Physical Therapy

How is LIVE EVERY DAY therapy different?
In every way.

Stop thinking all therapy is the same. Stop thinking I went ‘there’ last time, I need to go ‘there’ again.  Stop thinking therapy is all about [insert self-limiting word here i.e. massage, silly exercises with a band, or a room packed full of people.]

Therapy maximizes mobility and function.

How is LIVE EVERY DAY different?  In every way.

It starts with individual one-on-one care.  That’s right-you and us. We have the tools, the love and desire to dig deep, establish the root of the problem, combine that with your wants / needs & make quick

work of it.  We get to know you – the person behind the shoulder injury, the loved one struggling with after effects of a stroke.  We are here, we’re not going anywhere and promise to be now and forever your Physical Therapist.

Intensive Education and Clinical Expertise

LIVE EVERY DAY therapists apply research and proven techniques to help people get back in motion. An optimal combination of treatments to suit the needs of people of all ages, including newborns, children, adults and elderly individuals.

A Personal Wellness Plan Tailored for Your Needs

Your physical therapist will examine you and develop a plan of care using a variety of treatment techniques that help you move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Your physical therapist will also help you prevent loss of mobility and motion by developing a fitness- and wellness-oriented program tailored to your specific needs, for those times outside the office and our hands-on approach.

From breaks to bruises to bursitis, physical therapists have a special knack for assessing the human body and helping restore it back to optimal performance. Armed with cutting edge equipment and a huge background of knowledge, we can help diagnose and treat many common ailments and movement disorders. But despite having a slew of cool toys often our most useful tool for treatment is our brains & hands!

Sprains and strains

Sprains occur to ligaments, which connect bones together. Strains occur to muscles and tendons. Tendons attach muscles to bone. A sprain can affect nearly any joint in the body, including the spine and is usually the result of a sudden, unexpected traumatic event. Strains result from over stretching or excessive contraction of the muscle or tendon. It is possible for sprain and strain to occur simultaneously.

Physical therapy will help hasten the healing process and protect the injured tissue while allowing progressive return of mobility and strength.

Contusions

Contusion is another way of saying bruise. These are usually the result of a direct blow or fall onto a specific body part.

The bruise is going to take time to heal, usually 4-6 weeks. Physical therapy will allow the soft tissues to heal properly while allowing progressive return of mobility and strength

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a term that describes inflammation (“itis”). Irritation of a tendon may occur with specific trauma or repetitive stress. Determining the cause of the irritation is the most important factor during the healing process so as not to create a chronic condition. Tendonitis should be treated by a physical therapist sooner, not later to ensure successful recovery.

Physical therapy modalities and hands on treatment allow the tendon to heal properly. Therapeutic exercises, posture, activity modification and bracing may be necessary to protect the injured tendon.

Fractures

Fractures are broken bones. After the cast or immobilizer is removed, both stiffness and muscle loss (atrophy) are likely around the injured area.

Physical therapy will allow you to safely begin moving the surrounding joint. Therapeutic exercises will allow you to safely build up the muscles which have weakened during immobilization. If the fracture involves the leg, physical therapy will progress you back to walking normally, safely progressing you off the walker, crutches or cane.

Meniscal and Labral Tears

Meniscal and labral tears happen primarily in the knee, shoulder and hip. The joint surfaces are protected by these structures and during activity; a sudden force can cause them to tear. This type of injury is commonly managed through arthroscopic surgery.

Following arthroscopic surgery, it is usual and customary to work with a physical therapist to help you regain mobility and strength. We utilize modlaities such as ice, compression and therapeutic soft tissue mobilization to reduce post-operative swelling and inflammation. We progress you within your comfort zone to regain full range of motion and complete treatment with strengthening and functional activities to get you back to your normal work and activities.

Ligament and Tendon repair

When torn beyond a sprain or strain level, ligaments and tendons may need to be surgically repaired or replaced.

Protection of the repaired tendon or ligament is paramount in the early stages of recovery post-operatively. Your physical therapist will let you know what you can and can’t do in the early phases of healing. Gradually, we help you progress back to full function.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a breakdown of the joint surface. An inevitable part of aging, as it progresses, joints become inflamed, painful and difficult to move. Physical therapists treat the active inflammation and provide therapeutic exercises to minimize loss of mobility and strength.

Joint Replacement

In severe cases of arthritis a joint may need to be surgically replaced. The “new” joint is called a prosthetic implant. Post-operatively, we will assist you in regaining mobility, strength and function.

Repetitive stress injuries: impingement and compression syndromes

Compression syndromes of a nerve like carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist are an example of a repetitive stress injury. Chronic impingement of a tendon in the shoulder is also a possible source of repeated bouts of tendonitis. Physical therapy will determine physical and activity related reasons contributing to the stress while treating the inflammation. Some cases do go on to surgical intervention.

Osteoporosis

When a bone begins to lose it mineral density, it becomes mechanically unstable and susceptible to fracture. Individuals with low bone mineral density (BMD) should consult a physical therapist for posture, body mechanics education and exercises to assist in treatment and prevention of progression.