According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, shoulder injuries can occur during sports, in accidents, or even while partaking in everyday activities. The shoulder is a joint that you tend to take for granted until you don’t have full use of it. Unfortunately, the impact of a car accident can cause serious injury to your shoulder as well as other parts of your body.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain after a car accident, it is important that you seek immediate medical treatment. After that, you will likely be referred to physical therapy to make sure your muscles and tendons heal and function properly.
The shoulder is comprised of two joints with several moving parts. Because of this, when one part is affected, every area of the shoulder can experience discomfort. If a bone or tendon is injured, everything else in your shoulder tries “to pick up the slack.” When you have to rest to allow a bone to heal, you will likely experience tension and weakness in the muscles from lack of use.
The shoulder is comprised of two main bones known as the scapula and the humerus. Articular cartilage lines the glenoid and head of the humerus to prevent friction. The glenoid (the end of scapula) and the head of the humerus connect to create the glenoid cavity, which in turn creates a ball and socket joint. The cartilage, ligaments, and tendons combine with these bones to create a functioning shoulder.
There are many ways a shoulder can be injured. Falls and sports injuries are common causes of shoulder injuries, but car accidents are a common cause as well.
Three shoulder injuries that are common after a car accident:
Fractures impact the bones in the shoulder while the rotator cuff and labral tears are injuries to the muscles, tendons, and fibrous tissue that hold the joint together and help it move properly. Many studies have shown a correlation between whiplash and torn rotator cuffs. Some of these injuries require surgery to begin healing properly. After surgery, you will need to seek physical therapy treatment to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your shoulder and promote full range of motion.
If physical therapy is the best course of treatment for your shoulder injury, working consistently at physical therapy can help you to avoid surgery when you suffer from shoulder pain after a car accident. But even if it’s unavoidable and you must have surgery to repair your injury, physical therapy can go a long way toward pain management and making a full recovery.
Physical therapy treatments for shoulder pain can include:
You will also be taught exercises that will strengthen your muscles and produce endorphins that relieve the pain. Increasing your strength and flexibility can help speed up your recovery time and get you back to your normal routine as soon as possible.
If you are injured, facing surgery, or recovering from surgery, causing shoulder pain after a car accident, contact our experienced team at Physical Therapy Now at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment.
We will work with the recommendations from your medical team and tap into our in-depth knowledge about shoulder injuries to create a personalized treatment plan. We will also provide you with an exercise regimen that you can implement at home. Your health and recovery are important to us, and it is our goal to get you back to your daily life as quickly and painlessly as possible.
If you’ve suffered a back injury, you know how painful it can be. Back injuries literally affect everything you do every single day. Walking, sitting, driving, standing…no matter what you do, what position you’re in, you’re in constant pain. Ignoring the pain isn’t going to help, nor will applying a heating pad intermittently throughout the day (though you might get some temporary relief from that).
If your back has been injured, especially from a car accident, seek medical attention before the problem becomes even worse. You can begin by calling us at Physical Therapy Now because there’s a good chance you’ll need physical therapy to get you back to a pain free, normal life.
Types of Back Injuries
How to Treat Your Back Injury
Treatment for back injuries will obviously depend on the severity of the injury. Very serious injuries will more than likely require surgery; less serious injuries may call for long periods of rest or inactivity in order to allow the injuries and trauma to heal. Regarless of the injury, physical therapy could be highly recommended by your doctor.
How Can Physical Therapy Help My Back Injury?
Again, depending on the severity and type of injury sustained, physical therapy can greatly improve mobility and help you regain strength by targeting certain areas in the back to strengthen. A consistent course of PT can also help you manage any pain symptoms over time.
If back pain, whether from a car accident or a different injury, is disrupting your life, physical therapy might just be the solution for you. In most cases, physical therapy can dramatically reduce or completely eliminate the pain you’ve been experiencing, and Physical Therapy Now is ready to help you! Call us today at (800) 481-4582 to get started on the road to recovery!
If you’ve never been through physical therapy before, it’s understandable to feel hesitant, nervous, or even a bit scared about what the experience will entail. But rest assured, there is nothing frightening about physical therapy. In fact, it’s something you can look forward to because it can help get you back to 100% again.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about physical therapy:
The main rule to follow here is to dress comfortably. You will be moving around, so I’d recommend you wear loose-fitting clothing, such as a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, shorts, or a pair of sweatpants. Comfortable footwear, like sneakers, are also a smart choice. If you’re coming right from work and your clothes are constricting, simply pack a bag of comfy exercise clothes and change in privacy at one of our many locations.
While all injuries vary in severity, and pain thresholds are different, physical therapy generally will not hurt. You may feel some discomfort, since the painful area or injury site is the focus of the therapy, but our amazing therapists will work closely with you to ensure you’re feeling as little discomfort as possible while still receiving helpful therapy.
It’s important to communicate thoroughly with your physical therapist, so he or she is aware of how you’re feeling at all times. The patient-therapist relationship is critical to your healing journey, so don’t hesitate to let your therapist know if you’re uncomfortable.
Physical Therapy Now does accept most medical insurance plans, but you can find out for sure by calling us at (800) 481-4582. Just make sure to have your insurance card handy, and we’ll get started on learning more about your coverages!
Each treatment session varies in length depending on your injury and what is being treated. In general, however, most sessions last between 30 minutes and one hour. We know you have a busy schedule, so if you need a quick session, just let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
The state of Florida no longer requires a referral or prescription from your doctor when going for physical therapy thanks to Florida Direct Access, which allows Physical Therapy Now (and any other physical therapist) to implement a treatment plan for 30 days in the state of Florida. No more prescriptions, referrals, or unnecessary doctor’s appointments standing in the way of you getting physical therapy!
If you need physical therapy, we are here for you. Physical Therapy Now will ease your mind and remove any trepidation you might have about physical and we’ll work with you closely to ensure you’re getting the most comfortable treatment that puts you on the road to recovery. We have 20 locations across the Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Leon metro areas, so give us a call at (800) 481-4582 or fill out a form online to set up your first appointment.
Injuring your knee can leave you in constant pain. It can limit your mobility and prevent you from going about your daily routine. It might even prevent you from working, and if the injury is not treated properly, leave you at risk for reinjury or further damage. Knee injuries are common following car accidents and can sometimes go unnoticed for several days. If you have been in a car accident, even if you feel you haven’t sustained injuries, always seek immediate medical treatment. It is common to feel pain in joints days after a car accident. If you are experiencing pain, consult a medical professional and then consider beginning physical therapy for knee injuries.
There are many ways to injure a knee. Car accidents are a very common cause of knee injuries. Sports injuries, work injuries, and normal wear and tear can also contribute to knee problems. Because joints are complex with many moving parts, there are several elements that can be damaged in your knee that will contribute to your pain. If you experience knee pain, consult with a physical therapist in Miami to determine the source.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, common types of knee injuries include:
In many cases, proper preventative treatment and physical therapy can help the knee return to normal functioning. In more severe cases, surgery might be necessary.
The type of treatment you receive for your injury often depends on the type and severity of your injury. A doctor will sometimes recommend resting and moving the joint as little as possible until tears and bruises have time to heal. They might also prescribe medications that will assist with pain and bring down the inflammation. In many cases, physical therapy is strongly recommended. Surgery is often the last resort treatment meant to repair the damage that rest and exercise cannot achieve.
Physical therapy is one of the best things you can do for a knee injury. Ice and heat therapy help with inflammation and relieve pain and tension in the muscles to increase your mobility. Consistent targeted exercises strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint and improve your chances for a full recovery. Physical therapy requires consistent work and patience and can leave you feeling more energized. Another key benefit: PT can help manage your pain symptoms over time. This is why medical professionals recommend PT for both injuries as preventative care and as a recovery tool after knee surgery.
Our expert team at Physical Therapy Now provides outstanding physical therapy for knee injuries. We will work with you to create a specific plan for your needs and give you the best chances for recovery and pain management. Contact us at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment.
If you are dealing with an injury as a result of a car accident, sports injury, work accident, or other issues, you know how overwhelming it can be to find the right help and determine the proper course of treatment. Many such injuries require that you undergo physical therapy to get yourself back to optimum health. But how do you choose the right clinic? How do you know that the people helping you heal are truly skilled and can meet and exceed your needs and expectations?
Here at Physical Therapy Now, we provide outstanding physical therapy in Miami. We believe that the stronger the people, the stronger the community. We dedicate ourselves to improving the health and overall daily lives of our clients.
We make it a point to be available to our clients as much as possible. We are open Monday through Saturday every week and work to schedule appointments that are best for your busy schedule. We also offer complimentary transportation for our clients who do not have their own vehicles.
From our front desk to our directors, our staff is friendly, professional, and knows the right questions to ask to point you in the right direction. To get started, we will gather your information and refer you to the therapist on our team, who will create the perfect therapy plan for your recovery. We are available by phone and in person during our operating hours.
Our physical therapists and their assistants are certified and experienced in treating a wide range of injuries, surgeries, and ailments. We consider recommendations from your medical team to create a treatment plan that will give you the best chance of a full recovery. We maintain consistent communication so you can give us feedback on your progress, and we can adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
We are authorized to accept most types of health insurance. Our staff will preauthorize your information before billing to ensure that your services are covered, and you can receive the best possible care. You will be fully informed on any out of pocket expenses BEFORE you begin treatment.
We offer physical therapy treatments for every issue and can tailor them to fit your needs. Our therapies include:
Our therapists will work with you at your PT location or in the comfort of your home to provide you with everything you need for the fastest recovery as possible. Cyber therapy is also a popular option, which is like getting the best of both worlds. You have a therapist walking you through each exercise via camera – but you’re in your own space!
If you have suffered an injury or are experiencing pain from wear and tear in your joints and muscles, contact our experienced PT Team at Physical Therapy Now. We can help you in every way, whether it be for preventative care, from an injury or from surgery. Call us at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment.
If you have been involved in a car accident of any kind, there is a strong possibility that you will need physical therapy services. Something you might experience as a result of injury and subsequent recovery is muscle weakness. You might struggle to lift things that have otherwise been easy. Walking up steps might tire you and cause muscle fatigue far more quickly than in the past. These are very normal experiences and can be resolved with careful, consistent work towards recovery. Sticking with physical therapy can help with muscle weakness.
Muscle weakness, according to MedlinePlus, is defined as “weakness in one or more muscles.” If you are experiencing muscle weakness as the result of an injury, this means that your muscles are not performing at their full potential. You might struggle to grip or lift things with the same force you normally would. You might struggle to walk up steps or long distances, and you might even find standing for an extended period more exhausting than usual. You simply won’t produce the same amount of power or force that you would if your muscles were at optimal health.
Muscle weakness occurs after an injury to the muscles. If they have been strained or torn, they will not have the same strength they had previously. There is a period where avoiding overusing the muscle allows it to heal more quickly. However, this can result in weak muscles from lack of use.
Participating in physical therapy treatments as your muscles heal can increase your strength over time. Muscle weakness is normal to experience after an injury but avoiding using the muscle altogether can cause more harm than good. Creating a plan with a physical therapist will allow your muscles to heal while also strengthening them through exercise and will aid in getting you back to full functioning.
Remember to be patient throughout the physical therapy process. The wide range of treatments used are meant to provide relief, allow for healing, and strengthen. This process can take time and requires dedication, but you won’t regret making the effort to get better.
According to AAA, approximately 49.3 million people across the country planned on driving at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving. The numbers will be similar for the Christmas season, which means lots of drivers on the road, which makes travel that much riskier.
Here in Miami…
It’s a sad reality, but many people will be victims of car accidents throughout the holiday season, both nationwide and right here in the Greater Miami Area. The National Safety Council predicted an estimated 48,100 people nationwide would be injured in a car crash during the Christmas holiday period, to the point of needing medical consultation.
Locally, in November and December of 2018, there were a total of 10,717 car accidents in Miami-Dade County, 6,905 in Broward County, and 4,791 in Palm Beach County; for all of 2018, a total of 72,011 injuries that resulted from accidents occurred in the Greater Miami Area. Think about those numbers for a moment. More than 72,000 injuries – and many of those required physical therapy.
Many injuries commonly sustained in car accidents tend to linger and worsen over time if treatment is not received. A consistent course of physical therapy:
Whether you’ve sustained whiplash, broken bones, a concussion, a spinal or neck injury, or chronic pain and soreness, physical therapy can help get you on the mend quickly and back to a normal life.
Physical Therapy Now wishes you only the best and safest holiday season. If, however, you find yourself in a car accident, get in touch with us quickly so we can help get you back on the road to recovery. We offer chiropractic care, occupational therapy, on-site therapy, in-home therapy, cyber rehab, laser therapy, and more.
We have 20 locations across all Miami-Dade areas, so give us a call at (800) 481-4582 or fill out a form online to set up your first appointment. Don’t worry about insurance—our insurance experts will examine your policy to determine your coverages so you have a full understanding of any out of pocket costs prior to your PT sessions.
You just focus on your recovery. Physical Therapy Now is the best in the business, so we’ll handle the rest.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents injure over 2.3 million people the United States each year. Congested roads, long commutes, and holiday travel increase the chances of being in an accident.
You can take all the proper precautions and still find yourself injured because of the negligence of another driver. From serious crashes involving months of recovery time to fender benders causing injuries that may be more difficult to identify early on, Physical Therapy Now is here to create a recovery plan designed specifically for you. The sooner you begin car accident rehab, the better your body will likely be able to recover.
Any number of injuries can result from car accidents. Some require simple exercises and pain management techniques to recover while others will take time and patience to allow the bones and muscles heal and regain strength.
No matter the injury, it is crucial that you seek medical attention before the healing process begins. Once you have received proper medical treatment, you can begin moving forward with physical therapy once your medical doctor gives you the green light.
Physical therapy is more than just exercising an injured or underused muscle. There are many treatments that can help heal your injuries and manage your pain over time.
If you have been in a car accident in Miami, contact Physical Therapy Now at 800-481-4582. Our expert physical therapists will work with your medical team to create a recovery plan that is right for you.
Are you a physical therapist interested in starting your own practice? The appeal of a private practice can be strong. You have the benefit of being your own boss, setting your own hours, and working with clients on your own terms. With business ownership, you can bring your expertise into your practice and utilize it in a way that you believe best benefits your clients without needing to answer to an immediate supervisor. If you are researching how to open a physical therapy clinic, consider investing in a franchise over starting from scratch with your own private practice.
Many first-time business owners want to start out in their own private practice because they believe that this offers more freedom. While this can be true, it also involves a lot of work, time and financial investment that many first-time owners just don’t have. Additionally, a lot of mistakes are made in private practices.
According to Entrepreneur, franchises have a higher success rate than businesses venturing out on their own for the first time. While it’s true that you will need to work within the parameters of an established franchise, you will have many advantages that aren’t available with a private practice.
Franchise ownership provides you with several resources that you won’t have if you choose to start a business on your own.
If you are a physical therapist or aspiring business owner interested in starting your own physical therapy clinic, contact Physical Therapy Now at (800) 481-4582 and ask about investing in a franchise. We are happy to share our recipe for success so you can best serve your clients.
We’ve known it all along, but now it’s being shared on a national level! Physical Therapy Now has been officially named in the “Hottest Franchise Categories of 2020” by Entrepreneur. Growing at a fast, but manageable pace has – without a doubt – contributed to the ongoing success of the company’s franchise operation.
Physical Therapy Now CEO Andy Zapata is a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur. When you combine that with his passion for helping people, the concept of opening a physical therapy franchise seems almost inevitable. This line of thinking allowed Zapata to tap into his love of building businesses from scratch, help people improve their lives by helping them heal, and also helping other people achieve their own dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.
Physical Therapy Now, in a sense, ‘checks all the boxes,’ which is why being recognized by reputable companies like Entrepreneur is nothing short of an honor.
How does he get it done? Zapata details his love of the businesses he has built from the ground up on Business Innovators Network. Anyone who knows him will tell you – it’s a combination of business sense, drive, discipline, and the true commitment to helping people all over the country.
Entrepreneur chose just under 350 franchise operations to be featured in their 2020 Hottest Franchises research, and the team organized each business into one of ten categories. As you might expect, Physical Therapy Now is placed into the “health” category with this explanation preceding a list of chosen businesses:
“Franchises offering health products and services have always formed a fairly small but growing corner of the franchise world. In recent years, though, the face of this category has changed from largely traditional health services to more alternative offerings, such as acupuncture, cryotherapy, IV therapy, and cannabis.”
What makes us so special? Topping the list is the fact that we truly change people’s lives by playing a key role in improving their overall quality of life. Zapata’s forward thinking was to do this beyond the borders of Miami and past the state of Florida. While the majority of the franchise operations are, in fact, in the Sunshine State, Zapata’s outreach to other states a continued priority.
He is also quite particular about who is awarded franchisee status (learn more about the company’s application process here), and the corporate franchise team helps with each step of the franchising process, from financing to location, and from equipment to hiring staff and everything in between.
Are you interested in learning more about the franchise side of Physical Therapy Now? Head to our website or give us a call at (800) 481-4582. And… a big thank you to Entrepreneur from the team at PT Now. We’re honored to have been named in your “Hottest Franchise Categories of 2020!”