Exercise Program to Correct Posture for Musculoskelatal Pain

Exercises Intended To Correct Posture Can Effectively Address Painful Conditions

In our last blog, we explained what posture is and reviewed some of negative consequences of practicing poor posture, with a particular focus on forward head posture and rounded shoulders. We also pointed out that many modern habits—like sitting at a desk and using a computer or smartphone—are big contributors to poor posture because these activities encourage improper alignment of the spine and other body parts.

Technology Often Doesn’t Promote Good Posture

If you use a computer for work or tend to spend lots of time on your phone, it might be easy to see why this is the case. Working on a computer requires being in a seated position for extended periods every day, and it’s difficult to maintain proper posture for all—or even most—of this time. Instead, many individuals tend to change their posture frequently throughout the day by slouching, leaning too far back, or crossing their legs to stay comfortable.

Repeated Positions Lead to Bad Habits

The longer the body is out of postural alignment, the easier it becomes to continue these habits, and the greater the risk grows for pain and deformity. Over time, poor postural habits can negatively affect the bones, muscles, and joints supporting the spine and lead to imbalances that limit movement and make normal exercise difficult. Poor posture will also prevent these supporting structures from functioning properly and can go on to cause appearance issues, musculoskeletal pain, and physical restrictions.

Investigating posture-correcting exercises for pain

This highlights the importance of practicing good posture to maintain the proper arrangement, balance, and function of the body’s structures, and shows why taking steps to correct posture are key to optimal overall health. With this in mind, a study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program designed to correct posture on patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Patients with various types of musculoskeletal pain were screened for inclusion, and 88 of those screened were included in the study. Each of these patients completed an exercise program, which consisted of three 20-minute sessions per week for eight weeks. The first week of the program included stretching exercises intended to improve flexibility of the calves, spine, shoulders, and other regions of the body. The remaining seven weeks included a variety of additional exercises and activities designed to correct posture, such as a lower muscle strengthening exercise, an abdominal muscle strengthening exercise, and head and neck stretching exercise. These patients were assessed before and immediately after the exercise program for pain levels in the neck, shoulders, middle back, lower back, and pelvis by using a 10-point scale.

Physical Therapist Guided Exercise Again is Helpful

Results indicated that the average pain scores were lower after the exercise program in all regions of the body assessed. Of these, the values for shoulder pain, middle back pain, and lower back pain were statistically significant, meaning that these improvements were important enough to support the effectiveness of this intervention. Based on these findings, it appears an exercise program that focuses on correcting posture can alleviate pain in patients with various types of musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapists are movement experts and professionals at identifying postural faults and addressing them with appropriate, individualized exercise programs.

We Can Help You Correct Posture Problems

Therefore, if you’re currently suffering from pain of any sort that may be related to your posture, we strongly encourage you to come in and see us for an evaluation. Contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to schedule an appointment today.

Stabilization Exercises and Manual Therapy for Posture

Hands-On Therapy Plus Targeted Exercises Improves Posture And Reduces Pain

Posture is the position and orientation that each part of your body is in, both when you’re moving and while at rest. Good posture means your muscles and bones are in a state of balance that protects these structures from injury and deformity, and it is primarily characterized by a straight spine that maintains the natural curves of the body. Poor posture, on the other hand, is the improper alignment of various body parts, which can result in increased strain and less efficient balance of the body over its base of support. Any sustained position that places the body in a state of misalignment can contribute to poor posture, such as slouching with the shoulders hunched forward, keeping your head held too high, or looking down too frequently.

Head Forward Posture Needs to be Addressed

One of the most common postural faults is called forward head posture, which can be found in about 66–90% of the population. Forward head posture is a state in which the head is slanted in front of the shoulders by an inch or more instead of directly over the shoulders, where it should be positioned. Other names for forward head posture include “text neck” and “nerd neck” because common culprits include spending too much time bending toward a computer screen and craning the neck downward to look at a smartphone.

Don’t Work Your Postural Muscles so Hard

Forward head posture forces the muscles of the neck to work harder to hold up the head, and the further forward it’s positioned, the harder these muscles have to work. Over time, overworking these muscles can lead to muscle imbalances as the body tries to adapt while figuring out other ways to hold the head up straight. Excessive forward head posture may also lead to reduced flexibility of the neck—particularly when rotating and flexing the neck—and can have a negative impact on balance.

Rounded Shoulders – Another Easy Fix

Another related postural issue is rounded shoulders—or “mom posture”—which is when the resting position of the shoulders is too far forward from the body’s ideal alignment. As with forward head posture, rounded shoulders often result from extended periods of slouching with the shoulders positioned too far forward and downwards. When combined with forward head posture, it can lead to further strain and cause shoulder pain and dysfunction.

Strengthening exercises and hands-on therapy could be a solution for posture issues

These types of postural faults can effectively be addressed through exercises that increase muscle strength and stability, as well as manual (or hands-on) therapy techniques that improve range of motion and alleviate pain; however, research on the combination of these interventions for improving posture is limited. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical therapist-led treatment program that combined stabilization exercises with manual therapy for patients with forward head and rounded shoulder postures.

Research Supports Specific Exercises…Again

After being screened for inclusion, 60 patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: Group 1 performed stabilization exercises and received manual therapy, Group 2 performed stabilization exercises only, and Group 3 performed home exercises only. Each of these programs lasted for six weeks. A physical therapist guided patients through the stabilization exercises, which were performed three times per week for the six weeks and were designed to increase the strength and flexibility of the neck muscles. Manual therapy was performed by a manual therapist and focused on increasing the range of motion of the neck muscles through a series of manipulations. Group 3 served as the control group and performed a basic home exercise program three times per week that was intended to improve posture during daily activities. All patients were assessed before these interventions, immediately afterwards, and then one month later with several outcome measures related to pain and function.

Manual Therapy by a Physical Therapist is Even Better

Results showed that pain and function significantly improved in Groups 1 and 2 after completing the treatment program, and these improvements were maintained at the one-month follow-up. When compared to one another, it was found that patients in Group 1 experienced greater benefits in pain and function than Group 2. This suggests that the addition of manual therapy added to the positive effects from the stabilization exercises, which was likely the result of improved range of motion and reduced swelling and inflammation that resulted from manual therapy.

Exercise & Hands-on Care by a Physical Therapist Help

Additional research is needed to confirm these findings, but it appears that a physical therapist-led program that combines manual therapy and neck stabilization exercises is beneficial for patients with forward head and rounded shoulders posture.

Call Us Now for Help with Your Posture

So if you’re dealing with any neck or shoulder pain and feel that your posture is not quite ideal, Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy can help. Contact us at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to schedule an appointment today.

Surgery vs. Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain

Surgery And Physical Therapy Lead To Very Similar Outcomes
For Older Patients With A Rotator Cuff Tear

The shoulder is one of the most common sites for pain in the body, ranking only behind the back and knee in overall prevalence. Shoulder pain becomes even more common later in life, with many older adults complaining of restricted shoulder mobility that interferes with their ability to complete overhead tasks as they age.

Tears of the rotator cuff—a group of four muscles and tendons that wrap around the shoulder—are particularly common in this population, with about 30% of adults over the age of 60 experiencing this injury. Rotator cuff tears are associated with significant disability, and many patients therefore turn to surgery to alleviate pain and help them regain physical function. However, it’s unclear whether surgery leads to better outcomes than a nonsurgical approach such as physical therapy.

Physical therapy versus two surgical procedures

With this in mind, researchers performed a study to compare patients with a rotator cuff tear who had physical therapy to those who underwent one of two types of surgery. All 150 patients included were older than 55 years and had a confirmed, full-thickness tear of a rotator cuff tendon called the supraspinatus. Patients were then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) physical therapy, 2) acromioplasty and physical therapy, or 3) rotator cuff repair, acromioplasty, and physical therapy.

Patients in the physical therapy treatment group were guided by a physical therapist through a standardized exercise training program that was to be completed at home. The first six weeks of the program aimed to increase the range of motion of the shoulder and then progressed to focus on muscle stability and function until the 12-week mark. Patients then increased the intensity of their strength training further for up to six months and participated in 10 in-person sessions with the physical therapist as a supplement to the at-home program.

The acromioplasty and physical therapy group underwent a procedure in which the acromion—a bony protrusion of the shoulder blade—is made smoother with surgical instruments. Afterwards, patients completed the same physical therapy program as the first group. The third group underwent a repair of the torn rotator cuff, plus the acromioplasty procedure, and then finally completed the physical therapy program. All patients were assessed before the interventions and then at regular intervals over five years for various outcome measures.

Patients should take into account these findings when considering surgery

After five years, there were no significant differences between patients in either of the three treatment groups, and surgically repairing the supraspinatus did not lead to any notable improvements, as researchers had expected. Therefore, according to these findings, it does not appear that surgery is any more effective for treating rotator cuff tears than physical therapy.

Seeing One of Our Physical Therapists is the Best First Choice

So if you’re dealing with shoulder pain and surgery is suggested as a possible avenue forward, we strongly recommend considering these findings and the limitations of a surgical approach when making your decision.

And for a hands-on, evidence-based, and personalized physical therapy treatment program for your shoulder pain, contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to schedule an appointment today.

Why a Shoulder MRI Often Isn’t That Useful

MRIs Of Both Painful And Non-Painful Shoulders Are Similar,
Which Questions The Usefulness Of These Tests

Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal condition, as up to 67% of individuals will experience it at least once in their lifetime. When pain in the shoulder occurs, the traditional approach is to identify its source through diagnostic testing and then treat the injury appropriately. MRI scans are frequently used during this process because they provide highly detailed images of shoulder structures, but more recently, some experts have questioned whether these tests are helpful or even necessary.

The primary reason is that abnormal findings from MRIs do not always correlate with pain, and some patients with no signs of pain display so-called “abnormal” MRI results. This has led researchers to take a closer look at MRIs of individuals both with and without shoulder pain to help determine the reliability of these tests when making a diagnosis or treatment decisions.

Comparing both shoulders in patients with pain in one shoulder

One study took a unique approach by comparing MRI scans of both shoulders in patients with shoulder pain in only one shoulder. For the study, 123 individuals with chronic shoulder pain for an average of three years were recruited and accepted to participate. The average age of participants was 39.4 years, with 15 individuals being aged 60 years or older. All patients underwent an MRI of both shoulders, and two healthcare professionals—a radiologist and a shoulder surgeon—interpreted the findings from these scans independently.

Results showed there was a high prevalence of structural abnormalities in both shoulders of these patients. For example, the radiologist identified complications with the rotator cuff and one of the major shoulder joints in both shoulders for about 90% of patients, while the surgeon found these issues in about 75% of patients. In addition, no significant differences were detected in the prevalence of abnormal MRI findings between the painful and non-painful shoulder, except for one type of injury.

The source of your pain may be something else

These findings suggest that MRI results may not always indicate the source of pain in many patients with shoulder pain, since abnormal findings were also found to be very common in shoulders with no symptoms. Therefore, despite the frequent use of MRI for shoulder pain, it may not be the most effective way to diagnose these injuries. Of particular concern is that focusing exclusively on MRI findings can lead to costly and risky interventions like surgery being performed unnecessarily, even if the pain is not related to these findings.

Try conservative, natural care first

Physical therapists, on the other hand, treat most cases of shoulder pain from the first visit and rarely order MRIs unless it’s deemed completely necessary. This saves patients time and money, which allows them to start their path towards improvement immediately rather than being held back by MRI findings that may not truly reveal the reason behind their shoulder pain. So if you’re dealing with shoulder pain, we strongly recommend seeing a physical therapist at Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy before having an MRI.

Call us today at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to schedule an appointment.

Orthotics Prescribed By A Physical Therapist May Be A Simple Strategy For Foot Pain

The way that your feet connect with the ground has a major impact on how you walk or run and if you’ll experience pain when doing so. The feet are the foundation when walking or running, and if they strike the ground incorrectly during these activities, it can start a chain reaction that leads to problems elsewhere in the body. To address potential problems like foot and ankle pain, orthotics may be recommended to alter the way your foot contacts the ground and correct any imbalances that might be interfering with your stride.

Foot orthotics are molded pieces of rubber, leather, plastic, or synthetic materials that can be inserted into many types of shoes and then worn normally. They are available in various lengths, sizes, and styles, and range from over-the-counter to fully customizable, giving individuals a wide range of options to choose from. The main purpose of orthotics is to support and stabilize the feet by correcting any imbalances in each foot and more evenly distributing one’s bodyweight.

Orthotics Can Benefit Many that are in Pain

Orthotics are usually prescribed for people who are already suffering from foot and/or leg pain, but they may also be recommended to prevent problems from occurring down the line. Two of the more common conditions addressed with orthotics are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis:

  • Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia ligament—which connects the back of the heel to the front of the toes—becomes inflamed or irritated, leading to a stabbing or jabbing pain over the arch and under the heel of the foot
  • Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel and allows you to stand on your toes when walking, running, or jumping; this leads to pain, stiffness, and/or swelling at the back of the heel or directly above it

For some patients, orthotics can help to address issues with foot shape—like flat feet or high arches—that may be responsible for plantar fasciitis and other foot-related issues. Orthotics may also be recommended for conditions like shin splints, knee pain, back pain, bunions, hammertoe, and calluses, as well as for individuals who are older, overweight, or have diabetes.

Expert advice on orthotics from our physical therapists
If you’re thinking about giving orthotics a try, the physical therapists at Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy can help you navigate this process. One of the biggest challenges patients face is choosing the right type of orthotic for their foot type, since there is an abundance of options to choose from. But our physical therapists can evaluate your foot type, gait, and whether you’re dealing with any foot or heel pain, and then recommend the best type of orthotic, which are usually categorized into the following three groups:

  • Heel cups
    • The smallest and simplest type of orthotic
    • Can be easily inserted into most types of shoes
    • Made of gel, silicone, or plastic
    • Can alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and other conditions by absorbing shock and reducing tension on painful structures
  • Orthotic insoles
    • Provide arch support and cushioning for some or all of the foot
    • Ideal for correcting foot shape issues like flat feet or high arches, which may be contributing to heel pain
    • Available in full length, 2/3 length, or 1/2 length sizes
    • Can be customized or purchased over the counter
    • Worn during the day
  • Night splints
    • Treat heel pain related to plantar fasciitis throughout the night
    • Hold the foot and toes back so the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia are kept slightly stretched
    • Simple and effective way to alleviate heel pain that strikes in the morning with the first steps of the day
    • Available in a boot style cast, sleep supports, and sock style supports

For additional guidance on selecting the right foot orthotic, contact:

Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy today at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to schedule an appointment.

Lymphedema Treatment in Visalia

If you are searching for lymphedema treatment in Visalia or lymphedema specialist in Visalia, we can help. Read more below about how we can help you manage lymphedema.

We are lymphedema specialists here in Visalia & Hanford

Some patients may not be aware that physical therapy can treat far more than your average ankle sprain or episode of back pain, and may be surprised to hear the full extent of conditions it’s effective for, including conditions like lymphedema.

Lymphedema involves the lymphatic system, which is part of both the circulatory system and immune system. It plays a crucial role in both systems by collecting and filtering lymph fluids from tissues throughout the body and returning it to the bloodstream.

If the lymphatic system is damaged and fluid can longer drain normally, the result is lymphedema, which is swelling from the accumulation of excessive fluid in the tissues. Lymphedema may occur due to a hereditary disorder, but in most cases, it results from surgery and/or radiation from various cancers, particularly melanoma and breast, prostate, head, and neck cancers. Lymph nodes are frequently removed to assess the aggressiveness of cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, while radiation can produce scar tissue that also blocks lymphatic organs from properly processing lymph fluids.

Swelling from lymphedema can develop in many regions of the body, but occurs most commonly in the arms and legs. Other symptoms of lymphedema include skin feeling tighter or thicker in affected regions, as well as pain, weakness, or heaviness in these areas, which can make it difficult to move certain joints—like the wrist or ankle—as easily as usual. The onset of lymphedema can also vary widely, occurring immediately after surgery or trauma in some patients and not for years later in others.

Physical therapists can help control your swelling and improve your mobility

Since lymphedema affects one’s ability to move normally, physical therapy should be considered a first-line treatment because it is perfectly suited to address these impairments and help patients regain their physical function. Although all physical therapists can treat lymphedema, certified lymphedema therapists undergo specific training for this condition and use the most up-to-date and evidence-based practices in their treatment plans. At Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy, our certified lymphedema therapists can treat lymphedema with a variety of interventions, and a typical treatment program will include the following:

  • Compression therapy: involves wearing a garment or bandage that applies pressure to the affected area and increases the flow of lymph fluid; these garments are to be worn several days per week
  • Manual lymphatic drainage: this manual (or hands-on) technique helps to move lymph fluid in the appropriate direction to optimize reabsorption by the lymph nodes and reduce swelling
  • Decongestive lymphedema therapy: this technique, which is considered the primary treatment for moderate-to-severe lymphedema, involves several components (eg stretching compression, exercises, skin care, and self-care) that are intended to mobilize lymph fluid and reduce swelling
  • Personalized exercise program: regular exercise is also key because it promotes lymph drainage while also increasing the strength and flexibility of joints affected by lymphedema
  • Skin care: therapists will closely monitor the skin and recommend appropriate treatments to help patients avoid dangerous infections

If you’re dealing with limitations that may be related to lymphedema, the certified lymphedema therapists at Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy can help.

Contact us at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to schedule an appointment today.

Best Lower Back Pain Treatment in Visalia – It’s Prevention and It May Extend Your Life

Preventing lower back pain my extend your life.  But, if you are experiencing lumbar pain, and are looking for the best back pain treatment in Visalia, we can help.

More on Prevention and Longevity

Low back pain is incredibly common. About one-half of all working Americans will experience symptoms at least once every year, and roughly 31 million are affected by it at any given point in time.

So if you consider yourself part of this group, you have plenty of company.

Dealing with low back pain can be troublesome and place a strain on everyday life. Typical movements like bending over to pick something off the ground or twisting your torso when looking to the side might suddenly give you pause and make you less mobile in the process. This is one of the main reasons low back pain is also one of the leading causes for missed work due to disability.

Anyone Can Experience Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is most prevalent in individuals between the ages of 30-60, which is mainly due to the aging process. Anyone can get low back pain and it can develop for a variety of reasons, but there are certain factors that are believed to increase one’s chances. These risk factors include older age, poor physical fitness, a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, diseases like arthritis and cancer, occupations that strain the back, smoking, depression, and anxiety.

Fortunately, most cases of low back pain will resolve on their own in a short period of time, but up to 10% of individuals will go on to develop chronic low back pain when it lasts for more than three months. When the condition becomes chronic, it can have an even more significant impact on quality of life, and it also becomes more difficult to treat.

According to Scientists, Here’s Why You Want to Avoid Chronic Back Pain

According to a recent review, having chronic back pain may reduce one’s life expectancy as well.

For the review, researchers performed a systematic search for published studies that evaluated the impact of low back pain on the risk for death (mortality) in patients. This search led to 11 studies being included in the review, which included data on more than 80,000 patients who were monitored for 5–23 years. Results showed that mild back pain did not have any long-term associations with mortality and is therefore unlikely to impact the length of one’s life. However, patients with chronic back were found to have a modestly higher mortality risk compared to those who didn’t have back pain.

Address Lower Back Pain Quickly with One of the Best Lower Back Pain Treatment Options in Visalia or Hanford

 

These findings suggest that over time, chronic low back pain may reduce one’s life expectancy through various mechanisms, such as greater disability, reduced quality of life, and physical inactivity. Therefore, it stands to reason that addressing low back pain early and preventing it from progressing to the chronic stage may improve an individual’s quality of life and extend their lifespan.

One of the safest and most effective ways to alleviate low back pain is through a course of physical therapy, which is based on personalized treatment programs that teach patients various exercises and movement-based techniques that reduce pain and increase function.

Don’t Let Pain Get In Your Way – We Can Help

To learn more about what we can do for your low back pain, contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy today:

559-733-2478 (Visalia)

559-582-1027 (Hanford) 

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Visalia – Why You Might Consider Laser Therapy

If you are searching for peripheral neuropathy treatment in Visalia or Hanford, this article is for you. Why? Because we have a specialized treatment that most other clinics don’t offer…deep tissue laser therapy.

How Peripheral Neuropathy Can Occur with Diabetes

Diabetes affects more than 34 million Americans, and it’s one of the leading causes of death and disability in the nation. The disease occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin—a hormone that allows the body to use glucose for energy—or the cells in the body fail to recognize the insulin that’s present. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes lead to similar symptoms, which include increased thirst and hunger, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, and increased urination.

But about 50% of individuals with diabetes will also experience a condition called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This complication is the result of poor circulation throughout the body and can lead to pain, tingling, and numbness, as well as decreased balance and proprioception. These impairments often cause patients to have an abnormal gait (how a person walks) and increase the risk for falls in older adults.

Peripheral Neuropathy Can’t Be Cured But There Is Some Hope

Unfortunately, peripheral neuropathy can’t be reversed, but physical therapy is an effective strategy that can help by retraining sensory receptors in the legs to compensate for these changes. By addressing these impairments, physical therapy can improve balance and function, and reduce fall risk as a result.

Some physical therapists also use laser therapy to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This non-invasive intervention sends wavelengths of laser energy to painful areas and leads to changes at the cellular level, with the goal of alleviating pain and increasing function. These lasers gently pass through the body without breaking the skin or causing any discomfort, and the risk for side effects after treatment is therefore very low.

Recently Published Study Supports the Use of Laser Therapy

The benefits of laser therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy were highlighted in a study published in 2019. For the study, 20 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy were randomly assigned to receive either deep tissue laser therapy or a sham (fake) laser therapy treatment for 12 weeks. Results showed that the patients who underwent the real laser therapy experienced significantly greater reductions in pain compared to those who underwent the fake laser treatment in all pain evaluations.

In addition, patients in the real laser therapy group reported significant improvements in quality-of-life measurements and significantly faster times in a test that assesses speed in task that involves standing from a chair and walking a short distance.

These findings suggest that laser therapy is an effective intervention for managing pain and improving quality of life in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

We caution readers to understand that this is a pilot study. The results of this research are encouraging, but more research is necessary.  Nevertheless, if you’ve exhausted most of your options, we’re willing to see if it laser therapy will work for you.

We offer Treatment is Not Currently Available at Most Physical Therapy Practices

We offer this laser therapy treatment in Visalia at Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and a variety of other conditions.

Therefore, we encourage you to contact us today at:

559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or schedule an appointment for any pain you may be experiencing.

Click here to visit our contact page for more details.

Achilles Tendinitis Treatment in Visalia

Achilles Tendinitis (AKA Achilles Tendinosis) Is A Common Injury That Responds Well To Physical Therapy

If you’re searching for Achilles tendinitis treatment in Visalia, we can help.  Conservative physical therapy care including laser therapy treatment, and the appropriate stretching and loading of the healing tendon can reduce your pain.

The Achilles tendon sees a lot of action. This thick band of tissue—which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone—allows you to point and push off your toes, so it’s utilized every time you walk, run, jump, and get on your tip toes. These types of activities are part of everyday life and they keep the Achilles tendon busy, which is one of the main reasons why it’s also vulnerable to injury.

Achilles Tendinopathy is Common – Here’s Why

As the largest and strongest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon can withstand loads of up to 2,000 pounds when running. This durability is necessary because of how frequently the tendon is used, but as with every other structure of the body, it has limits. When pushed too far, one of the most likely results is Achilles tendinitis.

Achilles tendinitis is a common injury that is seen most frequently in runners and other athletes. For runners, the condition usually stems from doing lots of speed training or uphill running, or after suddenly increasing the intensity or duration of runs without taking enough time off to recover. This constant strain can cause small micro-tears in the Achilles tendon and lead to inflammation, which is the telltale sign of tendinitis.

Patients with Achilles tendinitis usually notice heel pain that comes on gradually as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after a run, which may get worse after long runs, sprinting, or climbing stairs. Tenderness and soreness may also occur, particularly in the morning. As a result, running and performing many daily activities often becomes more difficult due to these symptoms.

Our Physical therapists can effectively address Achilles Tendinitis (acute injury) Tendinosis (chronic problem) based on the current best clinical evidence

For patients affected by Achilles tendinitis, physical therapy is generally regarded as the best available treatment to help them recover. Physical therapists are movement experts trained to identify any underlying issues, behaviors, or habits that are contributing to each patient’s symptoms. From there, therapists create personalized treatment programs that address these limitations and teach patients how to make the necessary changes to avoid future problems. A physical therapy program for Achilles tendinitis will typically consist of the following:

  • Calf-strengthening exercises: according to recent research and the latest guidelines, a combination of eccentric and concentric strengthening exercises are effective for treating Achilles tendinitis, and both are frequently used in treatment programs
    • “Concentric” means a muscle shortens while doing work, while “eccentric” is the opposite of this, in which a muscle lengthens; heel drops and heel raises are great example that involves both types, as standing up on your tiptoes is concentric because it shortens the calf muscle, while lowering yourself down from tiptoes is an eccentric exercise because it lengthens the calf muscle
  • Manual therapy: these are hands-on techniques administered by the physical therapist that include massage, manipulation, and mobilization, which improve mobility and function, and alleviate symptoms
  • Stretching exercises: the physical therapist will usually guide the patient on how to stretch tight muscles in order to improve flexibility and range of motion; patients, in turn, can perform these exercises on their own at home
  • Pain-relieving modalities: ice, heat, ultrasound, and other passive interventions may also be used to reduce pain and inflammation

So if you’re dealing with any painful symptoms that sound like Achilles tendinitis, you may want to consider seeing a physical therapist.

Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you or to schedule an appointment for your first visit.

Foot and Ankle Treatment in Visalia and Hanford

Searching for Foot and Ankle Treatment in Visalia or Hanford?

Physical Therapy Is The Fastest Way To Regain Your Abilities After A Foot Or Ankle Injury

Regardless of your activity level, you need your feet and ankles to work properly in order to get around. Perhaps even more so than the hips and knees, these body parts are essentially the vehicles that allow us to move and navigate the world around us.

This is why any injury to this region of the body can be seriously detrimental, as experiencing pain with each step can interfere with doing the things you love or possibly drain your motivation to engage even in basic activities. There are several injuries and conditions that can develop in the foot or ankle, and each one has the potential to slow you down. But they have something else in common as well: all of these injuries can be effectively treated with a comprehensive course of physical therapy.

Physical therapists are movement experts that guide patients through a variety of active and passive interventions that will go on to alleviate pain and help patients regain their abilities. Below, we offer a brief summary of some of the more common foot and ankle injuries and highlight key components of a typical physical therapy program for each.

Ankle Sprain & Treatment

  • An ankle sprain occurs any time the foot twists or rolls beyond its normal range of motion; in most cases, this happens when a player lands on another player’s foot wrong or twists their ankle when making a cutting motion in sports
  • A sprain means that one of the ligaments in the ankle—which connect bones to one another—has stretched too far or was torn from this force
  • Physical therapy highlights
    • RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
    • Gentle stretching exercises
    • Strengthening exercises
    • Sport-specific training (when applicable)
    • Ankle bracing

Plantar Fasciitis & Treatment

  • The plantar fascia is a flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the toes and supports the arch of your foot
  • Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of this structure, and it typically results from training too hard or wearing unsupportive shoes
  • The main symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain at the base of the heel that’s worst during the first steps of the morning
  • Physical therapy highlights
    • Gait assessment
    • Stretching and strengthening exercises
    • Foot taping, shoe orthotics, and supportive footwear
    • Gait training

Achilles Tendinitis, Tendinosis, Tendinopathy & Treatment

  • The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to the back of the heel and is used when you walk, run, and jump
  • Achilles tendinitis occurs when this tendon gradually becomes inflamed, usually after an individual makes sudden changes to their training regimen
  • Symptoms include an ache in the back of the leg or above the heel that is painful after waking up and when going up or down stairs
  • Physical therapy highlights
    • Calf-strengthening exercises
    • Stretching exercises
    • Manual (hands-on) therapy
    • Pain-relieving modalities

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

  • The tarsal tunnel is a structure made up of bone and ligament tissue on the inside of the ankle; tendons, blood vessels, and the posterior tibial nerve run through it to serve the foot
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when this nerve is compressed as a result of excessive stress on the foot and ankle
  • Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and swelling in the ankle and foot
  • Physical therapy highlights
    • Nerve gliding activities
    • Muscle strengthening exercises
    • Balance and coordination activities
    • Orthotics, taping, and bracing

Jones Fracture

  • A Jones fracture is a break of the fifth metatarsal, which is the bone that connects your pinky toe to the rest of your foot
  • It results from a forceful blow to the bottom or outside of the foot, usually from landing from a jump improperly
  • Symptoms include pain, swelling, and discoloration on the outside of the foot, and difficulty walking or bearing weight
  • Physical therapy highlights
    • Treatment can only begin after the fracture has healed (6-8 weeks)
    • RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
    • Balance exercises
    • Range of motion and strengthening exercises
    • Gait training

Sever’s Disease

  • This overuse injury results from inflammation of growth plates in the heels of young athletes, usually during growth spurts, because the heel bone grows faster than the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • Sever’s disease is more common in boys than girls
  • Symptoms include swelling and redness in the heel, as well as discomfort and difficulty walking
  • Physical therapy highlights
    • Activity modification
    • Manual (hands-on) therapy
    • Posture and functional training
    • Gentle calf stretching exercises
    • Passive modalities (eg, ice and electrical stimulation)

Any of these conditions has the potential to throw your routine out of synch and cause you disability and distress, but we can help.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for any foot or ankle pain you may be dealing with, and read our next blog if you’re interested in getting a closer look at Achilles tendinitis.

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