*Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and PT

BREAST CANCER and CANCER REHABILITATION

People with cancer have a lot to deal with.  Some of the difficulties that occur are loss of function and fatigue.  During the treatment of cancer, lack of energy due to stress, chemotherapy, or radiation is common.  Breast cancer surgery can lead to potential loss of strength, movement, and function.  Statistically one in three women who undergo lymph node removal during breast cancer surgery develop swelling of the arm.  Physical Therapy can help treat the dysfunction and fatigue you may have during cancer treatment or after breast cancer surgery.  Emphasis is placed on exercises to help improve mobility, pain, and function.  Some PT's may also specialize in treatment of lymphedema or swelling of the arm or leg.

Conservative Physical Therapy Management of breast cancer rehabilitation may include:

• Modalities: such as heat and ice
• Manual Therapy:  “hands on” treatment to improve pain and restore function and movement.
• Mobilization and Manipulation:  movement of a joint to improve pain and restore functional movement.
• Therapeutic Exercise:  specific exercise to improve pain and restore functional movement.
• Functional Movement Training:  exercises to improve posture and movement.
• Biofeedback:  a way of using a computer or other device to “see” and improve body functions such as muscle activity or indicators of stress.   
• Electrical Stimulation or TENS:  used to help improve pain, inflammation, muscle spasm, muscle function, and circulation.
• Lymphedema treatment:  "hands on" treatment and compression bandges and garments to control fluid and swelling.

Not all physical therapists work with breast cancer rehabilitation or lymphedema.  There are women's health physical therapists who specialize in these areas. You can get more information on this specialty area of physical therapy or locate a PT who works with these conditions at the website for the Section on Women's Health of the American Physical Therapy Association here.

*Links are given to provide a general overview of a topic and not intended to suggest complete or authoritative information on a particular subject.  The information provided is always subject to change.*

*Foot Pain - Plantar Fasciitis and PT

FOOT PAIN - PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Plantar Fasciitis or foot pain caused by tightening of the connective tissue or plantar fascia can cause significant dysfunction.    Tightness of the fascia can place a lot of pressure on sensitive nerves and stimulate bone spur formation.  People with this condition often have difficulty walking, finding comfortable shoes, and may develop chronic problems.   

Conservative Physical Therapy Management of foot pain may include:

• Modalities: such as heat and ice
• Manual Therapy:  “hands on” treatment to improve pain and restore function and movement. 
• Mobilization and Manipulation:  movement of a joint to improve pain and restore functional movement.
• Therapeutic Exercise:  specific exercise to improve pain and restore functional movement. 
• Functional Movement Training:  exercises to improve posture and movement.
• Biofeedback:  a way of using a computer or other device to “see” and improve body functions such as muscle activity or indicators of stress.   
• Electrical Stimulation or TENS:  used to help improve pain, inflammation, muscle spasm, muscle function, and circulation.
• Splints or Orthotics:  devices to help correct foot mobility and position.

Physical Therapists are specialists in restoring movement and function related to muscle, bone, or joint dysfunction.  They often work to improve pain and disability.  To learn more about PT or find one in your area, check out a consumer oriented site on PT here   or the main site of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) here.

*Links are given to provide a general overview of a topic and not intended to suggest complete or authoritative information on a particular subject.  The information provided is always subject to change.*

*Hip and Knee Pain and PT

HIP and KNEE PAIN

Pain in the hip and knee can occur with a trauma or repeated movements such as walking or lifting.  Pain in the leg can affect most daily activites and make it difficult to even move short distances. 

Common causes of hip and knee pain 

• Muscle or Ligament sprain:  sprain of one of the muscles or ligaments of the joint
• Meniscus Tear: tear in the fibrocartilage of the knee. 
• Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis:  degeneration of the knee joint, more common in the elderly. 
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome:  pain from the back of the kneecap, especially with steps. 
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome:  tightness of the IT band causing outside knee pain.
• Trochanteric Bursitis:  lateral (side) hip pain.

Conservative Physical Therapy Management of hip and knee pain may include:

• Modalities: such as heat and ice
• Manual Therapy:  “hands on” treatment to improve pain and restore function and movement. 
• Mobilization and Manipulation:  movement of a joint to improve pain and restore functional movement.
• Therapeutic Exercise:  specific exercise to improve pain and restore functional movement. 
• Functional Movement Training:  exercises to improve posture and movement.
• Biofeedback:  a way of using a computer or other device to “see” and improve body functions such as muscle activity or indicators of stress.   
• Electrical Stimulation or TENS:  used to help improve pain, inflammation, muscle spasm, muscle function, and circulation.

Physical Therapists are specialists in restoring movement and function related to muscle, bone, or joint dysfunction.  They often work to improve pain and disability.  To learn more about PT or find one in your area, check out a consumer oriented site on PT here   or the main site of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) here.

*Links are given to provide a general overview of a topic and not intended to suggest complete or authoritative information on a particular subject.  The information provided is always subject to change.*

*Shoulder, Elbow,Wrist, and Hand Pain and PT

SHOULDER, ELBOW, and WRIST PAIN

Shoulder pain is fairly common.    This is partially due to the design of the joint.  We are meant to have a lot of motion in this area for functional movements but this comes at the price of increased instability.  This can lead to increased wear and tear, injury, or degeneration.  Elbow, wrist, or hand pain can occur with a trauma (such as a fall) or may occur with repetitive movements. 

Common shoulder, elbow,wrist, or hand pain problems:

• Impingement Syndrome, Tendonitis, or Rotator Cuff Syndrome:  Inflammation, irritation, or tear of the tendons in the muscles of the shoulder that rotate the joint.  Can lead to pain in the upper arm and difficulty sleeping on the shoulder.  In the case of a complete rotator cuff tear there is difficulty in lifting the arm. 
• Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis:  shoulder pain and difficulty moving the arm, typically after lack of use of the arm following a painful injury to the shoulder.  
• Lateral or Medial Epicondylitis:  pain on the outside elbow ("Tennis Elbow") or on the inside elbow ("Golfer's Elbow").  Not necessarily related to tennis or golf, but may occur with repeated movements of the arm and wrist. 
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:  wrist and hand pain and numbness/tingling of the thumb, index, and middle fingers.  Common with repeitive movements or pregnancy.
• DeQuervains Syndrome:  base of thumb pain with grasping and lifting. 

Conservative Physical Therapy Management of shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand pain may include: 

• Modalities: such as heat and ice
• Manual Therapy:  “hands on” treatment to improve pain and restore function and movement. 
• Mobilization and Manipulation:  movement of a joint to improve pain and restore functional movement.
• Therapeutic Exercise:  specific exercise to improve pain and restore functional movement. 
• Functional Movement Training:  exercises to improve posture and movement.
• Biofeedback:  a way of using a computer or other device to “see” and improve body functions such as muscle activity or indicators of stress.   
• Electrical Stimulation or TENS:  used to help improve pain, inflammation, muscle spasm, muscle function, and circulation.

Physical Therapists are specialists in restoring movement and function related to muscle, bone, or joint dysfunction.  They often work to improve pain and disability.  To learn more about PT or find one in your area, check out a consumer oriented site on PT here   or the main site of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) here.

*Links are given to provide a general overview of a topic and not intended to suggest complete or authoritative information on a particular subject.  The information provided is always subject to change.*

*TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Jaw and Face Pain and PT

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) JAW and FACE PAIN

TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorders cause pain in the face and jaw.   People with TMJ have problems with chewing, talking, and pain in related structures (ears and neck musculature). Temporomandibular disorders affect more than 25% of the general population with only 10% seeking help. Patients with chronic TMJ have been found to have higher incidence of depression, poor sleep quality, and lower energy levels.  It is also commonly found in people with fibromyalgia or other chronic pain syndromes. 

Common symptoms may include:

• Face/jaw pain
• Joint sounds/clicking
• Limitation in  mouth opening
• Muscle and joint tenderness
• Difficulty in chewing
• Ringing in the ear (Tinnitus)
• Headache
• "tooth" pain that is not related to an actual dental problem (referred pain from a nerve)

Common causes may include:

• Jaw clenching or teeth grinding
• Poor posture
• Chewing on ice, fingernails, etc.
• Stress
• Arthritis
• Joint dysfunction

Conservative Physical Therapy management of face or temporomandibular joint related pain may include: 

• Modalities: such as heat and ice
• Manual Therapy:  “hands on” treatment to improve pain and restore function and movement. 
• Mobilization and Manipulation:  movement of a joint to improve pain and restore functional movement.
• Therapeutic Exercise:  specific exercise to improve pain and restore functional movement. 
• Functional Movement Training:  exercises to improve posture and movement.
• Biofeedback:  a way of using a computer or other device to “see” and improve body functions such as muscle activity or indicators of stress.   
• Electrical Stimulation or TENS:  used to help improve pain, inflammation, muscle spasm, muscle function, and circulation.

Here is an article on PT for TMJ problems. 

Physical Therapists are specialists in restoring movement and function related to muscle, bone, or joint dysfunction.  They often work to improve pain and disability.  To learn more about PT or find one in your area, check out a consumer oriented site on PT here   or the main site of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) here.

*Links are given to provide a general overview of a topic and not intended to suggest complete or authoritative information on a particular subject.  The information provided is always subject to change.*