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Do you have headaches? What is a “normal” headache? Where is the pain?

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It is not “normal” to have headaches but it is common. Most of the time due to our reliance on electronics and our jobs on the computer, we tend to do more sitting and then become more sedentary thus developing poor posture. This can lead to restricted muscles, poor strength and endurance of the postural muscles. Joints can become restricted and the end result often are headaches. A cervicogenic headache is where the primary contributing source is the neck and perceived in one or more regions of the head and/or face as stated by the International Headache Society. Patients typically complain of pain in the back of their eyeball, forehead pain, pain at the base of their skull, or even a headband shaped pain. The joints at the base of the skull contribute to almost 50% of the motion of the cervical spine. When these become limited and tight, they become strained and guarded and painful. Other contributing factors are most commonly seen to be due to motor vehicle accidents, poor posture, fatigue, and stress as well.

If you have never been treated for chronic headaches, you might have more benefit from physical therapy than medicine alone. We can assess manually and determine what joints and muscles in the neck or back are tight or restricted. We can address postural dysfunctions and weakness that are not addressed often at the gym independently. When muscles are tight or the spine is stiff, those muscles are not able to perform their job because pain is causing spasm often, inhibiting their function. Research supports exercise and manual physical therapy being the best treatment for this condition. In fact, even at a year after manual therapy and appropriate exercise one specific research study reported reduced frequency, intensity in headaches and reduced neck pain (Jull et all 2002).

Please call us if you feel you fall into this category for an initial evaluation to see if therapy is appropriate for you! How can we help you today?

*Kelly Ehlert, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT

Plantar fasciitis

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Plantar fasciitis is an irritation of the plantar fascia of the foot. The plantar fascia is the thick band of connective tissue in the arch from the heel to the toes. Its job is to assist the muscles of the foot to support the arch. Pain frequently starts due to a change in activity level, increased standing, or a change in footwear predisposing people to increased pressure on the bottom of the foot or arch. Most people try to reduce it by calf stretches, sleeping with special socks to reduce the shortening of the soft tissue in the foot, or even having surgery. When this doesn’t work what should you do?

Physical therapy should be considered as an excellent, first treatment option for this pain! If you are not able to reduce the pain within a couple weeks what ends up happening is the development of micro tears in the fascia that can eventually lead to more problems. This begins to create restrictions in the tissue, pulling on the heel bone, or the calcaneus, and can also contort the bony arch of the midfoot. The calf begins to tighten if it’s not already tight begin with and people usually begin to change their walking pattern, possibly now causing low back or hip pain! According to “The Diagnosis and Treatment of Heel Pain: A clinical Practice Guideline – Revision 2010” in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, stretches, strapping with special tape and PT are the top level suggestions for patients with foot pain. They suggest at least 6 months of independent and PT assistance until surgery or more invasive treatment is considered.

Let us reduce your pain and return you to work and your recreational activities!! Call us for your initial evaluation to get started with treatment and enjoy life again!

 

*Kelly Ehlert, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT

Prep for Running with a Physical Therapy Analysis

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Now that the weather is warming up, runners are hitting the streets, training for races, long and short. You may be looking to prepare for a marathon, or perhaps just wanting to stay healthy with a mile or two of cardio in the fresh air. Whatever your reason for running, the stresses can be a little much for your body to tolerate. This is certainly no reason to steer clear of your outside exercise. A physical therapy analysis from a physical therapist early into your training can save your body from excess strain, which could enable you to reach your fitness goals with fewer injuries.

Why Analysis is Important

No two people are built the same. This means mechanically everyone moves differently. Activities that may be pain-free for one person may be uncomfortable to someone else. Though a person may know what movement causes their pain, it’s difficult for an untrained eye to understand why. A physical therapist can examine the muscles, both large and small, that are used during activity to determine what imbalances, weaknesses, or restrictions could be causing the issue. Often times, the true cause of the pain is located in an area far away from where it is actually being felt. This makes self-diagnosis tricky.

Additionally, an assessment before your training begins can reveal potential dysfunctional movements and preventative measures can then be taken.

How We Help

After analyzing your pattern of movement from top to bottom while you walk and run, we can make suggestions to correct problems that may potentially lead to pain. Our findings may lead to a recommendation for a different type of shoe, or advice on areas to strengthen and stretch. If your running issues stem from old injuries, we can address those also. Whatever your needs, our goal is to help you run this spring without aggravating old injuries or causing new ones.

Before you lace up those shoes, contact us to discuss healthy running! We’re here to help. Call (615) 444-1408 to schedule your assessment.

 

I have had over 15 jaw surgeries…

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I started physical therapy with Kerry Becht back in September 2014. I have had over 15 jaw surgeries (yes, I have lost count). Due to so many unsuccessful surgeries, I developed degenerative joint disease, which made my bones fuse together, causing me to have permanent closed lockjaw. So, in 2004, I had a total joint prosthesis called a Lorenz device. This was only FDA approved in Philadelphia PA and Texas. I was one of maybe 500 in the U.S. that had this done.

In 2010, I had to return for a replacement of a screw in the prosthesis, so I was cut completely open 2 times on the left side. I also had a surgery on my right side where they cut a part of my jaw bone off so that the joint could settle into the correct place, [a procedure] called a condylotomy. I have been dealing with extreme chronic pain from these surgeries and was told by my doctor that I would have chronic pain the rest of my life.

I had tried everything from pain clinics, many nerve blocks, many different meds, and injections to help ease some of the pain. I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, which is a very intense nerve pain and includes the highest suicide rate. This is just for you to get the idea of the pain I dealt with. I had migraines most days and was in a pain level of 10 every day. When you’re in that much pain every day and have been on so many different meds, you build a resistance to most effects of the meds. I was on morphine, Percocet, dilaudid, hydrocodone, Demerol—pretty much any potent painkiller known to man—and none of them touched the pain.

So, I learned to live life this way. I decided that enough was enough, and I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing. I was miserable, and it not only affected my health, it affected my job and my family. I decided to give PT another shot because I had heard such great things that Kerry and her staff can do.

I made an appointment and Kerry and I discussed my history and what she could do for my pain. I really didn’t have any huge expectations due to all of the other failed therapy I have had. She talked to me about craniosacral therapy that could help with de-sensitizing some of my nerve pain in my scalp. She told me it would be a slow process because I had been through so much. I set up to go 2 times a week.

I was extremely impressed with Kerry’s knowledge of everything she was doing. What made me feel very comfortable was her informing me of everything she was doing and how that particular therapy would affect a certain nerve, bone, or muscle. She used medical terms but made it so that I would understand, which also kept my interest to research as well. Her goal for me was to become 50% better, and that was a far stretch goal, but she was very confident in it.

I am happy to report that after over 4 months of therapy I am about 50% better. My pain levels are about a 5-6 on most days, I only get a migraine about 1 time a week and my chronic high blood pressure has also gone down. My opening of my jaw went from a 24mm to 32 mm as well. I have more movement in my neck and my shoulders aren’t crunched up to my ears. I feel better physically and emotionally. She has given me a new life to live.

I will never be completely out of pain, but her therapy has certainly done wonders. I highly recommend Kerry and her staff, and I hate that I have waited this long for help. Thank you so much for going above and beyond to do what you do!

- Dominique Lenker

The Benefits of Pre- and Post-Operative Physical Therapy for a Mastectomy

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Facing a mastectomy is scary, but there is some comfort in knowing physical therapy can help you heal. Before and after your surgery, you can work with physical therapy professionals who will help prevent swelling and guide you through the healing process. You don’t have to face anything alone, and we’ll answer your questions as you go. To get you started, here is a list of the benefits you’ll receive from physical therapy for a mastectomy.

Limited Swelling

Before your surgery, we’ll walk you through the process and take measurements. These measurements will help us monitor the swelling after your surgery so we know the best ways to treat you. We can also use lymphatic mobilization techniques to keep swelling down and myofascial release to improve scar mobilization so your arm motion won’t be limited for long.

Improved Joint Mobility

The commencement of physical therapy after your surgery is up to your doctor. We’re here the moment you’re ready. The sooner you start, the more benefits you’ll receive. Studies show that physical therapy that begins as early as two days after the mastectomy will result in significantly improved joint mobility.

Pain Relief

Physical therapy can be scary, especially when you consider the pain that comes with various exercises. As you undergo treatment, keep in mind that these exercises are developed to help shorten the amount of time you experience that pain. Through therapy, you’ll engage muscles and joints, keep them active, and improve your flexibility. As you heal through therapy, your pain will subside.

Safety in Your Home

Another goal of physical therapy for a mastectomy is to ensure fewer limitations during recovery. Through physical therapy, you’ll build strength and flexibility so you can perform your daily activities as you recover. These exercises may start simply just to keep motion in the shoulder and arm joints and to prevent fluid retention in the arms. Over time, you’ll experience more challenging exercises in order to ease back into daily life.

If you’re facing a mastectomy, we can help. It’s important to start therapy before your surgery, so contact us for an appointment as soon as possible. You’re not alone.