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MID-Body Conditions
Back, Elbow, Wrist & Hand
HAND
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the wrist and hand. This condition can affect the use of the entire arm. It is caused by pressure on the median nerve at the base of the palm.
Physical Therapy is a beneficial method for the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and often alleviates the painful symptoms. Some physical therapy treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome includes stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, splinting, cold treatments, and heat treatments.
FINGER AMPUTATIONS
Finger amputations are most often the result of a traumatic injury however, they can be the result of a planned operation intended to prevent the spread of disease in an infected finger.
Physical and Occupational therapy is highly beneficial in the aftermath of a finger amputation. Therapy exercises are designed to help patients recover and learn how to return to daily living activities. Treatment may include stretching the finger/fingers to prevent contracture, use heat or cold compress to relieve pain, and strengthening exercises.
TRIGGER FINGER
Trigger Finger is caused by repetitive, prolonged motions leading to irritation of the tendons in the finger(s). Patients who have a job or a hobby that requires them to use their hand to grip an object are most susceptible to this condition.
Occupational therapy provided by a Certified Hand Therapist is an effective method for relieving symptoms. Treatment may include icing or heating the tissue, stretching exercises, and looking for ways to decrease unnecessary stress on the hand. Occupational Therapy is the most conservative approach to relieving symptoms.
WRIST - NERVE INJURIES
Injury to the nerves in the wrist is commonly caused by trauma such as being cut, crushed, or burned. Other possible causes of nerve injuries can be from different medical conditions, infection, or repetitive use of the wrist.
An Occupational Therapy team or a Certified Hand Therapist can help reduce nerve pain by utilizing techniques like a soft tissue massage, nerve gliding, or proprioception training. If there is permanent damage to the nerve, a physical or occupational therapist can help the patient learn adaptations to gain back independence.
WRIST
GOLFER'S ELBOW
Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a condition that occurs when the tendons on the inside of the forearm become irritated due to repetitive use of the hand, wrist, and forearm. The muscles affected by golfer’s elbow are in the wrist, fingers, and thumb.
Our trained physical therapists treat patients with Golfer’s Elbow using manual techniques, mobility exercises, and by teaching self-stretches to help the elbow and wrist maintain movement. These treatments can help with reducing pain and boost the patient’s range of motion giving them the ability to return to daily activities.
ELBOW
TENNIS ELBOW
Tennis elbow is a painful condition caused by overuse of the "extensor" muscles in the arm and forearm. Performing daily activities that use the wrist and hand excessively are prone to developing tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can occur in athletes, children, and adults.
Our physical therapists use many different types of exercises during tennis elbow recovery. Treatments may include manual therapy to enable the joints and muscles making movement less painful. Physical therapy can also help improve muscle strength, which contributes to reducing or eliminating the pain caused by tennis elbow.
BACK
BACK COMPRESSION FRACTURE
A spinal compression fracture occurs when the vertebrae that form the spine collapses or breaks. A common cause of spinal compression fractures is Osteoporosis. Compression fractures, however, can also occur due to trauma, infection, and cancer.
Physical Therapists offer several forms of physical therapy that help with relieving the symptoms of spinal compression fractures. Treatment may include movement guidance, flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises, posture and spine sparing, fall prevention, and a home-exercise program. All of these methods can result in significant pain reduction.
SCIATICA / RADIATING PAIN
Typical sciatica signs and symptoms include: lower back, hip, and/or leg pain; numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the buttock, thigh, leg, and/or foot; underlying medical conditions, such as a herniated or degenerated disc, or nerve root compression in the lumbar spine may cause radiating symptoms into the leg.
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In treating Sciatica, our Physical Therapy team helps strengthen and mobilize tissues in the lower back, pelvis, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. The goals are to: restore pain-free functional movement patterns; relieve lower back, buttock, thigh, and leg pain; restore function of the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joint; Improve mobility of the lower body; and foster a better healing environment in the lower back.
SI JOINT PAIN (BACK)
SI Joint dysfunction occurs when the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis become stiff or weak. This condition can occur at any age and this type of joint dysfunction it is found in 10% to 25% of patients who experience lower back pain.
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Physical Therapy can help relieve symptoms and change any outside factors that may be causing back pain. Some methods a physical therapist may use can include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and other methods to help control pain. Exercises involving strength training will also improve the stability of the sacroiliac and spinal joints.
SPINAL STENOSIS
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Spinal stenosis is a narrowing within the vertebrae of the spinal column that results in too much pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Spinal stenosis is commonly found in the neck or in the lower back. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is due to the aging of the spine.
Physical Therapists help patients recover by teaching them specific movements that will take the pressure off the nerve root to reduce pain. Physical Therapy also improves mobility in the joints and muscles of the spine. A Physical Therapy treatment plan increases tolerance for activities that may have been difficult due to spinal stenosis.
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
Spondylolisthesis is a condition that involves the forward slippage of one vertebra over another. Young athletes whose teenage growth spurt has not yet occurred are at greater risk for continued vertebra slippage.
Our physical therapy team educates patients on how to improve movements and body mechanics based on daily activities. Physical Therapy can also introduce stretching exercises that can help improve flexibility in tight muscles. Once the pain, strength, and motion improve, the patient can safely transition back into more physically demanding activities.
SPORTS INJURIES (BACK)
When playing in any sport, injury to the back can occur. Sports that have repetitive impact, a twisting motion, or weight loading at the end of a range-of-motion movement, commonly causes damage to the lower back.
Physical Therapy is an effective way to help improve mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall health and wellness. Having proper body mechanics through consistent practice helps to reduce potential injuries to the back. Physical therapists use different exercises, techniques, stretches, and specialized equipment to properly address injuries. For some patients, physical therapy can prevent surgery as a treatment for a sports injury.
WHIPLASH
Whiplash is caused by neck strain following a sudden forward and backward movement. This causes the neck to extend beyond its usual range of motion. The sudden force causes the muscles and tendons in the neck to tear and stretch affecting cervical motion, as well as shoulder motion.
Our physical therapy team helps patients relieve pain and inflammation by using healing modalities such as ice, ultrasound, gentle massage, and electrical stimulation. Physical therapy is an effective way to restore range-of-motion that has been affected by whiplash.
