Milos asked:


What is the largest joint in our body? Answer: The Knee.

The knee is the connecting point of a total of three bones in our legs: the lower end of the thigh bone or the femur, the upper end of the shinbone or the tibia, and the knee cap or the patella. Other parts of the knee are the cartilage or the shock absorbing cushions in between muscles, the tendons or the cords connecting muscles to bones, and the ligament or the bands connecting our bones to other bones. Any damage to all of these parts are accounted for by a Knee physical therapy, and just the ligament alone is so vulnerable to pulling, stretching and tearing, and with each knee having four major supporting ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL at the center of knee, the posterior cruciate ligament or PCL also at the center, the lateral collateral ligament or LCL at the outer knee, and the medial collateral ligament or MCL at the inner knee – Oh the pains of a sprain! and much more other knee ailments. Knee physical therapy deals with damages to all these bones and parts altogether – so what better reason to take care of it!

Knee physical therapy injury prevention itself does so much in providing a better health for our knees. Being one of the most easily injured joints in the human body, the knee rightly deserves its warm- ups, before it lies fateful to Cartilage Injuries, Chrondromalacia, Tendon Injuries, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Osteochondritis Dissecans, Plica Syndrome, or Arthritis.

If you are already suffering from any of these, then you should be in luck for knee physical therapy. Whether you are lying cooperatively on an injury RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), or just watching your way for tripping stones, whether you have knee injury or knee pain, recovering from injury, or plainly trying to avoid it – Knee physical therapy can handle it all, as long as you get it immediately.

Yes there are other procedures to hold your back beyond a knee physical therapy, yet should you go that extra mile of surgery, arthroscopy, or knee replacement? Knee physical therapy offers easy access to prevention, emergency, or rehabilitation. Following simpler processes such as evaluation, therapy, education, and aftercare, knee physical therapy can literally make you good to go. Try to jump, stand, run, and pivot – jump for joy if you have a healthy knee!

Greg Merriman asked:


Incorporating the National Qualification in Orthopaedic Sports Massage

Entry Requirements

A keen interest in the treatment of soft tissue and muscular pain and injury.

What can I do with this qualification?

Graduates of the National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy can establish private practice to offer treatments to the public to relieve or eliminate soft tissue and muscular pain and injury.

Graduates also work with sporting teams and entertainment troupes.

Successful completion allows graduates to obtain professional indemnity insurance cover to facilitate the treatment of members of the public.

Programme Overview

This qualification, is delivered by Ireland’s College of Complementary Medical Education – CCME, and the National School of Sports Massage – NSSM – with professional accreditation in place ensuring recognition, not only in Ireland, but also throughout the UK and acceptance in most countries worldwide.

Applications are sought from any individual with a committed desire to learn the techniques required to effectively treat pain and injury including professionally qualified persons with knowledge in the areas of basic anatomy and physiology and individuals without a professional qualification as primary anatomy and physiology will be covered on this programme. Ideal applicants include Nurses, Exercise Teachers, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, P. E. Teachers, Massage Therapists.

Excellent employment opportunities exist for Neuromuscular and Physical Therapists at home and abroad as the use of these therapies in health care is increasing rapidly. Treatments offered by graduates to qualifying individuals are now covered by Quinn Healthcare (formerly BUPA Ireland) and VIVAS Health. CCME Course Director and tutor, John Sharkey, has been appointed three times as Sports Massage and Neuromuscular Therapist to the Medical Support Team of the Olympic Council of Ireland.

Qualified therapists offer professional services in a variety of locations including Private Practice, Injury Clinics, Sports Complexes, Sporting Teams etc.

This advanced Complementary Medical Educational course is delivered by some of the industry’s most respected professionals. The course content is unique as the syllabus includes multi media based Cadaver studies to advance your knowledge of anatomy and enhance your ability to heal.

Entry Requirements

Applicants need to have a keen interest in the treatment of pain, injury and soft tissue dysfunction. They need to be able to offer commitment to participation on this programme which has been designed to fit in with the busy schedules of working individuals.

There are no formal education requirements for participation on this programme. Individuals with a prior qualification are free to enrol any any of the programmes.

Synoptic Syllabus

This CCME course is an advanced Complementary Medical Educational (CME) programme involving Sports Massage and Soft Tissue Manipulation techniques including:

# Primary and Advanced Anatomy & Physiology

# Exercise Physiology

# Neuro Physiology

# Cadaver Studies

# Myology

# Soft Tissue Release

# Muscle Energy Techniques

# Trigger Point Techniques

# Neuromuscular Techniques

# Positional and Myofascial Release

Tutors

All College of Complementary Medical Education tutors are practicing Neuromuscular and Physical Therapists and they all hold a tutoring qualification which gives them the skills required to deliver the National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy programme to adults of mixed ability.

Other tutors include John Sharkey, Sports Massage and Neuromuscular Therapist for the Olympic Council of Ireland, Leon Chaitow, internationally renowned bodywork lecturer and author and Judith DeLany, author, lecturer and director of the NMT Center in Florida. Leon and Judith both teach on the Higher Diploma in Neuromuscular Therapy programme.

CPD

In addition to following a strict code of ethics, all licensed Neuromuscular and Physical Therapists must be a member of a recognised professional body such as the Association of Neuromuscular Therapists. Membership of this Association allows a therapists patients to benefit from health insurance payments.

The combination of continuing education and professional status will offer the reassurance which the public demand before a course of treatment commences. Patients will be able to verify the professional status of therapists using an on-line licensing register.

Amy Nutt asked:


When you’re in the business of physical therapy, it is important that you have the right types of tables. It does not suffice to have just one type of table. That is because your patients come in different types. They come in different shapes, sizes, and conditions. If you have just one type of table, you’re not going to be able to serve everyone who walks through your door. That can do a lot of harm to your bottom line and there are going to be a lot of people wanting you to help them, but you can’t.

Finding the right table

Two of the most common types of physical therapy tables are the Classic Clinician style tables that you see in spas and various physical therapy offices. You will also see the heavy duty treatment table for bariatric patients. These are just two of the physical therapy supplies that are going to make your business as successful as possible.

Most importantly, you want to make sure that your physical therapy equipment can treat anyone in a variety of different situations. Take the bariatric patient, for example. They have had their surgery and are on their way to losing weight, but many years of being overweight has taken a toll on their body. As they lose weight they are able to move around more and may need therapy to strengthen and condition their muscles. However, a heavier duty table may be needed if they are seeking out therapy at the beginning of the weight loss process. This is to ensure they are as comfortable as possible.

So how do you find the right physical therapy equipment such as a physical therapy table? Ask yourself the following:

• Do I have patients with mobility issues?

• What type of services do I offer?

• Does my standard table meet all of my needs? What needs is it not meeting?

• What have my clients said about the tables I am using?

You may not realize that you have the answers to these questions, but you do. Use these answers to determine if you need positioning tables, flat tables, special hydraulic tables, inversion tables, mat tables, tilt top tables, or another one of the many tables out there. Think of the function of each of these and think of your patients. Make sure that you can serve the different types of patients that need you. For example, hydraulic tables are great for those with mobility issues and can also treat a variety of other patients. They are heavy duty, so they can also handle an excessive amount of weight.

Because you are in the physical therapy field, your business probably offers massages. If that’s the case, then massage tables should be a part of your physical therapy supplies. That way you can administer the right massages. These are more like your Classic Clinician style tables, which are the ones you see in health clubs and spas. They can be positioned just right to administer an effective massage.

Quite profitable

If you have the right physical therapy equipment, you can count on increasing your profits. Patients are going to choose the office that has the right equipment over the office that doesn’t have the right equipment. If patients are saying great things about you because of the physical therapy supplies you have, others are going to find out. Think of it as a considerable return on your investment. If you have to purchase multiple tables, you’re going to be able to cater to different types of patients. Having the right physical therapy equipment means they’ll love you for it.

Abigail Franks asked:


Physical therapy, just on a very surface level could be considered an alternative type or natural treatment for certain conditions like back pain. Unlike aromatherapy, herbal remedies etc, physical therapy has been recognized as a legitimate treatment for many physical or bodily problems resulting from disease, accidents and other things that can affect our life.

It is different from Occupational therapy. Occupational therapists treat people who are considered to have much more permanent physical or developmental problems. The physical therapist however may be considered a shorter term solution for people in need of temporary assistance and treatments.

Much of the established medical community recognizes the benefits of physical therapy. Physical therapy is essentially the use of exercises and activities to help condition parts of the body. Through specialized activities, the part of the body being worked with gains, strength, coordination, conditioning, and movement.

Physical therapy is now considered an important part of most treatments for injuries or physical disorders. Exercises are designed to help patients gain the as much of the full range of motion as possible. This means that physical therapy is usually a lot of exhaustive work for the patients.

The appointments with the physical therapist is only part of the work that needs done however. The therapist will typically offer a daily exercise regimen and suggest other ways to help with your rehabilitation. They will often spend the time necessary through demonstration and teaching patients how to get the maximum benefit from those exercises. By following their direction, patients can expect over time to improve their health and gain additional functionality of the problem area.

Many doctors who treat pain will also actively use physical therapists to assist with relieving a painful condition depending on the reason for the problem. Therapists are not just physical education instructors but are skilled in helping patients recover the greatest amount of functionality possible.

Physical therapy plays a critical role in helping in the development of children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and many other conditions. This work may include years of effort to gain just a few precious benefits for the child but it’s one of the benefits of becoming a physical therapist.

Therapists work to help maintain or improve the use of bones, muscles and joints through their specialized treatments and efforts. They are licensed professional who have done wonders with children and adults of all ages. As our society ages, physical therapy as a career will become increasingly more important.

Peter sams asked:


The main objectives of Physical Therapy are to promote body strength, function and mobility and prevent future physical injury. Physical therapy is a dynamic health profession, which utilizes both scientific knowledge and evidence based clinical. A course to focus on prevention of impairments, functional limitations or disabilities by identifying disablement risk factors and providing educational intervention to facilitate a positive change in the health behavior of patients. Physical therapy focuses primarily on those individuals whose potential or actual impairment is related to musculoskeletal, neuromusculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and integument (skin) systems.

Types

Orthopedic Physical Therapy: The first type of physical therapy is the one most commonly known to the general public. Orthopedic therapy usually takes place in the hospital directly following surgery or in an outpatient clinic where customers visit on a daily or weekly basis.

Pediatric Physical Therapy: Pediatric physical therapy assists in the early detection of health problems among infants, children and adolescents. Treatments often seek to improve gross and fine motor skills, strength, cognitive functioning and balance.

Geriatric Physical Therapy: This type of physical therapy is geared toward people of older generations as well as toward people who have trouble with the aging process. Victims of osteoporosis often see a geriatric physical therapist as do senior citizens who undergo extensive surgery.

Neurological Physical Therapy: Neurological physical therapy is one treatment path for patients with a neurological disorder or disease—such as Alzheimer’s, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s.

Heat Physical Therapy: Heat can help relax and heal your muscles and soft tissues by increasing blood circulation. This can be especially helpful if a joint is stiff from osteoarthritis or from being immobilized, or to relax the muscles before exercise. However, heat can also increase swelling in an injured area if it is used too soon after the injury.

Speech therapy : A speech therapist can also help your child strengthen her ****** muscles if she has trouble eating or swallowing. This is especially important if your child is not getting enough nutrients at each meal.

Causes of physical therapy

Orthopedic Disorders – Orthopedic injuries are injuries that involve trauma to a bone, such as a fracture, or trauma to soft tissue. People with these types of injuries often have limited mobility because of pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Westchase Physical Therapy focuses on helping patients regain their strength and mobility so they can get back to living life.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Pain, numbness or weakness that affects some part of the median nerve in the hand, thumb or ring finger. Pain may radiate into the arm. Causes for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include repetitive handwork and trauma.

Benefits Of Physical Therapy

benefits of physical therapy, but the key benefits are to evaluate physical problems, increase and maintain muscle strength and endurance, restore and increase joint range of motion, increase coordination, decrease pain, decrease muscle spasm and plasticity, decrease swelling and inflammation of joints, promote healing of soft tissue lesions, prevent contracture and deformity of limbs, alleviate walking problems, educate patients and family, decrease stress and a whole lot more too numerous to mention. These are but a few of the benefits of physical therapy.

Gary Gordon asked:


Physical therapy equipment was once thought to be exclusively for the use of injured professional athletes, but now, many people are entering into the exercise world. As more and older people begin to lead more active lives, injuries are sure to increase, as will the need for physical therapy, but physical therapy is not just for those who have sports injuries, it is also a means of recovering from any major injury or illness. Those who have had surgery, nerve damage, or even some severe burns, are all candidates to use the physical therapy equipment found in a therapist’s office. Much of this equipment can also be brought home for the patient to continue his rehabilitation away from the office.

It will be likely that the patient will need his own set of the same sort of physical therapy equipment found in the therapist’s office. Some pieces are more convenient than others for home use. Among these are resistance bands, ankle and wrist weights, and finger and hand exercisers. The patient will still need supervision when using resistance bands to ensure that he has the proper form. This will prevent further injury. Other pieces of equipment the patient is likely to encounter at the office are exercise pulley and stretching equipment, balance boards, and exercise balls. These all require a second person to oversee the exercises since serious injury could result from their misuse.

The patient should work to rebuild muscle tone which is often lost during the non-use of the resting period following the injury or surgery. This requires that the patient works carefully with the physical therapy equipment to do the proper exercises to avoid further injury or harm. By paying attention to the therapist, the patient will be able to replicate the exercises at home. All of the exercises will need to be done under the supervision of the therapist or another qualified spotter. This ensures that the patient has the proper form and is doing the activity to gain its full benefits.

Too often, patients feel that the exercises prescribed on the physical therapy equipment are too easy. This should serve as a red flag to the therapist that the patient might be performing the activities incorrectly. Physical therapy’s goal is to provide resistance in order to rebuild lost muscle and strength. Consequently, the patient should feel that he is working the muscles targeted. If he does not feel that the muscle is being fully used, he is likely compensating by using improper form. This does not aid in rehabilitation, and it will lengthen the required amount of time for the physical therapy.

Its is strongly recommended that warming up and stretching are done prior to any physical activity and should also become integral parts of your physical therapy routine. Stretching with exercise balls for example, will improve flexibility and strength of your muscles and joints, while warming up with a jump rope will increase your blood flow and circulation. Both of these coupled with appropriate physical therapy exercise equipment will contribute towards increasing the chances of full recovery and minimizing the possibilities of future injuries. Since certain stretching and warm up exercises may have a n adverse affect on your physical therapy recuperation process, always consult with your therapist before starting any new routines.

Milos asked:


The procedures of physical therapy are diverse. Physical therapy combines a variety of methods and techniques. Yet all in all, the process would include lifestyle change, external stimulation, use of assisting devices, and of course the therapeutic exercise.

Appointing yourself with physical therapy exercises gets you in the hub of physical wellness. Whether to decrease pain or increase movement and function, various physical therapy exercises tender different types of body training that will improve any patient’s physical condition.

As the heart of any physical therapy program, whether clinical or home care, physical therapy exercises shall keep you moving. Plus points with the physical therapy exercises has been earning scores since studies realized that keeping an overworked or injured muscle immobilized to ‘rest’ is a bad idea. In contrast, continuous physical therapy exercises shall assure a patient’s vital recovery. In most cases, failure to use the muscles surrounding an injury or illness can lead to permanent weakness a big no-no for physical therapy.

Physical therapy exercises are intended to restore strength and endurance, increase range of movement, and also improve balance and coordination. And to increase these effectiveness, physical therapists also use the physical therapy exercises treatment along with external stimulations such as heat, coldness, ultrasound, electricity, infrared or UV light, traction, water, and massage. All are applied externally to a specific area, or internally, in order to relieve pain or reducing swelling.

Another factor to assure the success of the exercise methods is to do it right. As long as properly prescribed, physical therapy exercises are the most effective method for healing sports or accident injuries or restoring basic functions. Another key is to do enough exercises. Physical therapy exercises performed during office visits alone is inadequate. For quick recovery, physical therapists also teach patients how to exercise at home. Here are some examples of home physical therapy exercises:

Sitting Stretch:

Sit on the floor with a towel around one of your outstretched foot (or around the one bent knee). Pull the foot towards your body (or the knee upwards) to feel the stretch. Hold for some seconds. Do alternately, and repetitively and at particular number of times per day.

Standing Wall Push:

Position your body against/ facing a wall with one foot behind slightly lunging. Hold the heel down while gently pushing your hands towards the wall to feel the stretch. Hold for some seconds. Do alternately, and repetitively and at particular number of times per day.

Tightening Legs Over a Ball:

With one knee bent over a ball, straighten the knee by trying to tighten the muscle on your upper thigh. Be sure to keep the bottom of your knee on the ball. Hold for some seconds. Do alternately, and repetitively and at particular number of times per day.

You should note that the repetitions and frequency of the exercises are increased progressively according to the exercise plan or as directed by your PT. Good luck!

Milos asked:


Physical therapy may involve walk training, range of motion, restorative therapy, therapeutic exercises, and home programs to improve strength and independence. Consider a boy named Marc. He injured his knee on a soccer game. He placed a cold icy compress to his injury immediately afterwards but the pain persisted. He visited his doctor and found out that he had torn his Anterior Cruciate Ligament, the tissue that connects the two major bones of the knees. He underwent surgery to treat his injury, yet after which Marc would still need a physical exercise home therapy program for full recovery. This shall help him rebuild his muscle strength and recover the range of motion in his injured knee, and so Marc could heal properly, and completely. Yet how does or should a physical exercise home therapy program work?

First is to look for the right physical therapist. The PT must have a master’s or doctoral degree in physical therapy and must be licensed by your state to practice. You should also know that physical therapists have specializations in different areas. A particular therapist may work mostly with sports injuries, for example, while others may be experts in head injuries, or in children, babies, the elderly, or those with particular illnesses. So you should find one who suits your case. The recommendation of a doctor may not be enough to earn your confidence so you should ask questions to your prospective PT. You should ask about his expertise in such conditions like yours, his therapy plan for you as well as needed physical therapy equipments, also ask how relevant are those in your case or are the equipments necessary to assist implementation of the program; finally ask the exact length of each therapy session and the frequency of the therapy exercises. You can also your school coach for physical therapist recommendations or contact your state’s physical therapy association for names of licensed PT’s in your area.

Now you’re ready for your physical exercise home therapy program, but not so easy. You should remember to stick to the plans of your physical exercise home therapy program. Follow your PT’s directions sternly. Listen to your PT to know your body so you’ll realize how an affected area functions so you can spot problems or avoid further injury in the future. And also talk to your PT; he’s always there to help, and to join you in celebrating your success.

Though recovery can feel frustrating and slow, take a moment to appreciate the difference that a physical exercise home therapy program can make. In time you’ll have increased strength, endurance, flexibility, better postural alignment, pain relief and confidence.

Milos asked:


Frozen shoulder is the condition of pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint accompanied by loss of motion. An inflammation in or around the shoulder may trigger the body’s normal defensive response of stiffness. When the shoulder becomes stiff, it becomes too painful too move. Someone with frozen shoulder may not be able to reach above and over the head or touch the back.

While there is no definite cause of frozen shoulder, over 90 percent of patients experience full recovery. Doctors recommend physical therapy for frozen shoulder as the best treatment.

Physical therapy for frozen shoulder starts with reducing the pain and stiffness of the shoulder and increasing blood circulation through heat. One effective way of the heating method is taking a 10-minute hot shower or bath. Alternatively, the physical therapist may apply heat to your shoulder locally with the use of heating pads, wraps or towels. Hot water bottles and heat creams and ointments may also be used.

Shoulder massage is also a good way to start physical therapy for frozen shoulder as it increases the flow of blood and oxygen into the area. Once pain is reduced either through heating or through massage, the therapist proceeds with a series of physical therapy exercises.

In physical therapy for frozen shoulder, you will first perform weight and non-weight stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your shoulder joint. The common exercises include arm swing with weights, arm raise, overhead stretch, stretching your arms across your body, and towel stretch.

It is important to note that during these stretching exercises, you should feel tension but you should not overstretch your shoulder to the point where you feel pain or severe discomfort. These exercises are done once or twice daily until the shoulder restores its normal range of movement.

Your doctor will advise you should you need to perform other exercises to tone and strengthen your shoulder muscles such as rotation exercises. Remember not to force movement in your shoulder. This does not mean you should not move it at all but instead to limit activities that may further injure your shoulder.

If physical therapy for frozen shoulder does not work for you, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment. The good news is physical therapy for frozen shoulder is usually enough for patients to get effective results that improve with time. If you have frozen shoulder, consult a physical therapist and get the treatment that you need.

Amy Nutt asked:


Physical therapists are specially trained in the area of physical therapy, which involves intense knowledge of what the body physically needs following an injury, illness or recovery from intense medical treatment. Physical therapy is designed to improve strength and mobility and prevent future injuries from occurring. Physical therapists use a wide variety of equipment to aid patients in recovery, and this equipment is often the largest financial investment that physical therapist offices make.

If you are a physical therapist or are managing a physical therapy office, you may find yourself weighing the pros and cons of renting versus buying your physical therapy equipment. Which option is best for the physical therapist? The truth is that there is no perfect answer in favor of one or the other. Often it can depend on the size of your office and your particular needs as well as the type of equipment you are considering purchasing or renting for your office.

If you are a brand new practice (or physical therapist starting out on your own) just starting out, it may be best to rent your equipment in the beginning. This alleviates the need for a large amount of capital and helps you to avoid the initial high cost for equipment that will surely be in the thousands of dollars. The helps reduce the financial risk of outright equipment purchases.

However, a more established practice may do well to invest in buying their own equipment outright, as long as it is not equipment that may soon be outdated or need regular replacement to keep up with your practice’s needs. In these cases, renting may be a better option.

Renting equipment is an affordable option that can offer easy payment arrangements for equipment that may not be as affordable to you to purchase. It also allows you to try out new types of equipment for an extended period of time prior to buying.

Sometimes you can find programs that offer equipment rental with the purchase to buy at the end of the lease. This may be good option in some circumstances if you are lacking the funds to purchase the equipment outright or are unsure about the equipment and want to try it out but are leaning toward eventually making a purchase.

Just be sure prior to renting any equipment that you are sure of all terms of the rental agreement and contract, as usually you will be required to rent equipment for a specified amount of time and may be charged large fees if you decide you want out of your rental agreement.

Large business leasing and purchasing are tough decisions to make and can greatly impact your practice financially. To make the right decision for your office or practice, consider all factors involved in this type of budgeting decision. You’ll need to take into account the type of equipment you need and how often it will need replaced. You’ll also need to have a clear understanding of the budget of your practice and what type of investments you are able make at this point in time.