Many people think of physical therapy as helping people gain strength after a surgery or injury. However, physical therapy can effectively treat a wide range of conditions that may surprise you.
Headaches, Migraines and Sinus Pain
There are many different types of headaches and migraines from tension headaches, to migraines and sinus headaches. While there are many different “triggers” for headaches and migraines, most sufferers do have some underlying problem that is causing their pain. Our physical therapists will do a thorough examination and look for correct alignment, posture, muscle strength in the neck, upper back and shoulders. If there are limitations in the joint movement or strength in the neck or upper back, our reset method can help restore you back to normal mobility and increase blood flow in the area, reducing the common spasms that can occur. In addition, our therapists will train you on exercises and techniques that you can use to prevent future occurrences.
TMJ Dysfunction
Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include pain in the jaw, jaw popping, headaches, sore jaw muscles, locking of the jaw, pain in the temple, and earaches. Physical therapy helps TMJ sufferers in a number of ways. Our therapists work with you to determine the exact mechanisms of your TMJ and where you have poor alignment of the TMJ, neck and head. Our Reset Method improves posture, restores movement and function by resetting the muscle and movement of the TMJ.
Dizziness and Vertigo
We’ve all had the sensation of being dizzy – as if you can’t focus, can’t see straight, can’t stand upright without swaying or falling. Physical therapy can treat inner ear problems and imbalances that can cause dizziness and vertigo. A physical therapist can use both passive and active therapies to form connections with the brain on adjusting imbalances and regaining stability and reduce dizziness symptoms.
Forward Head Syndrome
Forward head syndrome is extremely common in today's society and describes a condition where, due to changes in posture, the head juts forward, actually shortening the neck. Due to prolonged sitting, poor posture with work, working at a computer, sitting at home in poor posture watching TV and a host of other common poor postures, changes in your spine can occur over time. Think about how much time you spend looking into a screen and hunched over a desk. The 10–12 lbs of your head are pulling forward on your spine. Over time, the normal curve in your neck reduces, the length of the spine decreases and muscles in the neck become weaker. This can lead to a variety of symptoms from neck pain, to headaches and even impinged nerves radiating pain into the upper extremities. Physical therapy works in a variety of ways to improve your posture and actually change your neck posture over time. With hands-on therapy, stretching, special exercises and postural re–training, our physical therapists work with you to improve your posture, alignment and neck strength. In addition, we train you on proper postural positioning and techniques to adapt your work and home areas to reduce the strain on your neck.
Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain
Elbow pain can come from a variety of sources, but typically occurs due to an overuse of the elbow joint from repetitive activities. Often bad posture with typing, writing, lifting or sports, makes the tissues around the elbow become irritated. Poor posture, repetitive activities such as typing, gripping and twisting can cause tightening in the muscles and tissues of the forearm. This can affect mobility and can lead to chronic inflammation and irritation to the elbows, wrists and hands. Physical therapy helps to relieve the pain by identifying where you are having limitations, analyzing your daily activities and strength of certain muscle groups. A comprehensive plan is then built to improve your range of motion, reduce your pain quickly, soothe stiff and sore muscles and return your strength.
Contact AAPT
If you are suffering with pain or know someone who is, Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy is here to work with you. We want to help you and your loved ones relieve pain, restore movement and enjoy the activities you love.