Is Pain preventing you from performing daily tasks and enjoying your favorite recreational activities? It doesn't have to! Our bodies are faced with a great deal of stress throughout our lives, and this stress can translate into physical pain in the back, neck, joints (jaw), elbow, shoulder, foot, hand, leg, knee and so forth.
Neck Pain
The neck is sensitive to a great deal of stress. Your neck, or cervical, muscles can become tight or tense due to daily activities such as sitting at a computer desk, slouching while reading or studying, or improper lifting techniques. Neck pain can even radiate into the arms, shoulders, and back. Non-muscular factors such as vertebrae or disc problems and illnesses like meningitis or the flu can create pain in the cervical area as well. If you notice pain, tightness, tingling, or numbness in your neck, contact your doctor to determine the cause and find a method of treatment that best suits your needs.
Back Pain
Your middle and lower back are other areas that undergo a lot of stress throughout the day. Repetition of incorrect lifting and poor posture can lead to increased pain and discomfort in these areas. This pain can originate from the muscles of the thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (low back) regions or from the nerves surrounding the area. More serious causes of pain, such as herniated discs, should be analyzed by a doctor to determine what steps should be taken to reduce your pain. Back pain can also lead to radiating pain or numbness in the legs or hips. It is a good idea to receive a thorough evaluation from a doctor or physical therapist to find out the cause of your pain so that you can start your road to recovery.
Joint Pain
It is amazing how many joints the human body contains. There are joints in the knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, feet, fingers, toes, hips, and many more! Pain in these areas can be caused by inflammation, tears or overstretching of the ligaments or tendons, surrounding muscle tension, sprains, or arthritis. To prevent further injury to your joints, it is important to get the problem treated as soon as possible.
TMJ Disorder
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint, which is one of the most complex joints in the body. Like any other joint in the body, there are ligaments connecting surrounding muscles. These muscles and ligaments can be damaged, overstretched, or torn which can create pain at the site or cause referred pain in the form of a headache. TMJ disorder can result in headaches, ear aches, pain when chewing, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, or pain in the jaw or surrounding areas of the face and neck. Physical therapists use a variety or treatment options quite successfully, including intramuscular stimulation (very effective), exercises, stretches, and oral appliances. Talk to your doctor/dentist and make an appointment today.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Sensitive sites on the muscles are referred to as trigger points. Chronic pain and sensitivity caused by these trigger points can develop in any muscle in the body including the muscles of the neck and face. These trigger points can create referred pain to surrounding muscles which can make it difficult to pinpoint exactly where the pain is originating. Methods of treatment available include exercises and stretches, massage or manual therapy, or even injections. To find out the best treatment option for your needs, talk to your doctor. Headaches and jaw or facial pain do not have to be a normal occurance for you. We are experienced in treating these problems, and with your carefully planned treatment and exercise program, we guarantee results within 6 to 8 weeks.
We want you to get back to normal everyday activity as quickly as possible. In order to do this, we focus on restoring function and controlling your pain. Through the use of intramuscular stimulation (dry needing), manual therapy (massage, manipulation) combined with a customized exercise program, we will improve your ability to function normally while regaining proper body mechanics, posture, and body awareness. It is important for you to learn how to prevent your pain from returning, so we will teach you correct body mechanic techniques and give you tips on how to manage your pain.
Pain management is complicated by the fact that prolonged pain can cause you to compensate or "guard" the painful area which causes other areas to begin to hurt. Soon you hurt in many places and begin to feel hopeless that the pain will ever go away. Our physical therapists take the time to perform a thorough examination to ensure we are solving the pain problems not just treating the symptoms. Call us today and Let's get you moving again!