Pain Archives

03Mar 2021 by Brigitte B

Strengthen Your Quad Muscles to Prevent Injury and Maintain Independence

When you stand from a sitting position, you use your quads. When you straighten your knee or bend it, you use your quads. When you squat, run or jump? Again, your quads are working hard! It’s easy to see why quad strength keeps you in good shape and is the key to maintaining independence in order to live an active life. Physical therapy is one proven tool to keep quad muscles strong. Quads can weaken for several reasons, including: Injury or overuse. The wrong move during exercise or playing a sport can result in a quadriceps tendon tear, which in turn can cause pain to the knee. Simple overuse in athletics can trigger tendinitis (also spelled “tendonitis”), an inflammation of the tendon. Arthritis. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can inflame…

18Feb 2021 by Brigitte B

Are You Making the Most of Your Direct Access to Physical Therapy?

Health content, Pain, Prevention, Treatment

While many states places restrictions on access to physical therapy, Colorado is among those that permit "direct access" to PT. If you live in Colorado, are you reaping the benefits of that? What is direct access? Direct access to physical therapy means that insurance will cover your evaluation and treatment services with a physical therapist without requiring a referral from your physician or other healthcare professional. Direct access is sometimes called "self-referral," because you simply make your own appointment and go to a PT for treatment if you’re experiencing pain or other relevant condition. Direct access to physical therapy can save you time and money by getting the services you need faster. Who has direct access to physical therapy? All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin…

04Feb 2021 by Brigitte B

Seek Physical Therapy Before Lower Back Pain Becomes Chronic

back, Health content, Pain, Treatment

If you're one of the 8 in every 10 people who experience lower back pain severe enough to think you should probably seek treatment, be assured that it's probably not due to a serious problem. You may connect your low back problem to: A lot of sitting, including sitting to drive. Improper stance when bending or lifting. Poor overall physical condition. Aging. As we age, our muscles weaken and we may experience stiff joints. These both can cause pain in the low back area. Easy solutions to lower back pain You may not consider good nutrition an important tool in keeping your back healthy, but eating well benefits your whole body. Specifically, vegetables with anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to ease this pain. Sleep is another general health aid. It…

11Nov 2020 by Brigitte B

How to Improve Your Hand Arthritis Without Surgery

Arthritis, Health content, Pain

It seems the older we get, the harder it is to perform precision movements like buttoning shirts or grip tasks like picking up a fork or opening a jar. Hand arthritis can cause joint damage and is one of the health conditions that can accelerate the hand’s aging. Hand arthritis can make it hard to complete mundane tasks with our fingers. But with physical therapy, you can stop and sometimes even reverse the effects of hand arthritis. Hand osteoarthritis vs. hand rheumatoid arthritis We hear a lot about arthritis in the hands, hips and knees. Two primary types of arthritis can cause pain in the hands. Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the more common of the two, with 32.5 million adults suffering from it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects a much smaller percentage…

14Oct 2020 by Brigitte B

Seniors: Bike Saddle Pain Have You on the Hot Seat?

Health content, Pain

Riding a bike is great exercise for older adults—until that first twinge of bike saddle pain! During the pandemic, biking has provided a welcomed way for people of all ages to stay active. When seasonal changes like flowers or leaves offer a beautiful backdrop for your ride, your bicycle can glide you along a pathway of paradise and help you deal with stress. Riding a bike takes you outdoors, works your entire lower body and gets your heart pumping when you go uphill or put on a little speed. It’s a good mode of transportation as well, adding to neither your carbon footprint nor your city’s traffic gridlock. But then your butt starts to hurt with bike saddle pain. Don’t let saddle soreness keep you off your bike or force…

15Jul 2020 by Brigitte B

Advanced Osteoarthritis and Athletes: How Physical Therapy Can Help You Return To Competitive Sports

Arthritis, Exercise, Health content, knowledge, Pain

Joint pain can make even everyday activities challenging. For athletes, the degenerative pain of osteoarthritis can feel especially devastating. If you're used to the challenges and health benefits of participating in sports, slowing down is a big adjustment. The good news is that you may not have to give up your sport for long. With the right physical therapy and pain medication, you can get back to the activities you love, including athletics. What is advanced osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when the cartilage that lines your joints starts to break down. Cartilage acts like a shock absorber when there is impact. If improperly stressed, over time the cartilage starts to crumble. It can occur in any joint on your body and is commonly seen in the knees…

01Jul 2020 by Brigitte B

How to Prepare for Your Total Knee Replacement

Arthritis, Health content, knee

Total knee replacement surgery, sometimes known as knee arthroplasty, is a common procedure to reduce pain and improve movement. Your doctor might order this procedure if you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other joint condition. If you need total knee replacement surgery, you'll generally have a couple months to prepare. The road to recovery starts even before the first incision is made. There are steps you can take to make the best use of your waiting time and to help increase your chances for a successful procedure and recovery. Before your total knee replacement surgery It's helpful to have a plan in place for your upcoming surgery. Being organized will help you feel less overwhelmed during the days before and after your surgery. First, make a list of your medical information.…

25Mar 2020 by Brigitte B

Prevent and Treat Hammertoe: Better Shoes Are Just Part of It

foot, Health content, Pain, Prevention, Treatment

Women love shoes. Not all women and not all shoes, but many women like the way a little bit of heel and a pointy toe can take an outfit from everyday wear to nighttime splendor. Men, too, may prefer a sleek, narrow dress shoe for a professional appearance. Unfortunately, those good looks can add up over the years to form the hammertoe that many seniors experience. If this has already happened to you, is it too late to fix it? What Is Hammertoe? Hammertoe refers to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding middle toe joints. When one of these parts weakens, the toe may have a hard time returning to a neutral position. When the toe is stuck in a bent position, eventually the muscles tighten so…

18Mar 2020 by Brigitte B

Back Surgery to Decrease Pain: 3 Tips to Prepare and What to Expect Afterward

back, Health content, Pain, Treatment

Like many other older adults with chronic back pain, you may decide with your doctor that back surgery is the next step. An astounding 70-95% of adults will experience lower back pain in their lifetime. Even dull aches can affect your quality of life if they're consistent. When your back is sore, you may find that you're limiting activities you love to do, whether that’s tinkering around the house, going on hikes, or exploring a new city on foot while on vacation. If you’ve reached the point that back surgery seems to be your best option, knowing what to expect can help ease fears and make you less apprehensive about the procedure. What to do before surgery for back pain Talk to more than one doctor. Consider getting a…

27Dec 2019 by Brigitte B

New Year’s Resolution: Manage Your Chronic Condition Without Meds

Pain

If you have any sort of chronic pain or condition, try putting this at the top of your list of resolutions for the New Year: "Ask my doctor how I can get off my meds!" What many people achieve through medication often can be even better accomplished through lifestyle. Dietary changes Food is the ultimate medicine. If you eat according to what you need, you may not need to supplement your diet at all. Let's look at iron as an example. Most of us ingest iron naturally through foods we eat. Your body likes the iron in dark chocolate as much as you like the taste of it! Spinach, bread and lentils also are good suppliers of iron. But as we grow older, our bodies become less adept at absorbing…