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Marathon Runners

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What is physical therapy?

If your ability to move and function has been compromised by injury or disease, physical therapy may be what you need to return to health and normal functioning. Physical therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
    - orthopedic maladies such as lower back pain
    - injuries to bones and connective tissue, including fractures, dislocations, and sprains
    - workplace injuries such as repetitive stress disorders
    - sports injuries
Physical therapy can also be an important part of the care involved in healing both before and after a variety of surgeries and other procedures.

 

What can physical therapy do for me that I can't do for myself?

Physical therapy seeks to address the underlying causes of conditions (poor posture, back pain, loss of motion, etc.) and help you manage the condition through simple exercises and changes in lifestyle. You have to understand it before you can fix it.

 

How long is a physical therapy appointment?

The length of each appointment will vary by condition. But standard treatments usually run 1-2 hours and include warming of affected areas to loosen muscles, prescribed exercise period, one-on-one time with your therapist, and finally a cool-down with ice and electro-stimulation therapy.

 

What should I wear to a physical therapy appointment?

Wear what makes you the most comfortable. For many patients that's sweat pants and a loose-fitting shirt. Many come in jeans and a t-shirt. Others come in work attire. We will accommodate you no matter how you come dressed. Be aware that whatever you wear should allow for unrestrained motion and flexibility.

 

What can physical therapy treat?

Sportsmed Physical Therapy specializes in tailoring a treatment to your individual need and situation. Physical therapy has been proven effective in treating the following conditions:

 

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Spine (from neck to lower back)

  • Herniated disc and disc-related injuries (annular tear, disc bulge, etc.)

  • Nerve compression

  • Spinal stenosis

  • Instability

  • Spondylolisthesis

  • Radiating pain into arm or leg (sciatica, radicular pain, neuritis, radiculopathy, etc.)

  • Neck or back pain

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Headaches

  • Degenerative join disease/arthritis of spine (spondylosis)

  • Sprains/strains

  • Whiplash and other post-traumatic injuries

  • Post-fracture rehabilitation

  • Thoracic outlet

  • Osteoporosis

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Pre- and post-operative care for disc fusion, discectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy, and other procedures

 

Shoulder

  • Rotator cuff tendonitis, tendonosis, tears

  • Biceps tendonitis

  • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)

  • Shoulder impingement syndrome

  • Petetitive strain injuries

  • Bursitis

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Pre- and post-operative care for total shoulder arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair, labral cartilage repair, tendon repair, stabilization procedures, and other procedures

 

Knee

  • Tendonitis jumper's knee, patellar tendonitis, quad tendonitis, etc.)

  • Patellofemoral syndrome

  • Chondromalacia patella

  • Plica syndrome

  • Patellar tracking issues

  • Meniscal cartilage tears

  • Ligament injuries

  • Balance issues

  • Muscle strains

  • Overuse injuries

  • Fractures

  • Specialized preventative care for ACL injuries

  • Pre- and post-operative care for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear and reconstruction surgery, meniscal transplant, menisectomy and meniscal repairs, chondroplasty, femoral and tibial osteotomy, fracture repair, and other procedures

 

Hand and Elbow

  • Tennis elbow (lateral elbow pain, lateral epicondylitis)

  • Golfer's elbow (medial elbow pain, medial epicondylitis)

  • Repetitive stress injuries

  • Tendonitis and bursitis

  • Tenosynovitis (Dequervain's, trigger finger, etc.)

  • Overuse injuries

  • Complex regional pain syndrome/reflex sympathetic dystrophy

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Nerve compression injuries

  • Pre- and post-operative care for carpal tunnel procedures, nerve translocation, tendon repairs, fractures, and other procedures

 

Hip

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Fractures

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Labral tears

  • "Snapping" hip

  • Tendonitis

  • Bursitis

  • Tendonitis

  • Weakness and difficulty walking

  • Balance issues

  • Groin strain, sports hernia, osteitis pubis

  • Pre- and post-operative care for arthroscopic labral repair, arthroscopic chondroplasty and other similar hip surgeries, total hip arthroplasty (replacement) surgery, fracture repair (ORIF), and other procedures

 

foot and Ankle

  • Ankle sprains

  • Ligament injuries

  • Instability

  • Ankle impingement syndrome, sinus tarsi syndrome

  • Cartilage injuries

  • Overuse injuries

  • Achilles tendonitis, achilles tendon tears

  • Tendonitis

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Balance issues

  • Bunions

  • Metatarsalgia (forefoot pain)

  • Flexor plate injuries

  • Fractures

  • Pre- and post-operative care for ankle reconstruction, total ankle arthroplasty (replacement), ligament repair, tendon repair, achilles tendon repair, bunionectomy, cartilage repair, neuroma surgery, and other procedures

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