finished by that December. In the meantime, Diego had been attending franchise events for his restaurant, and that’s when he met Andy Zapata’s Physical Therapy Now franchise team. Despite having his hands full with the new restaurant and a new baby born in 2019, Diego began the Physical Therapy Now franchise process in September. So, why franchise with Andy?

“I decided to buy a franchise because Andy has a system already created,” Diego says. “I know this business, but Andy had everything done. It would take me a lot of time to do it on my own. Take the system, implement it, and make it work for you. The key is to implement good systems, and Andy already had all of that in place.”

It’s important to note that Zapata doesn’t bring just anyone on his franchise team.

“It has to be a good fit,” Zapata explains. “What makes Diego a good fit is that he is relentless when it comes to marketing. He does it all. He’ll go door to door if he has to, to make sure his business gets out there.”

That strategy has proven successful.  In his first month of being opened, his new patient numbers shattered records for any new Physical Therapy Now franchise.

The Keys to Success in Business

For Diego, knowledge is power. Despite having successfully run multiple businesses, he’s always looking to broaden his skill set. “If there’s a course or a seminar I can take, then I take it,” Diego notes. “No matter how successful my businesses become, there is always something for me to learn.”

 

“I always think that knowledge gives you power and helps you improve yourself for your business. That’s how I can make sure my businesses do well.”

As far as maintaining success as a business owner, Diego believes in a few fundamental principles:

  1. Hire the right people–and keep them. According to Diego, you can’t operate a successful business on your own. You need the right team to take you to the next level. “You have to find the right people by making great hires, then you’re able to do anything. But you have to have help, and you have to have support.”

“We hire only the best workers, and we take care of our employees because, without them, the business will never thrive. Plus, we pay well because we have to keep the employees happy. And if we don’t profit as much because of that, it’s ok. It’s not always about making money. It’s about making the people who work for you feel special. Remember, they have a life too.”

  1. Marketing is critical. One approach Diego has used is relentless marketing for his businesses. Without marketing, he says, you have no business. “I consider marketing nowadays to be super important for any business. Any way you can do marketing, I do it. Some doors may open, some may not, but you can’t stop when one doesn’t open. You just keep knocking, and a door will open. And then another one. You keep marketing.”

 

He says to view your business as a marketing company too.  So, if you have a grocery store, it’s a grocery store/marketing company. If you have a bar, it’s a bar/marketing company. If you have a gym, it’s a gym/marketing company.

 

“Marketing is everything, and that’s my not-so-secret strategy that has always worked.”

 

  1. Customer service. You’ve heard the saying, ‘the customer is always right.’ Diego is certainly a big believer in that philosophy. “Always provide excellent customer service. You have to prioritize that. It’s so important to make sure you make the customers happy because they talk to other people about their experiences. If they’re happy, they’ll come back.”

 

In addition to his newly opened Physical Therapy Now franchise, he still owns and operates his restaurant in Orlando, owns a small business in his home country of Colombia and owns a business consulting company.  Yes, he is a busy man, and that’s why he has learned to value one thing most.

 

“I have learned to appreciate time. Time is so important. You know, entrepreneurs go into businesses looking for more money, and that’s what I did too. But I’ve realized it isn’t only about the money. It takes so much time to build a business, that you need to value the time it takes you to get money. Time is everything. You can’t ever get it back once it’s gone. But you can always get more money.”

We all have to start somewhere, Diego says, just like he did. Those days as a dishwasher served him well.

“Every position and who is in it makes the successful or not.  Work hard, work smart, and take care of the people around you. That’s what owning a business is all about, and that’s exactly what I’m doing with Physical Therapy Now.”

His primary focus is to give back to his community, especially with car accident victims who need therapy to heal from their injuries.

“It feels good to give back.  I’m not only growing businesses, but I’m helping the community at the same time, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Diego’s Physical Therapy Now franchise is located at 482 E Altamonte Drive, Suite 1006 in Altamonte Springs, Florida.  For more information on this PT Now location or Diego Rojas, call (407) 214-6333.

What to Do If You Fall Down

Falls can happen anytime, anywhere, and you must seek medical attention immediately if you do – especially if you’re in a business. Seeking immediate help prevents any further injury or damage from happening and ensures the legalities of your potential claim are all in check.

The sooner you get medical attention, the better it will be for the healing process. Health and well-being are our number one priority at Physical Therapy Now, and our team of physicians can assist with any fall-related injuries. We have dozens of locations in Florida, so you can always find us just miles from most places in and around Miami Dade.

Physical Therapy Now works with insurance companies and lawyers

If your fall happens inside of a business or in a parking lot, you may be wondering what to do. The first thing to do is to seek medical attention. The doctor may then refer you to see a physical therapist for your injuries. From the legal perspective, businesses can be held partially or fully responsible when injuries happen on their premises, so you could potentially receive a settlement over to cover the cost of your injuries, physical therapy, and much more.

We work with personal injury lawyers who can go over the full details of your situation with you. These lawyers work with insurance companies who ensure that businesses have all their legal requirements for these types of incidents. In these cases, time is of the essence, so it is essential that claims are filed as soon as possible, and you prioritize your health.

What is considered a “fall”?

A fall could be any instance where the body physically falls to the ground after having lost balance from an object or surface. They typically occur at home but falls in stores and other places of business occur too. Some specific examples of a fall at home or a store are:

What types of injuries can occur if I fall?

Any of the falls mentioned above could result in a minor injury or significant injury, depending on the person and nature of the fall. Minor injuries include most cuts or scrapes, while more serious injuries include broken bones or skull fractures (TBIs).

But no matter what the injury is, you must seek medical attention immediately after a fall to ensure your injuries are appropriately attended to and documented. And then, if necessary, once you’re cleared, you may need to begin physical therapy.

Our friendly team of physicians at Physical Therapy Now is always here for you. Give us a call today at 800-481-4582 and get started on your path to recovery.

PIP Therapy

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident and you’re not familiar with PIP, those three letters can make a huge difference. PIP, or Personal Injury Protection insurance covers you and anyone else on your auto insurance policy if you’ve been involved in an accident, whether or not you were driving. How do you know if you have PIP insurance? Well, if you have a driver’s license in Florida, own a car, and are following the state’s auto insurance laws, you have at least the minimum required PIP coverage ($10,000) on your insurance policy.

What Does PIP Cover?

PIP covers medical bills–including physical therapy–and lost wages in the event of an accident. And because Florida is a “no-fault” state, you, and anyone else on your policy is covered by YOUR insurance (not any other party’s) regardless of whose fault the accident was. Even if you’re a passenger in someone else’s car that’s involved in an accident, your own auto insurance policy will cover your costs.

 

PIP is essential because it could mean you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket for physical therapy if you submit a PIP claim, especially if you combine it with your other health insurance benefits.  However, it would help if you prioritized choosing a reputable, experienced physical therapy facility, like Physical Therapy Now.  Our team works with the insurance companies to ensure your coverages are fully utilized.

 

PIP is designed to cover most financial expenses related to your injuries, including doctor’s visits, PT, medication, medical transportation (ambulance), surgery, diagnostic services (X-rays and other imaging and tests), lost wages, and more.

 

Will PIP Pay for All My Physical Therapy?

It might, but it depends on your situation. For “emergency” cases, PIP insurance covers up to $10,000; for “non-emergency” situations, coverage only goes to $2,500. If you’re worried that the state’s minimum requirement of $10,000 isn’t enough to cover all possible expenses in the event of an accident, you can call your auto insurance company and ask how much extra per month it will cost to elevate your PIP coverage to a higher coverage amount. In most cases, it’ll cost you less than $10/month to get to the next tier of coverage, which is well worth it.   Consider what your out of pocket expense could be once that $10,000 is exhausted!

An important thing to note when filing a PIP claim: submit it as soon as you can, because auto insurance companies follow strict timelines as far as allowing PIP claims to be submitted–if you miss the deadline, you could miss out on your PIP coverage entirely, and that will cost you thousands of dollars in expenses.

Fortunately, Physical Therapy Now can help you communicate with your insurance company and help you get your claim submitted on time–because you should only have to focus on your recovery, not on dealing with insurance companies!

What Other Types of PIP Are There?

There’s Household PIP, which covers you under someone else’s policy in your household if you don’t have your own PIP (or don’t own a car); however, you’re only covered if the person in your household has disclosed to their insurance company that you are a member of the household and included on their policy. If they do not do this, you do NOT have access to their PIP coverage.

Passenger PIP covers you in the event you’re injured as a passenger in someone else’s car–the driver’s PIP insurance should then cover the cost of your injuries. This is if you do not own a car and have your own PIP coverage; if you do own a car, your own PIP insurance will cover you.

Defendant PIP covers you if you’re a pedestrian struck by a vehicle, and Household PIP or your own PIP does not cover you. If this is the case, the driver who hit you would be covering your expenses through their PIP coverage–only if you don’t have Household or your own PIP. If you DO have either Household or your own PIP, THAT PIP insurance will cover you because Florida is a “no-fault” state.

PIP Therapy

If you’re injured and need physical therapy covered by PIP, Physical Therapy Now is the place to go. The insurance team at Physical Therapy Now has plenty of experience handling PIP insurance, so you don’t have to worry. We won’t start any treatment or billing until you’re fully aware of any possible out-of-pocket expenses.

All of our clinics are open, but for the safety and health of our staff and patients, most of our locations are now open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. It’s a good idea to call your location before you visit, since hours are subject to change.

 

We take the coronavirus pandemic very seriously and are taking several precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of both our clients and our staff while still providing you with the essential physical therapy you need right now. Among the measures we’re taking at this time are:

 

 

Physical Therapy Now is always here to help you. Give us a call at (800) 481-4582 to discuss appointment options. And if you can’t make it into one of our facilities, ask about teletherapy!

Is It Safe to Get Physical Therapy During The Coronavirus Pandemic?

Safety is a common concern with anyone in need of physical therapy treatment during the coronavirus pandemic. While it is important to follow social distancing guidelines and minimize exposure risk, it is also essential to continue regular physical therapy treatment so you can continue improving your physical health.

 

The short answer is, yes, it is safe to get physical therapy treatment and continue regular appointments; however, you should speak with your medical doctor to get a definitive answer, especially if you’re immunocompromised.  But know this: When you work with our staff at Physical Therapy Now, we follow all guidelines necessary to keep you, other patients, and our staff safe and healthy.

 

Covid-19 Restrictions and Regulations

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has compiled guidelines and restrictions for outpatient clinics. At Physical Therapy Now, we are dedicated to patient health and safety and work tirelessly to follow these guidelines. The goal is to keep the public safe and minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission while in the clinic and using shared equipment.

 

Physical Therapy Now Safety Procedures

While we have always followed strict cleaning and sanitary practices at our outpatient clinics, we have added new regulations that our staff follow carefully to ensure your safety. Our new policies include:

 

 

By implementing these additional policies and encouraging social distancing in our waiting rooms, we have created a safe clinic for our patients and staff. While some might find these policies inconvenient, we prioritize making our patients feel safe and comfortable. We ask that our patients assist us with maintaining these guidelines to ensure everyone’s health and well-being.

 

The Teletherapy Alternative

If you are uncomfortable with in-person physical therapy sessions, we offer a teletherapy alternative. With teletherapy, you can meet with your therapist via your phone, tablet, or laptop without leaving the comfort of your home. This allows you to remain safe, and while you complete your treatment. Ask our office about this option, and we will work to accommodate your needs.

 

Safe Physical Therapy at Physical Therapy Now

If you are concerned about COVID-19 safety precautions, contact our office at Physical Therapy Now with your questions and concerns. Our staff is available to answer your questions, schedule your appointments, and create the necessary accommodations for you to receive the best possible treatment. Contact us today at 800-481-4582.

Brain Injury Physical Therapy

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury experienced during a fall or a blow or jolt to the head that interrupts the normal function of the brain.  TBIs typically result from a sports injury, a fall, an act of violence or from a car accident.  While some TBIs are grave, life-threatening injuries that may or may not penetrate the skull, the great majority of TBIs are concussions or other forms of mild TBI.

In many TBI cases, physical therapy is required to increase the chances of a full recovery.

Risk Factors and Leading Causes of TBI

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI-related hospital stays are highest among adults 75 years of age and older.  TBI-related emergency room visits are highest for those 75 years of age and older, followed by high rates among infants and children from birth to 4 years of age.

Falls are a leading cause of TBI, accounting for nearly half of all TBI-related emergency room visits.  Over 80% of all TBI-related ER visits occurring in older adults (age 65 years and older) are due to falls, and nearly half of all TBI-related ER visits among children (birth to age 17) result from falls.  For ages 5 to 14, being struck by or against an object is the leading cause of TBI-related ER visits.

Falls are also the leading cause of all TBI-related hospitalizations (52%), and 20% of all TBI-related hospitalizations are due to impact from motor vehicle accidents.  The CDC reports that in 2014, approximately 2.87 million emergency room visits, hospital stays, and deaths were related to traumatic brain injuries.

Symptoms of TBI

TBI symptoms generally fall into four categories:

TBI symptoms in thinking and memory, including difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly, and trouble remembering new information, often leading to a general feeling of being slowed down.

Emotional and mood symptoms of TBI include sadness, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, and feeling more emotional than usual.

Physical symptoms of TBI include headache or blurred vision, nausea, or vomiting (soon after the injury), sensitivity to light or noise, difficulties with balance, and feeling tired.   There may be difficulty with sleep – sleeping more or less than usual, which can contribute to or worsen the above-mentioned emotional and mood symptoms.

Some of these symptoms may be noticeable right away, while others may not appear for days or months after the brain injury.  Some individuals may not understand the difficulties they are experiencing and how their symptoms are impacting their everyday activities.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention for a Head Injury

In rare instances, a dangerous blood clot can form after a TBI, crowding the brain against the skull.  You or a loved one should go right away to the nearest emergency department with any of these symptoms:

Take an infant or child to the nearest emergency room right away if they have received a bump or blow to the head or body and have any of the above signs, if they cannot stop crying and are inconsolable, and/or if they will not nurse or eat.

If you’re not sure how severe a bump or blow to the head or body is, don’t wait to get to the hospital. Play it safe and get checked by a physician just in case. It is always best to err on the side of caution.

How Physical Therapy Helps with Brain Injuries

Physical therapists (PTs) are educated and trained to assist patients in recovering from TBIs.  Patients may have difficulty lying down in bed or turning over, as well as difficulty maintaining balance while sitting, standing, or walking.  Physical therapists help TBI patients regain their physical function by relearning daily tasks, and restoring fitness and wellness.

Your PT can assist you or your loved one in improving balance, coordination, and stability, helping to increase muscle strength and flexibility for overall improvements in movement patterns and mobility.   If there are limitations that prevent the return to pre-injury activities, physical therapists provide help in mastering the use of equipment for improving mobility, such as an ankle brace, cane, walker, or a wheelchair.  Various PT rehabilitation approaches include:

Brain Injury Physical Therapy

If you or a loved one has experienced a brain injury, know that your physical therapist at PT NOW is ready to assist in your wellbeing.  Call us today at 1.800.481.4582.

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Andy Zapata, Founder

Physical Therapy Now Franchise Inc.

Physical Therapy for Several Injuries

It’s truly mind-blowing the variety of injuries a car accident can cause. They can range from
scrapes and bruises to life-altering spinal cord injuries. For just about everything in between
(and even including spinal injuries), physical therapy can help you recover and regain what you
may have lost after a car accident. The skilled, experienced physical therapists at Physical
Therapy Now are ready to help you get back on your feet.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Injuries sustained in car accidents can vary in severity, but the types of injuries are usually
pretty similar due to the nature of car accident impact. The types of accident-related injuries we
typically see include:
● Whiplash–This is one of the more common car accident injuries, which results from the
fast, sudden impact of the car striking another vehicle or object. Most whiplash injuries
involve very sore muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue.
● Fractures–Whether it’s from the actual impact (which could cause fractures in legs,
arms, ribs, or even the spine) or from bracing for impact (usually shoulder/clavicle
fractures), fractures/broken bones are a common–and unfortunate–result of car
accidents.
● Knee injuries–Many people might not immediately think of knees when it comes to
common car accident injuries. But knees quite often suffer damage in these situations
due to impact with the dashboard. Kneecaps and ligaments bear the brunt of the impact,
causing these painful injuries.
● Head trauma–Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can sometimes be a devastating result of a
car accident. Based on the severity of the injury, TBIs can have life-threatening and life-
changing consequences.
● Spinal cord injuries–Similar to TBIs, spinal cord injuries can literally change everything if
the injury is severe enough. Paralysis and loss of/lack of mobility are just a couple of the
catastrophic results of a spinal cord injury.
● Herniated discs–Though not nearly as serious or traumatic as a spinal cord injury,
herniated discs in the back can nonetheless cause a tremendous amount of pain and
affect almost everything you do during any given day. Severe back pain, as well as
shooting pain and numbness down the legs are common occurrences with herniated
discs.● Cuts and scrapes–Though most heal over time, accident victims can sometimes suffer
appearance-altering or even lifestyle-changing cuts that might require staples and/or
stitches to repair. Add in the ever-present possibility of infection and scars, and it’s easy
to see why cuts are an unfortunate result of many accidents.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Fortunately, physical therapy can help with many of these kinds of injuries, and in many different
ways. PT can expedite the recovery process, improve mobility and flexibility, treat concussions
and other head injuries, reduce your pain through exercise, treat whiplash and other soft tissue
injuries, help you avoid surgery, and help prevent you from reinjuring yourself.
What Types of PT Can Help?
At Physical Therapy Now, we offer a wide range of PT services to help you recover. Some of
these include:
● Massage therapy
● Stretch therapy
● Exercise therapy
● Manual therapy
● Laser therapy
● Muscle strain/sprain therapy
● Aqua therapy
● Occupational therapy
● Home exercise programs
● And many more!
Physical Therapy for Several Injuries
Physical Therapy Now is ready to help you if you’ve sustained any injuries in a car accident. We
have locations in several areas, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Leon County,
Pinellas County, and Tallahassee, as well as Dallas and Houston, Texas. Give us a call at (800)
481-4852 to set up your appointment and get back on the road to recovery!

 

Cuts and scrapes–Though most heal over time, accident victims can sometimes suffer
appearance-altering or even lifestyle-changing cuts that might require staples and/or
stitches to repair. Add in the ever-present possibility of infection and scars, and it’s easy
to see why cuts are an unfortunate result of many accidents.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Fortunately, physical therapy can help with many of these kinds of injuries, and in many different
ways. PT can expedite the recovery process, improve mobility and flexibility, treat concussions
and other head injuries, reduce your pain through exercise, treat whiplash and other soft tissue
injuries, help you avoid surgery, and help prevent you from reinjuring yourself.
What Types of PT Can Help?
At Physical Therapy Now, we offer a wide range of PT services to help you recover. Some of
these include:
Massage therapy
Stretch therapy
Exercise therapy
Manual therapy
Laser therapy
Muscle strain/sprain therapy
Aqua therapy
Occupational therapy
Home exercise programs
And many more!
Physical Therapy for Several Injuries
Physical Therapy Now is ready to help you if you’ve sustained any injuries in a car accident. We
have locations in several areas, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Leon County,
Pinellas County, and Tallahassee, as well as Dallas and Houston, Texas. Give us a call at (800)
481-4852 to set up your appointment and get back on the road to recovery!

Physical Therapy for Shoulder Injuries

About the Shoulder

One of the body’s most complex areas is the shoulder, and each shoulder is made up of three bones:  the upper arm bone (the humerus), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the collarbone (clavicle).  These bones fit into the joint areas of the shoulder and are supported by tendons and muscles, enabling us to do things like comb our hair, reach for a coffee cup, catch a ball, swing a golf club or tennis racket, and many other ‘reaching’ activities.

In spite of the shoulder’s complex design, the daily wear and tear of frequent use in reaching and other movements makes the shoulder area vulnerable to injury or a direct injury – like what may occur in a car accident – can be extremely uncomfortable. The onset of shoulder pain can be gradual or sudden, and shoulder pain ranges from mild to excruciating.  An injury to the shoulder can interrupt a person’s sleep, and the ability to perform activities of daily living can also be impacted.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

Although shoulder problems are common, the cause of shoulder pain cannot always be determined.  Mild shoulder pain can sometimes improve on its own by adjusting your activities, performing mild stretches, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to see if the pain resolves on its own, although most instances of shoulder pain are resolved with physical therapy.

Some health problems originating elsewhere in the body can lead to pain that radiates to the shoulder, such as in arthritis, disc herniations, and specific neck problems.  Shoulder pain often occurs as we age due to a variety of common conditions, such as arthritis, and particularly due to a lifetime of daily wear and tear on the shoulders.

Less common causes of shoulder pain are infection, nerve-related problems, and tumors.  Case reports have been published in 2020 in regard to shoulder pain and dysfunction following administration of inactivated influenza vaccine.  If you are experiencing a great deal of pain or know that you are injured, see a doctor right away to have your health problem diagnosed.

The following causes of shoulder pain are most common:

Common Types of Shoulder Injuries

The rotator cuff is comprised of muscles and tendons that connect the shoulder to the socket, which allows the person to move the shoulder in a circular motion.  Rotator cuff problems fall into two categories:  inflammation or tears.  Studies show that nearly two million people see a doctor in a given year for rotator cuff-related problems.  When a person experiences pain or stiffness in the shoulder while lifting the arm above their head, a rotator cuff problem is often suspected.

Rotator cuff impingement occurs when there is inflammation, compression, or irritation of the tendons or bursa in the shoulder.  General wear and tear as we age can lead to impingement of the rotator cuff, as well as injury to the area at any age.

Rotator cuff tears are often accompanied by weakness in the area.  When shoulder pain exists without any weakness in the area, the problem is more likely due to impingement of the rotator cuff rather than a tear.  A tear in the rotator cuff is more likely to be caused by an injury.

Common accidents that often result in rotator cuff tears include slipping and falling, tripping, getting pulled by a dog on a leash, or a work accident – all of which can result in landing on one’s shoulder.  Rotator cuff tears may also occur during the impact of a motor vehicle accident.

Fractures to the shoulder bones among older patients often result from a fall from standing height, whereas in younger patients, shoulder fractures are more likely to result from a high energy injury such as a motor vehicle collision or an injury sustained in contact sports.  When any of the shoulder bones have been fractured (broken), patients will likely experience:

Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain

In most cases of shoulder pain, physical therapy is enough to remedy the health problem.  Physical therapy approaches may include:

Our highly educated and trained staff at Physical Therapy Now is waiting to assist you toward optimal health.  Call us today at (800) 481-4582 to schedule an appointment at your convenience.

Injury Rehab

Many people find themselves referred to physical therapy treatment after being injured in an accident. Frequently, these accidents are car accidents. If you have never participated in injury rehab before, you might be wondering where you need to start. The good news is that Physical Therapy Now is here to guide you through the process. We have a staff of experienced professionals who will create a treatment plan that caters to your specific needs.

 

How We Can Help You After An Accident

There are several benefits to physical therapy treatment. It is more than improving mobility, although that is a large part of what we do. Physical therapy treatments focus on the whole person and the way each moving part connects and affects the other parts of the body. For example, if your knee was injured, the primary focus of your treatment will be on restoring your knee to full health.

 

However, we will also pay attention to how your knee connects to and affects the functioning in other parts of your body. It is our goal to use movement and other available treatments to accelerate your healing, manage your pain, improve your mobility, and strengthen your muscles and joints.

 

What To Expect From Treatment

When you schedule your first appointment with our staff, we will review your medical records and doctor recommendations and create a treatment plan that is right for you. Your treatment plan will include an appointment schedule and the therapies that we recommend for your recovery. Additionally, we will also check your insurance coverage and will thoroughly communicate any financial obligations you may have. In many cases, there are no financial obligations, so you must reach out to our team so we can accurately review your insurance.

 

Recovering from car accident injuries can take time, so you must be patient with yourself and allow your body to heal at its own pace. Your therapist will adjust your treatment plan accordingly as you progress.

 

Depending on your injury, your therapist might recommend one or more of the following therapies:

 

 

Physical Therapy: Essential Service

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are uncertain about the types of treatments they can continue to receive. The good news is that physical therapy is an essential service, and Physical Therapy Now continues to provide treatment to our patients.

 

Because we are dedicated to the health and safety of our patients and staff, we are taking all of the appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of this illness. We sanitize all workstations, equipment, and other surfaces. We limit the number of patients and staff in the building at one time. We are also offering telehealth services, so many of our patients can receive professional guidance without having to leave their homes.

 

Injury Rehab at Physical Therapy Now

If you have been injured in a car accident or other unfortunate incident and have been referred for injury rehab, contact Physical Therapy Now at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment. We are happy to work with you toward a full recovery and will make your health and safety our top priority.

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