Health Check Physical Therapy Newsletter

Transcription

1 Health Check Physical Therapy Newsletter April 2016 A New Addition to the Family! I recently recalled an interview with a Canadian woman, which left a lasting impression upon me. She was 102 years old. I do not recall her name, but I will never forget what she told the interviewer when she was asked the question, What is the secret to your long and healthy life? She replied, Just keep doing what you are doing and don't stop! Her creed was to stay active, help people, eat good food, and she said it was O.K. to have desert everyday as long as everything else is done in moderation. With the arrival of spring, we could all benefit from creating our own health and happiness and taking on new challenges to make our lives more meaningful. Just last Saturday evening, my daughter called me from New York while visiting friends. She had just eaten lunch and had wandered into a small boutique pet shop which sold very expensive dogs. She happened to notice a black pug puppy who was large compared to the little newborns in a cage. Upon inquiring, she was told he was five months old and in the cage for the Jen with Buddy past three months facing the possibility of euthanasia that week, due to the fact that he had an unstable knee cap, making him an undesirable purchase. Jennifer fell immediately in love with this dog and was determined to save him. She convinced the storeowner to allow her to adopt the dog, after sharing stories of animals that had barely survived but had made it to Mainline Rescue, where she had volunteered in past years.

2 After she saved this little thing, she preceded to text my wife and me, convincing us of the benefits of taking on this new puppy with medical issues. My wife and I then discussed bringing in a new companion, and decided that this new pug Penny would be a welcome addition to our home after the recent loss of my mother-in law, Elaine, who had lived with us for many years. We had also just lost two older dogs, Kayla, a border collie, who was 19 and Buddy, a pug at 15, the year before. We felt it would be great to experience the fun of having a new dog to care for and to get that unconditional love you can always count on with a dog. My mother-in-law's older dog Lola would now have a fun play pal, too. Poor Lola was Elaine's dog, and Lola had been so lonely after Elaine's passing. Kayla (left), Tim (middle) & Dagwood (right) So every morning, I get up and walk the dogs, then leave for work with a smile, thinking of the joy of this little black puppy bounding through the grass, who was so close to losing her life. I then enter Health Check, ready to help heal my patients as best as I can, remembering what that Canadian centenarian said, and telling myself, Yes, I am going to keep doing what I am doing and love doing it! Tom with Penny (left) and Lola (Right)

3 All About the Rotator Cuff: Reasons You May Have Shoulder Pain Do you have pain at rest, lying in bed, lifting or lowering you arm? Is it causing you to lose sleep? Do you feel any weakness while moving or lifting your arm or hear any cracking or crepitus when moving your arm? You may have a rotator cuff injury! The rotator cuff is a group of muscles located in the shoulder that helps stabilize the shoulder joint and allows for smooth movement. Shoulder problems are common and usually come from issues involving the rotator cuff. The four muscles in the rotator cuff include the: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor. The most common tendon involved in rotator cuff tears is the supraspinatus tendon. The most common rotator cuff injuries include: tendonitis, partial or full thickness tears, shoulder impingement or frozen shoulders. Many people with shoulder pain, even people with a full tear in their rotator cuff are able to avoid surgery with physical therapy! Don t rush surgery! Get physical therapy first! A large study published in The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery showed that 75% of people were able to rehab their rotator cuff injury without surgery.

4 What is? Tendonitis: inflammation of a tendon, most commonly from overuse. Partial / Full thickness tears: A tear is a disruption of the muscle/tendon fibers. A partial tear only extends through part of the muscle/tendon where as a full thickness tear extends all the way through the muscle/tendon. Shoulder impingement: When you raise your arm to shoulder height, the space between the acromion and rotator cuff narrows. The acromion can rub against (or "impinge" on) the tendon causing irritation and pain and restricts arm movement Frozen shoulders (adhesive capsulitis): stiffness, pain, and limited range of movement in your shoulder, which is caused by tissues around the joint that stiffen and scar tissue that formed. Torn rotator cuff symptoms - Dull ache deep in the shoulder that could radiate from the front of the shoulder down the arm. - Disturbed sleep, particularly if you lay on the affected shoulder or at rest - Having difficulties with putting your arm behind your back, combing your hair or performing anything overhead - Arm weakness or pain What could happen if this is not treated sooner than later? Rest is always good for any injury, however if the shoulder is immobilized for to long it can cause you to have a frozen shoulder! Rotator cuff pain commonly causes local swelling and tenderness in the front of the shoulder. You may have pain and stiffness when you lift your arm! To take care of you or anyone you may know with shoulder issues, please call us today at to schedule an appointment! Remember don t wait if you are having any problems; you want to avoid any further issues and pain and get back to enjoying your daily activities!

5 Patient Story Health Mentors of the Month John C. Is an avid cross fit exerciser who was suffering from shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis. As a result of overhead lifting movements he developed small muscle tears that created scar tissue, pain, and weakness in the supraspinatus tendon. This muscle would get pinched against the shoulder bone when he lifted his arm overhead. Our exam revealed we could heal the muscle tears with ultrasound, specialized massage and restore normal shoulder motion and strength with shoulder blade and rotator cuff exercises. Today John has returned to full cross fit activity without the need for surgery! We would like to thank all our past and present patients who have referred their family and friends to Health Check Physical Therapy! During the month March we would like to particularly recognize and thank the following patients: Tim and Tina Breslin, Ann Byer, Lisa Duncan, Maryanne Murphy, Robert Schnure, and Bill Smith. Testimonials When I first came to Health Check I had severe pain in my right hip that prevented me from sitting and even lifting my leg up. After completing my therapy I am pain free and have more flexibility than I ever had before. Tom, Chuck and Yaseen were all extremely helpful in my recovery. I have been to many physical therapy centers in my life and this is by far the one I would recommend most. Richard S. Before I used to get a sharp pain in my arm when I pitched baseball, but now I am pain free thanks to physical therapy. Thank you! - Liam M This was my third experience at Health Check in eleven years. I started in August 2006 rehabbing from a heart attack. The therapy was life saving and the advice was priceless. Several years later, I rehabbed for back pain. Once again I had good results. Now I just finished rehab for my neck and shoulder, which I had some nerve damage. Results were good: very satisfied. Staff is top notch. From the time you walk in the door till the time you leave the experience is enjoyable! Robert C.

6 797 E. Lancaster Ave, Suite 2 Downingtown, PA Health Check Physical Therapy Tom Suspenski, PT, ATC. Phone: (610) Fax: (610) At Health Check we specialize in and provide comprehensive one on one treatment for the following: 1. Low back pain 2. SI sacroiliac dysfunction 3. Cervical and thoracic pain 4. Upper & lower extremity pain 5. Total joint replacements 6. Sports related injuries 7. Pre and post surgical rehabilitation 8. Work related injuries 9. Motor vehicle accident related injuries Health Check Physical Therapy