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If you are interested in spinal traction therapy, what should you do first? The first thing you are going to want to do is call the office at (800) 481-4582 – or schedule an appointment on the Physical Therapy NOW website.
Spinal traction is a type of decompression therapy. It relieves pressure on the spine. There are two types of treatment that can be administered: manual spinal traction and mechanical spinal traction. It is used to treat pinched nerves, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, sciatica, and other back conditions.
What does spinal traction do? It stretches your spine with the goal of taking pressure off compressed discs. It straightens the spine and helps your body’s ability to heal itself.
People who have slipped discs, bone spurs, degenerative disc diseases, herniated discs, facet disease, sciatica, foramina stenosis, or pinched nerves are, in most cases, excellent candidates for spinal traction therapy.
What makes people with spinal conditions such as these good candidates for spinal traction? The traction reverses the force of gravity, relieving pressure and pain associated with the injury or ailment.
Types of Spinal Traction Therapy
There are two types of spinal traction: manual and mechanical.
During manual spinal traction, your physical therapist will use their hands to put you in a state of traction. Manual force is used on the joints and muscles.
During mechanical spinal traction, you will be treated on a table with tools specially used to stretch the spine. Your PT will attach ropes, slings, and pulleys to mechanically relieve pain and pressure on the spine.
Are There Side Effects?
There are some side effects that come along with spinal traction therapy. In very rare cases, it can cause pain that is worse than the original pain and can cause muscle spasms. With that being said, doctors are aware of these side effects during or after therapy, and only prescribe this form of therapy to patients that can truly benefit.
So, you’ve finished going through spinal traction, how should you be feeling? You can expect to have pain relief, your spine properly aligned, and decompressed joints. While the muscles and bones in the back are stretched, they combat the effects of gravity.
Thanks to the work of spinal traction, you should have significantly improved movement and feel much better throughout the day.
Now is the time to take the first step in your recovery and to pain-relief. Call Physical Therapy NOW today at 800.481.4582 to learn more about spinal traction therapy and our many other forms of natural, medication free back pain relief.
A traumatic brain injury can be devastating for anyone who has incurred one. Just ask former star of The Hills Lo Bosworth. She recently went public about an incident two years ago where she suffered a TBI while sitting in a banquet when a swinging kitchen door fell off its hinges and landed on her head. She had a long road to recovery and informed her followers about her struggles with a concussion and post-concussion syndrome.
If you watch or play any sport, you know that concussions are no joke. If concussions go undiagnosed and then go untreated, it can lead to dangerous consequences. There is no such thing as a “mild” concussion, despite this term being used by even the most skilled medical professionals… every concussion can cause damage to the brain.
Many symptoms are prevalent for those who have suffered a concussion, including dizziness or imbalance, headache, confusion, double or vision blurry, memory loss, nausea or vomiting, ringing ears, trouble falling asleep, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light, and loss of smell or taste.
The good news is that many of these symptoms be relieved or lessened with customized physical therapy treatment.
If you think you’ve sustained a concussion, it’s best to get tested and evaluated. There are many different ways to determine if you have a concussion, including a physical or neurological exam.
At Physical Therapy Now, we have a videonystamography machine that will test central motor functions and the inner ear through infrared technology. This can be used to diagnose dizziness, motion sickness, and central motor and inner ear issues.
Once cleared for physical therapy, your PT will build a plan for treatment tailored to your injury, which can include hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and even therapeutic massage. These treatments won’t rid you of your concussion and the symptoms associated with it, but they can help relieve some of your symptoms and allow you to start to feel better and more normal. They will also help decrease the chances of long-term symptoms.
Now is the time to take the first step in your concussion treatment and recovery. Call Physical Therapy NOW today at 800.481.4582 to schedule your first appointment. Each session will take approximately 30 minutes to one hour, and there is a Physical Therapy Now location within 5 miles of your Miami home or office. Our team of physical therapists is kind, professional, and most importantly, experienced in treating concussions successfully. We’re here to help… let’s get started today.
If there was any positive that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that businesses learned to operate in new ways. Companies and businesses that didn’t adopt a virtual/remote mentality were the ones hit hardest over the past several months.
But here at Physical Therapy Now, we already had in home physical therapy services up and running.
While many of our Physical Therapy Now locations remained open (with several safety and distancing measures in place) throughout the pandemic, plenty of our customers were understandably hesitant to come into our facilities. We get it!
Physical Therapy Now offers two types of in-home PT:
As we mentioned, physical therapy had to adapt to the pandemic restrictions just as many other businesses had to do. By doing so, not only were we able to create the safest in-person experience for you at our many convenient locations, but we also identified a way to bring our services to you for your safety and convenience.
After all, at Physical Therapy Now, we want you to be as safe and comfortable as possible when you’re receiving physical therapy. Whether you prefer to stay at home due to COVID-19 precautions or the inconvenience or inability to make it into one of our facilities, we know the importance of staying on your PT schedule and ensuring you get your treatment promptly.
Since it’s critical to your health and well-being, we’re happy to provide these in-home options for your convenience. To learn more about our in-home physical therapy or to set up a virtual or in-person session, call us today at (800) 481-4582.
Physical therapy every day…sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? Imagine what kind of shape we’d all be in if we had PT every single day! Except…that’s not how it works. Much like almost everything else in life, too much isn’t usually a good thing. Let’s discuss why.
Absolutely. As much as we love to see your smiling faces come through our doors each and every day, it’s probably not a great plan. Part of physical therapy and rehab is planning and recovery. Your injury or condition might require more PT than someone else’s, but in most cases, the human body needs time to rest and recover. Maybe we schedule you for three days of challenging, rigorous PT–those other four days of the week, your body should be resting. After all, overdoing it can actually make your injury worse or even cause another injury.
Our incredibly skilled and knowledgeable physical therapists know what’s suitable for your injury. Together, you will both come up with a plan that works for your specific injury and body. Our PTs understand when you need to step it back and allow your body the time it needs to recover. So, yes, you certainly can overdo physical therapy. But we won’t let you!
It all depends on the circumstances–your injury, your body, your recovery time. Everyone is different, and every injury is different. Some people may have the same type of injury, but one might be served better with four days of PT a week, and the other might respond well to three days a week. Others might actually need daily physical therapy! And we now offer daily treatments at Physical Therapy Now. Again, this will only apply to certain situations–you and your physical therapist will figure that out as your circumstances and progress are evaluated.
There is no set number of days you should or should not have physical therapy. Plenty of factors will determine whether you’d be better off with one day of PT or six!
Similar question with a similar answer. It really all depends on your situation. Again, we want to make sure you’re not overdoing it because it could put you right back where you started. Your physical therapist will give you specific instructions regarding which exercises should be performed and how often. We recommend you either write down some notes or set a reminder on your phone and stick to those recommendations. We can monitor your activity while you’re in one of our convenient locations, but we can’t watch you at home–we’ll have to rely on the honor system!
While most people do not require physical therapy on a daily basis, it may be warranted in certain situations–but only if it benefits the patient. If your injury requires daily PT, give Physical Therapy Now a call at 800-481-4582 to set up your initial appointment and evaluation. If you don’t need daily PT, call us anyway, and we’ll get you on the schedule and cadence that works for your particular injury.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anywhere between 1.8 million and 3.6 million sports and recreation-related concussions are diagnosed each year in the United States. Keep in mind, those figures don’t even include concussions caused by car accidents, assaults, or falls. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) like concussions are a growing problem–and we’re not even talking about the ones that go undiagnosed.
One reason concussions have become increasingly dangerous is that many go undiagnosed, which means they also go untreated. There are way too many occasions when people suffer a blow (to the head or even the body) and, unless they lose consciousness, they brush it off as just a minor inconvenience. Except it isn’t.
There is no such thing as a “mild” concussion. Every concussion is a big deal, and that’s why it’s so important to be evaluated for a concussion even if you’re not immediately experiencing some, or any, of the following concussion symptoms:
Why is it so important to be evaluated even without any signs or symptoms of a concussion? Because untreated and undiagnosed concussions can present some significant problems.
Here is why it’s critical to detect a concussion and treat it: gone untreated, concussions can result in several long-term complications, including:
Being diagnosed and treated for a concussion is so important because the chances of sustaining a second are three to six times greater than someone who has never sustained one.
The more concussions that are layered on top of one another, the more dangerous they become–this scenario exponentially increases the likelihood of unconsciousness, reduced memory, and confusion anytime a new concussion is sustained.
All you need to do is Google names like Junior Seau, Justin Strzelczyk, Dave Duerson, Andre Waters, Aaron Hernandez, and others. These are all former NFL players who suffered so many concussions that they led to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE. This is a degenerative brain disease caused by multiple blows to the head and concussions, and along with all the symptoms listed above, CTE also causes depression, irritability, anxiety, and aggression.
CTE played a major part in all of the deaths of these football players–each committed suicide between the ages of 27 and 50. One could argue that Strzelczyk’s death wasn’t suicide, but when you crash your vehicle driving 90 mph against traffic, you start to understand that his mind was not functioning properly.
While CTE may be the most extreme result of multiple undiagnosed and untreated concussions, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s real, and it can happen to anyone.
If you’ve sustained a blow to the head or even the body, and something simply doesn’t feel right, you must get yourself examined by a physician. There are many ways to evaluate a concussion–through a physical or neurological exam, with tests such as CT scans, and also with videonystamography. This process tests central motor functions and the inner ear through infrared technology to help accurately diagnose dizziness, motion sickness, and other central motor and inner ear functionality problems through eye movements.
This device is sometimes referred to as a VNG machine, and many medical professionals use it to diagnose concussions, vertigo, sensory disorders, and other neurological conditions reliably and accurately. The great news is, Physical Therapy Now has a VNG machine that can easily be transported from location to location–this means that we can evaluate you for a concussion right in our facility, without you having to make an extra doctor’s appointment or go to another physical therapy now location.
Once evaluated, the next step is to let your brain heal. The most common treatment for concussions is rest. Avoiding strenuous activity and allowing your brain time to heal are generally the most recommended courses of action. Physical Therapy Now does, however, offer treatment for symptoms of concussions, including hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. These therapies can help alleviate some of the issues you might be experiencing and decrease your chances of long-term symptoms.
Visit an emergency room or your doctor if you suspect you’ve sustained a concussion. Or call Physical Therapy Now to be evaluated with our VNG machine. No matter where you prefer to be assessed, it’s critical that you are evaluated by a professional.
If you are diagnosed with a concussion, come see us for treatment at any one of our convenient, state-of-the-art locations. Call Physical Therapy Now at 800-481-4582 to make your appointment today. We’re ready to help.
Let’s put these stereotypes and myths to bed right now. Golf is a physically demanding sport that puts quite a bit of stress on the body–even if it doesn’t come in the form of a bone-crunching tackle, home plate collision, or sprained ankle.
Anyone who believes that a golf swing is part of a body’s natural motion has never taken a golf swing. The fact of the matter is that a golf swing–though it may appear fluid and smooth to the eye–actually puts a lot of stress on the body.
While not every golf injury is related to the swing, many injuries are, in fact, caused by the swing. There are many possible contributing factors–poor mechanics, overswinging, incorrect grip on the club, and insufficient stretching or warmup before playing, to name a few. These factors can lead to injuries to the following:
Of course, other injuries are relatively common in golf as well–feet, ankles, neck, and hands, for example. But the injuries above tend to afflict golfers more than any others.
Fortunately for golfers, the injuries we discussed are all generally treatable through physical therapy. At Physical Therapy Now, we help golfers feel their best so they can get back on the links again. We see injuries such as inflammation, sprains, and strains, and we know just the right treatment to alleviate the pain and help prevent the injuries from recurring in the future.
Whether it’s massage therapy, aqua therapy, muscle strain/sprain therapy, or exercise therapy, our highly skilled and experienced physical therapists will work with you safely and effectively to reduce your discomfort, get past your injuries, and enjoy pain-free golfing.
If you love to golf but feel nagging aches and pains whenever you play (or if you have a more severe injury affecting your game), call Physical Therapy Now at (800) 481-4582 to set up your first appointment. We know you want to be out there playing in this beautiful weather, and we can help get you there through high-quality physical therapy at your neighborhood PT Now location.
Do you remember watching a sporting event where an athlete took either a direct hit to the head or a jolting body blow, and the play-by-play announcer casually stated that he “got his bell rung”? Or maybe that he was “dazed”?
The truth is, concussions can be extremely serious and potentially devastating brain injuries that require examination, diagnosis, and in many cases, treatment.
You might not even know you have a concussion, which is the scary part. It doesn’t always take a forceful blow to cause a head injury. All that’s necessary is enough force applied to the body to make the brain bump the inside of the skull. This can be videonystamography caused by different events that could occur in a number of scenarios:
Some of these events may result in enough of an impact that you might suspect you’ve sustained a concussion. Other events, such as impact without contact to the head, may not seem serious enough to feel that you suffered a head injury; you must get evaluated for a concussion in these situations, even if you feel fine.
There are some obvious signs of a concussion when memory, reflexes, judgment, balance, speech, and/or muscle coordination are affected. If a concussion is severe enough, brief periods of amnesia might occur; other victims might simply feel as if they’re in a haze.
Regardless of the symptoms, any potential concussion should be taken seriously–there is no such thing as a “minor” concussion. And diagnosing a concussion is critical because once concussions begin layering on top of one another, they significantly increase a person’s chance of suffering permanent damage.
These are some of the more common symptoms of a concussion:
If you experience any of these after a blow to the head or the body, you must get evaluated. This will most likely involve a doctor’s physical and neurological examination, possibly followed by tests such as CT scans or MRIs.
Another process has also become a more frequent and accurate evaluator of concussions–videonystamography. This tests central motor functions and the inner ear through infrared technology to help diagnose motion sickness, dizziness, and other inner ear or central motor issues through eye movement.
This device, often called a VNG machine (much easier to say than videonystamography), reliably identifies concussions, vertigo, and other sensory disorders or neurological conditions. And, as a convenience to you, Physical Therapy Now owns a VNG machine. The beauty in that is, the VNG machine is easily transported from one location to another, so we’re able to evaluate concussions right in our building–no need to drive around town for another doctor’s appointment.
For a concussion to heal, plenty of rest and inactivity are required. However, not many people are aware that physical therapy can alleviate many of the symptoms associated with concussions.
At Physical Therapy Now, we offer therapies such as hydrotherapy, therapeutic massage, and acupuncture to help reduce the symptoms you feel from a concussion. However, the most difficult parts of the concussion–the discomfort and pain you feel from its symptoms–can be alleviated through physical therapy. For example, certain stretches and light exercises may help reduce headache pain, while eye exercises can assist with any vision issues.
The most important thing you can do is get yourself evaluated if you believe you have sustained a concussion. Any head and brain injury must be diagnosed so you can avoid further similar injuries in the future. At Physical Therapy Now, we can evaluate you for a concussion with our VNG machine and begin your treatment right away, in the same facility.
Call us at (800) 481-4582 today to set up an appointment. We’re here to help you feel comfortable and get back to your regular routine as quickly–but as safely–as possible.
Depending on the type of surgery, post-operative recovery can take time and effort. Corrective surgery does not always mean that you will immediately feel better. Following your doctor’s instructions after surgery is crucial to getting you back to normal functioning. If your doctor recommends physical therapy as part of your recovery treatment plan, do not skip it. Physical therapy will guide you through stretches, exercises, and other activities designed to accelerate your healing process.
High-quality post-operative care in Miami, FL, can be found at Physical Therapy Now. Our therapists work with post-surgery patients of all ages to improve strength and mobility and reduce pain.
Your treatment plan might vary depending on the type of surgery you had and your mobility. Your physical therapist will use a combination of pro 7dven treatments to treat you after surgery. Common post-operative physical therapy treatments include:
Your physical therapist might use these treatments and others to put you on the path to post-surgery recovery.
Post-operative physical therapy, especially exercise therapy, is hugely beneficial for building strength, increasing mobility, and reducing pain. Increasing strength and mobility is a critical component in preventing further injury and helping you heal quickly. Physical therapy after surgery will also help prevent scar tissue from forming around the surgery location. Regular exercise and movement can help prevent other issues such as blood clots and infections. Exercise therapy can also improve your flexibility and keep your muscles from tightening and becoming stiff.
While physical therapy treatments after surgery have many different benefits, patient participation is the most crucial element to success. According to the National Library of Medicine, patients who participate in their own care are more likely to have a better recovery than those who do not. This is why it is essential that you do not skip physical therapy after surgery. Physical therapy is not just about recovering from surgery, but it is about learning how to keep your body healthy beyond that initial recovery period.
Physical therapy is an integral part of getting you back to your normal lifestyle after undergoing surgery. You can find the highest quality of post-operative care in Miami, FL, at Physical Therapy Now. Contact us today at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment and get started with your personalized treatment plan today.
Head injuries are scary things…it’s entirely possible to have sustained a concussion and not even know it. Did you know concussions don’t require a blow to the head? All it takes is a jolt to the body that forces your head to move so that the brain bumps the inside of the skull. Concussions can result from a fall, a bump to the head, a car accident, or a violent jolt to the body. So, how do you know you have a concussion?
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), concussions can present various symptoms, and they may vary from person to person and case to case. The important thing to remember is, there is no such thing as a mild or minor concussion – even though a medical professional might use those terms. Every concussion should be considered a serious injury that can have lasting effects on memory, reflexes, judgment, balance, speech, and coordination. Some symptoms of a concussion include:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to get evaluated for a concussion because many problems can begin to surface when multiple concussions have been sustained. While anyone who has experienced just one concussion can certainly show any of the symptoms we mentioned, those who have suffered multiple concussions are more likely to be hindered by those symptoms in more serious ways.
That’s why it’s so important to be evaluated for concussions, so you’re aware of your history and the risks associated with your injuries.
If you see a doctor, he or she will most likely put you through a neurological evaluation to determine the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend an MRI or CT scan. But, along with a doctor’s expertise and scans, there’s also a great device that can detect a concussion through videonystamography/ This process tests central motor functions and the inner ear through infrared technology to help accurately diagnose dizziness, motion sickness, and other central motor and inner ear functionality problems through eye movements.
This device is sometimes referred to as a VNG machine, and it is used by many physicians to diagnose concussions, vertigo, sensory disorders, and other neurological conditions reliably and accurately. The great news is, Physical Therapy Now has a VNG machine that can easily be transported from location to location–this means that we can evaluate you for a concussion right in our facility, without you having to make an extra doctor’s appointment or go to another location.
The most common treatment for concussions is rest. Avoiding strenuous activity and allowing your brain time to rest and heal are generally the most recommended courses of action. Physical Therapy Now does, however, offer treatment for symptoms of concussions, including hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. These therapies won’t “fix” the concussion, but they can help alleviate some of the issues you might be experiencing.
If you feel you have sustained a concussion, it’s important to get evaluated promptly, whether it’s by your doctor or right here at Physical Therapy Now. With our VNG machine, we’ll be able to determine whether you have a concussion accurately and then take the appropriate next steps in consultation with your physician.
Come see us at any of our many convenient locations in the Miami area, or give us a call at 800-481-4582 to set up an initial consultation.
Arthritis and the pain and stiffness that comes with it can seriously hinder your daily functioning. Arthritis is a general term to refer to discomfort or diseases that affect the joints. If you have chronic swelling, stiffness, and pain in your joints, there is a strong chance that you have arthritis. It can affect your ability to move, walk, or grip items such as a steering wheel, pen, or phone. It can make simple tasks nearly impossible.
Physical Therapy Now offers arthritis therapy in Kendall for those searching for relief from pain and stiffness. If you’re hoping to increase mobility, we can help with that too.
There are two common types of arthritis that can present with similar symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis causes your immune system to attack your joints. It attacks both sides of the body simultaneously so that you might experience pain in both wrists or both knees.
Osteoarthritis can be easier to treat. It is caused by issues such as injuries, aging, and consistent weight or pressure due to heaving lifting or obesity. You may notice pain and stiffness in commonly used joints such as your hips, elbows, and knees after a lot of activity.
Both types of arthritis can be detected with the following symptoms in the joints:
If you experience any of these issues, it is important to see a physician or physical therapist to determine a proper diagnosis.
Once your arthritis has been properly evaluated and diagnosed, you will be given treatment recommendations. Common arthritis treatments can include:
If you receive physical and occupational therapy for arthritis, you will be taught exercises and skills to use to simplify your daily life by reducing pain and improving your strength. If necessary, an occupational therapist can help adjust your home environment to be more accessible and accommodate any physical limitations. A physical therapist will teach you exercises to improve your strength, reduce your pain, and increase your range of motion. They may also use massage therapy, ice and heat therapy, and aquatic therapy. Physical and occupational therapy are also frequently recommended after surgery.
The short answer is no. There is not currently a known cure for arthritis. However, symptoms can be managed, and preventative treatments can keep some forms from progressively becoming worse. Physical therapy treatments that reduce pain and increase strength can slow the progression of the disease and prevent further damage.
When you receive arthritis therapy in Kendall at Physical Therapy Now, our staff members will meet with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the type of arthritis you have and the best ways to slow its progression. If you are interested in working with a physical therapist virtually, we offer teletherapy services that can accommodate special needs and social distancing concerns. Contact us today at 800-481-4582 to schedule your first appointment.
