Shoulder Pain

Shoulder problems can be quite limiting in daily life and during sports or other activities.  Most problems in the shoulder involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, rather than the bones. They can be either acute or chronic depending on when they are diagnosed and how long the pain/disability has been present.  Athletes are especially susceptible to shoulder problems. Especially in athletes, shoulder problems can develop slowly through repetitive, intensive training routines.  Treatment may include:

• Manual therapy: soft tissue and joint mobilizations to increase range of movement, increase plyability of tissues and decrease pain

• Strengthening: scapular stability and RC stabilization/strengthening exercises

• Taping: McConnell taping for stability and Kinesiotaping to help with muscle functioning

Some Conditions treated:  Rotator cuff tendonitis/tears, Shoulder instability, frozen shoulder, arthritis, pre-/post-operative treatment

Hip / Knee Pain

Based on the findings of your evaluation, your physical therapist will develop a customized rehabilitation program to ensure a safe return to your desired activities. Some general treatment techniques may include:

• Manual therapy. Hands-on therapy to gently guide movement of the knee area to restore joint and tissue mobility.

• Therapeutic exercises. Specific strengthening, flexibility, and endurance exercises to address your specific needs and goals.

• Functional exercises. Individualized exercises designed to help you return to your home, work, and sport activities. These also may include balance and coordination exercises.

• Self-care instruction. Your physical therapist will teach you ways to manage your pain at home, and design a safe and effective home-exercise program based on your specific condition, which you can continue long after your formal physical therapy sessions have ended. You also will learn how to avoid placing unnecessary forces on the knee during your daily activities for years to come.

• Taping techniques. McConnell taping to improve knee positioning and kinesiotaping to functional movement around the knee

Some Conditions treated:  Patellar tendonitis, Patello-femoral Stress Syndrome (PFSS), ligament sprain, ITB syndrome, arthritis, pre-/post-op treatment, hip bursitis

Foot / Ankle Problems

After full evaluation, a treatment program will be created which could consist of:

• Manual therapy: To restore joint and soft tissue mobility

• Strengthening exercises

• Stretches: to increase flexibility

• Agility training: in order to return to sport specific activities

• Balance exercises: to improve balance and prevent recurrent ankle sprains

Some conditions treated:  Ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, post fracture, overpronation, custom orthotic casting

Low Back Pain and Prevention

Not all low back pain is the same, so your treatment should be tailored to for your specific symptoms and condition. After the examination, I will design an individualized treatment plan for your specific back problem. Treatments may include:

• Manual therapy: including spinal mobilization, to improve the mobility of joints and soft tissues

• Exercises: Specific core stability strengthening and flexibility exercises

• Education about how you can take better care of your back

• Training for proper lifting, bending, and sitting; for doing chores both at work and in the home; and for proper sleeping positions

Some conditions treated:  SIJ dysfunction, general LBP, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis

TMJ

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a common condition that limits the natural function of the jaw, such as opening the mouth and chewing, and can cause pain.  Treatment of TMD can include:

• Posture Education/Exercises. Improve posture so that you can improve the resting position of your jaw, head, neck, breastbone, and shoulder blades when you're sitting and walking.

• Improving Jaw Movement. Hands-on techniques to gently increase movement and relieve pain in tissues and joints.

• Manual therapy to neck and upper back to reduce stiffness and improve posture to reduce stress on the jaw.

Gait/Balance Disorders

About one third of people over the age of 65 and almost half of people over the age of 80 will fall at least once this year. There usually are several reasons for a fall. Physical therapy can help reduce the risk of falling by improving strength, flexibility, joint range of motion and therefore improve balance.  My treatment is based on the evidence- based Otago Program for fall reduction and prevention.