Category: Let’s Get Technical

ABDOMINAL WALL MECHANICS AND PT

Have you noticed an increased bulge in your lower abdomen?  You know the one…the lower belly pooch that won’t go away regardless of your eating or exercise habits?  You’re not alone!  We at Thrive are here to help explain why you’re seeing what you’re seeing, and how we can help. The lower abdominal belly bulge is common amongst all persons regardless of gender or age, and is a sign of muscle coordination issues in the abdominal wall.  For the purposes of this blog, we are going to use toileting mechanics to illuminate common and treatable abdominal muscle dysfunction that contributes to this belly bulge.  Ultimately, bowel and bladder habits tell us a lot about pelvic floor muscles, the abdominal wall, and diaphragm function. For example, in order to eliminate liquid or solid waste, there needs to be a slight increase in abdominal pressure prior to evacuation.  This pressure signals to the pelvic floor that it should relax and allow the passage of stool from the rectum or urine from the bladder. This cycle should be fluid.   Ideally, one experiences a sensation that suggests that the bowel or bladder needs to empty, goes to the toilet, and easily eliminates waste.  It’s like turning on […]

SCHROTH THREE DIMENSIONAL SCOLIOSIS THERAPY

The physical therapy goals in the conservative management of scoliosis include halting curve progression and preventing surgery, addressing spinal pain syndromes, managing respiratory dysfunction, improving aesthetics and body image. In addition to Schroth physical therapists employ an array of manual techniques including joint mobilization, myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, crainosacral therapy, visceral mobilization and neuromuscular stretching techniques.

STAY IN THE GAME: ADDRESSING HIP PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Even with ligamentous and muscular support in place, the hip is a common area that is susceptible to pain and irritation. While there is no singular explanation for hip pain aside from direct trauma, we can point to a myriad of different causes associated with pain, such as faulty movement patterns, imbalances within the body due to underlying muscle weaknesses, or abnormal joint motion within the hip or neighboring areas of the body, such as the low back.

WHAT IS THE PELVIC FLOOR, HOW IS IT ADDRESSED IN PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE?

Given what we now know of the role of the pelvic floor muscle network, it would make sense that dysfunction could vary widely in presentation and that the avenues for treatment equally as numerous. Direct dysfunction of these muscles can contribute to loss of bowel/bladder control, constipation, urinary and bowel urgency/frequency, pelvic pain, diminished sexual appreciation or pain with intercourse, pelvic organ prolapse, and lumbo-pelvic-hip control issues.

LET’S GET TECHNICAL: DRIVER TESTING, WHAT IS IT, AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME?

Habitual postures can also lead to muscle imbalances. A person may be sitting at their desk all day slouching forwards, which can lead to tight hip flexors and lengthened/weak glute muscles. Tight hip flexors can lead to a lack of hip extension range of motion, thus driving an issue at the back. Because the body likes to find ways around restrictions, this person might compensate with excessive mobility at the low back joints to make up for that lack of hip mobility. Over time, changes in these tissues structures can ultimately become a source of pain.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH: PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE

There are numerous Parkinson’s research groups that are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with PD. Regardless of which Parkinson’s research group that you follow, be it the LSVT BIG group, the POWER group, etc., much of the research on Parkinson’s Disease points to the same conclusion: a target-specific exercise program may be essential in delaying the progression and deterioration of function that may develop with PD. Early intervention is one of the key components to promoting a long and healthy lifestyle.

PHYSICAL THERAPY’S ROLE IN PREPARATION FOR LABOR

The genesis for this blog occurred after I attended a birthing preparation course taught by Ashley Brichter at Birth Smarter. This organization has virtual and in person childbirth education classes for expectant parents and professionals. Despite being 5 years removed from having children myself, I found the educational review helpful for my professional practice. It reminded me that understanding the anatomy of a vaginal childbirth can gift the expectant parent with tools to improve the birthing experience.

MYOFASCIAL DECOMPRESSION: CUP THERAPY BY A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

You may have never heard of Myofascial Decompression (MFD), but you have probably seen it. You might recall seeing Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps with bruises in perfect circles around his back and shoulders during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro. Even though the art of cupping has been traced as far back as ancient Egypt, it was popularized in athletics after Michael Phelps displayed it on the world’s stage (similar to Olympic Gold medalist in Volleyball, Kerry Walsh and Kinesiotape). Oftentimes, people do not understand the difference between “Cupping” and “Myofascial Decompression” so let’s dive deeper.   Cupping Myofascial Decompression  Who does it? Traditionally performed by acupuncturists Traditionally performed by physical therapists and other rehab professionals Goal of Treatment Targets stagnation of blood and Qi Targets connective tissue, trigger points, fascial adhesions, mechanoreceptors, and tight muscles Background Traditional Chinese Medicine : meridians, balance between Yin and Yang, Flow of Energy (Qi) Anatomy, Physiology, Biokinesiology Tools Used Small glass cups with a flame Small plastic cups with a suction pump Treatment Usually passive in nature: patient lays on the table for a period of time with the cups on Active treatment: the patient is performing neuromuscular reeducation exercises, […]

PERSONALIZED BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION REHABILITATION

Personalized Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Rehabilitation is a type of Physical Therapy treatment that integrates the use of a personalized tourniquet system to restrict blood flow to an injured limb during active recovery training. Often, after an injury or surgery, a patient does not have the ability to lift heavy weights/loads thereby slowing down their overall recovery.  Studies find BFR rehabilitation allows the patient to begin strength training using lesser weights/loads that won’t stress their joints or soft tissues, while still being able to gain the muscle strength, hypertrophy and endurance comparable to that of a heavy load lifting program. (Slysz et al 2015) While initially used in the treatment and recovery of service members who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is now being used with the training and rehabilitation of elite athletes and in orthopedic clinical settings. Clinical trials have shown advancement in the rehabilitation of total knee replacements, wrist fractures, tendinopathies, cartilage injuries and chronic weakness after surgery. This technique is particularly successful in assisting injured and/or post-surgical patients who are struggling with muscle mass loss and weakness. When a limb is injured, it cannot tolerate the heavy lifting necessary to prevent and reverse the loss […]

CNN Staying Well: Thrive PT Segment on Manual Therapy

The CNN segment that we filmed at Thrive a few months back is now online. Have a watch as practice owner Tamar Amitay, PT, MS and physical therapist Amy McGorry, PT, DPT, MTC, talk about and demonstrate manual therapy techniques on a patient. Here at Thrive Integrated Physical Therapy, PC, our physical therapists identify the faulty mechanics and movement patterns that contribute to and drive one’s pain. We’ve found that manual therapy coupled with an appropriate therapeutic exercise program really makes a difference. At Thrive we look for the root cause as well as underlying movement dysfunctions to base our interventions. We are dedicated to getting our patients back quickly in the game of life!