One hundred million adults in America suffer from chronic pain. This is greater than the number of individuals affected by diabetes, cancer, and heart disease combined! The evidence on chronic pain and what decreases symptoms or improves outcomes for this population is plentiful. However, clear and decisive answers on what should be done to decreaseContinue Reading »
The research indicates what Physical Therapists have long known – education is the key to rehabilitation! Education becomes even more important as we discuss chronic pain. Every PT has stories of patients they were able to treat quickly, who had good long term results. We thrive on those patients and we are just as happyContinue Reading »
As we are talking about chronic pain in this series of blog articles, it is critical to talk about how our body chooses to move in response to pain. Let’s take an example of a sprained ankle. When someone sprains their ankle they may start to walk with their foot turned out to the side. Continue Reading »
Chronic pain involves changes in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) which conveys nociceptive information to the central nervous system (CNS). Over time, changes occur in the CNS that can cause continuation of the nociceptive information – even if the original stimulus has been removed! For instance, say someone has a very painful ulcer on theirContinue Reading »
The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. By this definition, pain does not HAVE to be associated with observable tissue damage or have a detectable underlying cause. Pain is subjective. If describedContinue Reading »
Physical Therapy utilizes art and science to create a specific program for restoration of each patient’s physical function. Later blog articles will focus on the ART while this article is focusing on the SCIENCE. Physical Therapists are passionate about finding, confirming, and using optimal treatment strategies for their patients. We are greatly indebted to theContinue Reading »
Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis Affects Younger People, TooAckerman, I., Kemp, J. Crossley, K., Culvenor, A., Hinman, R.Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, February 2017, p 67-79. This Clinical Commentary focused on evidence-based assessment and management approaches for “younger individuals” defined as those less than 40-45 years old.Why is this important? Hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA)Continue Reading »
When on a family vacation, my sacroiliac joint (near the tailbone) went out of place causing extreme pain down my right leg every time I stepped on my right foot. Which is a challenge when you are spending your days and nights walking around theme parks! During a meal break in the middle of ourContinue Reading »
Why did I choose a cash based Physical Therapy model for PT4EB? One reason: QUALITY OF CARE FOR EACH PATIENT BASED ON THEIR NEEDS PT4EB utilizes knowledge, experience, research, and patient preference to determine specific treatment plans to return each body to optimum performance. I do realize that is a hefty mission statement that mayContinue Reading »
American College of Physicians Issues Guideline for Treating Nonradicular Low Back Pain Be still my heart! The America College of Physicians (ACP) decided to give Physical Therapists (and other “alternative” treatment options) a HUGE Valentine’s Day present by issuing new guidelines for the treatment of nonradicular low back pain.Okay, did I lose you at “nonradicular”? ThatContinue Reading »
