True Pain Relief Without Drugs Can Be Found Through Physical Therapy

You know how limiting pain can be if you live with it. Chronic pain, defined as pain that lasts three months or longer, usually indicates the presence of an underlying illness that requires treatment.

While medicine can help to conceal discomfort in the short term, it will not provide long-term relief. Non-pharmaceutical pain treatment is preferred over pharmaceutical pain treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and they perform a superior job reducing pain in most circumstances.

If you are looking for a natural and effective method of treatment that will relieve your pain at its root, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA today!

What’s the difference between chronic and acute pain?

Acute pain can be easily diagnosed in some cases, especially if it is the result of an automobile accident, a sports or job injury, or a surgical procedure. When it comes to acute pain, the discomfort usually lessens as the injured body part recovers.

Chronic pain, on the other hand, is a little different. Chronic pain can be difficult to identify, and it can last for months or even years before a cause is identified and relief is found. Chronic pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Chronic pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia, may affect nerves and muscles.
  • Chronic overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • General muscle weakness, due to poor posture or an unbalanced body, can cause knots or spasms.
  • Areas of internal scar tissue buildup that can restrict neighboring muscles and connective tissues.
  • Extended lack of use, such as a lengthy recovery period after a procedure, can cause the affected area to feel stiff or “frozen.”
  • Degenerative joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis, produce chronic pain and inflammation.

The problem with drugs

Modern medicine tends to turn to drugs early and often, in an effort to alleviate pain problems. Unfortunately, this approach doesn’t always work in the long run. The drugs may mute the pain while they’re in your system, but the underlying problem that’s causing the pain remains untreated.

Both opioid prescription rates and deaths from opioid overdoses have quadrupled in the last two decades. Given these identical statistics, one can’t escape the obvious conclusion: Reliance on painkillers has gotten out of hand, and the consequences can be literally fatal.

In a study published by the American Physical Therapy Association, titled “Beyond Opioids: How Physical Therapy Can Transform Pain Management and Improve Health,” this issue is exhaustively analyzed. It identifies three important waves of the opioid epidemic:

“1. Increases in deaths involving prescription opioids starting in 1999
2. Increases in deaths involving heroin starting in 2010
3. Increases in deaths involving synthetic opioids since 2013”

Beyond extreme physical risk, over-reliance on prescription painkillers can have other detrimental effects on your health. Withdrawal symptoms can be harrowing. And while you’re still using them, opioids can lead to depression, which sets up a vicious cycle of self-medicating in order to feel better emotionally as well as physically.

As long as that untreated condition persists, so will your long-term pain – meaning an endless cycle of drugs, pain, and then more drugs. This may force you to use more and more medication as your pain continues to linger, which can become problematic as certain drugs can come with harmful side effects and addictive chemicals.

You can find relief through physical therapy

Physical therapy is without a doubt the most effective and secure form of pain management. When you come in for your first session, your physical therapist will perform a thorough examination to evaluate your ailment and create a treatment plan for you. Targeted stretches and exercises, as well as any of the following approaches, are included in treatment plans:

  • Ice and heat therapy reduces inflammation and swelling.
  • Manual therapy decreases inflammation of your internal tissues.
  • Ultrasound therapy enhances blood flow and relaxes tight muscle fibers through sound waves.
  • Electrical muscle stimulation (TENS units) stimulates your body’s natural painkillers (endorphins) through tiny amounts of electrical current.

Your treatment plan will address both localized pain and referred pain issues. Physical therapy treats pain where it originates, rather than simply masking the symptoms as painkillers do.

Call our physical therapy clinic today

There are far better options to help you alleviate your pain. If you’ve previously been turning to prescription medication for relief, or you’ve been considering saving up for the hefty price tag of surgery, stop right now.

Give us a call and allow us to show you the wonders of physical therapy! Avoid the risk of pain management drugs by contacting Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA. We’ll help you relieve your pain in a natural, safe way!

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6 Improvements Physical Therapy Can Make To Your Health

Do you realize that your muscles are aching or sore throughout the day? Do you need to heal from a recent accident or surgery? Do you have a chronic illness that causes you to be in continual pain? You might think there is no solution to your pain and discomfort, but you’re wrong!

Physical therapy can help you enhance your health in any situation. A physical therapist at Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA can help you as you recover from surgery, heal from an injury, or learn how to manage symptoms of a chronic condition.

To learn about ways physical therapy can help you to feel better, keep reading! Afterward, be sure to call our clinic to set up an appointment and let us get you back on track to being your best self.

Are you ready to start feeling your best?

Here are 6 ways physical therapy can help you make improvements to your overall health.

1. Balance can be improved with physical therapy.

Whether you’re standing, walking, or doing an exercise routine, a physical therapist can provide you with a variety of exercises to help you improve your balance.

Balance normally declines as bones become brittle with age, and there are various health issues that can influence your balance.

Improving your balance will help you prevent trips and falls, which can result in catastrophic injuries. It can also help you participate in and enjoy more demanding activities that you may not have been able to do previously.

2. Recovery time can be cut in half.

If you’ve previously had surgery or experienced an injury, a physical therapy program might be designed to help you get back on your feet. Your physical therapist will design a rehabilitation program that is tailored to your unique needs, with the goal of assisting you in recovering as rapidly as possible. Strength and range of motion exercises, as well as any specialty treatments recommended by your physical therapist, may be included.

3. Your flexibility will improve!

Increasing your muscle and joint flexibility is a goal of many physical therapy treatment programs. Your physical therapist can assist you with a number of stretching treatments as well as heat therapy to loosen up tight muscles and tendons. Massage or breathing techniques may be recommended by your physical therapist to help you relax and become more flexible.

4. Physical therapy gives you another reason to engage in physical activity.

Physical therapy might be effective even if you’re in good health and participate in a variety of activities! Your physical therapist can assist you in improving your performance by advising you on specific forms and techniques.

If you want to get back into the things you enjoy, your physical therapist can help you do so. You’ll collaborate on a treatment plan that will help you achieve your objectives, and he or she will help you improve your strength, endurance, and flexibility.

5. You may be able to avoid surgery.

You always run the danger of blood clots, infection, and a long recovery time when you have surgery. In many circumstances, physical therapy can resolve a problem without requiring surgery. A physical therapist can help you with sprains, strains, dislocations, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, and acute/chronic pain, to name a few ailments.

Physical therapy aids your body’s natural healing process, and while surgery may be necessary in some cases, it’s almost always preferable to avoid an intrusive operation if the condition can be managed with physical therapy.

6. Preventing injuries will be much easier.

Physical therapy aids in the recovery of injuries, but most people are unaware that it can also aid in the prevention of injuries as well!

Your physical therapist can give you a variety of exercises to undertake at home and before engaging in physical activity to help you avoid injury. If you’re recuperating from surgery, your physical therapist can teach you new techniques to walk and move that will help you stay active while lowering the risk of falls and injury.

Let a physical therapist do the heavy lifting! Call us today

Whether you are looking for relief, looking to prevent an injury, or simply looking to improve your physical function, physical therapy is here for you. Your physical therapist will work closely with you, in order to help you reach your health and fitness goals. If you’re ready to get started on the path toward improved health, contact our office today!

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Do You Think You Have Arthritis? Get To The Source of Your Pain With Physical Therapy!

Arthritis is a disorder of the joints that millions of people live with. It results in joint inflammation that can cause aches, pains, stiffness, and limited mobility. While there are over 100 types of arthritis, they are typically split into two categories: monoarthritis, meaning only one joint is affected, and oligoarthritis, meaning multiple joints are affected.

The two most commonly reported types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops from “wear and tear” of cartilage, while rheumatoid arthritis develops from an overactive immune system.

If you’re living with arthritis, then you know how limiting it can be. While arthritis is debilitating, it can undoubtedly be managed!

If you believe you may be living with arthritic symptoms, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA as soon as possible. We’ll help you manage your arthritic aches and pains and have you feeling better in no time.

I’m not sure if I have arthritis. What should I do?

First and foremost, if you think you might have arthritis, you should see your primary healthcare physician. They will perform a comprehensive examination, looking for disease-related symptoms such as inflammation and/or deformity.

They’ll go over your symptoms and order any blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid testing, or x-rays they think you need. If these tests reveal that you have arthritis, your doctor will devise a treatment plan for you based on the location and severity of your problem. This treatment strategy may include rest, exercise, and medications as needed.

You may likely be referred to a physical therapist to help guide you through your exercise routines. This is done to measure progress and ensure that you are completing your physical activity safely and correctly.

Physical therapy is a proven aid in arthritic pain relief without harmful pain-management drugs. According to the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins,

“Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis. Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss, and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.”

Early diagnosis can help avoid joint damage and disability, so you must contact a doctor as soon as you think you may be developing arthritic symptoms.

What should I expect with physical therapy?

Physical therapy is nothing to be scared of. It’s a safe and effective treatment method for a variety of chronic pain conditions, and you can rest assured you’re in good hands at our clinic.

While there is no known treatment for arthritis, physical therapy is a tried and true way of reducing pain and inflammation. Based on the type of arthritic illness and their needs, each patient is given a tailored treatment plan. Treatment regimens aid in the improvement of strength, mobility, and range of motion while also reducing pain.

Your physical therapist will provide you with targeted stretches and exercises for arthritic relief, in addition to any other methods he or she may deem fit. This may include manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, ice and heat therapies, deep tissue massage, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation.

Any additional modality will be added under the discretion of your physical therapist if needed for other pain relief or mobility improvement. Remember, if at any time you want to talk with your therapist about a change in your treatment plan, you’re more than welcome to come to us!

Call our clinic today and say goodbye to arthritis pain

Are you ready to relieve your arthritic aches and pains? Does getting back into the swing of things without nagging chronic discomfort sound like a dream come true to you? If so, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA today.

We’ll help you manage your pain so you can get back to living your life!

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Physical Therapy Can Help You Solve Your Chronic Pain Problems

When you wake up in the morning, do you feel achy? While aches and pains are common from time to time, waking up every morning with them can indicate a more serious problem.

If you have painful sensations in the morning for no apparent reason, don’t hesitate to contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA as soon as possible for assistance. We’ll get to the root of your problem to help you find relief, so you can wake up in the mornings feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day ahead.

Common causes of chronic pain in the morning

Has your doctor diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues? If so, physical therapy may be the next step. Physical therapy is a very common and effective treatment plan for pain relief.

Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physical therapist:

  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Gout.
  • Bursitis.
  • Tendinitis.
  • Lupus.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Injury.

Aches, pains, and stiffness can be caused by any of these disorders. In addition to pain alleviation, physical therapy treatment regimens for these diseases will focus on helping you attain a broader range of motion in your affected joints or limbs. These help you regain your typical movement by improving overall function.

Why is the pain worse in the morning?

Overuse of your joint tissues throughout the day might aggravate them without you even noticing it. When you fall asleep, you are nearly immobile for several hours, which can cause tissue inflammation to thicken and irritate the affected area further. As a result, you feel stiff and achy when you wake up in the morning.

Most of the time, after you get up and walk around, this feeling will subside pretty quickly. This is due to the fact that movement causes the inflammation to become liquid-like, reducing pain. Hydration is an easy way to avoid aching morning wake-up calls.

Staying hydrated allows your body’s tissues to function at their normal pace, whereas dehydration slows down your chemical processes. This will keep your tissues from becoming overly inflamed, easing irritation.

Great ways to ease your discomfort and pain

Your physical therapy treatment plan will be determined by your symptoms and/or diagnosis. In addition to your customized treatment plan, many physical therapists will recommend at-home remedies. On your path to wellness, your physical therapist will most likely give you the following advice:

  • Maintain a healthy diet. Consumption of brightly colored fruits and vegetables can help alleviate pain. These healthy foods have more antioxidants and vitamins, which fight off the inflammation that leads to pain and irritation. A better diet also helps you to get better sleep and helps your body receive more benefits from exercise – thus, adding to the endless cycle of benefits.
  • Practice proper posture. Avoiding unwanted aches and pains can be as simple as maintaining proper posture. Try to get up every half hour for some light stretches if your job needs you to sit at a desk for extended periods of time or if you stay sedentary for hours every day. Move around and keep your circulation running to relieve joint pain. Make sure your spine is straight and your shoulders are back at your desk to avoid slouching or hunching.
  • Get enough sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep creates an endless cycle of benefits, especially when it comes to physical therapy. Sufficient amounts of sleep will increase your ability to exercise effectively, which in turn will help you sleep better at night. Your sleep and exercise habits go hand-in-hand, and the results of one will always affect the other.

The benefits of physical therapy

It is in your best interest to see a physical therapist if you are experiencing chronic aches and pains. Your physical therapist will perform a physical examination to establish the source of your discomfort and develop a treatment plan based on that information. Your physical therapist will work with you to relieve your pain and enhance your function and will be there to support you every step of the way.

Get on the fast track to pain relief today

Physical therapists are movement specialists who can help you recover from your pain condition. Our treatment strategies include focused stretches and exercises to relieve your symptoms and prevent them from coming back in the future.

If you’re suffering from aches and pains, call our office right now to see how we can help! We’ll help you reclaim your freedom to live life on your own terms.

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Are You Stretching Frequently? If Not, Here are 5 Reasons Why You Should!

Improve Your Health and Wellness by Stretching!

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

That good feeling just scratches the surface with the many healthy benefits you can get from regular stretching.

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

Why stretching is a big part of PT

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

Physical therapy can combine targeted stretches with strength building exercises, massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, heat or cold therapy, and many other techniques to help you feel better and stay healthy.

We can also make sure you are doing the right stretches for your needs and show you how to perform them safely.

Below 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. Increased blood flow

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.

So, what else should I know about stretching?

It is also quite common for a physical therapist to prescribe various stretching exercises for individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions. Stretching is of particular importance when you become less mobile due to issues such as osteoarthritis. The less you move your joints, the more likely your muscles and connective tissues will be to lose some of their length.

This change clearly limits your joint motion even further and leaves you in even more pain. Stretching naturally supports PT recommendations such as walking, heat therapy, or massage therapy, in order to increase blood flow to painful joints and widen your pain-free range of motion.

Chronic pain syndromes often involve muscle tightness. Syndromes such as fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome can cause muscle knots that limit muscle movement, resulting in pain to other parts of the body. Regular stretching can help you untie those painful knots.

Get started today!

Are you ready to stretch your way to a happier, healthier lifestyle?

Please contact our PT center today to learn more and schedule an appointment. We don’t stretch the truth when we say we can help!

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Put Down The Painkillers: A PT Can Provide You Better Pain Relief!

On average, 130 people die of an opioid overdose every day in the United States. It’s a stunning statistic that sadly impacts nearly every community in our country since opioid abuse and addiction affect people from all walks of life. Many people who become addicted to painkillers were first prescribed them by a medical doctor to manage an acute or chronic pain condition. The problem is, that opioid medications only hide symptoms of pain—they don’t address the underlying causes, which makes opioids less cost-effective over time. They are also highly addictive and are associated with an increased risk of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and depression.

Chronic pain is the biggest reason for people turning to opioid use for relief. It’s not the only option you have, however! We can connect you with a compassionate and highly skilled physical therapist who can help you alleviate your arthritis pain along with the other physical and mental symptoms associated with it.

3 Ways Physical Therapy Can Alleviate Your Pain without painkillers.

Unfortunately, in addition to an opioid epidemic in this country, researchers believe there is also a chronic pain epidemic, too.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 5 American adults report chronic pain caused by arthritis and other conditions. If you’re one of them, we encourage you to contact our physical therapy office today to schedule an appointment.

Medications, even opioids, may be appropriate in certain cases. But experts believe people with many types of chronic pain, including arthritis, should try physical therapy first. Here are three ways a physical therapist can help you to feel better, and stop using pain medications as a crutch!

1. Physical therapy will help you to exercise more often.

The better off you feel, the more often you’ll be able to exercise and participate in regular physical activity that can keep you healthier! Working out daily through strength training and aerobic exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve arthritis joint pain. However, if you are always in pain, you may not feel like you’re able to safely workout. This may lead to worsening joint function and even weight gain, which makes arthritis even worse. What to do? This is where physical therapy comes in.

Working with a physical therapist can help you manage your pain so you can get back to doing the activities you know are good for your body. A physical therapist can also assist you in learning how to move more safely, such as by teaching you efficient methods to move or pacing yourself so you don’t wind up being dangerous or doing so much that you end up laying in bed for days after your workout.

By fitting you for adaptive equipment such as canes, crutches, orthotics, and braces, our physical therapists can help you problem-solve and compensate for mobility constraints. These devices can be valuable tools that make you safer and more independent as you set out on your pain-relief journey.

2. Physical therapy addresses pain at its source.

Yes, physical therapy is great for alleviating pain symptoms, but therapists can also find the source of your pain as well!

Physical therapy uses a combination of “passive” and “active” techniques to help people reduce their pain and improve their overall health and well-being. Unlike medication, physical therapy services can make you feel better while also correcting the underlying issues contributing to your condition.

Weak muscles or aberrant movement patterns, for example, might induce or exacerbate arthritis joint pain by increasing pressure in the affected joint. Physical therapy treatments such as therapeutic exercises and joint mobilizations can assist to alleviate these symptoms while reducing pain, and inflammation, and improving joint range of motion.

Joint mobilization techniques, including spinal manipulation, can also modulate your nervous system and trigger the release of powerful pain-relieving chemicals in your body for significant relief and whole-body healing.

Other techniques your physical therapist may offer you for your arthritic joint pain include:

  • Exercises to improve balance, coordination, and strength
  • Breathing exercises
  • Soft tissue mobilization and massage
  • Modalities like electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and diathermy
  • Kinesiotaping
  • Training to improve posture and ergonomic setup at work or home

3. You’ll better understand your pain.

A person’s beliefs and fears about pain strongly influence how bad their pain feels and how long it lasts. Many things like stress, temperature, movement, and even acute illnesses like the flu or common cold can also make your chronic joint pain feel worse.

Research-backed techniques such as therapeutic neuroscience education (TNE) allow a physical therapist to help you explore your beliefs about pain and understand why pain happens. Simply increasing awareness is proven to help people feel less fearful of pain and be in better control of their symptoms. This is strikingly different than simply taking a pill and hoping it’ll make your pain go away.

According to the CDC, prescription opioids are not considered the best choice for many types of non-cancer-related chronic pain, including arthritis. Nonopioid approaches like physical therapy are the preferred first line of treatment.

A great physical therapist can help you live with less pain without relying on pricey and potentially harmful medications, and in many cases can help you avoid surgery.

Don’t let chronic pain control your life any longer

Living with chronic pain is a challenging situation that so many of our patients — and even some of our loved ones — have to face. Trust that we are here to help you, and we genuinely care about your wellbeing. If you’d like to finally see if drug-free pain relief is possible for you, contact our physical therapy clinic today to schedule an appointment.

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Stress Headaches Putting a Damper on Your Day? Try Physical Therapy For Relief

Headaches of any kind can put a major damper on your day, sucking the fun out of planned activities and making it difficult to concentrate on work or anything else that requires your attention. While many people turn to over the counter medications as a means of addressing the lingering pain associated with headaches, these medications do very little to help the headache actually go away. If anything, they’re just a band-aid!

Headaches are pretty common. Most of us will have a handful of them a year on average. Unfortunately, some people experience them almost daily. The worst news that a large percentage of the population faces headaches at such a frequent rate that going a full day without a headache may start to feel like an unattainable dream. They also believe that their headache pain is something they must battle on their own.

Solving the mystery of how to overcome regular headaches comes down to understanding why the headaches are forming. In many situations, physical therapy can be used to reduce the frequency and severity of chronic headaches. However, you must be able to identify what is causing your headaches before physical therapy will be able to help. To learn more about physical therapy for tension headache pain, contact our clinic today.

What kind of headache are you suffering from?

There are several predominant types of headaches, and step one of treating your headache is identifying what type of headache you are experiencing. Common types of headaches include:

  • Stress-related headaches
  • Migraine headaches
  • Cluster headaches
  • Tension headaches
  • Nutrient-deficient / dehydration headaches

How physical therapy can help your headaches

Physical therapy for headaches will often incorporate a combination of massage therapy, guided stretching and muscle training, and additional therapeutic techniques, like hot and cold therapy and chiropractic adjustment.Working with a physical therapist can help you to address chronic pain associated with tension, stress-related, and migraine headaches.

Headaches can be identified based on how frequently they develop, the severity of the pain, and where in the head the pain is experienced. Physical therapy is often recommended for headaches that develop with regular frequency—at least once or twice per week.

Physical therapy is a much safer, healthier alternative to most of the treatment methods out there. If you have a choice between a natural and effective long-term solution to your pain, and a temporary fix that may cause harm to your health in the future, which one would you choose?

Why you should kick headache medication

While many people turn to medication for headache relief, medications merely dull the pain of the headache. It doesn’t address the source of the problem. It doesn’t make it go away. Most likely, you’ll be taking pain medication for the rest of your life without receiving long lasting relief.

So, what does physical therapy do for those suffering from chronic headaches? Physical therapy reduces the likelihood of headaches returning in the future by correcting the issue that caused the problem in the first place.

Therapists address the problem head-on (no pun intended!) by using targeted massage and stretching can alleviate tension in the neck, back, and shoulders.These methods can reduce the severity of tension headaches. Stress related headaches are often associated with tension, as well, while migraine headaches could be the result of an imbalance of hormones or nutrient deficiency. Your therapist will be able to determine if you’re dealing with either of these.

You can start working to reduce the pain of headaches at home by following a few simple strategies. Engaging in healthy activities like daily yoga practice can help you to alleviate tension, which can also help to reduce the severity and frequency of your headaches. Drinking plenty of water can help to reduce your risk of dehydration, which, like other nutritional deficiencies, can frequently lead to headaches.

Are you ready to get back to living a normal life?

With the help of a therapist, you can learn how to prevent or even eliminate tension and migraine headaches altogether. There’s no reason you need to continue scheduling your life around your headaches — you deserve much more than that!

Don’t deal with headaches any more often than you have to. Contact our clinic today to learn more about our therapy services, and how they may benefit you.

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It’s Time To End Your Battle With Chronic Joint Pain

If your joints have been bothering you for a few months, know that you’re not alone. Joint pain plagues an increasing number of aging, often arthritic Americans. As a matter of fact, a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2002, about 10.5 million people in the United States said they battled severe joint pain, but by 2014 that number had jumped to 14.6 million. That’s a pretty big leap, and it certainly leaves a lot of room for concern. The question now is, what exactly can be done to combat the painful effects of this ever-growing condition? The answer just might be physical therapy. If you have chronic joint pain, don’t ignore it or assume it will go away on its own. Give our office a call and set up an appointment with one of our certified physical therapists.

What is chronic joint pain?

Chronic joint pain refers to “discomfort, aches, and soreness in any of the body’s joints.” Joint pain is common, but thankfully doesn’t usually require a hospital visit. The joints form where the ends of two bones meet, such as the elbow, knee and hip. Its components stabilize the joint and allow it to move freely. The joint components have a capsule, which is a sac that holds the joint. It’s filled with synovial fluid for lubrication.

There is also cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the specific joint. Chronic joint pain lasts for months and can even last a lifetime. Pain may range from moderate to severe and can be extremely debilitating. If you’re dealing with chronic joint pain of any sort, don’t bank on it to heal itself without medical attention!

Causes of chronic joint pain

One of the most common causes of chronic joint pain is arthritis. This includes rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis progresses slowly and typically affects the knees, hips, hands and wrists. It can cause inflammation, pain and fluid buildup.

Other common causes of chronic joint pain are:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Overuse of a joint
  • Tendinitis
  • Bursitis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Rickets
  • An injury
  • Gout

The symptoms of chronic joint pain generally include stiffness, inflammation and tenderness around the joint area, decreased range of motion and decreased mobility. If your joint pain persists for more than three days, it’s time to see a physical therapist for a thorough examination in order to determine the root cause of your pain.

How can physical therapy help chronic joint pain?

Physical therapy is a safe, holistic, and effective way to combat chronic joint pain conditions. A physical therapist will custom tailor a therapeutic exercise program to strengthen your body, increase your mobility and reduce pain. According to Verywell Health “Physical therapy for joint pain focuses on maintaining joint function and range of motion, strengthening muscles surrounding the joint, and minimizing joint stiffness and pain. Depending on your condition, your physical therapist may recommend a walking aid, brace, or splint to improve your functioning.”

A physical therapist will focus on the surrounding area of the joint pain. Strengthening and weight-bearing activity increase joint lubrication. For example, if you suffer from knee pain, the treatment plan will address impairments at the hip, ankle and lower back. All of these areas contribute to knee control and proper knee mechanics.

Your physical therapist may choose to utilize manual therapy to increase your mobility and to decrease your pain. This will likely include soft tissue mobilization and joint stabilization. Soft tissue mobilization is a hands-on technique that is used on muscles, fascia and ligaments. It breaks up any existing adhesions.

The goal is to reduce swelling, decrease pain, restore functionality and improve range of motion. If at any time your physical therapist recommends a stretch or exercise that is uncomfortable for you to perform, let them know! Honesty is key to a successful treatment outcome; they will be able to adjust the exercise so that you can complete it comfortably.

Are you seeking pain relief for chronic joint pain?

If you’re seeking relief from stiffness and chronic joint pain, call us today to make an appointment. Our physical therapists can help you! We use research-proven treatments for quick relief and help our patients get back to their normal lifestyle. Contact our clinic or visit us in Dublin, GA for a one-on-one consultation and evaluation, and get back to leading the life you love, free of pain and joint discomfort.

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Got An Upcoming Surgery? Physical Therapy Can Help You Before & After!

Did you know that having rehabilitation before surgery is just as critical as having it after surgery? It’s true! One of the most important times that you could seek physical therapy is when you are facing surgical correction of a joint or muscle. Physical therapy has proven time and time again to benefit a person as they prepare their body for surgical correction! Physical therapy before an operation also can enhance the recovery process, making it possible to return to full strength as quickly as possible following your surgical procedure.

Meeting with a physical therapist for the first time shouldn’t wait until after your surgical date! Pre-operative physical therapy is demonstrated to be just as valuable as postoperative physical therapy. If you are facing a surgical procedure, it may be a good idea to consult with your surgeon about your options for physical therapy. They can work with your physical therapist to come up with a swift plan of action to ensure the best results during recovery.

What are the benefits of having physical therapy before surgery?

Pre-surgical rehabilitation with physical therapy is designed to help the body recover as much strength as possible in the area surrounding the surgical site, so as to enhance the body’s ability to recover following your surgical procedure.

Bone&Joint’s website states that “prehabilitation allows [a] physical therapist to explain how your joints, ligaments and muscles work together to create movement. Pre-habilitation also allows your therapist to measure your current range of motion and discuss your goals for recovery after surgery. After surgery and rehabilitation, some people achieve a greater range of the movement or compete at higher levels than they did before their injury or condition.”

During pre-operative physical therapy, your physical therapist at our clinic will work with you to improve strength and functionality in the areas immediately surrounding the targeted injury site. They will also go over your post-operative treatment care plan with you and explain when you can expect to begin those exercises and stretches.

Many patients begin physical therapy as soon as they are able to stand, some as soon as the next day. Rest assured that your physical therapist’s goal is never to cause you pain or make you uncomfortable, so if you’re concerned about any part of your treatment, let him or her know.

Pre-surgical rehab with physical therapy often incorporates:

  • Hot and cold therapy
  • Massage
  • Stretching and mobility training
  • Muscle training

What are the benefits of having physical therapy after surgery?

Hearing that physical therapy may be necessary after surgery is usually not a surprise to many. The sooner you may begin physical therapy following surgical correction, the greater the impact physical therapy can have on your recovery!

It is typically recommended that you discuss your physical therapy options with your surgeon and physical therapist prior to surgery so that you can set up your first post-operative care session as soon as possible following your surgical date.

Physical therapy typically begins once the wound of the surgical site has healed and your body is ready to begin healing the actual torn tissue or damaged joint. If the corrected tissues, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, are left to recover without the use of physical therapy, they will become very stiff and scar tissue is likely to form. This will interfere with your range of motion and can also cause atrophy to occur, further limiting the amount of comfort and strength around the area that was operated on.

Post-surgical rehabilitation with physical therapy can help to alleviate pain, give you your strength back, and make your recovery “downtime” period much shorter. Your physical therapy program will be customized to your personal needs. At your first consultation with your physical therapist, you will discuss the severity of the injury if there was one as well as the details of your surgical procedure. From there, your physical therapist will assess your range of motion and level of strength, and work with your physician or surgeon to make sure they’re creating the best possible treatment care plan for you.

Most commonly, therapeutic techniques employed will include a combination of massage therapy, hot and cold therapy, range of motion / mobility training, and guided stretching and muscle training. Your physical therapist will also provide you with guidance for exercises that you should do at home, which will further help to improve your recovery process!

Are you ready to get on the path to recovery?

The recovery process is incredibly important both before and after undergoing any kind of surgical repair. As soon as you find out about your surgical plans, contact our physical therapy clinic. One of our skilled therapists will work with you and any other medical professionals tied to your surgery, to make sure you’re receiving the most thorough form of care possible. We can’t wait to watch your recovery! Contact us today!

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Do Aches and Pains Make You Dread Mornings? Physical Therapy Has Got You Covered!

Waking up sore and achy can really zap the energy and positivity out of your day. The worst part is that if you don’t address that achiness and soreness first thing, then those feelings are likely to very quickly translate themselves into fatigue, meaning that you are likely to face the entire day feeling sluggish and ready for bed.

At the end of a long day, feeling a little sore is somewhat normal. After all, you’ve been pushing your body for somewhere between 12 – 16 hours, taking care of your family, your pets, your office concerns, and your home—who wouldn’t feel a bit sore, right? But in the morning, that soreness is a whole different experience and can sometimes make you lose your will to even get up out of bed to start your day!

The best thing to do when you wake up feeling sore and achy is to take matters into your own hands right from the start. We’ve put together a list of four ways you can begin to prevent and fight back against nagging aches at the beginning of your day!

4 ways to conquer morning aches and pains once and for all!

1. Consider starting physical therapy. Physical therapists are trained movement specialists. If you are experiencing aches and pains from the moment you wake up in the morning, then it may be time to have those aches and pains assessed by a physical therapist who knows what to look for when it comes to limitations with your movement. Physical therapy can provide you with the tools and strategies you need to feel more comfortable morning to night.

You’d be surprised at what a little bit of exercise and education can do for your overall health. Be sure to talk to your therapist about the areas you’re experiencing pain in so that they can properly assess your condition and create the best possible course of action for treatment!

2. Stay hydrated. You’d be amazed at what a bit of proper hydration can do for your body and overall health. We don’t think about it, but when you are dehydrated, your body is working from behind! Not only does being dehydrated affect your mood and ability to focus, but it can also make it uncomfortable for certain joints and muscles to move like they normally would.

Water helps to lubricate the joints and energize your muscles. Waking up dehydrated and going directly for that cup of coffee is only going to leave you feeling achier and more dehydrated. Try adding a large glass of ice water to your morning routine, prior to that cup of caffeine, and see how much better you feel come lunchtime.

3. Try a warm bath or shower before bed. Most of us enjoy soothing baths for the sake of pampering ourselves, but baths can also be therapeutic for aches and pains. Soaking in a warm tub can really help to alleviate stress and tension in your muscles and joints. Hot and cold therapy is a commonly recommended form of physical therapy and can be helpful with improving sleep patterns and reducing stress. If you don’t have time in the morning for a warm bath, consider adding this to your evening routine. Cutting out a bit of TV time and adding a bit of relaxation with warm water can help you to sleep more soundly and may reduce some of those common aches and pains. The more often you do this for yourself, the less it’ll feel like a way to relieve pain, and the more it’ll just become a regular part of your relaxation routine.

4. Try stretching in the morning. Yoga is a great form of exercise, but especially in the morning! A morning yoga routine can go a long way in helping you to stretch out those aches and pains. Stretching your muscles and easing those sore joints before heading to work can give you a bit more energy and help you to feel a bit more comfortable at your desk all day. There are plenty of ways to get started with a morning stretching routine. Yoga routines are easily found online, and you can ask your physical therapist for guidance as to the best stretches for your exact source of pain.

Are you ready to be a morning person again?

Waking up with aches and pains is no fun for anyone. If you are experiencing discomfort regularly in the morning, it may be worth your while to assess your sleeping posture and arrangements. An old mattress, an uncomfortable pillow, or a stressful sleeping arrangement can cause pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.

Making slight modifications to your evening and nighttime routine may help you feel better in the morning. For more guidance on dealing with morning aches and pains, contact our office in Dublin, GA!

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