Does rolling over in bed shoot pain across your back?
What about bending over? Walking?
I can go on and on about how back pain sucks the joy out of life because that is what I experienced after getting hit head on in a car accident.
I have been a physical therapist for 30 years but my quest to become the best back therapist on earth started when I needed one for myself.
Fortunately, I never when down the pain medicine path but I get it. All one wants is relief.
I did go down the path of injections and surgery. Both gave me temporary relief.
The problem with back pain is that it just gets worse if you go to your easy chair and settle for a boring sedentary life. And it is not just the pain that gets worse it is all the things you do becomes more and more challenging.
I have come to realize how much this whole experience has made me a better therapist.
I can recognize movements in patients that are making them worse. We can work together to find the movements your body needs to move back towards your youthful years when it came naturally.
Good physical therapy in my opinion is not just a series of exercises. It is about recognizing the things that you do that make you hurt and then freeing up your body’s ability to use those muscles and joints that you unconsciously stopped using. I can help you.
The best part of my job as a physical therapist is putting the last piece in the puzzle.
Our bodies are brilliant and they will do whatever we ask of them if humanly possible.
It is getting task done that matters to us consciously and so if injured our bodies go to work to find the best solution to getting the task done unconsciously. Most of the time we are not even aware of how we change our movement or posture or how we compensate.
My granddaughter at age 2 dislocated her elbow. She was in enormous pain. We did not know what was going on. Within an hour she was running around happy as a clam and completely avoiding using her right arm. He body just figured out how to deal with it.
Now deciding to just never use one of your arms again at age 2 is pretty dramatic and not really a great strategy, but it is the perfect example of compensation.
By the way my granddaughter is fine. The doctor put it back in place.
Every day I see people who are compensating for an old injury and now they have chronic pain. As soon as we can identify the compensation the problem begins to resolve. If they say “Holy Cow , I had no idea I was doing that” I jump for joy. The self-awareness kicks in and new healthier movements move begin to emerge.
Deep tissue laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses a laser to penetrate deep into the tissue to reduce pain, inflammation, and promote healing. It is commonly used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
Musculoskeletal pain: Deep tissue laser therapy can effectively relieve pain in the back, neck, shoulder, knee, hip, and other joints.
Sports injuries: It can help to speed up the healing process of injuries such as sprains, strains, and tendonitis.
Arthritis: The laser therapy can reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility in people with arthritis.
Neuropathic pain: It can be used to treat nerve-related pain such as peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and post-herpetic neuralgia.
Soft tissue injuries: Deep tissue laser therapy can help to heal damaged tissues and reduce scarring in conditions such as plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and rotator cuff injuries.
Note that deep tissue laser therapy should be performed by a qualified physical therapist. The specific benefits and results of the therapy may vary from person to person and it’s always recommended to consult your therapist for a professional assessment and personalized treatment plan
About two months ago my middle finger on my right hand started hurting. I have no idea why.
At first , I made fun of by asking my family if they think I have been overusing this particular finger. LOL
The humor did not last long.
The pain started to keep me up at night. Throbbing pain when I was not even using it.
Then I could not: lift my cat,
Open jars
Type on my computer
Open the car door
Scratch my head
Clean the sink
The limitations from pain in this one finger was growing exponentially.
My husband, Thomas Primavera, who is a Hand Therapist said “That is enough! We are going to splint it and treat it.”
Three days ago he fitted my finger with a splint and gave me some movements to do and told me what to stop doing.
Three days ago, I would not have believed this pain could go away. I would have said it would take a miracle. I was convinced this was just another crappy
thing about getting old and I was going to have to live with it.
Wrong wrong wrong! The pain is nearly gone. I have returned to doing all those things that I took for granted.
Thumb pain can be relieved by a variety of methods, including:
Rest and ice: Take a break from activities that may be causing the pain and apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15-20 minutes, several times a day.
Sports taping/ kinesio tape
Splints or braces: Wearing a splint or brace can help stabilize the thumb and reduce pain.
Hand therapy/ occupational therapy: Exercises and stretches prescribed by a hand therapist can help improve thumb strength and flexibility.
Deep tissue laser therapy. Ask us if you are a candidate for a free session.
Manual therapy by a hand therapist.
Assisted devices recommended by your hand therapist
It is important to consult with a hand therapist to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition and symptoms.
Call and schedule a free consultation with one of our occupational / hand therapists 360 279 8323
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders, can increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Repetitive motions: Repeating the same hand and wrist movements, such as typing or using a mouse, can put pressure on the median nerve.
Pregnancy: Swelling and fluid retention during pregnancy can put pressure on the median nerve.
Wrist injury: Fractures, sprains, or other wrist injuries can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Wrist position: Maintaining an awkward or bent wrist position for prolonged periods of time can compress the median nerve.
Obesity: Excess weight can increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Age: As we age, the tissues in the wrist can become less flexible, increasing the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is important to take steps to prevent or manage carpal tunnel syndrome, such as taking frequent breaks from repetitive activities, maintaining good posture, and using ergonomic equipment. If you are experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is important to see a hand therapy specialist for an evaluation and treatment.
For approximately the last 30 years, people across the country have tirelessly raised fund to increase awareness about the most prevalent type of cancer: breast cancer. Unfortunately, in the case of lymphedema, a common condition associated with localized fluid retention and tissue swelling, knowledge and prevention tactics have remained low despite its alarmingly high statistics.
Many people are unaware that lymphedema is the most debilitating postoperative complication in breast, ovarian, cervical, prostate, and other various cancers. It can be caused by the surgical procedures used to remove lymph nodes or form radiation therapy, both of which disrupt lymph drainage. It can also be caused by a trauma or infection in the lymph nodes. Lymphedema can also be genetically inherited. Affected patients suffer from extreme swelling and sometimes significant pain, typically affecting the arms and legs. Worldwide data estimates that 180-250 million people suffer from lymphedema.
Even though these numbers are overwhelmingly high, lymphedema education in the U.S. is still lacking. In fact, some of our lymphedema patients have told us stories of having to do their own research on the condition before they even received treatment for their cancer. So in addition to navigating the emotionally and physically painful experience of battling cancer, they are forced to seek out help for a post-operative condition that many in the medical field haven’t warned them about. That is why our team here at Rue & Primavera wants to inform people. Additionally, we offer free consultations to women who have had lymph glands removed due to breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
Every October, people around the globe draw attention to breast cancer prevention, and we encourage you to help us spread awareness about lymphedema this month. Wendy Rue, PT is a certified lymphedema therapist, CLT, and she offers free consultations to breast cancer survivors. If you have any questions or want to schedule a free consultation, don’t hesitate to give our office a call!
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
Do all your early fitness plans blast out of the jet engine when you travel? New time zones and ill-equipped hotel gyms may make you want to put off training. But now, with the internet just a tap away, there’s no excuse to miss a workout.
Being away from home doesn’t mean you have to abandon your fitness goals. Check out these apps (most of them are available for free from iTunes or Google Play) and work out wherever your travels take you.
For the Marathon Trainer
If you forget your Fitbit and need to track your miles, Moves has your back. With automatic tracking capabilities and features that tell you how far you’ve walked, cycled, or run, this app will help you stick to your training schedule. It also recognizes and maps routes you’ve run before.
For the Meditation Newbie
Wanderlust’sguiding mantra is “Find your true north.” During yoga, meditation, and Pilates classes, Wanderlust instructors can help you focus your energy and restore your physical and mental well-being. Download this app or visit Wanderlust’s website for free classes, like the 21-day yoga challenge, which can keep you disciplined and motivated. Additional workshops and events are available for a small subscription fee.
For the Frequent Flyer
Don’t miss your workout just because you’re away from your home gym. Use Rise Today to locate a class near you. Use filters to search for the type of class you want, from CrossFit to barre workouts. Once you’ve selected a class, you can secure a spot with the in-app reservation feature. There’s no need to fall behind in your Bodypump class.
For Those Who Aren’t Morning People
An app that lets you finish your morning workout in bed? Yes, please! Yoga Wakeup does exactly what the name suggests: It wakes you up with a short yoga or meditation routine. From “Reach and Root Wake up” to “Spirit Wake up,” you can select each morning routine’s intensity. choose a wake up, set your wake up time, and let the gentle voice of your instructor clear away the morning’s inevitable grogginess. Forget breakfast in bed; you’ll feel so much better waking up this way.
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
Vertigo affects millions of people in the United States. Those who suffer from it experience disturbing, nauseating sensations that make even simple acts like getting out of bed extremely uncomfortable. Worse still, vertigo throws off your body’s natural sense of balance, increasing your risk of falling while performing basic activities. How can you tell if you or a loved one suffers from this common condition, and more importantly, what can you do to fight it?
What Causes Vertigo?
The most common form of vertigo is caused by damage or decay in the inner ear. Specifically, bits of calcium can break off within the closed circuit of the vestibular system, the part of the ear that helps control balance and eye movements. Trauma can cause this breakage to occur, but so can aging. As the head moves, these loose bits of calcium roll around, stimulating the nerves our bodies use for balance. These false signals confuse the brain, producing a host of unpleasant sensations.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of vertigo are most apparent while moving, especially when shifting between standing and lying down. If you frequently experience any of the following symptoms after shifting positions, you may have a form of vertigo:
Dizziness
A sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving
A loss of balance or unsteadiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Because of the difficulties of living an active life with these sensations, secondary symptoms, like anxiety or depression, are common.
What Can Be Done?
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, or VRT, has been proven to help treat vertigo. This specialized form of physical therapy takes a holistic approach that addresses both the symptoms and the root cause of vertigo. Through a series of exercises, mind and body are trained to compensate for the vestibular damage. At first, this can make the symptoms feel much worse. But through expert training, patients soon develop far greater control and feel improvement on all fronts.
If you or a loved one suffers from vertigo or other vestibular disorders please reach out to us. We can give you an assessment and the tools you need to stop the spinning, headaches, falling, or dizziness.
Rue and Primavera Occupational and Physical Therapy
