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Modalities

Chronic Neck Pain

June 23, 2014 by ActionPT

A recent study reveals that an effective exercise regimen and its components regarding frequency, intensity, time and type (FITT) will improve Chronic Neck Pain.

Woman touching her painful neck.

Chronic Neck Pain (CNP) is treated by many therapists with exercise therapy, but what delivers the best results? According to a recent study published by Elsevier Inc. / American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, the objective was to identify the most effective components in an active exercise physiotherapy treatment intervention for CNP based on the frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) exercise method.

The study revealed that education and exercise training has the most beneficial effect on reducing pain and improving function and quality of life in patients with CNP. It was also noted that targeting deep neck flexors through strength training has positive effects on quality of life when combined with endurance and aerobic training. Progress was seen in patients that performed 30-60 minutes exercise sessions at least three times per week for 6-12 weeks.

Click here to view the article posted on www.anatomy-physiotherapy.com’s web site.

Elbow Hyperextension Taping

October 20, 2011 by ActionPT

ACL Knee Injury Rehabilitation

October 7, 2011 by ActionPT

Rehab a Injured Anterior Cruciate Ligament

a physical therapist works on an injured knee, in a knee braceA torn ACL is an injury or tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is one of the four main stabilising ligaments of the knee. The ACL attaches to the knee end of the Femur (thigh bone), at the back of the joint and passes down through the knee joint to the front of the flat upper surface of the Tibia (shin bone).

What should you do if you have injured your ACL?

  • Immediately stop play or competition
  • Apply RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to the knee immediately
  • Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Your physician will diagnose any additional injuries, and you may be sent for an MRI scan or X-ray. You may be refered for ACL Surgery if required. Your physician will provide a pre-surgery rehabilitation program to strengthen the knee and reduce the swelling in preparation for surgery. This will help produce the best results following surgery.

The steps to proper rehabilitation will vary from case to case. The following is provided only as a reference and not a substitute for a physician’s diagnosis.

Immediately following surgery

  • For approximately 2 weeks the initial protocol will be largely rest and use of crutches
  • Ice and compression as before to reduce post-operative swelling
  • Mobility exercises to regain full range of motion
  • Hamstring stretching
  • Strengthening exercises such as: quadriceps contractions, hamstring contractions and calf raises.

Two weeks following surgery

  • Increase walking and aim for normal gait
  • Continue mobility and strengthening exercises
  • Progress hamstring curl exercises to using tubing or a resistance machine
  • Introduce half squats and shallow lunges
  • Start hip flexor strengthening and adduction and abduction exercises
  • Balance and proprioception drills
  • Continue icing after activity if swelling persists

Six weeks following surgery

  • Progress to full lunges and squats, add weight for extra resistance
  • Increase resistance/reps for strengthening exercises
  • Single leg press or half squats
  • Start straight line jogging

Twelve weeks following surgery

  • Use a mix of training activities such as running, cycling, swimming to build aerobic fitness
  • Gradually increase speed and duration of running
  • Introduce running drills incorporating sideways and backwards running, change of direction and cutting maneuvers
  • Jump and land drills
  • Sports specific drills (e.g. football/hockey dribbling/passing)
  • Continue with flexibility and strengthening exercises as before

often the patient will be given an exercise regime to continue even after being released from physical therapy and given the green light to return to normal activity.

For more information call the rehabilitation experts at Action Physical Therapy at 808-246-0144.

For more info, please visit the Sports Injury Clinic online.